Meet Our Team

Lisa Carpenter, M.A.,L.P.C., 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, M.A.,L.P.C. 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.

Jenny Giegler, M.A., L.P.C., is a graduate from CMU, She started working with Center of Hope in 2016 as a CMU Counseling Intern. During her internship, Jenny developed and facilitated a Group Therapeutic experience focusing on building Self Esteem in adolescents struggling with Body Dysmorphia, Depression and Social Anxiety. Jenny specializes in working with children, adolescents, and young adults struggling with anxiety and depression. Her therapeutic approach includes CBT, Person Centered and Mindfully Based practices. She plans to continue building her expertise in those areas by providing mindfully based practices to the community. Jenny is hopeful to help individuals prevent the recurrence of anxiety and depressive episodes.

Ashlee Shearer, M.A., L.P.C., 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 M.A., L.P.C., 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 is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level II, EMDR certified, and is working towards her certification as an Eating Disorders Specialist.

Shelby Carson, M.A., L.P.C., is a graduate from Central Michigan University and obtained her degree in 2018. She provides individual counseling in the areas of perinatal mental health, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. She is working towards obtaining her PMH-C (Perinatal Mental Health Certification). Shelby mainly focuses on using skills and interventions from cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfully based practices.

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, M.A., L.P.C., 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, M.S., L.L.P.C., is a Limited Licensed Professional 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.

Kelley Borton, PhD M.P.H., R.D.N., is an anti-diet registered dietitian. Her practice is Health at Every Size informed, and she is passionate about helping individuals build a healthier and more joyful relationship with food and their body. She has advanced training in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders, and is currently working on both her certification in intuitive eating as well as becoming a certified eating disorder registered dietitian. Kelley is also a new Assistant Professor at Oakland University, where she will be teaching students who are training to become Dietitians, as well as continuing her research on Body Positivity as well as prevention of Disordered Eating.
For more information about Kelley's services visit her website: Joyful Living Nutrition Counseling

Emily Farhat, MSW, LLMSW is a graduate of University of Michigan’s School of Social Work. Emily 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. Emily 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. Outside of the therapy office, Emily enjoys spending time with her husband and their two cats, going on walks, and working on her photography skills.
Emily is available for Telehealth Video Sessions Exclusively

Jodi Daum, M.A., L.L.P.C 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.

Sigmund Freud, Professional Cuddle Buddy, is our Office Emotional Support Animal, who we rescued a couple years ago. Curious, playful, and sweet, Sigmund can be found roaming around the office, looking for lost hair ties and toys.