Hey Slidell! We’ve moved! Our new Slidell location is located at 113 Christian Lane.
Hey Slidell! We’ve moved! Our new Slidell location is located at 113 Christian Lane.
Your life experience is one of growth and learning. We all face a variety of challenges and obstacles in life. You may come across moments that are not easy to talk about — struggling academically, navigating personal relationships, what it’s like to live with mental health concerns. It can seem like you are the only one dealing with these issues, but you are not alone. We have a team that cares deeply about your development and success. We are here to support you through the challenges and celebrate your successes.
Emily is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and Executive Director at Coastline Counseling. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology Education and Christian Philosophy from Mississippi College and later received a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Emily sees a range of clients from couples, families, and individuals. She utilizes many different therapy techniques including Story Informed Trauma Therapy, EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral, Dialectical Behavioral, Solution Focused, and Prepare/Enrich Marriage Therapy as a Certified Prepare Enrich Therapist. She specializes in grief and PTSD work. Emily views it as an honor to walk alongside individuals through their journey of healing through trauma and other life circumstances.
Julie has a unique view on how trauma affects the body and brain and uses a holistic approach in working with patients including EMDR. As a mother of three and spouse of a first responder, she has deep empathy for those struggling to cope with daily stressors as well as healing from past experiences. Sessions with Julie include looking at different parts of someone’s life and looking for the root cause of mental health disturbance. Julie is the founder of Integrative Warrior Assistance, a non-profit organization providing mental health and wellness referral resources and care for first responders and their families, as well as psycho-educational presentations for public service departments. She teaches classes about nervous system regulation to local law enforcement agencies. Julie has worked with at risk youth and their families as a substance abuse counselor intern. She earned a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelor of Art degree in Criminal Justice from Southeastern Louisiana University. In a previous career, Julie served in law enforcement.
Stephanie Hartness is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Fort Worth, TX). She has worked therapeutically with children and families over ten years both internationally and in the USA. As a counselor she loves working with adults, children, adolescents and their families in a culturally sensitive, strength building, trauma informed way. She utilizes a variety of approaches to best meet her client’s needs including: Story Informed Trauma Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, EMDR and Child Centered Play Therapy.
Elizabeth Kennedy is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). She holds a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Counseling and Therapy from Capella University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Education from Louisiana College. Elizabeth has decades of experience in church ministry, which she relies on to help clients in their healing from spiritual or church related trauma. She welcomes individuals, couples, and families who struggle with the effects of trauma, grief, anxiety, and depression. Elizabeth specializes in Story Informed Trauma Therapy (SITT), while also using the evidenced based practice of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help couples achieve satisfaction in all stages of their romantic relationship. Elizabeth sees the therapy room as a sacred place where she provides clients with an unbiased comforting presence that allows them safety and confidence to reach their personal therapy goals. This helps clients recover from difficult experiences in their life such as abuse, childhood trauma, grief, anxiety, and depression. Elizabeth believes in a trauma-informed, holistic approach to reveal how one’s current life is being impacted by their past experiences in order to create positive changes today. She believes everyone has within themselves the power for healing change and is dedicated to instilling this hope in her clients.
Leigh is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who achieved her Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master of Science (MS) in Disaster Resiliency Leadership from Tulane University. She specializes in helping individuals navigate various challenges, including life-transitions, trauma, ADHD, emotion regulation, anxiety, depression and other individual concerns. In her therapeutic practice, Leigh tailors therapy to the uniqueness of each of her clients often employing a diverse array of therapeutic techniques including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, Somatic Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. Leigh works closely with her clients to help them achieve their goals, providing a supportive and warm environment where they feel comfortable being their true, authentic selves.
Elijah is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Louisiana, with a Masters in Counseling and Art Therapy from Southwestern College in Santa Fe, NM. He has six years of counseling experience working with adults primarily in the areas of trauma co-occuring trauma and addictions, but seeing clients with a wide range of mental health concerns in both individual and group settings. Elijah employs a holistic, person centered, and trauma informed approach, incorporating CBT, Mindfulness, ACT, and EMDR, as well as integrating art therapy into these treatment modalities. He believes in the inherent human capacity for healing, change, and creativity, and views the therapeutic alliance as one of collaboration, in which the counselor supports the client in identifying maladaptive patterns and developing more adaptive strategies for coping. Elijah works with the conceptualization of mental health disorders as the symptoms of a dysregulated nervous system, and so also weaves somatic experiencing and psycho-education into his therapeutic approach. Aside from being a mental health counselor, Elijah is also an exhibiting artist, dabbling musician, husband and father.
Marley is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges and discover their inner strength. She earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in counseling from Texas Tech University, where she developed a strong foundation in evidence-based practices and client-centered care. Marley works with clients from all different walks of life, addressing a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional regulation, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. She also provides specialized support for couples seeking to strengthen their connection and individuals working to build resilience during difficult times. Her therapeutic approach is collaborative and tailored to each client’s unique needs. Marley integrates a variety of modalities, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy. This flexibility allows her to meet clients where they are, creating a personalized plan that fosters growth and lasting change. She has a passion for helping others feel understood, empowered, and capable of living authentically. She strives to create a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their thoughts and emotions without judgment. Her goal is to help clients build confidence, develop healthy coping strategies, and embrace their true selves while navigating life’s ups and downs.
Carlos R. Urbina, is a combat veteran with 16 years of service in the United States Marine Corps. He graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University December 2021, with cum laude distinction, with Bachelors of Science, in Human Development. Carlos graduated December 2023 from Tulane University’s School of Social Work, Masters of Social Work program. Carlos is an alum of Wounded War Heroes, putting Veterans in the outdoors and works within the organizations public relations to raise awareness and funding. Carlos, alongside 3 other combat disabled Marines, successfully created the 1st Marine Corps League Detachment in Covington, La., where Carlos is the acting Senior Vice Commandant and Adjutant. Along with his wife, Sharon who is also Carlos VA certified caregiver he has been able to advocate on veteran issues on a national and local level. His passion to help others comes from his experiences throughout his life, being a native of New Orleans, La., living in low income/impoverished neighborhoods, his 16 years of military service guides his approach of “meeting people where they are at”. He sees people ages 5+ including couples and families. Carlos utilizes many different therapeutic approaches to include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solutions Focused Therapy, along with many others.
Tsuwainla Jamir is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) and Provisionally Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy (PLMFT). She received a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and is pursuing her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at the same institution. Tsuwainla brings the experience of more than 11 years of working in different ministry settings, helping individuals, couples, and families who struggle with the effects of trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, and relational issues. Tsuwainla utilizes many different therapy techniques, including EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, The Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and Prepare/Enrich Marriage Therapy as a Certified Prepare Enrich Therapist. Through her trauma-informed and holistic approach, Tsuwainla believes in a non-judgmental, client-centered approach and tailors’ therapy to the uniqueness of her clients, providing a safe space. Tsuwainla sees counseling as a process in which the client and the counselor come to understand and trust one another, work as a team to explore and define present problem situations, develop future goals for an improved life, and work in a systemic fashion toward realizing those goals. She considers it a joy and honor to walk alongside people as they navigate life’s challenges.
Elizabeth is a Provisional Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (PLMFT) at Coastline Counseling. She completed her undergraduate studies at LSU and later earned a Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy from Touro University. Elizabeth works from an attachment-based perspective and believes that most psychological issues are directly related to the quality of one’s personal relationships. When a person is not able to securely connect with the people in their lives, it can have a direct impact on their happiness and sense of well-being. Given this, she often utilizes Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), which is considered the gold standard in couple’s therapy. EFT helps clients learn how to communicate their wants and needs more effectively to their partner, which can result in less conflict, improved sexual intimacy, and a stronger overall emotional connection. Elizabeth also focuses on issues pertaining to family conflict, parenting/co-parenting, separation and divorce, adolescent struggles, and major life transitions.
Christopher W. Kidwell, a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC) at Coastline Counseling. He has a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Holy Cross and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Southeastern Louisiana University. He involves counseling, a collaborative process where you, the client, and he establish trust and mutual understanding. Together, we will work as a team to identify and address current challenges, develop future goals for personal growth, and systematically progress toward achieving those goals. These interventions facilitate clients in gaining a deeper understanding of their underlying issues and developing solutions within a confidential setting that aligns with their therapeutic needs. He specializes in counseling individuals facing various challenges, including substance use disorder, trauma, mood disorders, depression, anxiety, crisis intervention needs, and life transition issues. His counseling approach incorporates person-centered, solution-focused, mindfulness, self-care, and evidence-based practices. He welcomes individuals, adults, adolescents aged 12 and above, LGBTQ+ individuals, and married couples.
Chase is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) at Coastline Counseling. He earned his Master’s degree in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling from Southeastern Louisiana University. Chase offers individual, couples, and family therapy. He works with clients experiencing a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, family-of-origin issues, life adjustments, and relationship difficulties. Chase integrates therapeutic techniques into sessions, drawing from Family Systems Theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Adlerian Therapy, and Play Therapy. Chase deeply values his faith, family, friends, and spending time outdoors. In his role as a counselor, he has a strong passion for helping individuals fully thrive and flourish in their lives and relationships. He holds a deep, profound respect for those seeking to better their lives and is honored to walk beside them on their journey.
Celina is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor at Coastline Counseling. She graduated with her Master's at Southeastern Louisiana University in May 2024. Celina sees clients of all backgrounds and needs including those dealing with depression, anxiety, grief, and more. In her sessions, Celina utilizes different therapeutic techniques including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, cognitive reframing, and Solution-focused therapy to best suit her client's needs. Celina is passionate about helping others navigate their emotions and life experiences by finding ways to face challenges and highlighting one's strengths.
Ashley is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) at Coastline Counseling. She graduated with her Master’s at The University of Southern Mississippi in August 2025. Ashley works with clients with a wide range of needs, including those experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief, and other challenges. She draws from a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches—such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)—to tailor treatment to each individual’s unique goals. Ashley is experienced in working with individuals across the lifespan, including adults, adolescents, and children aged 12 and older. She is deeply committed to supporting clients in navigating their emotions and life experiences by helping them confront challenges, build resilience, and recognize their strengths.
Shara Mahlmeister is a Provisionally Licensed Mental health counseling (PLPC). She graduated from University of West Alabama with a masters in mental health counseling. She has worked with children and families for 2 years on processing traumatic experiences. She offers a child centered play therapy technique where children are allowed to use the language that comes easiest to them, play, to process difficult situations.
Sheryl B. Guitroz, a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC). She received both a Bachelor of Social Science and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degrees from Holy Cross University of New Orleans. Sheryl is passionate about helping those who struggle with depression, anxiety, and overwhelmed with life adjustments, as well as concerns of everyday life stressors. She tailors to clients according to their needs by way of Person-centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy. She is prepared to work with individuals, adults and adolescents, pre-marital and married couples, and children aged 12 and over, to set expectations to help with improving one’s ability to make good decisions, while developing effective strategies to cope. Sheryl enjoys counseling as it is an opportunity to help people from all walks of life discover life with a purpose.
Krystal is a therapist intern at Coastline Counseling and is currently completing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University, with an expected graduation in May 2026. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Louisiana State University (LSU). She works with individuals across all demographics and tailors her therapeutic approach to meet each client’s unique needs. Drawing from a range of evidence-based modalities—including psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)—she integrates insight into unconscious processes, unresolved issues, distorted thinking patterns, and emotional dysregulation. Her work often includes identifying attachment styles within relationships and family dynamics. Her goal is to create a safe, supportive, and collaborative space where clients feel empowered to explore, grow, and heal.
Frannie is a therapist intern here at Coastline, pursuing a Master’s of Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling at Southeastern Louisiana University. Frannie has prior experience working with adults and couples, but offering an empathetic understanding and a safe space for clients of all backgrounds. Using Feminist Therapy, she sees the therapeutic process as a strengths-based collaborative journey with her clients to promote wellness, healing, and empowerment for each client. In her free time, Frannie loves to bake, paint, hang with friends, and spend time outdoors kayaking or hiking.
Kaylee is a counseling intern at Coastline Counseling and a master's student at Southeastern Louisiana University, where she is pursuing a degree in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling, with plans to graduate in May 2026. She views therapy as a collaborative and professional relationship built on trust. She is dedicated to providing a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment for clients from all backgrounds. Kaylee works with children, teens, adults, and couples, helping them navigate a variety of challenges, such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, relational struggles, and trauma. By partnering with clients, Kaylee helps them build confidence, develop new coping strategies, and enhance emotional regulation, while leveraging the client’s unique strengths. She integrates several therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Systems Theory, and Feminist Therapy, to tailor her approach to the individual needs of each client. Above all, Kaylee is passionate about creating a safe space where clients can express their authentic selves and make meaningful strides toward personal growth and healing.
Sarah is a licensed massage therapist dedicated to blending the worlds of massage and mental health. With a passion for holistic wellness, she believes in the profound connection between physical and emotional well-being. Through her practice, Sarah creates a safe, nurturing space where clients can experience relaxation, healing, and renewed balance in both body and mind.
Alyssa Ussery is the Social Media Manager at Coastline Counseling and Partners, where she leverages her expertise in digital marketing to enhance the organization’s online presence. Passionate about mental health advocacy, Alyssa ensures that Coastline’s social platforms reflect the compassionate, professional, and comprehensive approach the team brings to their clients. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of effective social media strategy, she skillfully crafts content that resonates with the community and promotes mental health awareness. Alyssa’s creative direction helps build a bridge between Coastline Counseling and individuals seeking support, fostering a supportive online space for all. Currently, Alyssa has a large portfolio of clients ranging from small businesses to multimillion-dollar corporations.
