Meet Our Team

Lisa Carpenter MA, LPC is the founder and lead therapist at Center of Hope Counseling. After 15 years of experience working in the field of counseling, Lisa became passionate about helping individuals struggling with Eating Disorders. Since then she has had extensive training in the treatment of eating and co-existing disorders including anxiety, depression, and body image issues. In addition to her 28 years of providing individual counseling, Lisa has developed and facilitates group counseling experiences which she finds to be an important part of the recovery process. She has received several awards including Best Counseling in Mount Pleasant 5 years in a row and most recently became on Honored Member of Top Doctors of America. Her dream to provide comprehensive services which includes, individualized therapy, group counseling, and case collaboration with treatment team members including medical professionals and Registered Dietitians came to fruition when she opened Center of Hope in 2016.

Jennifer Showers MA, LPC has 15 years of experience in the field of counseling. She specializes in working with individuals who have anxiety, depression and difficulty regulating emotions. Jennifer also works with Emotional and Binge Eating Disorders. Her exceptional DBT and CBT skills help her clients gain the skills necessary to recover and manage life effectively.

Ashlee Shearer MA, LPC has worked in a number of positions from administration to most recently counselor at Center of Hope Counseling since 2016 and prior to that as an undergraduate intern with Lisa since 2013. Ashlee specializes in the treatment of Eating Disorders, Family Counseling, and holds a Prepare & Enrich certification to work with couples and families. Ashlee has attended several conferences to learn about treatment perspectives for eating disorders during both her undergraduate and graduate studies. She has also been involved with the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) to chair the NEDA walk of Mount Pleasant in 2015, bringing community awareness to eating disorders and allowing a place for celebration of recovery. Ashlee also plans to start a family and caregiver support group in her time at Center of Hope, delving into her dreams of educating caregivers and community members on how to stay helpful and involved in the care of loved ones.

Katie Brown MA, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. She has earned a Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling, as well as a Master of Science degree in Nutrition and Health. Katie specializes in treating eating disorders, trauma, body image issues, depression, and anxiety. She holds certifications in EMDR and as an Eating Disorder Specialist, Intuitive Eating Counselor, and Clinical Trauma Professional Level II.

Lynn Bowman MFA, MA, LLPC, has a Master of Arts in Counseling from Central Michigan University and a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Iowa. Lynn’s therapeutic approach is rooted in Person-Centered, Cognitive Behavior Technique (CBT), and Mindfully-Based practices. Lynn specialized in Eating Disorders, Body Image Concerns, Anxiety and Depression and will provide a safe space for everybody and a patient listening ear. Lynn believes that counseling, like life, is a process and is eager to help her clients on their journey. Lynn is a Be Body Positive Facilitator and a Certified Yoga Teacher and believes in the power of movement. During her free time Lynn enjoys hiking with her Boxer dogs, raising a curious toddler, and finding the next best cup of coffee.

Candice Warner MA, LPC is a professional counselor who obtained her Master of Arts in Counseling from Central Michigan University in 2018. Through a person centered and cognitive behavioral approach she provides a safe space for healing in the areas of grief and loss, anxiety, depression, and adjustment issues. Candice specializes in working with individuals who are navigating grief and loss as well as anticipatory grief. She has experience as a hospice bereavement counselor and has facilitated grief support groups in the MidMichigan area. Candice has worked with grieving children, teens, and adults at local children's grief centers and has received grief support training from the The Dougy Center, The National Center for Grieving Children & Families. Candice utilizes a collaborative and compassionate approach to counseling in an effort to foster hope, healing, and resilience.

Carrie Merchant MS, LLC is a Limited Licensed Counselor who graduated with a Master of Science in Education, Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2020. She offers individual counseling in the areas of depression, anxiety, and adjustment issues. An extensive career in higher education led her to counseling and her experience centers around working with college or high school students as well as adults. Carrie offers a person-centered approach to counseling and utilizes skills and interventions from cognitive behavioral therapy. She views counseling as a partnership and works to help her clients feel supported through their journey. Carrie is available for Telehealth Video Sessions Exclusively

Emily Almacddissi (Farhat) MSW, LMSW is a graduate of University of Michigan’s School of Social Work who specializes in working with adolescents and adults who identify as highly emotionally sensitive and want to learn new skills to regulate their emotions, tolerate distress, become more mindful, and improve interpersonal relationships. Emily’s therapeutic approach draws heavily from dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), in which she has had extensive post-graduate training. Emily is available for telehealth video sessions exclusively and is licensed in both Michigan and Florida.

Jodi Day MA, LLC After 27 years of serving as a public school teacher and a counselor in an educational setting, Jodi opened up her counseling services to a broader population in the agency setting. She earned her Masters of Arts in Counseling through Central Michigan University and is a limited licensed counselor. She specializes in working with families with children and has experience in working with anxiety, depression, major life changes, behavioral challenges, grief, and trauma.

Morgan English, MSW, LLMSW is a graduate of Saginaw Valley State University. Morgan is in the supervision process of becoming a fully Licensed Social Worker. She specializes in working with adolescents and adults. Morgan's practice is focused on couple's counseling, substance use, anger management, and generalized anxiety/depression. Morgan's Therapeutic approach is strongly pulled from Motivational Interviewing (MI) and drawing from the strength based approach. On Morgan's off time she enjoys spending time with her family, her 3 dogs, and all the other animals on her "Funny Farm". She believes that "Teamwork makes the Dreamwork" and no one should ever feel like they need to go through life alone.

Amanda Schantz, LLMSW, is a graduate of Spring Arbor University’s School of Social Work. Amanda holds a Limited Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LLMSW) license and is in the process of completing 4,000 hours of post-graduate supervised social work experience. She specializes in working with adolescents and young adults who are working through anxiety, depression, and trauma. Amanda is committed to meeting clients where they are and walking alongside them to promote and support stronger overall mental health and well-being. Amanda’s work focuses on helping clients develop coping skills, connect past experiences with present thoughts and feelings, increase resources and support available to individuals, and reduce symptoms of emotional and behavioral difficulties associated with depression, anxiety, and trauma experiences.

Amanda is available for In-Person and Telehealth Video Sessions.

Tesla Gerheiser, MA, LPC is a licensed professional counselor that earned her Masters degree from Central Michigan University. Tesla specializes in women specific issues, life transitions, anxiety and depression. Tesla’s therapeutic style is relationship-oriented, and strength-based. She places high value on providing compassion, and sensitivity at every step.
Tesla is in the final stages of completing her Certified Advanced Grief Specialist training and is available for Telehealth video sessions exclusively.

Sydney Harris, MA, LLPC graduated from Oakland University with her degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Whether you need help adjusting to new life situations, tools to manage depression and anxiety, help in working through past or current trauma, or just someone to listen to you, Sydney can help. Together you will look at patterns throughout your life to see how past experiences are impacting you today. Sydney helps her clients find healthy perceptions of themselves and the world to strengthen their outlook and get a better understanding of their dilemmas. Sydney is available for Telehealth Video Sessions Exclusively

Cassandra Folsom, MA, LLC, is a Limited Licensed Counselor who graduated with a Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from CMU. She offers individual counseling in the areas of depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem and relationship conflict. Cassie offers a client-centered and cognitive-behavioral approach to counseling and believes counseling is a collaborative process. Her therapy style is warm, empathetic and flexible.

Melissa Zurawski, CIT, is currently attending Central Michigan University for a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. After graduating, Melissa intends to work with adolescents and young adults in group and individual counseling.
Melissa offers individual counseling primarily using a person-centered approach, while also implementing the existential
approach at times. By focusing on the client and what they can do, clients are able to achieve their authentic self.
Melissa aims to create a trusting, honest, and supportive environment.

Amanda Boyle, MA, SCL, LLC has a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Central Michigan University in 2018. She works at Mt. Pleasant High School as a School Counselor and is broadening her counseling experience to the clinical setting. She specializes in working with preteens to young adults but is comfortable with individuals across the lifespan. She is rooted in the practices of person centered and cognitive behavioral therapy approaches. She specializes in working with anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, and life adjustments.

Sigmund Freud, C.A.T is our friendly neighborhood office cat. Sigmund graduated from Outdoor University, where he specialized in Hair Tie Chasing, Cuddling and Napping.