Jessica Penot is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in Alabama, a Certified Trauma Counselor, A Certified Safe and Sound Protocol Provider and A Certified Trauma Oriented Yoga Instructor. Jessica has over twenty years of clinical experience and enjoys working with those struggling with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), adults on the autism spectrum, gender dysphoria, and rape and incest survivors. Jessica is a neuroaffirmative therapist who has dedicated years to writing and researching about life on the Spectrum. Her treatment manual for autistic adults will be released by New Harbinger Press next year. Jessica has spent a considerable amount of time working with the LGBTQ community and enjoys working with people who feel like they don't fit in. Jessica practices using cognitive behavioral therapeutic techniques and creative therapies such as storytelling therapy, art therapy, video game therapy, and Jungian Analysis. Jessica has written seven books and enjoys hiking, reading, watching movies, playing video games, painting and writing in her spare time. Jessica is the owner of Tree of Life Behavioral Health. Jessica currently has a waitlist and can't see any new clients until late Spring of 2024. However, she is supervising HG Hilton, Audrey Smith, and Rosemary Hilliard and training them to work with the issues she has expertise in.
Ahna Ravan, MA, LPC, NCC Ahna Ravan, MA, LPC, NCC, is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Counseling Program with a Master in Arts. She has a certificate in Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling. Ahna is a registered play therapist and utilizes interventions from various approaches such as directive and non-directive play therapy, theraplay, sand tray, narrative therapy and family systems approach.
Ahna’s goal is to help individuals and families work through their current challenges and past hardships in an empathetic and compassionate environment. Ahna believes the therapeutic relationship is pivotal in healing and that each clients therapeutic experience needs to be appropriate for their needs and developmental level. She has experience helping children, adolescents, and adults and with trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, life transitions, identity exploration, and family conflict. Ahna is a veteran who previously served in the United States Army.
Charles Montgomery, LPC, MA As your therapist you will find someone who will be present with you as you deal past or present struggles. My job is not to change you but to help guide you through the changes you wish to explore. Anxiety, panic, depression, phobias...may be symptoms of struggles with future events or struggles with past events. My therapy style is an eclectic approach utilizing Cognitive Therapy, Remapping Therapy, Rapid Resolution Therapy, and Mindfulness Meditation to learn healthy coping skills. “Humankind is affected not by events but by the meaning we place on them.” - Seneca Together, let’s work to find new meaning for past or present.
Specialties:
PTSD
Anger Management
Addiction/ Recovery
Grief/Loss
Anxiety/Panic/Phobias
Certifications:
Certified EMDR Specialist
Certified Mindfulness Specialist
Certified Anger Resolution Therapist (CART)
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
April McKee, MS, LPC-S (She/Her) April is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor with over 20 years of clinical experience supporting those facing mental health and substance use concerns. Throughout her career, she has assisted individuals across all age groups in their journey towards healing and flourishing, specializing in treating symptoms and behaviors related to PTSD/cPTSD, depression, anxiety, anger, self-esteem, substance use disorders, and sleep disorders. April has a background in providing recovery services to survivors of natural disasters which led to the privilege of serving as a public safety researcher for the esteemed National Weather Service. In recent years, she has expanded her focus to treating trauma specific to adverse childhood, religious, and medical experiences. April provides affirming therapy to those in the LGBTQIA2S+, Autistic, ADHD, and disabled communities. The care that April offers is comprehensive, addressing all aspects of wellness by considering the biological, sociological, and psychological factors that contribute to overall health. She welcomes each person to a judgment-free environment where his/her/their personal goals can be identified and met and where each session also serves as a place of safety and sanctuary.
H.G. Hilton, ALC, M. Ed. (They/them)
H.G. received their Masters of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Vanderbilt University and their Bachelors in Psychology from The University of Alabama in Huntsville. H.G. is pursuing their licensure in counseling under the supervision of Jessica Penot, LPC-S. H.G. has experience in working with incarcerated men, women in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, and university students. H.G. takes a collaborative approach to therapy with foundations in strengths-based, relational-cultural, and existential therapy. H.G. believes in Carl Roger’s core philosophy, that each individual has everything they need inside them to succeed, but sometimes life, systems, our own notions of what should be done, etcetera, get in the way of growth. The barriers mentioned above block people from their full potential and a realization of their worth, which encourages H.G.’s therapeutic focus on strengths, autonomy, and community resourcing to help clients take action on what will most contribute to their well-being. H.G. has worked with a variety of conditions, but particularly enjoys working with LGBTQIA2S+ folx,, autism/ADHD, depression, grief, and identity exploration. H.G. is a neuroaffirming, LGBTQIA2S+ affirming, culturally-conscious, and kink-friendly therapist. In their spare time, H.G. enjoys reading, cuddling their cats, taking walks with their dog, cross-stitching, and spending time with their loved ones.
“I want you to get excited about who you are, what you are, what you have, and what can still be for you. I want to inspire you to see that you can go far beyond where you are right now.” - Virginia Satir -- H.G. Hilton, ALC They/them (What's this?) Tree of Life Behavioral Health (256) 278-2802
Audrey Smith, ALC, MA Ed
Audrey brings to Tree of Life Behavioral over a dozen years' experience in counseling, serving previously as a school counselor, substance abuse counselor, and non-profit director. She received her Masters of Education in School Counseling from the University of North Alabama and her Bachelors in Humanistic Psychology from the University of West Georgia. Her background has given her the knowledge to help those who have experienced trauma or rejection turn their pain into purpose. Audrey works from a collaborative, holistic, and strengths-based approach; assisting and supporting clients to be the author of their own lives. Audrey has a passion for advocating for the underdogs, the disenfranchised, the misfits, and the weirdos. She has developed a niche in serving youth in foster care as well as working with teens and adults to plan for their next phase of life; to confidently arrive as their most authentic self. She also volunteers as a CAJA (Court Appointed Juvenile Advocate) and serves on the leadership team of Huntsville Women for Good. She is pursuing her licensure in counseling under the supervision of Jessica Penot, LPC-S.
“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” - Carl Jung
RAINN STONE, MA, Autism Coach As a non-binary individual who is also autistic, I understand the challenges of navigating the world through the lens of intersectionality. I believe that my experiences with minority stress and the challenges that come with being part of multiple marginalized groups gives me a unique perspective when it comes to offering autism coaching.
At the core of my coaching philosophy is the belief that autism is a social disability, and as such, it is important to learn skills to navigate day-to-day life in a world that is not always accommodating to neurodivergent individuals. My goal is to work with individuals to develop practical strategies that they can use to manage their autism and thrive in a world that often does not understand or appreciate their unique perspective.
As someone who is affirming of everyone, I believe that it is important to recognize the intersectionality of our identities and how they impact our experiences. I strive to create a safe and inclusive space for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, race, or ability. I hope to empower individuals to embrace their authentic selves and gain the skills they need to navigate the world with confidence. As I like to say, "we all have unique strengths and challenges, and my goal is to help you harness your strengths and overcome your challenges to live your best life.” -- Rainn (they/them), LMSW, GTC
Thomasin Domenech, MS, ALC, CRC
I have earned a BA in Psychology from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a MS in Counseling Psychology from Alabama A&M University. While pursuing my graduate degree, I completed additional coursework to specialize in helping disabled people find employment or just function more independently in the community and at home.
I have over 12 years of experience in various mental health fields and have worked with many different populations including people who struggle with depression/anxiety/suicidal ideation, children with autism, trauma survivors, and the LGBT+ community. I use an eclectic mix of person-centered and evidence-based techniques including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and problem solving. My job is to provide clients with a safe and judgement-free environment to explore thoughts, emotions, behavior patterns, and options to meet therapeutic goals.
ROSEMARY HILLIARD, MS, ALC I have a Master of Education in School Counseling from Tennessee Tech University; my BS is in Social Work and that degree came from Western Kentucky University. I worked as a school counselor for almost 7 years in Tennessee as well as in Virginia. I am pursuing licensure in counseling under the supervision of Jessica Penot LPC-S.
I believe that counseling should be growth oriented. My goal as a counselor is to get my clients to the point that they have the skills they need to cope and move forward in their life. Once distorted beliefs and thoughts are identified we can begin to work to change them to productive positive thoughts and create actions to progress to the new thoughts and ultimately a new healthier life. I work with both children and adults.
Appa, Service Dog
Appa is Tree of Life's Service Dog. Please ask before you pet him. Appa was trained for 6 months at Sandpointe Doodles in Sandpointe, Idaho. He was trained by Tanya. His handler is Jessica Penot, LPC-S. He is trained to help Jessica with balance and to help people with anxiety. In Appa's spare time enjoys chasing sticks, cuddling, hiking, running, and trying to catch the evil squirrels.