Jon Priest
Licensed Psychological Examiner – Independent
- Parenting Coordinator
- TF-CBT Trained
Jon earned both his Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from the University of Central Arkansas. Since being licensed in 2007, he has worked with children and their families in the school-based and inpatient hospital settings. In 2011, Jon followed God’s leading and joined his father in part-time practice at CPC, but after only a year’s time transitioned to full-time practice.
Jon has a laid back relational style that allows a client to explore and plan for the growth they want to experience while valuing the process far and above over the product. He is experienced in helping children and their families address behavioral challenges with healthy boundaries and connection and loves working with clients of any age explore their uniqueness to play to their strengths. Jon is a great fit for clients (especially males who hate the idea of counseling) wanting to deeply explore questions of identity, family of origin concerns, the meaning of his/her suffering, his/her core values, and questions of faith and who God is. Couples who want to learn how conflict can be another opportunity for intimacy will appreciate his approach as well, and he enjoys helping leaders (e.g., entrepreneurs, executives, pastors, etc.) deal with the unique pressures and loneliness that can come along with such roles. Jon is trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to help children process difficult experiences and is a trained parenting coordinator equipped to assist high-conflict coparents cooperate effectively for their child(ren).
Jon is married with three children, who he adores and travels the country with whenever possible. He serves in his church through playing drums in the praise band and leading small groups. He also loves outdoor adventures of all sorts (backpacking and canoeing, especially), dark chocolate, and lame dad jokes.
Andrea Self
Licensed Professional Counselor
Andrea earned both her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Science in Community Counseling from the University of Central Arkansas. She was licensed in 2001, and has spent 20 years working in community mental health.
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She has worked with a variety of clients and has experience in treating adults with issues such as depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, chronic mental illness, and substance abuse. She especially enjoys working with women who are going through transition (e.g., into the empty nest) or struggling to find joy within their season (e.g., marital dissatisfaction). Andrea connects
with clients through the therapeutic relationship and helps them work through their issues in a safe, non-judgmental way and feels blessed to be able to help people work through their problems in a Christ-centered environment.
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Andrea and her husband have two sons and a daughter.
Tina Livingston
Licensed Professional Counselor
With a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Arkansas State University (2002) and a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy & Community Counseling from John Brown University (2005), Tina has built a rich and diverse career helping people thrive. Since earning her license, she’s worked in both outpatient (school-based therapy) and inpatient (psychiatric hospital) settings and more recently, at the University of Central Arkansas Counseling Center, where she has made a big impact on students' mental health and well-being.
In addition to her impressive credentials, she’s also Certified in Thanatology: Death, Dying, and Bereavement through the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC). While she’s well-versed in the tough stuff—grief, loss, and all those heavy topics—don’t worry, she’s not about to bring you down. Tina’s more about helping people navigate life’s big transitions, whether they’re heartbreaking or heartwarming.
Tina is also passionate about helping people boost their self-esteem, enhance their goal setting and problem-solving abilities, and helping people working towards healthier, happier relationships. With a mix of Family Systems and Solution-Focused approaches, she creates a supportive space for clients to explore their thoughts and feelings, trusting that everyone has the power to uncover their own answers and grow into their best selves.
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When Tina’s not helping others on their journey, you can find her diving into a good book, crushing a CrossFit workout, unleashing her creativity, traveling the globe or enjoying quality time with her family.
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Energetic, compassionate, and always ready to support others—Tina is here to help you take the next step in your personal growth!
Kenneth Priest
Licensed Psychological Examiner – Independent
- EMDR Trained
Kenneth, licensed since 1989, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Bible from Central Baptist College and a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from the University of Central Arkansas. He founded CPC in 1992 as a private practice in addition to his career at Conway Human Development Center where he worked with intellectually disabled individuals and their families from 1990 until 2019. He is a Past President of the Arkansas Association of Psychological Examiners, an active member in his church by teaching and singing in choir, and is married with four children and seven grand-children. Kenneth specializes in marital therapy as well as treating adults struggling with such issues as anxiety, depression, and life transition. He is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to provide specialized help for those struggling with the effects of trauma.
Kolton Thomas
Licensed Associate Counselor
Kolton earned his Master of Science in Counseling from John Brown University in Little Rock in 2024. He began his career as a licensed counselor after a decade of volunteer experience with non-profits in the area. His work with foster youth, survivors of human trafficking, and marginalized communities—both locally and in Haiti—fostered a passion for walking alongside hurting people to support them in their journey to overcome hardship and find holistic healing.
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Kolton is dedicated to helping clients uncover the root causes of their struggles for lasting transformation, rather than surface-level change. He provides a supportive space for exploring complex questions of faith, spirituality, identity, and belief reconstruction. Experienced in guiding men to break free from unwanted behaviors like pornography, Kolton is also certified in inner child therapy, which centers on healing early-life wounds. In addition to individual work, he enjoys helping couples navigate stress and conflict to restore peace and intimacy in their relationships.
Kolton is married and an outdoor enthusiast, enjoying backpacking, kayaking, and fishing across the Natural State with his wife. Together, they attend a local church where Kolton helps lead worship and serves the community. Kolton and his wife are also musicians and appreciate the unique, grounding role music can play in personal healing and growth.
Tad Tillemans, MD
Psychiatrist
Dr. Tillemans has over 17 years of experience in working with children, adolescents, adults, and families in a wide range of inpatient and outpatient settings. As an experienced psychiatrist and therapist, he works closely with both clients and their therapists to help treatment be as beneficial as possible.
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Dr. Tillemans has extensive experience in the field of pharmaceutical research, consulting, and advising. He also has been a sought after lecturer and trainer to doctors across the country for the past 17 years in the areas of ADHD, Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia. This advanced knowledge of modern psychopharmacology along with his focus on therapist and client collaboration empowers clients to make informed decisions about medication management in their treatment.
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Critical in all of this is the extra time Dr. Tillemans spends with clients to listen and understand their needs, answer their questions, and talk through options. This approach keeps our clients from feeling hurried through critical decision-making processes and thinking “The doctor only spent 5-10 minutes with me! How do they even know me or what I need?” We're absolutely thrilled to offer our clients this critical service and Dr. Tillemans' skillful and attentive care.
Sara Whisenhunt
Licensed Professional Counselor
- Certified in Thanatology
Sara, originally from Dallas, Texas, has lived in Central Arkansas since 2016. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in psychology from Florida College in Tampa, Florida before completing her Masters of Science in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Central Arkansas. Sara’s passion and focus in counseling is grief and loss. She is an active member of the Association of Death Education and Counseling, and is a firm believer that grief is a common experience that binds us together in life. She is also Certified in Thanatology: Death, Dying, and Bereavement. Sara has worked with a wide array of populations from geriatric, college students, couples, homeless, and loss. Sara is an active member of her church here in Conway and enjoys performing on stage, time with her family, watching baseball, and vacationing at Disney World. Sara and her husband are also the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl and two Scottish Terriers. Sara is available to see clients during the week, including some evenings.
Christen Warnock
Licensed Professional Counselor
- Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional
Christen earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Science in Community Counseling from the University of Central Arkansas. Since being licensed in 2010, she has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in the clinic, school, and client home environments, and she enjoyed supporting other mental health providers while in a clinical supervisor role.
Christen enjoys providing a nurturing and encouraging space in which each individual can utilize their strengths and passions in combination with evidence-based tools and interventions to pursue their goals, and she views counseling as an opportunity to partner with God in the work He is already faithfully completing in each person. Christen has experience working with a wide variety of presenting concerns including anxiety, depression, behavioral challenges, difficulty adjusting to life changes, loss and the grieving process, communication difficulties, self-esteem or self-view concerns, difficulty managing stress, and trauma responses. Christen also loves to work with individuals of any age who have the strength of being highly introverted or highly sensitive but who would like to work through maladaptive expressions of introversion/ sensitivity, improve communication, or build a self-care regimen that honors their personality and promotes balance. She recently became a Certified Integrative Mental Health Practitioner with a focus on the impact of nutrition on mental health as well.
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Christen enjoys nature, exercise, creative pursuits, reading, and her family.
Jason Ribbing
Licensed Professional Counselor
Jason earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Lyon College in 2001 and his Master’s in Community Counseling at the University of Central Arkansas in 2004.
Since being licensed Jason has worked with a variety of clients in several different settings, including inpatient facilities, private practice, and most recently, the University of Central Arkansas Counseling Center where he worked with young adults.
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Now in full-time private practice, Jason enjoys working with individuals who want to improve their time management skills and problem solving abilities, helping athletes, and those who are working towards improving their relationships. He utilizes Cognitive-Behavioral and Solution-Focused approaches and draws upon his experience as a college athlete when working with his clients. Believing strongly in an individual’s ability to find his/her own answers, he provides an environment for clients to safely explore their thoughts and feelings as they move towards their ideal selves.
In his free time, Jason enjoys golfing, fishing, hunting, and family time with his wife and three children.
Michael Marsden
Licensed Psychologist
- CPT Trained
Michael is originally from Paragould, Arkansas. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in both Psychology and Music at Ouachita Baptist University in 2009, and moved to Conway to earn a masters and PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Central Arkansas. Michael worked for 7 years in a community mental health setting where he gained experience working with adults of all ages who were learning to manage symptoms ranging from mild depression and worry to more severe symptoms of depression, trauma, panic, and even psychosis. Michael highly values learning and enjoys bringing current research findings and knowledge into the therapy process, such as his training in Cognitive Processing Therapy for treating trauma. Michael's strong emphasis on evidence-based treatment has led him to place a high priority on forming a strong therapeutic relationship with his clients as this is arguably one of the strongest predictors of therapeutic success. When he is not working or studying, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys cooking, dabbles in gardening, and loves when he can spare some time for his lifelong hobby of gaming.
Melissa Bell, APRN
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
- Spravato® Provider
Melissa is a dedicated and compassionate nurse practitioner dual certified in Family Practice and Psychiatry. She has been providing comprehensive, patient-centered care since 2013, working with individuals of all ages and levels of complexity. With a deep commitment to mental health and overall well-being, she takes a holistic approach to treatment, ensuring each patient receives personalized and evidence-based care.
She has a special interest in treatment-resistant depression and offers innovative options such as Spravato (esketamine) for those struggling with persistent symptoms. Additionally, she has advanced training in managing hormonal mood changes, including thyroid disorders and hormone replacement therapy, recognizing the vital connection between physical and mental health.
Originally from Georgia, Melissa enjoys running and spending time with her family when she’s not caring for her patients. She is passionate about creating a welcoming and supportive environment where individuals feel heard, valued, and empowered on their journey to wellness.
Kelsey Sandefur
Licensed Professional Counselor
- National Certified Counselor
- CPT Certified
- TF-CBT Certified
Kelsey Sandefur is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Arkansas, as well as a National Board-Certified Counselor. Kelsey received her Bachelors’ Degree in Psychology and Counseling from Central Baptist College in Conway, AR and her Master of Arts Degree in Counseling from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO. With significant trauma training and certifications, including Cognitive Processing Therapy and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Kelsey is equipped to assist clients in processing through their trauma and meet their full potential in life.
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Kelsey’s laid-back demeanor creates an atmosphere for her clients to come as they are, as Kelsey understands beginning the counseling journey can be a nerve-racking experience. With plans to pursue her doctorate in the near future in Child and Adolescent Development, Kelsey specializes in working with children, teens, and young adults.
Brooke Meier
Licensed Professional Counselor
Brooke earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Ouachita Baptist University and Master of Science in Community Counseling from the University of Central Arkansas. Since being licensed in 2004, she has worked primarily in the school-based counseling setting, but in 2016 felt God leading her to use her training from a Christ-centered perspective. Brooke’s passion is for working with children, adolescents, and adults alike by accepting them where they are and supporting those who feel broken by providing a safe environment in a Christ-centered setting. Brooke enjoys serving in her church by working with the children and youth. She’s married with two children, relaxes by doing craft projects, and loves to go to the beach.
John Webber, MD
Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist​
John grew up in southeast Arkansas in the farming community of Stuttgart. After graduating from high school, he joined the Navy and served as a member of the submarine force on the USS Dace (SSN 607). He went to the University of Central Arkansas upon being honorably discharged from the Navy, where he earned both a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology. After three years of working in community mental health in Cabot, Lonoke and Hazen and two years at the Arkansas School for the Deaf, John attended medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences where he received his MD in 1996. He then completed a residency in Psychiatry with additional training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. His psychiatry career has included working in a wide variety of treatment settings including outpatient clinics, inpatient hospitals, emergency departments, and long-term residential care
John’s training and experience as both a therapist and a psychiatrist allow for the unique combination of being able to provide both psychotherapy and, when indicated, medication treatment. He enjoys working with people of all ages who are facing life’s challenges including depression, anxiety, early trauma, and relationship issues. His approach to treatment is to provide a nonjudgmental and therapeutic space which promotes healing.
He enjoys spending time with family and friends, finding out-of-the-way restaurants that are not well known, reading, and traveling, especially within the state to Eureka Springs or Bentonville. He serves in a volunteer ministry at his church and also enjoys attending Sunday school and Bible study.
Sarah Haverfield
Licensed Professional Counselor
Sarah earned a masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Harding University in Searcy, AR. After receiving her license in 2005, she began working in community mental health in both clinical and school settings, primarily with kids, teens, parents and families. After having children in 2012, she began working part time and, eventually, began homeschooling her two daughters full time. Sarah has always been passionate about counseling and believes it takes an enormous amount of bravery to look at oneself and face trials, hardships, as well as shortcomings. Sarah feels honored to walk alongside anyone willing to take the steps towards healing and making progress. It has been her desire for years to apply God's truth in conjunction with her counseling approach. Sarah enjoys being with her husband and family, who she loves second only to the Lord, attending church, going to exercise classes, being outdoors, cooking new recipes, reading as many books as she can get her hands on, and traveling near and far.
Jessica Haynie
Licensed Professional Counselor
- TF-CBT Trained
- BSP Trained
Jessica graduated from the master’s program at Harding University with a Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2019. She has worked with a diverse client base in various settings, starting out school based and then transitioning to the outpatient clinic setting helping children, adolescents, adults, and families. Jessica loves helping people become the best version of themselves by walking beside them through their counseling journey. Jessica ultimately strives to be a light for God by helping people through their hurts, struggles, and daily life. Her approach to counseling is based on person-centered and cognitive behavioral therapy, with her main focus being to meet her clients where they are to understand their individual needs. Jessica is trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Brainspotting (BSP) to further help those who are struggling from the effects of trauma. In her free time she enjoys hiking, kayaking, shopping, watching sports, spending time with friends and family, and traveling. She has 4 precious fur babies who she makes sure are spoiled.
Melissa Bell, APRN
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
- Spravato® Provider
Melissa is a dedicated and compassionate nurse practitioner dual certified in Family Practice and Psychiatry. She has been providing comprehensive, patient-centered care since 2013, working with individuals of all ages and levels of complexity. With a deep commitment to mental health and overall well-being, she takes a holistic approach to treatment, ensuring each patient receives personalized and evidence-based care.
She has a special interest in treatment-resistant depression and offers innovative options such as Spravato (esketamine) for those struggling with persistent symptoms. Additionally, she has advanced training in managing hormonal mood changes, including thyroid disorders and hormone replacement therapy, recognizing the vital connection between physical and mental health.
Originally from Georgia, Melissa enjoys running and spending time with her family when she’s not caring for her patients. She is passionate about creating a welcoming and supportive environment where individuals feel heard, valued, and empowered on their journey to wellness.
Sarah Lindsey
Licensed Professional Counselor
- Parenting Coordinator
- Recognized Smart Stepfamily
Therapy Provider
Sarah is originally from San Antonio and has recently moved back to Texas after having lived in Little Rock since 2005. She came to Arkansas after finishing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Colorado Christian University. Prior to returning to graduate school, Sarah worked directly with troubled teens at Youth Home, Inc. in Little Rock, and then transitioned to working with the homeless population at River City Ministry. In 2012, she completed her Master of Arts in Counseling at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and also became a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Sarah has a wide variety of experience working with career counseling, substance abuse, divorce, adolescents, adjustment issues, and people who simply feel stuck. She is also both a trained parenting coordinator, equipped to assist high-conflict coparents cooperate effectively for their child(ren), and a Recognized Smart Stepfamily Therapy Provider, having gone through specific training in blended family therapy. Sarah enjoys meeting people where they are, and joining each person on their unique, but blessed, journey.
Brian Walker
Licensed Professional Counselor
- Logic-Based Therapy Certified
- Reintegrative Therapy Trained
Brian is a philosophical counselor who began practice in Idaho before moving to Arkansas a few years ago. He began as a general practitioner in clinical counseling but has gradually refined his work to focus on a philosophical, reality-based approach. This has led to an increasing effort to help others from a Christian perspective as well, especially for those struggling in their marriage and family, with sexual and gender challenges, and who desire to weave together their mental health and Christian Faith as one big picture.
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Brian holds a Master of Science in Clinical Counseling from Northwest Nazarene University in Idaho. He completed his degree in 2013, and, in 2018, returned for an endorsement in School Counseling. He has worked in both clinical and school settings. Brian has also become certified in Logic-Based Therapy, a type of reason based philosophical counseling, and other forms of counseling. He is currently working on certification in Reintegrative Therapy, a form of counseling that helps people connect with those parts of themself they have cut off.
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Brian is a lifelong Catholic and has sought to follow the tradition of a life of charity the world used to see from old school monks and nuns. He divides his time between family, prayer, study, exploring Arkansas, and bringing knowledge and support to others through counseling.
Anisha Hoekman
Student Therapist, Cabot
Anisha, born and brought up in India, has lived in Central Arkansas since 2014. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Sociology and Literature from India, before completing her Masters in Business Administration, also in India. During this time, she worked as a missionary partner and translator to bring the Gospel into slums. She also worked with the church youth and was the children’s program director. She is currently a graduate student at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary obtaining her Masters in Divinity in Marriage and Family Counseling.
Anisha has always been enthusiastic about counseling and eager to come alongside people who are struggling. Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn,” has been a driving motivation toward her pursuit of counseling. She is excited to develop new counseling skills with Biblical perspective to aid in her desire to honor God in helping people. She especially has a desire to serve the people who are affected by incarceration.
Anisha has been married for ten years and is blessed with 3 kids. She enjoys learning the new skills necessary to adapt to a different culture in the US, married life, and homeschooling her kids. She loves attending church with her family, travelling, and connecting with her family in India.
Alex Baker
Student Therapist, Conway
Alex made a leap of faith in 2014, moving from Southeast Arkansas to help plant a church in Conway. She has served the Church locally and traveled as a worship leader for over 15 years. Writing and recording songs under her maiden name, Alex Edmonds, she has used her gifts to encourage and inspire.
Having come from a broken family and overcoming emotional turmoil in her teens, Alex dedicated herself to the work of spiritual restoration and wellness of others, believing that nothing is wasted with our God.
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
â€â€- 2 Corinthians‬ â€1‬:â€4‬ -
Throughout her years in music ministry, Alex found herself having many conversations with individuals grappling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc. Hearing their stories and desiring to become a more skilled helper, Alex discovered a new chapter of her purpose unfolding. She returned to school and completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and is a current graduate student in their Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.
Alex’s goal is to create a nurturing environment where each client feels safe to come as they are— feeling seen, heard, and supported along their healing journey. Her developing therapeutic approach is holistic, emphasizing the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, and grounded in humanistic principles, which focuses on empathy, authenticity, and unconditional respect.
When she’s not in the office, you’ll likely find Alex enjoying her nature passions of foraging, herbalism, and helping her husband, Chris, care for the chickens, goats, and honey bees at City Farm Conway— their regenerative urban farm. Alex also loves to travel and dive into different cultures, always seeking to learn and grow along the way.
Lena Priest
Referral Liaison
Lena joined the CPC team full-time in June of 2023 after spending almost 20 years as a teacher, school counselor, and even a school bus driver! She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education and a Master's Degree in School Counseling and is a Nationally Board Certified School Counselor. She enjoys using the skills and knowledge gained in her previous career to help people in her community get connected to the counseling care and resources they need. Lena is excited to join her husband, Jon, to help run CPC's growing clinics, and will often be found around the Central Arkansas area at events telling people what CPC has to offer. While she has long been a part of the behind the scenes planning and development of CPC, she is thrilled to now be able to devote more time and energy to helping people find healing and support through the community of Christ and the science of counseling.
When she isn't working, Lena loves spending time watching her three children at their extracurricular activities. In her free time, Lena enjoys reading, baking, crafting, and vacationing with her family! She hopes to one day write a blog about her family's road trips to National Parks. She is also a committed member of her church where she teaches Sunday School and volunteers in many outreach ministries.
Salina Moore
Administrative Assistant (Cabot)
- Billing Support
Salina recently followed God's leading and moved back to Arkansas to be closer to her family. Prior to joining CPC to use her skills in a Christ-centered environment, she worked for healthcare companies and city governments. Salina loves to be outdoors in her garden or just walking in nature and her husband, two children, and two dogs keep her very busy. Salina is passionate about sharing the fundamentals of the faith with others by facilitating Alpha courses, which answers questions about God that many people may have, no matter where they are on their journey with Christ.
Emily Riecker
Office Administrator
Emily joined the CPC staff in March of 2017 to provide administrative support for our expanding practice and now oversees all reception, billing, and office management for all three CPC clinics from her Conway (Donaghey Ave.) office. She is originally from Oklahoma but has lived in Conway since 1997. When not in the office, Emily works as a small animal veterinarian providing relief services for various veterinary clinics in the area. In addition to her love of animals, she also enjoys trail running, is passionate about nutrition and fitness, and is a committed church member. We’re so blessed to have Emily’s support in helping our clients!