COUNSELING
CONFIDENTIAL & CHRIST-CENTERED
To reach the counseling ministry, call us at (828)832-8041 and leave a voicemail where we will return your call within 72 business hours. Please repeat the # to help make sure we have the right #. If you do not hear back from us within that time frame, please try again as we may have heard the call back number incorrectly or there may have been an issue with phone reception.
Please understand that we cannot manage a waitlist as we receive a large volume of calls and an indefinite waitlist would not serve those in need. If all counselors are full, you may try again after a few weeks to see if space has become available.
Meet the counselors
Betsy Bolick
MA, LCMHCA, NBCC
Betsy primarily works with female adults and adolescents (12+) struggling with anxiety, depression, processing grief and loss, and interpersonal relationships, among other life issues. She uses various forms of therapy including but not limited to, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Betsy considers it a great privilege and joy to come alongside her clients as they walk through the sorrows, struggles, and joys of life.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LCMHC-A #A16211)
National Board Certified Counselor (NBCC #1429376)
Master of Arts in Christian Counseling with a concentration in Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, Charlotte, NC
Freda
MA, LCMHCA
Freda works with adult women and couples navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship struggles, and spiritual wounds. With over 15 years of cross-cultural experience overseas, Freda has a special heart for those in ministry and the unique stressors that often accompany a life dedicated to serving.
Freda believes counseling is a place where clients can experience genuine connection and feel like someone is “in the well” with them. Her approach is grounded in attachment theory and the Townsend Model, integrating Person-Centered and Cognitive-Behavioral frameworks, along with mindfulness practices that foster insight, resilience, and empowerment beyond the counseling room.
As a certified Prepare/Enrich facilitator for premarital and couples counseling and an MBTI-certified practitioner, Freda incorporates these tools to support greater self-understanding, improved communication, and healthier relationship patterns. She is fascinated by how these frameworks illustrate the many facets of each individual and the unique ways they are created, reinforcing her belief that there is no “cookie-cutter” approach to therapy.
It is a privilege for Freda to walk alongside clients as they discover their identity as the beloved and encounter the infinite, redeeming love of God. She believes deeply in the power of meaningful connection—with God and with others—and in the healing and wholeness that can emerge through earned secure attachment.
Master of Arts in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health, Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (#A22649)
Alyssa Hensley
M.Div., LCMHC
Alyssa primarily works with adolescents and adults struggling with a variety of emotional, psychological, spiritual, and behavioral concerns. These include, but are not limited to, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, abuse, spiritual issues, emotion regulation, self-esteem, job and marital stress, and difficult life transitions. She uses a variety of formats for counseling, including individual, couple, and family therapy.
Alyssa approaches counseling from a biblical worldview and holistic perspective. She utilizes a variety of counseling models and approaches including, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectic Behavioral Therapy, Brief Solution-Focused Therapy, Prepare/Enrich, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Alyssa completed training in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Level 1 and Gottman Level 1 Training and is also a Prepare-Enrich Facilitator.
Alyssa sees counseling as a process in which the client and counselor come to understand and trust one another, work as a team to explore and define present problem situations, develop goals for an improved life, and work in a systematic fashion toward realizing those goals. She is eager to form strong therapeutic relationships with her clients and honored to walk alongside them in their journey towards a place of healing and health.
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (#16164)
Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Counseling, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Appalachian State University
Marc Montgomery
MA, LCMHCA, LCASA, NCC
Marc’s heart for service began in international missions and campus ministry. These experiences gave him a deep appreciation for the diverse stories people carry. Today, he carries that same missional spirit into his clinical work.
Since transitioning into the mental health field, he has worked across a wide range of settings—from elementary schools and community clinics to intensive outpatient and medication-assisted treatment facilities.
Marc supports clients from age 10+, teens, adults, and older adults. Whether you are navigating the weight of grief, the struggle of addiction, or the challenges of anxiety and depression, Marc offers a person-centered space rooted in grace. He integrates clinical tools like CBT and Motivational Interviewing to provide holistic care that honors each individual’s unique journey.
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, East Tennessee State University
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (A21114)
Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist Associate (LCAS-2904)
National Certified Counselor (1736720)
Meg Putnam
MA, NCC, PSC, LCMHCA
Meg works primarily with children through young adults. Her previous work experience has included teaching and serving in schools as a professional school counselor. She has worked with clients experiencing worry and anxiety, fear, anger, depression, grief and loss, problematic behaviors, trouble with social skills, and relational issues. She uses integrative forms of therapy to best serve each individual clients’ needs. Some of these include: play therapy, group therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and others. Meg desires to provide a safe environment where a client can come and know they are accepted and cared for as they are, help them navigate through a challenging season, and leave better understanding how the Lord sees them and loves them. She is passionate about working with individuals to help them discover tools that are effective and that they can integrate in various areas throughout their lives.
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education; Clemson University
Master of Arts degree in Professional School Counseling; Appalachian State University National Certified Counselor (#292134)
Licensed Professional School Counselor (#1220425)
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (#A14337)
Gregory Ward
MA, LCMHC, NCC
Greg has experience serving children, adolescents, families and men's issues beginning in the public mental health system in 1999. Most recently, Greg serves in the capacity of School Counselor since 2003. He has experience with clients that have developmental disabilities, adjustment issues, depression, anxiety, anger, grief and loss, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, separation and divorce issues, social skills training needs, relational stress, men's issues, couples and other relational emotional and behavioral concerns. Greg was ordained as a deacon in 2005, and currently serves in his church as a Sunday School Teacher and as a member of the Finance Committee.
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA #A11545)
National Certified Counselor (NCC #667609)
National Board Certified Teacher in the area of Counseling early childhood through young adulthood (NBCT #02705959)
American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) member
Master of Arts degree from Appalachian State University in 1999 in Guidance and Counseling
Robin Parlier
Counseling Intern
Robin Parlier is pursuing her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and brings a diverse background in education, church ministry, and equine therapeutic services.
Robin welcomes the opportunity to work with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults experiencing a variety of life challenges. Her areas of interest include anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, relationship concerns, life transitions, stress, self-esteem, and personal growth.
Robin approaches counseling with empathy, compassion, and respect, striving to provide a safe and supportive environment where clients feel genuinely heard and understood. She believes in a Christian worldview and approaches counseling from a Christ-centered perspective, recognizing the importance of hope, grace, purpose, and the inherent value of each individual. She also recognizes that every client brings unique experiences, values, and beliefs to the counseling relationship and seeks to meet each person with compassion and respect.
Robin views counseling as a collaborative process that can help individuals recognize their strengths, build resilience, develop healthy coping strategies, and move toward meaningful growth and healing.