About Us & Our Team - Northern Piedmont Counseling

Northern Piedmont Counseling PLLC’s Team Our Mooresville, NC Staff

Taryn Sweeting

Co-Owner, Counselor, LCMHC, MS, NCC

Specialties: Child or Adolescent, Behavioral Issues, and Anxiety

"I have worked with children, adolescents, and families for the past five years. I have worked in homes, schools, offices, and communities to ensure comprehensive support and progress. I focus on parenting and couple issues, helping to strengthen bonds and promote the desired change. Individuals who face anxiety, grief, loss, transition, and other challenges deserve support and non-judgment. I look forward to talking with you about how I can help."

Keith Cheney

Co-Owner, Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT

Specialties: Child or Adolescent, Anxiety, and Depression

"I take a pragmatic approach to therapy. I am well-versed in many techniques/theories, but I like to keep it simple and tailored to each individual's needs. I have worked extensively with children of all ages as well as many adults, families, and couples from many different backgrounds."

Shasta Minton

Counselor, MA, LCHMCA

"There comes a point in time when we all could use a listening ear or a guidebook on how to overcome life's challenges. From depression to substance use, relationship issues, or overcoming past trauma, life can throw you some curveballs that, without intervention, could derail your future success. If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, or at a loss for what to do next, reaching out for help is the perfect first step! Whether your troubles are overtaking your life or you just feel like you aren't quite yourself, we can move through this stage of life together and come out stronger on the other side.

I am happy to partner with you and walk you through this season of life. Each client that I work with is unique and special in their own way, which requires a specific approach to best meet your individual needs. We will develop a plan that is best for you, making any adjustments along the way to reach your greatest potential.

Don't hesitate any longer. The time is now to take charge of your life and work towards bettering yourself and living the best life you deserve. You are worth it!!!"

Helene Eklen

LCSW

"We all face obstacles and conflict as we make our way through life’s transitions, no matter what age we are. How we manage those challenges is driven by our unique nature and our childhood experiences. Therapy enables us to gain self-understanding and coping skills to navigate our lives with greater motivation and self-confidence. We learn to courageously explore those ingrained and, not always conscious, perceptions we have of life while striving for balance, purpose, connectedness, and empowerment.

With 15 years of experience providing support for clients, age 18 – seniors, individuals and couples, LGBTQIA as well, in a variety of settings, and later on as an LCSW in a clinical setting, I’ve been helping clients to cope and manage their anxiety, depression, bipolar, physical impairments, various sources of trauma and addiction.

My clients tell me I am easy to relate to. Most importantly, they feel cared for and understood."

Evan Gray

LCMHC-A

"I serve a range of populations, from adolescent to adult clients ages 10-100, though I specialize in working with adolescents and young adults. I have experience working with clients who are managing depression, anxiety, grief, self-esteem concerns, identity exploration, and relational and/or sexual trauma and abuse. My approach to counseling comes from an existential-humanistic lens that incorporates techniques and concepts from other modalities, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. I believe that it is important for people to understand how they exist in the various systems around them, to create their own meaning, and to identify in order to seek a life they enjoy living. As a part of this approach, I believe a positive relationship between the counselor and the client is the key to change and discovery.

Through the incorporation of CBT techniques, I aim to help clients understand how their thoughts and behaviors interact with their situation, allowing them to make measurable changes in their approach to difficulties in their daily lives. I will provide a safe and healthy environment in order for the client to feel comfortable in exploring who they are and what life they would like to lead.

Counseling can be a difficult and uncomfortable process at times, which is why I strive to provide a safe and healthy environment with humor and compassion."

Jessica Wing

Counselor MA, LCMHCA, NCC

I primarily work with teenagers, older children, families, and young adults. I feel that adolescents have their entire future in front of them, and it is the most opportune time to learn positive thinking patterns, coping skills, and life strategies. Teenagers are at a pivotal point in their lives, facing many large life decisions. Having a neutral person to be open with in life is invaluable. I have worked with clients through many challenges such as (not limited to) depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, trauma, grief, self-harm, self-esteem, sexual identity, school struggles, behavioral/impulse challenges, and anger management.

Christina J. Luke

Counselor, MS, TF-CBT, (CR), LCMHC

Specialties: Trauma and PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, and Anxiety

"Through genuineness, empathy, unconditional positive regard, and acceptance, I will help address issues and establish goals based on your individual needs. I will assist with the internal change from a stage of in-congruence to congruence. I will do so by learning more about internal issues experienced, and by means of psycho-education, I will help the individual and/or family members to find strategies to better cope with triggers and stressors experienced."

Our Statesville, NC Staff

Lindsay Lopina

Marriage and Family Therapist, MA, LMFT

Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Marital, and Premarital

"People come to therapy for validation, acceptance, and answers to the questions that seem unknown. You may be feeling hurt, lost, unheard, invalidated, and you are seeking answers. I can meet you where you are on your journey and help you navigate your way to your truth through my years of education and experience."

Megan Byerly

LCMHC

"I am a graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne University with a Master's Degree in Community Mental Health Counseling and have been providing counseling services for the past five years. I have experience working with diverse populations ranging in a variety of needs. I provide counseling services to children, teens, adults, families, and couples and take a strength-based, individualized approach to each and every client I serve. I have extensive knowledge and experience in ODD, conduct disorder, behavioral issues, parenting skills, family counseling, and crisis assessment and management. I always meet the client where they are at in their journey and will utilize natural support systems and community resources to enhance the client's overall satisfaction with life."

Latisha Sealy

LCMHC-A

"Do you need help with issues related to depression, anxiety, or substance use? Are you a teenager struggling with gender identity issues, bullying, or uncontrollable anger? If you identify with any of these things, then counseling could be beneficial to your mental stability and overall health.

I specialize in working with the adolescent population to address concerns related to mental health, substance use, depression, anxiety, and gender identity issues. Also, I work with the adult populations as well to assist with the mitigation of various mental health-related issues such as depression, anxiety, thoughts of self-harm, and substance use concerns.

You are special, and you deserve to live the best life possible. Believe that better days are yet to come. Allow me to assist you in getting back to optimal health and mental stability. You're worth it!"

Gewyl Tucker

Ayanah Daaiyah Muhammad

Our Gastonia, NC Staff

Michelle Watkins

Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, LCAS

"When life presents challenges that can feel overwhelming, counseling can help to provide you with a safe, non-judgmental place where hope and healing can begin. Whether you are faced with an addiction, marital crisis, family issues, anxiety, depression, or even just day to day stress, I am here to help you through. I am a marriage and family therapist and a licensed clinical addictions specialist. Since 2009, I have worked with individuals, couples, and families from all different walks of life. I enjoy helping my clients to improve their lives.

I have a broad range of experience working with pre-teens, adolescents, and adults with mental health and substance abuse issues. I believe that counseling is a collaborative effort. I am trained in many different theories, but I tend to work from a strengths-based perspective and aim to tailor treatment to your individual needs.

Northern Piedmont Counseling is part of an educational, training, and clinical services network composed of wellness-oriented professionals from various integrative disciplines, unified by a common mission to promote a better world starting with strategic, vital relationships. We offer clinical services for individuals, couples, families, and organizations seeking change."

Roberta Mason

Morgan Kinney

MSW, LCSW-A

"I specialize in providing counseling services to children and adolescents, and over the past four years, I have worked closely with all populations, including children, adolescents, adults, and families. I have experience with anxiety, depression, family conflict, behavioral issues, and crisis intervention. I have experience working with individuals and groups within the home, school, community, and within hospitals. I draw from multiple therapeutic techniques and tailor my approach to what each individual client needs. I believe the therapeutic alliance is the most important aspect of therapy, and to work towards this relationship, there must be mutual trust, respect, agreement on the therapeutic goals, and the freedom to share within sessions.

Therapy will help you learn new skills and techniques to better manage your stressors. By working together, one step at a time, we will work towards your therapeutic goals."

Adrian Thornburg

MA, NCC, RPTS, LCMHC

"People of all ages and stages experience life-changing events that bring about emotional struggles, grief and loss, and other challenges. Adults may find themselves questioning and asking, "Who am I now?" and "Where do I go from here?". Children, preteens, and teens may find themselves navigating through new emotions and experiences as they grow and change. The need to explore and understand these new landscapes is critical to making positive and sometimes difficult decisions regarding self-expression and life choices. Overall goals often included finding relief from inner conflict, developing confidence, and experiencing growth.

As an LCMHC and Registered Play Therapist, I have 20 years of experience working with clients from the existential philosophy and utilizing Person-Centered, Mindful, and Cognitive Behavioral theories. As a certified yoga teacher, I believe in the body/mind/spirit connection and share active techniques to reduce anxiety and promote healing from the inside.

At times, we all desire a safe space to explore and challenge ourselves. I work with adults and children to examine thoughts and feelings, provide support through exploration, and help develop ways to carry out personal growth and change. If you find yourself or your child experiencing a life transition, I encourage you to reach out for hope."

Martin B. Williams

NCC, LCMHCA

I aim to offer a haven where you are able to work on goal attainment, overcoming challenges, and maintaining mental wellness without judgement. Through a collaborative effort, we will address issues caused by varying areas of the mental health spectrum. My goal is to allow you the space for independence during the course of your journey while guiding as needed.

My therapeutic approach consists of both Person-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This combination allows for counsel that places the you at the forefront of and additionally provides an opportunity to explore, recognize, and enhance personal strengths.

As a very wise individual once told me, “You must feel to deal, and deal to heal”. I encourage you to embrace the possibilities knowing that you will be fully supported in a therapeutic manner. I applaud you for choosing your healing and I look forward to helping you deal with any feelings or emotions that may arise in between. We will talk soon!