Empowering Encounters Counseling at Hagan Health is dedicated to providing all clients with a safe space where they will find compassion, kindness, and encouragement. After each session, clients should feel empowered to make positive changes in their lives. Our clinicians are trained to appreciate and celebrate diversity as well as the resilience of the human spirit. It is our mission to make every client feel that they are heard, acknowledged, and valued.
LMFT, LCSW, Director of Psychotherapy
Part of life is the struggle. It is during the most trying times of our lives that we learn the most about ourselves. While it is natural to go through periods of hardship, that does not mean you have to do it alone. I see it as my role to be a helping hand and resource for those who are going through a difficult time. That is why I am so thankful to be able to come to work every day to help others.
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I attended Western Kentucky University where I earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies. I then attended the University of Louisville where I earned my Master of Science in Social Work with a specialization in Couple and Family Therapy.
My areas of interest include women’s mental health, anxiety, and trauma work. While I utilize many different strategies and methods in therapy, the emphasis of my practice is on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Our emotions, thoughts, and actions all interact and influence each other. Changes in the way we think can influence the way we feel and behave. Additionally, I utilize EMDR to help clients process and heal from trauma. I see myself as a coach for my clients who have the ability to make positive changes in their lives but perhaps need to be pointed in the right direction.
LMFT, LCSW
Vern Rickert, LCSW, LMFT, received his BA in Psychology from Bellarmine University in 1971, MSSW from the Kent School of Social Work; the University of Louisville in 1973, and a Post-Graduate certificate in Structural Family Therapy from the Department of Psychiatry; the University of Cincinnati in 1982. Mr. Rickert has previously served as the Director of Programs for Family & Children’s Counseling Centers. Mr. Rickert has over forty years of experience with non-profit organizations, clinical practice of marriage and family therapy, and supervision and training of professionals.
Vern is a co-founder of the Family Therapy Program at the University of Louisville where he is widely known for his expertise in teaching, training, and supervision of Family Therapy and formerly served as an Adjunct Clinical Professor. In addition to his considerable experience in providing family therapy to families who have experienced abuse and neglect, Mr. Rickert served as a consultant to the Cabinet’s implementation of Family Sensitive Residential Treatment where he provided training and supervision to Residential Treatment Specialists who themselves served as consultants to residential treatment centers throughout the state.
Mr. Rickert has also provided training to several Family Service Teams under a Child Abuse and Neglect Grant to assess and treat Drug and Alcohol issues – a critical barrier to family restoration.
LMFT, LCSW
When someone is faced with emotional pain due to life circumstances, knowing what to do is difficult and seeking help can be frightening. As a licensed marriage & family therapist and a licensed clinical social worker, it is my practice to provide a safe environment for clients to resolve their issues of concern. I see the client’s expertise of self as a vital part of therapy, and I solicit this part of my team approach along with my own life experience and educational knowledge to bring about positive change. Validation and client strengths are also a part of my therapeutic process. Giving hope and helping clients to feel in control and finding hope for a healthy future can be expected.
I work with individuals, couples and families struggling with issues such as relationship concerns, eating disorders, grief & loss, dependencies, depression, and anxiety.
My husband and I have been married for 52 years. We have three sons and daughters-in-law along with nine wonderful grandchildren.
I have served as a board-approved supervisor for the past 16 years. I have been a guest speaker at the University of Zimbabwe in Africa.
CSW, Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
Gail earned a dual degree in Psychology and Sociology from Western Kentucky University in 2009, followed by a Master’s in Biblical Counseling from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Master’s in Social Work with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from University of Louisville, Kent School of Social Work. After graduate school Gail continued her education earning certifications in Nutrition, Personal Training and Reiki. Gail believes in a holistic approach to therapy with a focus on the importance between the mind/ body/ spirit connection.
Gail has experience providing therapy in the outpatient, home, and residential settings. The work within those settings included providing trauma treatment for individuals, couples and families who have endured the pain of childhood abuse and neglect. Gail strongly believes in the power of human relationships, connection, and emotional growth. She is a client – centered therapist, meaning she believes the treatment is focused on the client and that individuals are capable of discovering the answers that they’ve been looking for with some guidance.
Gail values herself on providing thorough quality care. Therefore, she will seek to explore your past experiences, and earlier attachment as themes from the past, which has the power to affect your current behavior and relationships. It is her belief that regardless of what your current life stressors are, or have been, you are capable of reaching your emotional potential, obtaining balance, wellness and happiness.
CSW, Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
Carrying the weight of the past or feeling a blanket of anxiousness and dread for the future can be a heavy burden to bear. Reaching for help is a strength that we all possess but might not have been able to locate in the past. It can also be a difficult first step on the journey to healing. I hope to help others embrace the process of healing through therapeutic means, because everyone has the strength to heal and grow in their individualized life journeys. The process of therapy is not always easy but using a client-centered approach to therapy can create room for clients to embrace change in their own time.
For families, couples and individuals struggling with mental health issues, relationship struggles, and other related hardships, therapy can provide an outlet for help. As every client carries individualized life journey experiences, I use a variety of therapeutic interventions in order to achieve clients’ goals. I carry a special interest in working with children, adolescents, and individuals that have experienced traumatic experiences.
I received a Bachelors in Psychology and a minor in Family Sciences from the University of Kentucky. I then graduated from the University of Louisville with a Master of Science in Social Work, and a specialization in Couples and Family Therapy. Currently, I work as a Certified Social Worker, and a Marriage and Family Therapy Associate. In order to supply effective therapy, I align closely with the therapeutic interventions of Narrative, Emotion-Focused, Cognitive-Behavioral, Dialectical Behavioral, Trauma-Informed, and art/play therapy. I manifest the belief that each individual carries the capability to write and engage in their ideal narrative of life. For this reason, I see myself as a teacher, listener, and coach, to help others engage in positive change.
CSW, Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
I believe that relationships are the most important thing in life. We are born into and sustained by them. They provide us with purpose and direction. Unfortunately, many people don’t see where they belong or how much value they truly have. It is with great joy that I get to help people improve their relationships with others and themselves. Each person has the strength and skill to change their life. I hope to help them see their potential and begin moving toward the life they want. My undergraduate degrees include Psychology and Psychophysiology from Lindsey Wilson College. I completed the dual degree program of social work and couple and family therapy at the Kent School of Social Work. My largest therapeutic interests include emotion-focused therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Narrative therapy. I’m happy to work with individuals, couples, and families, particularly about relationship concerns.
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Here at Hagan Health, we are committed to providing excellent mental healthcare. We have a specialized team of clinicians who will communicate together to bring about a better and deeper understanding of the patient.
