Cindy Brown

Lead Counselor & Trauma Specialist

M. S., LPC, NCC, CCTP II, CATP

 

Cindy is a trauma-trained counselor specializing in grief, trauma, and family healing. She integrates Brainspotting, art and play therapy, and offers services in English and ASL. With a somatic and Adlerian approach, Cindy helps individuals, couples, and families heal, grow, and reconnect. 

Trauma-informed care for children: Counseling helps children affected by abuse, neglect, or family breakdown to build emotional resilience and long-term well-being. For example, through play therapy, children can express their emotions in a safe environment, which helps them process their experiences and develop coping strategies.

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Family relationship restoration: Services include counseling, parenting education, and attachment work to rebuild trust and strengthen family bonds across generations.

Mary Emily Leavell
Clinical director 

PhD, LPC-S

 

Dr. Leavell is a Licensed Professional Counselor- Supervisor (LPC-S) with a PhD in Counselor Education and a deep commitment to healing through connection. With extensive experience in trauma-informed care and specialized training in play therapy, she supports children, families, parents, and adults through relational, intuitive, experiential, developmentally sensitive work.

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In her practice, Leavell Counseling, Dr. Leavell is passionate about training and mentoring future counselors. She provides supervision for masters-level clinicians and offers expertise and training on trauma, attachment, and play-based interventions.

Dr. Leavell weaves together psychodynamic approaches with warmth, attunement, and creativity. Whether through play therapy, parenting support, or adult trauma work, her approach is grounded in trust, safety, and authentic relationship.

Amanda Harper

MS, PLPC, NCC, CCTP

 

Amanda approaches each client through a holistic lens.  She recognizes that children are individuals with unique experiences and goals.  She considers the client's historical experiences, current stressors, as well as their future goals.

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Using a child-centered approach, Amanda incorporates play therapy, art therapy, and expressive play.  She provides her clients with a compassionate, safe and supportive environment to explore their experiences. Amanda is trained in trauma, and she brings warmth, empathy, and authenticity to her sessions.

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Tam'ra Handy

Graduate Counseling Intern

 

Tam'ra is a graduate student at Southeastern Louisiana University completing a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.  She primarily works with children, adolescents, and families, with a passion for helping clients feel safe, understood, and more connected to their authentic selves. 

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Her clinical interests include Child-Centered Play Therapy, Alderian concepts, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and trauma-informed care.  She believes healing happens through emotional safety. supportive relationships, and genuine connection.​

Olivia Vignes, M.S., PLPC, NCC

 

Olivia is a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor. She earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Southeastern Louisiana University. At Riverbend, Olivia works primarily with children, adolescents, and families navigating trauma, emotional regulation difficulties, attachment concerns, anxiety, and life transitions.

 

Her approach to therapy is warm, relational, and developmentally informed, with an emphasis on helping clients feel emotionally safe, understood, and empowered. She incorporates play therapy, expressive arts activities, and psychodynamic, child-centered, and IFS-informed approaches to support children and adolescents in processing experiences and building emotional awareness in ways that feel natural and accessible to them.

​​Barbara Herbert

PhD, LPC-S

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Barbara has been a counselor and therapist for almost 30 years.  She has had the opportunity to work with clients from age 80 to age 18 months, although her specific area of counseling is working with children and adolescents. Throughout her career, she has worked in a variety of settings including high school, university, agency, and private practice. Frequently, her work has allowed her to facilitate growth and learning from physical, emotional, and sexual  trauma.

 

Academically, Barbara earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education at the University of New Orleans in 2004 and since that time she has provided presentations and trainings for local, state, national, and international professional organizations; published in professional journals; and taught as a part-time adjunct instructor at several local universities.