About Kaleidoscope TherapY

OWNER/THERAPIST- Huntsville

Stephanie is a clinical social worker and a Registered Play Therapist- Supervisor ™ with extensive experience and training working with adolescents, children, and families. She has received specialized post-graduate training in order to become a registered play therapist and knows this approach to be a powerful way for children to process their experiences and feelings in a way that is developmentally appropriate and natural for them. She has also been trained by the Theraplay Institute and has completed both Level I and Level II training. This approach is very helpful for adoptees as well as children who have regulation difficulties. Additionally, Stephanie is a certified Autplay® therapist and specializes in ADHD, Autism, AuDHD, 2e, anxiety, sensory processing, regulation strategies, parenting strategies for toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary age children, and attachment. Stephanie also offers professional consultation in addition to clinical and play therapy supervision.

THERAPIST- Huntsville

Allison is an associate licensed counselor (under the supervision of Jane Sweeney, LPC-S, NCC) who sees individuals ages 3-21, parents, and families. She has experience with a variety of presenting concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, identity exploration, and family conflict. She practices from person-centered, family systems, and multi-culturally competent perspectives. Allison believes the therapeutic relationship is pivotal in healing and that each client’s therapeutic experience needs to be appropriate for their needs and developmental level. Allison utilizes interventions from various approaches, such as directive and non-directive play therapy, family therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT). By using an integrative approach, Allison is able to tailor treatment to her clients’ needs regardless of what stage they are at in their journey to healing.

THERAPIST- Madison

Brittni Benjamin is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who works with individuals from ages 3-25 and families. She uses directive and non-directive modalities to treat disorders such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood disorders, and has vast experience and interest working with trauma. Brittni is an EMDR(eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapist in training, but also utilizes play therapy, Dialectical Behavioral therapy (DBT), Trauma focused-cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT), Person Centered therapy(PCT), and sandtray to facilitate an inclusive and safe environment for individuals and families to be expressive and to process difficult thoughts and emotions. She is dedicated to equipping families with the skills to co-regulate as to improve resiliency and emotional wellness.

THERAPIST- Madison

Emily is Licensed Professional Counselor who works with children ages 3-10. She has been providing counseling services in North Alabama since 2019 through a school based program and private practice. Emily has training in non-directive play therapy techniques and is passionate about providing developmentally appropriate services. In order to promote wellness and identify strengths it is important to meet children where they are. Emily incorporates a systems approach with children by including caregivers in the process as they are the strongest supporters outside of the playroom. Clinical areas of focus include building emotional awareness and understanding, regulation, caregiver-child relationships, and anxiety. With older clients, Emily uses cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, solution focused techniques, and sandtray to best explore the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

THERAPIST- Huntsville

Katherine is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the State of Alabama as well as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Texas. Since graduating from Baylor University in 2015 with her master’s degree in social work, Katherine has provided services to clients in school based, community mental health, and private practice settings. She has extensive experience treating clients with a wide range of concerns, but has special interest in working with children struggling with anxiety disorders, depression, life transitions, and self-esteem. Katherine works to establish an atmosphere of warmth, safety, and trust where children can begin to communicate and process their feelings and experiences in a developmentally appropriate way. Utilizing play, art, games, and other activities as a medium for both communication and exploration, Katherine is able to integrate different treatment approaches to best meet the unique needs of each child and family.

THERAPIST- Madison

Katie Dye is an Associate Licensed Counselor (under the supervision of Robyn Trippany Simmons, Ed.D., LPC-S, NCC, RPT-S) in the state of Alabama. She received her Bachelor of Human Development and Family Studies from The University of Alabama in 2016. Following, she received her Master of Education in Counseling from The University of Montevallo in 2020. Katie works with individuals ages ranging from 3-30. Katie values and utilizes both non-directive and directive play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and person-centered therapy. She believes that CBT is a powerful form of therapy in that it allows the client to point out the negative, unwanted thoughts and minimize or change them altogether. Katie believes in assisting clients in the identification of their strengths to bring out the positive in them. Katie believes in being fully present and available to her clients as this allows the client to self-actualize and to grow toward his/her highest potential.

THERAPIST- Huntsville

Nikki Witte is a Master's Level Social Worker with training in Play Therapy and Expressive Arts. She is working on becoming a registered play therapist through continued training and supervision under a registered play therapy supervisor. She has training and experience in using play therapy to create a safe and nurturing space for children to heal and thrive. She has experience working with children with anxiety, ADHD and AuDHD, depression and self-esteem issues. She has training in both play therapy and expressive arts that allows her to employ therapeutic techniques involving art, sand tray, and expressive play. She further has experience in working with parents and implementing parenting support and family support services and is trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and able to employ Child Centered Play Therapy techniques along with directive play therapy to create a unique and customized therapeutic journey to fit a client's needs.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST- Madison

Alyah (pronounced uh-lee-uh) is a licensed Occupational Therapist and TBRI® (Trust Based Relational Intervention) Practitioner with a passion for helping kiddos and families thrive by tailoring interventions to support brain-based development and family goals. Alyah graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where she focused on transdisciplinary collaboration and consultation in early childhood interventions. She is passionate about providing trauma-informed and neuro-diverse affirming care, sensory integration—with a heavy focus on interoception, feeding therapy, emotional regulation skills, daily living skills, and helping children meet developmental milestones across all areas of life. Alyah is in the process of completing a sensory certification through the STAR Institute to better provide multi-sensory treatments to children displaying needs with sensory modulation, sensory-based motor difficulties, and sensory discrimination challenges. Alyah works in schools, early intervention, and provides TBRI® caregiver training to families needing additional support. She has experience working with a variety of diagnoses and utilizes child-led play within her sessions to empower children to reach their fullest potential. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and doing all things outdoors with her husband and sweet fur-baby, Lucy!

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST- Huntsville

Destiny Jackson, MS, OTR/L received a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of North Alabama in May of 2019. Destiny was a member of UNA’s softball team. Destiny then attended graduate school at Alabama State University and earned a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in December 2021. As a pediatric occupational therapist, Destiny Jackson primarily utilizes child-led play interventions to address and improve any areas of concern related to daily functions. Destiny has experience and training working with children who have received a medical diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, Down Syndrome, and Global Developmental Delay. Additionally, Destiny Jackson has completed additional continuing education courses related to integrating retained reflexes, treatments for ADHD, and alternative communication devices related to the scope of occupational therapy. Her work focuses on implementing occupation-based interventions to increase independence and participation with daily living and scholastic skills.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST- Madison and Huntsville

Laura Payne is a licensed Occupational Therapist with over 12 years of experience working with all ages and in a variety of environments – including clinics, homes, preschools, alternative schools and in the pool! She has experience working with a variety of diagnoses and is trained in Handwriting Without Tears and Therapeutic Listening. She believes that all children need a safe and fun space to explore and learn from all 8 of their senses: sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch, proprioception, interoception and vestibular. These senses help us do everything from running and playing - to eating and sleeping. Laura is originally from Nashville, TN. She majored in Anthropology/Sociology at Knox College, then received her Master of Occupational Therapy from Washington University School of Medicine. Laura lives in the Huntsville-Madison area with her husband, daughter, and 2 cats. In her free time, she enjoys reading a good book and getting outside

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST- Madison

Loran McCormick is a registered and licensed occupational therapist who has 6 years of experience working with the pediatric population and their families. Loran specializes in feeding therapy and is passionate about equipping caregivers with the knowledge and tools needed to help their child thrive. She has extensive training in addressing infant and toddler feeding difficulties, ranging from difficulties with breast and/or bottle feeding to a selective eater- and all that in between. Loran's previous experience in early intervention and private clinics has exposed her to a variety of diagnoses and ages; however, she loves facilitating growth and development in the birth-5 year old population. Loran focuses on developmental milestones, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and reflex integration to help each child reach their fullest potential. Loran believes in providing individualized treatment and focuses on child-led, play based approaches during sessions, with a heavy emphasis on caregiver coaching for optimal carry over in the child's natural environments. In her free time, you can find Loran playing with her two sweet girls, helping her husband around the farm, or reading a good book!

OT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Rachel lives in Jefferson City, Missouri and spends most of her time with her three young children. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Music. Working with both children and teens has been a big part of her life for the last ten years, and she loves seeing young people reach their fullest potential. Rachel has a long history working in administration roles and loves to communicate with people in order to achieve the highest level of service. In her spare time, Rachel loves to garden, bake, and make music with her husband and children. Although Rachel works remotely, and you won't see much of her in the office - she'd love to help you with scheduling or finding out more about our practice! 

COUNSELING ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Jeanie is a former counselor turned stay-at-home mom of three young children. She has a Master's Degree in Counseling from Jacksonville State University and has spent the last decade working in the mental health field in both administrative and counseling roles. She loves to help others in finding the care they need. When she is not chasing around her toddlers, Jeanie enjoys reading, knitting, and cooking.