Kimberly Krueger, MSW, LCSW
Program Director
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 a certified Imago therapist, Internal Family Systems therapist and a Level I 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 cracker-jack 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 wonderful husband, two teenaged children, and three dogs, and enjoying her favorite hobby—riding horses.
Cynthia Sapp, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Sapp is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who brings to our practice over a decade of experience in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders in children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Sapp specializes in the psychological assessment and treatment of child and adolescent emotional, behavioral, and learning difficulties such as ADHD, anxiety and depression, learning disabilities, and failing grades. She works intricately with families to enhance healthy parent-child relationships and strives to empower each child’s effort for personal success both at school and at home.
Dr. Sapp also works extensively with children, adolescents, and adults who have experienced trauma (emotional, physical, sexual abuse) or have been diagnosed with a chronic or terminal illness (i.e. multiple sclerosis, lupus, fibromyalgia, cancer). She compassionately guides individuals to address related grief issues such as anger and depression, and actively treats symptoms of trauma, including PTSD. Dr. Sapp strives to help those living with serious health conditions define their “new normal” and re-engage in leading meaningful and rewarding lives. She additionally works with individuals struggling with adjustment difficulties such as job loss, loss of a loved one, and divorce.
Dr. Sapp received her Bachelor’s degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, and earned both her Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from Biola University in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Sapp completed her residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio where she was appointed Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry.
Prior to joining the Southlake team, Dr. Sapp worked in a variety of settings including a child guidance clinic, juvenile probation center, university counseling center, adolescent and adult psychiatric hospitals, middle and high-schools, and Los Angeles and Charlotte based private practices. She has made numerous professional presentations on topics such as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, childhood sexual abuse, depression, adolescent suicide, and family systems therapy. She has trained hospital advocates working with rape victims and has also facilitated support groups for individuals diagnosed with chronic or terminal illness. Dr. Sapp is a member of the American Psychological Association and the North Carolina Psychological Association.
Erin Clark, MSW, P-LCSW
Infertility Counselor
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
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!
Julie Whittington, MS, RD, LDN
Dietitian
Julie Whittington is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian. With an interest in science and food, Julie graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Richmond and then went on to achieve her Master of Science in Human Nutrition from Winthrop University.
With a desire to educate and improve others’ health, Julie joined the Southlake team. She provides nutrition therapy to individuals with diagnosed eating disorders, as well as those with general disordered eating. Julie sees individuals, provides nutrition groups and heads up the M.E.A.L support group.
Julie also owns her own private practice – Huntersville Health & Wellness, Inc. and provides nutrition consulting services such as private and group nutrition counseling and restaurant menu analysis. You may have seen Julie’s newspaper column in the Healthy Living section of the Statesville Record and Landmark on Sundays. Julie enjoys the opportunity to provide helpful tips on leading healthy lifestyles.
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, P-LCSW
Therapist
Debbie Parrott, MSW, P-LCSW, 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. She is able to connect compassionately with even the most resistant adolescents. Debbie is also experienced in guiding individuals and couples through relationship challenges, grieving difficulties, and issues related to substance abuse, trauma, and other life stressors.
Debbie is provisionally licensed by the N.C. Certification and Licensure Board, is an Internal Family Systems therapist, and 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.
Annie Seier, MSW, LCSW
Therapist
Annie Seier comes to the Southlake team after completing her Master of Social Work degree from The University of Georgia. Autism and Women’s Issues, more specifically eating disorders, are two of Annie’s professional passions. She is licensed as a clinical social worker by the NC Social Work Certification and Licensure Board.
Annie has worked with the Autism Society of North Carolina for the past five years in their summer camp program holding numerous positions, with the most recent being the Assistant Director. In the past year she has done intensive one-on-one work with two pre-school aged children with autism as the lead teacher in an early intervention classroom. In addition to working with these children she also worked with their families as emotional support and as a behavior consultant in the home. She believes that the treatment of autism should be multi-faceted and deal with the entire family. Annie feels that autism intervention should be structured around a strengths-based perspective. She also feels that it should take into account that each person is different and has many strengths and gifts to bring to the table. It is important to get to know each individual and his or her family to properly choose the most appropriate methodology for intervention and/or behavior intervention.
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.
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.
Karen M. Barry, M.F.T., LMFT
Therapist
Karen Barry comes to Southlake Counseling after being in private practice in Winston-Salem, NC since 1995. As a marriage and family therapist Karen’s practice is varied. She works with all ages and specializes in couples counseling. She helps her clients work on issues ranging from life transition issues, relationship issues, sexual dysfunction, divorce and remarriage, and work related concerns. Karen also works with emotional health issues such as: mood disorders, anxiety disorders, childhood behavioral problems as well as substance abuse issues, just to name a few. She is also highly experienced providing pre-surgical evaluations for patients planning to undergo bariatric surgery and considers bariatric mental health a sub-specialty she is highly experienced in.
Karen is always working to improve her skills and has had over 50 hours of post-graduate training in sexual dysfunction treatment. Karen is also trained in the use of EMDR, which is highly effective in the treatment of trauma. She is currently in supervision with a trainer for Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and is working towards her certification in EFCT.
Karen is known for being “down-to-earth” and easy to talk to. She engages easily with even the most reluctant clients and has a way of helping all her clients feel good about the process of therapy and better about themselves. She earned her undergraduate degree from San Jose State University in California and earned her graduate degree in family therapy from Hahnemann University (now Drexel) in Philadelphia, PA.
As a couples and family therapist, Karen’s work is systemic and strength based.
Kim Bridi
Yoga Therapist/Life Coach
Shortly after taking a job in the corporate world, Kim was told that her bull-dog attitude — which was fine-tuned during her time as a journalist – needed to change. She started working with a mentor and a coach and fell in love with the process and the changes that occurred both personally and professionally. She enrolled in and completed her coach training through Coach U and has enjoyed working with ADHD clients, mothers, and individuals wanting change.
Later, after leaving the corporate world for motherhood, she took a yoga class as a form of stress relief. The practice complimented her coaching work and jumpstarted her own transformation. She later enrolled in the Subtle Yoga Teacher Training program under Kaoverii Weber, which focused on the therapeutic benefits of yoga for the body and mind. Additionally, she has taken many workshops and trainings with internationally-known teachers.
Kim approaches her work with clients as a partnership. She believes that the client has the answers — and that the coaching process and/or a yoga practice will help the client gain awareness to the answers within. She works with clients on improving their overall health and wellness and reaching personal and professional goals. She also works with women and teens on body image issues, intuitive eating and weight loss.
In addition to her work as a coach, yoga therapist and yoga teacher, Kim is the mother of two young boys and also serves as a volunteer La Leche League leader to support breastfeeding mothers.
