Kimberly Krueger, MSW, LCSW
Program Director; Therapist
Kimberly B. Krueger, MSW, LCSW is the Program Director for Southlake Counseling and Southlake Center for Self Discovery. She has dedicated nearly 20 years to helping people of all ages overcome their life challenges with compassion, professional guidance, and caring support. Kimberly gently guides individuals through the process of change by working with beliefs, emotions, body, and spirit.
Kimberly received her Bachelors degree in 1989 from North Carolina State University. She then received her Masters of Social Work Degree with a specialization in mental health from East Carolina University. Kimberly is licensed by the North Carolina Board of Social Work, is an intensively-trained Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) specialist, a certified Imago therapist, Internal Family Systems therapist and a Level II certified Equine Assisted Psychotherapist. Kimberly has trained with the leading experts in her field and many of her certifications have been received from the program founders themselves. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, International Academy of Eating Disorder Professionals, The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, the National Eating Disorder Association, The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, and The Equine Asssisted Growth and Learning Association
Kimberly’s ceaseless passion for her work first arose from her own personal recovery journey through an eight year battle with anorexia and bulimia, depression and anxiety. The hard work her recovery required was continually fueled by her determination to triumph over her eating disorder and turn around to help and support others. Post-recovery, she assembled a skilled and compassionate team of professionals who came on board bearing not only impressive credentials but also their own personal recovery experiences.
Today, Kimberly and her team make Southlake Center come to life in the lives of those who are suffering and need to know that recovery help, hope, and support is affordable and accessible.
Kimberly’s specialty areas include eating disorders, body image disturbance, self injury, trauma, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. In addition to serving as Program Director, Kimberly leads a number of groups and also maintains a very busy private practice that serves both individuals and families. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her two teen children and three dogs, and enjoying her favorite hobby—riding horses.
Erin Clark, MSW, LCSW
Therapist
Erin works with children, adolescents and adults on a variety of issues including relationship struggles,, parenting skills and life transitions. Erin has experience working with families on issues related to behavior management, adoption, fostering and infertility concerns.
Erin received her Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work from Boston University where she completed an internship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Erin comes to the Southlake team experienced in working with individuals, families, and groups in hospital and agency settings. Erin is a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, Mental Health Professional Group, and National Association of Social Workers.
Erin works from a strengths perspective in partnering with her clients to help them achieve the emotional well being they desire.
Mike Tanis, Ed.S, LMFT, LPC, RPT-S
Therapist
Mike has been working in the Human Services field since January of 1994. He received his Bachelors degree in Human Services from Wingate University, Masters degree in Community and Agency Counseling from Winthrop University, and Educational Specialist degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from Converse College. He received his academic training in Sex Therapy at Psychological Studies Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, and has taken Graduate coursework at UNC-Charlotte, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Liberty University. Mike is currently working on his D. Min. (Doctor of Ministry) in Family Therapy at Amridge University.
Mike specializes in working with children, adolescents, individuals, couples, and families who are experiencing difficulty in relationships, anxiety and sadness related to adjustment problems, spirituality concerns, grief associated with death and loss issues, marital and family difficulties, low self-esteem, and career problems. His specialization includes doing play therapy with children and adolescents and working with persons and couples who are experiencing sexual issues and intimacy difficulties. He provides Clinical Supervision for mental health professionals pursuing any and all of the credentials in North Carolina for: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) and Registered Play Therapist and/or Supervisor (RPT/S). Mike also offers presentations to local churches and organizations on the topic of dealing with spiritual and psychological matters. Mike is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor and a Certified Sex Therapist.
When not seeing persons in therapy, Mike has three adorable children that keep him very busy!
Megan Orr-Murphy, M.Ed, LPC
Therapist
Megan Orr-Murphy, M.Ed, LPC, completed her undergraduate studies at Appalachian State University in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication, and received her Master’s degree in Counseling from Western Carolina University. She began her career as a school counselor in both elementary and middle school settings.
Megan enjoys working with people on an individual basis to guide them toward change. Her background in both school counseling and communication prepared her to work closely with children, adolescents, and their families.
Megan’s philosophy of counseling is to meet clients in the space in which they are ready, and help them to get to where they want to be. Her history as a counselor includes working with families to create more effective communication patterns. She enjoys working with clients of all ages and has experience working with a range of diagnoses including: depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and grief.
Debbie Parrott, MSW, LCSW, RYT200
Clinical Practice Manager; Therapist; Therapeutic Yoga Teacher
Debbie Parrott, MSW, LCSW, RYT, obtained her Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Wingate College, and her Master of Social Work from UNC-Charlotte. For her work in graduate studies, she was awarded membership in both the Phi Alpha and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. She focused her graduate research on mental health, exploring such issues as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and eating disorders.
Debbie believes in the healing power of relationships, and enjoys working with clients to develop healthier connections within themselves, with friends and family members, and with the society in which they live. Having suffered the effects of traumatic events in her own life, Debbie takes a particular interest in helping clients learn more effective coping skills to manage their distress, including the use of therapeutic yoga. She is able to connect compassionately with even the most resistant adolescents. Debbie is also experienced in guiding individuals and families through relationship challenges, grieving difficulties, and issues related to substance abuse, trauma, and other life stressors.
Debbie is licensed as a clinical social worker by the N.C. Certification and Licensure Board, is an Internal Family Systems therapist, and is intensively trained as a Dialectical Behavior Therapist. She is also a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance®, and completed her 200+ hour teacher training in Baptiste Yoga at the Yoga One Institute of Yoga. Debbie is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.
In her time away from work, Debbie practices yoga, runs, and rides her bicycle. She is also an avid reader, and enjoys attending live sporting events, especially Panthers football and ACC basketball. Debbie is a proud mom of two incredible sons.
Shannon Brewer, MA, LPA
Therapist
Shannon Brewer, MA, LPA, obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Oakland University, and her Master of Arts in clinical psychology from the University of Hartford in 1996.
Shannon has worked in a variety of settings including medium and close custody prisons. She worked as part of multi-disciplinary team on a 96 bed inpatient psychiatric facility within the prison system. She ran various groups within the prison system including groups on managing anger, depression and anxiety. Shannon worked as a consultant conducting intellectual and diagnostic assessments for the inpatient unit as a Psychological Associate at the Wake County Alcoholism Treatment Center (ATC) in Raleigh, also working with clients in the Day Treament program and outpatient program. She started and led gender specific Anger Management groups while at ATC. She led a group teaching relaxation techniques and mindfulness to participants in the Day Treatment Program and led the Dual Diagnosis group for both outpatient and Day Treament clients. Since leaving ATC, Shannon has been in private practice specializing in individuals ages 16+ who struggle with addictions, mood disorders, personality disorders, anger managment and stress management.
Shannon has a strong desire to help people realize their potential and to discover their worth as individuals. In counseling with her clients, she provides a comfortable and nonjudgmental environment in which they can feel safe exploring difficult issues. Shannon enjoys working with older adolescent and adult clients on various problems, including substance abuse, relationship challenges, and other mental health concerns.
Julie Peindl, MSW, P-LCSW
Therapist
Julie received a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies and Psychology from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her Master of Social Work from The University of South Carolina at Columbia. She has experience providing counseling and case management to clients in both inpatient and outpatient settings, as well as in the community and in the home. Currently, Julie provides individual, family, and group therapy to clients at Southlake Counseling.
Julie tailors therapy to suit each individual’s unique needs/goals, utilizing many of the essential elements of Psychoanalysis and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She specializes in and loves working with individuals struggling with anxiety, racing thoughts, and intense emotions. Also, she has an interest in sex therapy, a background in sexual assault/rape crisis, and enjoys working to provide the public with helpful information regarding sexual education and healthy sexual practices. While she eagerly provides therapy to adult clients, Julie has a unique ability to connect with older adolescents and young adults.
She has an enthusiastic personal interest in meditation/Buddhist philosophies, exercise/nutrition, homeopathy/alternative medicine, and martial arts. In her spare time, Julie enjoys dancing, singing, exercising, and spending time with her dog.
Dodi Wicks, RD, LDN, CNSC
Dietitian
Dodi Wicks obtained her Bachelors in Science Degree in Dietetics & Nutrition from Florida International University. She is well versed in all areas of nutrition, and more specifically in nutrition support in adult acute care settings, and in nutrition counseling for those with disordered eating in inpatient and outpatient settings for pediatric and adult populations. Dodi holds a Board Certification in Nutrition Support and Certificate in Adult Weight Management.
Her aspiration for working with individuals with disordered eating has brought her to the Southlake team. In addition, she works at a large greater Charlotte area tertiary care hospital, applying evidenced-based practices to provide vital care for better treatment outcomes.
Dodi enjoys living a healthy lifestyle and showing others how to do the same.
Eileen Chiaro, MSW, P-LCSW
Therapist
Eileen received her Bachelor of Art in Psychology from Indiana University, and her Master of Social Work from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In graduate school, Eileen worked with undergraduate students dealing with substance abuse issues and focused her final project on best treatment practice for Eating Disorders, while completing her internship at Southlake Counseling. Since completing her MSW, Eileen has gained experience providing therapy for children, adolescent and adults with mental health barriers and behavioral issues in community, agency and in-home settings.
Eileen believes in the potential to heal and gain strength from the challenges life brings with ample and appropriate therapeutic support. Eileen takes a non-judgmental, empathetic and empowering approach when working with individuals, families and groups. Eileen has worked with an array of mental health diagnosis such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, grief and loss, and has a particular passion for helping those struggling with eating disorders. Eileen has been trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and incorporates this into individual and family sessions, as well as leading DBT groups.
Eileen is a member of the National Association of Social Work for North Carolina, and volunteers with United Family Services as a Rape-Crisis Advocate. In her free time, Eileen enjoys cooking, reading, exercising, traveling and spending time with friends and family.
