Together We Change Stories
”Cornerstone Counseling is a trusted group of professional counselors that I regularly refer people to from my pastoral counseling encounters.
Ken Murphy
Our History and Beliefs
When Cornerstone opened in 2012, it was our desire to be a place where each and every person who entered our doors, no matter how big or small their problems were, would feel cared for, safe, and important. We wanted individuals, couples and families to be treated with distinct care and to help them better connect to their community: their doctors, their schools, their churches, their sponsors…anyone who might be able to facilitate their healing process.
Jesus was clear when he said “…In this life, you will have trouble…” (John 16:33). When trouble comes our way, our faith can be tested to its core. At Cornerstone, we believe that faith plays an integral role in the lives of our clients, regardless of the specifics of what they believe. As Christian counselors, we believe our faith guides us in the counseling process with each person we see. Please know, however, that we work with people from all backgrounds, including religious and non-religious belief systems.
We do not seek to impose our beliefs upon others, but we do recognize that our beliefs impact and shape our work with clients. Ultimately, it is our goal to see our clients living out balanced and healthy lives –spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Whether you are seeking individual, couples, marriage, or family counseling, you will find that your counselor is sympathetic to the role faith plays in your life.
"The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone..." Mark 12:10-11
Our Team
Lee is the Founder and Clinical Director of Cornerstone and has been counseling since 2006. A native of the Mississippi Delta, he attended Delta State University and later Mississippi College where he received his M.S. in Counseling Psychology. He is a nationally board certified, Licensed Professional Counselor. When it comes to his career, Lee has had a very diverse background spending over ten years in sales and management in both the wireless and pharmaceutical industries. Lee later served on staff at Pinelake Church for a number of years.
Since being in private practice, Lee has worked with adolescents, families, marriages and individuals addressing a variety of topics. He specializes in marriage and family dynamics, anxiety and depression and working with those who serve in the ministry. In addition to his work in private practice, Lee is a sought after speaker at churches, retreats and events.
He believes that change in a person occurs in the context of relationships and vulnerability. Being fully known, fully accepted and being reminded of the life-changing truth of the Gospel is what continues to profoundly impact Lee’s life. He loves spending time with his wife, his three children, and his family and friends. He also enjoys spending time in the outdoors, drinking a great cup of coffee and listening to a wide range of music.
Pastor Reviews:
"I have tremendous confidence in Lee, not just as a counselor, but also as a friend and a man after God’s heart. At Pinelake, we define ministry as “what you leave behind you as you follow Christ.”Having served alongside Lee for over a decade, I have witnessed many lives touched by the wake of his walk with Jesus. In addition, Lee’s unique gifting, compassion and ability to speak hard truth in love gives me great confidence anytime I refer people to him."
Chip Henderson, Senior Pastor at Pinelake Church
"Lee Smith gets it. The needs of people are not just psychological but holistic. Here at Venture Church, he has created opportunities for healing through individual counseling, a referral plan for family counseling and has been on the ground floor of helping build out our Recovery Ministry. We are thankful and blessed to work alongside him."
Jeff Clark, Senior Pastor at Venture Church (Hattiesburg)
Allison is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Mississippi College and her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy & Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary. Allison has worked with a diverse population ranging from pre-teens to adults and has walked through many trials such as anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, relationship difficulties, and planning for the future. She desires to meet clients right where they are with deep compassion and encouragement. Her therapy style is client-centered, focusing on the client’s autonomy and resources. Her background in marriage and family therapy also influences her ability to better understand the family dynamics that shape her clients, the way they interact with others, and the way they view themselves.
Allison is a board qualified Telemental Health Provider, a Gottman level 1 trained therapist, and is certified in EMDR.
When she isn’t seeing clients, you could probably find Allison spending time with her husband, Tyler, their daughter, Evelyn, and their golden doodle, Layla. She also enjoys reading, singing, serving her church, eating good food, and traveling.
Client Reviews:
“Allison is kindness and compassion personified. She invites you to a space of comfort, while confidently and bravely guiding you through deep fears and hurts to freedom and peace. She sees all clients as children of God and people of worth. Because of this she is a soft place to land and a safe person to share with. Without hesitation, I would recommend Allison to anyone.”
“I am so grateful for my work with Allison as she walked with me through some of my darkest days. She cares deeply, is patient, and extends compassion unconditionally. I will continue to use the skills I gained while working with her throughout the rest of my life!”
Ever since Anna was a young child, she wanted to become a counselor. Through receiving counseling in various seasons of her own life, Anna’s desire grew to serve and minister to those experiencing hardship and life transitions. Anna graduated from the University of Mississippi and spent the following two years interning with Reformed University Fellowship at Texas A&M. After her time with RUF, Anna received her M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary. Anna is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Prepare-Enrich Premarital Counseling Facilitator and has a Level 1 Certification in Gottman Method Couples Therapy.
Anna’s therapy style is integrative, using resources from both psychology and scripture, to create an individualized and client-centered experience. She enjoys using creative interventions to provide her clients with a variety of avenues for growth and healing. Anna primarily works with adolescents, young adults and adult women on various issues such as: depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, family issues and parenting, communication skills, emotional regulation, interpersonal skills and life transitions. In her free time you will find her watching a movie, working on an art project or spending time with her husband (Matt), daughter (Ellie Grace) and puppy (Fenway).
Anne Overton’s personal journey in counseling fostered her desire to help other people experience healing and restoration in their own lives. In counseling, she found a safe place to come and piece together her life story in ways that promoted self-awareness and alleviated hurt from past experiences. Through experiencing the power of feeling known, understood, and accepted in her own counseling journey, Anne Overton hopes to offer this for her clients through a therapeutic relationship.
After receiving training in EMDR II, Anne Overton is equipped to work with clients who have experienced many forms of trauma. She works with clients who are struggling with symptoms of trauma, such as anxiety, depression, addiction, and codependence. By utilizing EMDR in therapy, Anne Overton has helped clients find freedom from their past and develop healthy coping skills in order to enjoy life more.
In her previous work as a ministry intern for both high schoolers and college students, Anne Overton gained understanding of the importance of providing a space for people to wrestle with the difficulties of life and come to a deeper realization of the unique stories God is writing in their lives. She views it as a privilege to walk alongside her clients in working towards their goals in counseling.
Anne Overton is a Provisional-Licensed Professional Counselor working towards becoming fully licensed in the state of Mississippi under the supervision of Hannah Hawthorne. She is a National Certified Counselor and Board Certified-Telemental Health Provider, allowing her to work with clients remotely. Anne Overton gained her Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University.
After growing up in Jackson and attending Ole Miss for undergrad, Anne Overton spent a short time in Memphis, TN with her husband Matt while pursuing her Masters degree. Anne Overton and Matt are excited to be back in the Jackson area and you can most likely find them exploring one of Jackson’s many restaurants or spending time with friends in front of their outdoor fireplace.
Beth is a biblical counselor on staff at Cornerstone Counseling. As a graduate of the University of Mississippi, Beth comes to Cornerstone after many years of practice as a Speech-Language Pathologist. During these years, she cared for children and counseled families at Blair Batson Children’s Hospital. She also was an adjunct instructor for undergraduate students at the University of Mississippi. Beth has spent much of her life as a mentor to adolescent girls through Young Life ministry and she is active in leading women’s bible study at her local church. She has two passions: a love for the gospel and meeting people where they are. These two loves led her to feel called to change careers and become a biblical counselor.
Beth received her Masters in Counseling from Westminister Seminary. She also has obtained a level 1 certificate from the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundaion (CCEF). Beth is a certified Enneagram coach and received her gospel centered Enneagram training through Beth McCord's YEC program. Beth feels called to be a resource to the church and campus ministries. Suffering and struggles are universal to humanity and we all need a safe place to be honest about our hardships. Beth wants to help pastors and church leaders who often feel overwhelmed by the needs of their members. Beth is trained and has interest in issues such as grief, depression, anxiety, family conflict, parenting struggles and life transitions. In her free time, Beth is spending time with her fun loving husband (Kirk), taking care of her two children (Cooper and Luci), listening to her favorite musicians, and hanging with her three dogs (Grace, River and Emmylou).
Client Reviews:
"Beth gets grace and teaches me how to apply grace to the most complex parts of my life, including my relationship with myself. Beth relies on scripture but doesn’t use biblical platitudes to hide from what is hard or true. Beth’s counseling has given me real tools to help me work through an intense family dynamic and I have experienced tangible progress. She pushes me to know myself well and to act from that place of self-knowledge."
"From my first very appointment, Beth embraced me with unconditional love that made me feel seen and understood. She opened my eyes to the self awareness I was so deeply lacking, challenged me with grace, and wrapped applicable tools with the Word of God. Not only is Beth a remarkable therapist, she is a true Proverbs 31 woman and a role model for me. I cannot say enough good words about the profound impact Beth has had on my life. I have and will continue to recommend Beth to everyone I know. Beth has given me life long tools to be the healthiest version of myself as I take on adulthood."
Carolyn Pillow is a native of Jackson, MS, and has been in Tupelo for over 20 years. She is the mother of 3 grown sons and has been married to her husband, William, for 30-plus years. She received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Mississippi in General Business.
After her children graduated, Carolyn took a Biblical counseling class which gave her an appreciation of how change happens in our lives. She wanted to go deeper in her relationship with God and others, so she decided to pursue a counseling degree. She received her Master of Arts in Counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary in May 2022.
After her children graduated, Carolyn took a Biblical counseling class which gave her an appreciation of how change happens in our lives. She wanted to go deeper in her relationship with God and others, so she decided to pursue a counseling degree. She received her Master of Arts in Counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary in May 2022.
Suffering and struggles are part of life. It gets hard to see in the storms of life; it gets cloudy, dark, and murky down here. We want to see things and engage them the way God does, and He gives us meaning and purpose. Assisting others in telling their story as part of God's story is Carolyn's desire.
"If we don't transform our pain, we will most assuredly transmit it," Richard Rohr.
"If its mentionable, it's manageable," Fred Rogers.
Carolyn enjoys relaxing at the lake and spending time with her family and friends. She also appreciates a good run and being outdoors.
Carroll’s path to professional counseling is not best represented by a straight line. Rather he believes God has orchestrated three separate and distinct careers – as a business person, staff pastor and now as a counselor - in order to prepare him to help others navigate life’s ever-
present challenges. A native Jacksonian, Carroll honed his counseling skills while serving on the staff of Pinelake church in Madison and formalized his counseling education at Liberty University, culminating in the completion of his master’s degree in Professional Counseling.
present challenges. A native Jacksonian, Carroll honed his counseling skills while serving on the staff of Pinelake church in Madison and formalized his counseling education at Liberty University, culminating in the completion of his master’s degree in Professional Counseling.
As a counselor, Carroll is especially drawn to those in crisis – marriage and family conflict, career, grief, depression, anxiety, substance abuse – but is also passionate about helping individuals and families navigate the less traumatic moments of life that seem to be a part of our everyday existence. He believes his life experience, in conjunction with his personal faith and professional training, have equipped him to be utilized by God to help others in pain.
Away from the counseling office, Carroll loves to spend time with his family, including his wife of over forty years, Sharon, two married children and multiple grandchildren. Additionally, he is a licensed general aviation pilot and enjoys cruising around in the sky.
Debbiejo Barnett became a member of the Cornerstone family in 2023. She previously served in mental health administrative assisting and was active in schools and churches conducting choirs, teaching voice lessons, and leading physical education classes.
She recognized the immense value of counseling when she served as a hotline worker for Life Choices. Although she enjoyed playing the violin in an orchestra and was a licensed private pilot, her greatest passion today is her daily Bible study and time spent worshiping God.
Originally from Olive Branch, Debbiejo and her husband, Keith, reside in Clinton and have a daughter, Kempseyann, and son-in-law, Dillon. She said she is thankful to join the Cornerstone staff to support the clients and counselors.
Don Waller, a Mississippi Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) since 2009, brings a unique perspective to counseling. After graduating from the University of Mississippi with a degree in Business Administration, Don spent the next twenty years in the Oil & Gas Industry in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. Running a successful business and raising a family helped prepare Don for his next calling – returning to study counseling and receiving a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Mississippi College.
His counseling career began at Summit Counseling, First Baptist Church in 2007. Joining with individuals and couples to help them experience fulfilling relationships they desire became a passion. Don has been gifted in helping men discover their God given place in life, helping them break free of harmful behaviors and addictions, and helping men find strength and freedom through living in community while experiencing authentic relationships. Leading men’s retreats and adventures has further expanded Don’s impact on men's lives.
Planning and leading marriage retreats is another area of experience for Don. In 2015, Don along with Dr. Ron Mumbower held a marriage conference for missionary couples in South Africa. This conference involved intensive counseling sessions that helped couples better cope with working overseas and helped them discover new ways to find a fulfilling marriage.
Don is married to Yonnie and has two daughters and a son. Experiencing God’s best in his own marriage, family, and relationships has been a driving force in Don’s life, and he uses that success to help others find God’s best too.
Experience and education have helped Don become successful helping others with depression, anxiety, and addictions, Don’s marital counseling includes communication, conflict resolution, emotional as well as physical intimacy, dealing with affairs and trauma.
Don Waller is a dedicated counselor with experience, passion, and a desire to help others through difficult times.
Emily joined the Cornerstone Counseling Oxford team in 2023 as an administrative assistant. She believes strongly in the good work being provided by our therapists and loves helping our clients get the care that they need.
Emily is originally from Jackson, MS, but has called Oxford home since arriving as a freshman at Ole Miss in 1996. She met her husband, Peyton, in college and together they have 4 wonderful children. Emily holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics. Over the years she has worked both as a math teacher and a textbook author. In her spare time, she loves running or walking outdoors, reading, cooking, and enjoying family time at home.
Faith is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Mississippi College, and after graduation, attended the University of Mississippi to get her Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health counseling. Faith has worked with many different populations including children, family, adolescents, couples, and adults. Faith enjoys getting to know each of her clients and being a small part of their journey. Faith’s greatest desire for her clients is for them to have a place of safety where they know they will be heard, encouraged, and supported as they walk their life journey. Faith has worked with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief, life transitions, and family issues. Faith likes to use an attachment-based approach when working with her clients to help them gain deeper understanding for themselves and how they view the world.
Faith has completed specialty training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which is a form of couples and family therapy, and Faith is currently undergoing training in EMDR. Faith is also a Board Certified Telemental Health provider and is a Nationally Certified Counselor.
When Faith isn’t with her clients, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Austin, and her dog, Lady. Faith loves being outdoors and going biking or for a run. Faith also enjoys reading, traveling, eating good food, and a good cup of coffee! Faith is involved in her church and also enjoys spending time serving them and meeting with her small group.
Dr. Fred Hall is an author, speaker, coach, trainer, innovator, podcaster, blogger, and entrepreneur. He is a National Board Certified Counselor (NCC), Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), a Board Certified Telemental Health Provider (BC-TMH), and Licensed Professional Counselor & Supervisor for Mississippi and Louisiana.
His education includes a Doctor of Education degree in Counseling Psychology with a Concentration of Counselor Education and Supervision. He obtained a Doctorate from Argosy University and the American School of Professional Psychology. He also has a Masters of Science in Guidance and Counseling, as well as, a Masters of Public Health in Behavioral Health Education and Promotion, both from Jackson State University. He also has a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry, Counseling, and Psychology from Belhaven University.
His clinical work includes more than 30 years in clinical mental health in psychology, counseling, supervision, training, and program development. He also has 20 years of private practice and non-profit organizational leadership to his credit. His clinical specializations include working with Serious Mental Illness, Couples and Families, Marriage and Pre-Marriage, Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Grief, Adjustment issues, and Anger Management.
Dr. Hall also develops and trains leaders worldwide both online and onsite. His work is inclusive of entrepreneurs, pastors and ministry leaders, corporate executives, and global business/ Not-for-profit administrators. He provides professional capacity building operations which build individuals, organizations, and businesses through professional Speaking, Coaching (Life, Spiritual, Business, and Executive), Corporate Training, and Small Group Development. He is a Leadership Consultant to businesses and organizations. Yearly, he trains and consults in Tanzania and Uganda regarding marriage education curricula, developing peer counseling models, and community/church family wellness ministry opportunities. He is a coach and counselor to Pastors and Ministry Leaders.
Hello! My name is Heath Ferguson. I am the husband to Emily, father to MG and Locke, a licensed professional counselor, a Board Certified TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH), board certified chaplain & pastoral counselor, a licensed and ordained Southern Baptist pastor, and an adjunct professor of psychology at Belhaven University. I am also a recovering addict with over sixteen years clean and sober. I have spent over a decade serving as a chaplain at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center where I gained extensive experience working with patients, families of patients, and caregivers from every area of healthcare. My specializations are in addiction, grief, compassion fatigue, burnout, and family systems. I came into counseling drawn by a desire to be more capable in helping to provide care for those that are suffering from the impact of the events that all people are affected by, whether it be catastrophic loss or just the wear and tear of life’s struggles on the individual, the family, or the community. I believe that my own life experiences, coupled with my years of work within the lives of those that I have counseled and cared for, make me ready to help others in their pain, loneliness, and suffering.
When I am not counseling clients, I love spending time with my family, serving as an elder in my church, getting back home to the old farm place, and enjoying travel; whether it be family road trips across the country or trips to baseball games. Emily and I love getting to spend time discovering the world with our boys. It really is so much fun seeing the world light up their senses.
I truly love helping people discover just how precious and important they are to the world around them. I do not like to see people suffer. I know what that feels like. I believe that the client has, within himself or herself, the ability to find his or her way to wellness when they are given the right person to accompany them on that way. Moreover, I have discovered that when the client is given the opportunity to safely explore his or her self and how they relate to the world around them that they arrive at healthier understandings how they exist in their worlds. I have found that people need to find that congruence with their environments in order to heal, grow, and develop self-awareness. I have seen that modeling good relationships with healthy boundaries in the therapeutic environment can give clients an opportunity to explore parts of themselves that they might have kept themselves isolated from while also giving them a readiness and courage in their other relationships.
If you are struggling within your relationships, your ability to find joy in your surroundings, or just need to talk to someone about your pain, reach out and make an appointment. I believe that things can get better. Call today, it’s time to get to work.
I graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Psychology then returned to my hometown of and obtained a M.S. in Community Agency Counseling from the University of Memphis. Initially, my therapy career started working in victim services with adults and children. After moving to Mississippi, I worked in Hinds County and Rankin County Schools with students K-12th with emotional disabilities providing therapy and behavior modification. I have been a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) for 20 years in Mississippi and now a Board Certified Telemental Health Provider (BC-TMH). I have had the experience in helping clients in the private and public sector specializing in the area of anxiety, ADHD, abuse, grief, anger management, self-esteem, depression, marriage and family relationships, child and adolescent issues, and domestic violence. My clinical approaches consist of Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Family Systems therapy. I believe therapy is a tool that can empower people to tell their story, understand themselves, and make a difference in their lives. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross said “Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself and know that everything in this life has a purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences. All events are blessings given to us to learn from.”
Jon is a Biblical Counselor serving at Cornerstone Counseling in Oxford. He sensed a call into the ministry of counseling through his work as a physician while caring for people in the context of crisis. Jon completed his medical training at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and at Mayo Clinic, subsequently working in the medical field for a number of years. With the loving support of his wife and family, he eventually left the practice of medicine and completed a Master of Arts in Counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary to equip him for this new role in caring for people.
He has a heart for those who are hurting, and he considers it a rich privilege to walk alongside those who are seeking guidance amidst their suffering. He feels particularly drawn to work with those who are struggling in marriage, ministry, vocation, and the difficult journeys through the darkness of discouragement, grief, and sadness. He is an encourager who seeks to find the glimmers of grace in the lives of those he is called to help. His understanding of growth, healing, and hope is shaped through the interpretive lens of the Gospel.
Jon is married to the lovely and talented Ceresa and they have three children. He enjoys woodworking, music, writing, pouring candles, the quest for the perfect cup of coffee, and generally all things related to guitars.
Dr. Justin Kelly is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Mississippi and Louisiana. He received his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where he also received his Master of Theology and his Master of Divinity in Counseling with a licensure track. He received his B.A. from Delta State University.
Dr. Kelly is an integrative Christian therapist and has extensive training and experience working with individuals and couples. He has worked with clients with various issues including but not limited to depression, anxiety, OCD, prolonged grief, and PTSD. His specialties include trauma counseling and couples counseling, including affair recovery. He uses a number of different models to help his clients process through their trauma, including EMDR. Dr. Kelly uses emotionally focused therapy to help couples repair their relationship and grow closer together. He is also board certified in TeleMental Health.
In addition to professional counseling, Dr. Kelly serves as an assistant professor of psychology and chair of the psychology department at Belhaven University. Dr. Kelly previously has worked as a full-time counselor for various clinics and at an inpatient behavioral health unit, giving him valuable experience working with clients with more severe mental health issues.
Dr. Kelly wants his clients to feel safe as they explore some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. He desires to see his clients grow closer to God and to find healing in their biggest issues.
Dr. Kelly is married to his wife Christi. They have four children and a sheepadoodle named Patch. When he is not teaching or counseling (or going to many family activities), Dr. Kelly enjoys photography, playing music, and baking bread.
A Rankin County native, Kate graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Mississippi State University and a M.A. in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Mississippi and Texas.
Since completing her education, Kate has been working with children and adolescents in a multitude of settings including foster care, community services, intensive outpatient programs, and private practice. She enjoys working with children in the playroom while partnering with their parents through the counseling process. Kate also sees teenagers and young adults.
Utilizing a client centered focus, Kate believes that one of the most important factors in change is the therapeutic relationship. She strives to create an accepting, non-judgmental environment where each person feels truly seen & heard.
In her free time, you can find Kate spending time with her husband and young son. She enjoys reading fiction books, playing tennis, and taking Sunday afternoon naps.
Kim has been an integral part of Cornerstone since it opened in 2012. She has served Cornerstone’s clients and staff in multiple ways including the processing of insurance claims, billing and payroll. Kim brings with her over 20 years of medical office management experience. She is married to Anthony and they have two daughters Laney and Haley.
Dr. Kristen Jones is a National Board-Certified Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor by the State of Mississippi.
She attended the University of Memphis where she received a B.A. in Psychology. She later graduated with an M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Mississippi College. Dr. Jones acquired her Doctorate in Professional Counseling from Mississippi College.
She attended the University of Memphis where she received a B.A. in Psychology. She later graduated with an M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Mississippi College. Dr. Jones acquired her Doctorate in Professional Counseling from Mississippi College.
Dr. Jones has years of experience and research, giving her specific insight to working with anxiety, depression, and normal life adjustments. She works with anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, and attachment disorders. Her understanding of the world of adolescents helps her bridge the communication gap between parents and teens.
Through her research and hands on experience with trauma, attachment and life adjustments; she is passionate about helping families heal. Whether from adoption, divorce, or foster care. She has a heart for helping families navigate various aspects of life.
For those who are ready to do a deep dive into behavior and unconscious motivations, Dr. Jones uses enneagram knowledge and language to help shed light on unconscious motivations that keep us stuck in the same patterns of behaving and feeling.
Dr. Jones enjoys working with the local Jackson community. She partners with schools in the Jackson area to teach middle school and high school students about anxiety. Additionally, Dr. Jones partners with local foster care and adoptive communities to inform them of the impact of trauma on attachment and behaviors. She also offers workshops on body language, and mental health awareness.
Lauren has worked at Cornerstone for the past five years covering office administration and billing. As we have grown, her role has become more focused on billing and insurance.
Lauren grew up in Atlanta and graduated from the University of Mississippi, where she met her husband, Lee. After they married, they lived in Charlotte, NC for a few years. During that time, she helped in the front office at a Christian counseling center called The Barnabas Center. It was through this ministry, she began to value and understand the importance of seeking counseling through all the different seasons of life.
After moving from North Carolina to the Jackson area nearly 20 years ago, she worked in the counseling office at Jackson Academy. When her first son was born, she came home to focus on raising their family. She and Lee have 3 sons and are active members of Pinelake Church in Madison.
A native Jacksonian, Leah has been working to serve her community through counseling since 1992. Frederick Buechner once said, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” Leah views counseling as an ideal conduit for God to bring healing and hope.
A graduate of Samford University and Reformed Theological Seminary, Leah earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. She furthered her training post Master’s at Mississippi College to obtain licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Leah has also completed Level 3 practicum training in Gottman Method couples therapy. After working as the high school guidance counselor at Jackson Academy and starting her family, Leah decided to focus as a private practice clinician. She specializes in working with clients struggling with marital conflict, betrayal, divorce, cancer diagnosis/treatment, trauma, depression, anxiety, infertility, addiction, grief, abuse, adolescent adjustment and women’s issues.
Leslie Armstrong developed a passion to assist others by watching her parents serve in the ministry for 40 years. Leslie answered the call to become a counselor while attending Mississippi State University. She has a passion for mental health and helping others to understand how to achieve their own mental health.
Leslie graduated Mississippi State University in 2007 with a Master of Science in Counselor Education. Leslie is a Licensed Professional Counselor in MS and is Telemental Health, BC-TMH, certified. She has been a clinician in mental health since 2012, and she has served as an IDD counselor, Children’s Counselor, School Based Therapist, Day Treatment Therapist, Substance Abuse Counselor and College Mental Health Counselor. Over the years Leslie has develop a strong practice in counseling by working with children, adolescents and young adults with behavior disorder and mental health disorders.
Lisa is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a National Board Certified Counselor (NCC), a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC), and a Board Certified TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH). She enjoys working with individuals, couples, and families. She has a Masters in Marriage and Family Counseling.
Her background includes working on a church staff, teaching in a college on the mission field, working as a foster parent at a children’s home, working in the medical field and in corporate sales, and being a small business owner. While raising her children, Lisa also invested her time in mentoring relationships. Lisa’s work in business has given her insight into work-related issues and career decisions. She has decades of experience in resolving difficult individual, family, business and church relationships. She works to use the most appropriate method with those experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, family conflict, parenting struggles, blended family, and age-related issues.
Lisa will soon celebrate 50 years of marriage and enjoys spending time with her family and being a big part of the lives of her six grandchildren. She also enjoys traveling, cooking, swimming, hiking, and cycling.
As far back as she can remember, Liz has always wanted to help others be the best version of themselves as possible.
Liz Coleman is a Licensed Master Social Worker, in supervision to be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Mississippi and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Alabama. Prior to joining the Cornerstone team, Liz has had the pleasure of working with youth and adolescents, young adults, and middle-aged adults over the last 5 years. Liz enjoys working with individuals who experience trauma (abuse, neglect, domestic violence), anxiety, depression, behavioral challenges, and life changes. Liz uses a client-centered approach to ensure each person’s needs are met according to his/her environment, values, and beliefs. Liz focuses on the whole person through physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social health by assessing each area of her client’s life to ensure optimum health. Liz aspires to become certified to provide ABA therapy to work with children on the autism spectrum in the future.
When Liz is not providing therapy, she enjoys spending her time as a wife to her husband Alex and as a new mother to their son Jonathan. Liz likes hanging out with family and friends, eating good food, and relaxing by doing absolutely nothing at times. Liz also enjoys traveling, serving on the Praise and Worship team at Church, and utilizing exercise as self-care.
Liz Coleman is a Licensed Master Social Worker, in supervision to be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Mississippi and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Alabama. Prior to joining the Cornerstone team, Liz has had the pleasure of working with youth and adolescents, young adults, and middle-aged adults over the last 5 years. Liz enjoys working with individuals who experience trauma (abuse, neglect, domestic violence), anxiety, depression, behavioral challenges, and life changes. Liz uses a client-centered approach to ensure each person’s needs are met according to his/her environment, values, and beliefs. Liz focuses on the whole person through physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social health by assessing each area of her client’s life to ensure optimum health. Liz aspires to become certified to provide ABA therapy to work with children on the autism spectrum in the future.
When Liz is not providing therapy, she enjoys spending her time as a wife to her husband Alex and as a new mother to their son Jonathan. Liz likes hanging out with family and friends, eating good food, and relaxing by doing absolutely nothing at times. Liz also enjoys traveling, serving on the Praise and Worship team at Church, and utilizing exercise as self-care.
Lois Young is a National Certified Counselor and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Mississippi. She graduated with a Bachelor's in Psychology, minoring in Sociology from Belhaven University and a Master's in Marriage and Family Counseling from Mississippi College. Prior to pursuing a career in counseling, Lois worked for several years serving others in customer services roles. Her fascination with being a valuable part of helping others with their life stories led her to counseling. Her relationship with God has fueled a drive to continue serving others through counseling. Lois has worked with individuals suffering from a range of issues such as intellectual and developmental disabilities and substance abuse disorders. She believes her work with those suffering from substance abuse disorders has given her a better understanding of the effects that trauma, depression and grief have on an individual and their family. Lois' therapy style is strength based but individualized to meet the needs of the individual, family or couple that she counsels. Outside of counseling, Lois enjoys reading fiction novels, trying new restaurants with her husband and playing the Sims.
Mary Margaret graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in graphic design and marketing. Originally from Jackson. MS, Mary Margaret returned home to accept a graphic design job for Pinelake Church where she was introduced to her husband, Chris Harper. She also took on several non-profit clients where she fell in love with getting to be a small part of people’s stories and growth. Mary Margaret continued with freelance design so she could be home to raise their beautiful twin daughters and a wild little boy. With her passion for design and heart for people, getting to serve as an administrative assistant to an amazing staff and manage social media for Cornerstone is the perfect combination of her interests.
Raymond Kennedy, a Licensed Professional Counselor (L.P.C.) and a Board Certified TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH), was called to wear the shoes of a therapist in 2014. After graduating from Mississippi College with a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Counseling, Raymond stepped into the arena of private practice. At Cornerstone Counseling, Raymond works with youth and adult clientele. However, his expertise is in counseling boys and young men. When it comes to counseling, Raymond incorporates the interests of his clients into his work. You can find Raymond holding sessions while skateboarding with his clients in a parking lot or while playing a game of cards on his office floor. His goal is to create a safe, judgement-free environment for his clients that helps them navigate life’s obstacles. Through the use of a holistic approach, Raymond longs for his clients to discover God’s purpose for owning their journey. Outside of the realm of therapy, Raymond enjoys gravel biking, hiking, and watching Stranger Things. He has been married to his wife, Gina, for 27 years and has three, college-aged daughters.
Sheri found herself working at an all-girls Christian camp every summer throughout college, which sparked a love for working with children and ministering to them. After an internship with Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru) at Ole Miss, she began a masters degree in community counseling at the University of Mississippi, graduating in 2004, to further prepare herself for a career helping others. Her passion is working with children through the means of play therapy. Upon graduation, she worked for several years with children, specializing in trauma recovery, at The Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center. After a stent home rearing her children, Sheri has returned to the counseling office and ready to serve.
Sheri takes an integrative approach to counseling children where parents are involved and educated throughout the process. Sheri has a passion for helping parents better understand their child and how to fit his/her needs in a loving, grace-filled way. She primarily works with children (3-10 yrs old) in the playroom and their parents who are dealing with anxiety, depression, learning disorders, trauma, and life-transitions. Sheri also sees adolescents (11-17 yrs old) and individual females.
Sheri is a national certified counselor (NCC) and is pursuing her LPC with the state of Mississippi under the supervision of Dr. Jennier Main. She is also working on her Telemental Health certification to be able to service clients remotely.
When not in the office, you can find Sheri spending time with her husband of 17 years (Clay) and two very active children, Sydney and Josh. We love anything outdoors and time with friends!
Stephanie worked in the behavioral healthcare field for 23 years predominantly in outreach and crisis intervention for Memorial Behavioral Health, Pine Grove, and Three Oaks Behavioral Health. For approximately 17 of those years, she was licensed as a marriage and family therapist. She received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from The University of Southern Mississippi. In 2011, Stephanie felt led to devote more time and energy to her family and community involvement. She is married to Judge Cory Wilson and they have a teenage son. They are active members of Highlands Presbyterian Church.
Terri Sanford joined the Cornerstone Counseling Oxford team in 2022 as their administrative assistant. She really enjoys helping our clients as they come through the door to see one of our therapist and tries to make sure they feel well cared for during their visit.
She is married to Dr. Doug Sanford and has two beautiful daughters and a son-in- law. She and Doug returned to Oxford 25 years ago to start Oxford Pediatric Group and she has helped off and on in his clinic during this time.
In her spare time she enjoys fly fishing, sailing, and sitting on beaches with her husband, facilitating bible study small groups at church, and playing Mahjongg with friends.
I love Mississippi and I love meeting the people who live here. I believe everyone has a story and I consider it an honor to be in a position to hear those stories. I come from a Christian perspective and graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The primary interventions I use are from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), and other proven family therapy models. I do not impose my personal beliefs and values onto my clients. This process is about you, not me.
People seek counseling for a variety of reasons. Behind these reasons is a desire to be heard, accepted, and valued. In me, you will find a person who genuinely cares and is prepared to walk with you through this process.
If you are experiencing increased stress, anxiety, depression, grief, or feelings of hopelessness, I encourage you to call and set up an appointment. You are not alone and healing is possible.
Wesley is originally from Tupelo, MS, but has called the Oxford area home for the last 10 years. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and received his bachelor’s and master’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Mississippi. He then worked for a short time in project management before feeling led to go back to school to pursue a career in counseling. He attended the University of Louisiana at Monroe and graduated with his master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Wesley has worked with a diverse population ranging from those struggling with substance use disorders to clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He has also worked with adults and families struggling to work through life’s difficulties, as well as clients within the criminal justice system helping them find resources to rebuild their lives. Wesley not only brings educational and clinical knowledge to his work, but has also worked through difficulties himself like anxiety, depression, and difficult life transitions.
Wesley has worked with a diverse population ranging from those struggling with substance use disorders to clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He has also worked with adults and families struggling to work through life’s difficulties, as well as clients within the criminal justice system helping them find resources to rebuild their lives. Wesley not only brings educational and clinical knowledge to his work, but has also worked through difficulties himself like anxiety, depression, and difficult life transitions.
Wesley is a certified Equine Therapist specializing in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning and is also trained in EMDR.
When Wesley is not seeing clients, you may find him spending time with his wife and three children, or doing something outdoors. Wesley is an avid outdoorsman and also loves spending time on horseback.
