Elizabeth McFarland, MS, LPC/MHSP

***Elizabeth is available Online, and Fridays in our Johnson City Office By Request

Elizabeth McFarland, MS, LPC/MHSP

Elizabeth, “Liza”, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Mental Health Service Provider, in Tennessee with a clinical focus on adults, emerging adults, and adolescents. Liza comes to Thriveworks with significant experience treating substance use and trauma related issues.  As a therapist, she empowers individuals to build self-confidence and a satisfying life.  Liza assists clients to leverage their strengths and harness their abilities to create their own solutions throughout treatment.  While understanding where someone comes from can help them move forward, she believes that the most effective focus of treatment is on the present.

Liza ensures that clients feel heard and she welcomes her clients into therapy with compassion, non-judgement, and authenticity.  She aims to foster a collaborative relationship that leads to personal growth and empowerment.  In her words, "I'm not in charge, I'm not your boss, we are a team."

Liza is a new mother to a little girl and the wife of a disabled veteran. She moved to East Tennessee recently to be closer to family and has fallen in love with the community and natural beauty. Liza received her master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Georgia. After graduation, she worked for a private agency in North Georgia providing a combination of in-home and in-office therapy.

Mark S. Kryter, MSSW, LCSW

For over three decades, Mark has partnered with individuals, couples, and families on their journey toward happiness, self-understanding, and personal mastery as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. While Mark draws from a deep and diverse well of experience and training, he approaches therapy primarily through an approach called Psychosocial Therapy which combines a clear vision of his clients’ own experience of themselves and the world around them. By exploring the client’s unique past, current struggles, and external stressors, the stage is set for positive change. Mark is also adept at applying Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Family Systems Therapy to help you achieve your goals. While Mark assists people of all ages, as a seasoned therapist, he is especially able to address the needs and concerns of mature clients.

In the past, Mark has worked with children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly and in residential treatment settings, inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, drug rehab, nursing homes and hospice settings. Outside of his career as a therapist, Mark enjoys hiking, swimming, classic cars and gardening. He is also committed to lifelong learning and, on occasion, pushing his comfort level by taking on new challenges to further expand his own life experience.

Mark prides himself on being an excellent listener and has noticed that what is not said is every bit as important as what is said. He is continually honored to provide a space where clients are seen, understood, and not judged. Mark is not afraid to be himself in session and brings the added value of a long and full life with him in therapy. One of his greatest joys is witnessing a client’s “aha” moments where things open up and healing begins. Your own “aha” moments are just around the corner and Mark looks forward to sharing them with you!

Nicola J. Bone, MSW, LCSW

"May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears."

- Nelson Mandela

Nicola is a licensed clinical social worker who has encouraged individuals in the pursuit of personal growth and healing for more than 20 years. Having worked in a variety of settings, including the District Attorney's Office in Atlanta, GA, Loudon County School systems, private practice, and most recently in hospice settings working alongside patients and families, Nicola has learned about the resilience of the human spirit - acknowledging that this resilience springs forth only after pain. Nicola has experience working with individuals, couples, and families who have wrestled with pain inflicted by trauma, chronic and/or life-threatening diseases, grief/loss, anxiety, depression and the slow perpetual build up of life stress.

Self-awareness and self-care are critical subjects not taught in school. The end result of this is that we often do not recognize the warning signs that the body conveys, going through life on auto pilot until we break down physically and emotionally. Because of this Nicola is passionate about helping people develop their own self-awareness skills and self-care strategies. She also recognizes that this dynamic is true within families and family systems and is equipped as a therapist to help both individual and family issues.

Don't give up hope if you have been dealt a life-changing diagnosis, find yourself in a life-altering situation, are exhausted with a chronic battle, or just feel a little out of sorts. Healing is within reach and Nicola welcomes you to take a step closer.

G. Lamont Douglas, MS, LPC/MHSP

Lamont is a calming presence with his clients and can adapt to help many different types of individuals discover, achieve, and celebrate their personal goals. His therapeutic style is person-centered with additional emphasis and training in trauma-focused therapies. His primary passion is working with children, teens, and their families to improve relationships and help them reach their shared goals. He also has significant experience working with young adults in college and career settings.
Lamont has more than 20 years of experience in outpatient and residential behavioral health treatment settings. He is a local Tennessean at heart, completing both his bachelor's and master's degrees right here in Knoxville at UT.

Karen Trotter, MSSW, EdS, LCSW

Employed in the mental health field for more than 20 years, Karen has worked in many settings with persons of all ages. She has experience helping clients with issues such as anxiety, depression, family and relationship challenges, grief/loss, post-traumatic stress, life transitions, developmental disabilities, and end of life issues. Her style is straightforward, and makes use of a combination of theory and technique. She selects her approach carefully to fit her clients' unique life experiences and needs.

Karen believes that people do not exist in isolation. Their feelings and behavior are strongly influenced by interactions with others and their environment. As people increase their understanding of their own personal power, they have greater ability to make positive choices in dealing with life's challenges and determining the best direction for their lives.

Lindsey L. Chandler, MSW, LCSW

Lindsey Chandler is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Tennessee. She received her education and training from East Tennessee State University. For the past six years she has been practicing psychotherapy in Bristol, Tennessee at a community mental health agency. Recently, she has returned to her roots in Knoxville, Tennessee. The majority of her experience has been working with adults of all ages that are seeking recovery from a wide variety of mental health concerns. She takes a holistic view of therapy, exploring all areas of life that affect the person and their environment.

During therapy sessions, Lindsey uses an assortment of evidence-based techniques relevant to the presenting problem. Lindsey has extensive experience working with domestic violence survivors, new parents, individuals struggling with chemical dependency, and family members affected by addiction. Lindsey understands that change can be intimidating. She is a firm believer in the saying “when the pain of staying the same becomes worse than the fear of change, we change.” Thank you for considering Lindsey to be a part of your healing journey, and she looks forward to meeting you!

Anne M. Little-Goss, MSSW, LCSW

For over 13 years Anne has had the privilege of providing therapy/coaching services to children, adolescents, and adults who have been negatively impacted by varying life circumstances. Anne is passionate about helping clients understand that a diagnosis does not define who they are, but only identifies the patterns they are struggling with. Anne believes “everyone has a story in which each chapter can create different needs and challenges”. She adds, “Therapy/coaching provides a safe and confidential space to process and learn new coping strategies or to change the way we look at those challenges and needs”.

Over the years Anne has worked with a multitude of issues including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, personality, crisis prevention, anger management, and problems related to abuse and neglect. Anne has provided services to individuals, couples, groups, and families in both community and private practice, as well as inpatient and outpatient settings. Anne is dedicated to providing the best care possible, she uses various techniques such as; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, solution-focused, client-centered, and schema therapy.

Anne’s approach to therapy is one of education and mindfulness. Providing education regarding diagnosis and therapeutic intervention is powerful, it decreases any mystery, therefore diminishing barriers and stigma.

Anne received her degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and is licensed in both Tennessee and Florida. She has held positions as both a therapist and an administrator, but feels that her true passion is sharing her knowledge and expertise with the client, facilitating insight, and empowering the client to reach identified goals.

K. Neal Hughes, MDiv, MA, LSPE

Mr. Neal Hughes has been a practicing psychotherapist since 1989, when he graduated with a master's degree in clinical psychology from East Tennessee State University. Prior to this he acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Asbury College (now Asbury University) and a M.Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary with a specialized curriculum in historical theology. He is a student of world religions and philosophy, and has an appreciation for different belief systems — including the secular. All are welcome to explore from their personal framework

His personal study and continuing education help him keep up-to-date on the latest research in the growing fields of mindfulness-based interventions and positive psychology. He has acquired continuing education from Harvard Medical School and the Mind and Life Institute, as well as regional presentations by leading figures in the field of psychiatry and psychology.

In addition, he has presented on mental health related topics himself, including the integration of psychological and neurological functions in this region as well as in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Seattle. The use of mindfulness-based interventions and the technical eclecticism of positive psychology building on the foundation of neuroscience, enable him to meet the needs of a wide variety of clients.

Those suffering with depression, anxiety, excessive worry, grief, emotional instability both chronic and acute, sexual and sexual orientation issues, those with chronic medical illnesses, as well as issues related to interpersonal conflicts and communication may all benefit.

These intervention strategies find many correlations with religious or spiritual perspectives and may easily be utilized to strengthen a person's spiritual life but no religious perspective is needed for counseling in this framework to be effective. Neurological principles are effective in any case and are most easily integrated into existing patterns and habits of belief. Feel free to come and explore how to make your life more satisfying and rich.

Amanda K. Gilliam, MS, LMFT, RPT

I am committed to working with children, adolescents and families who are in the midst of seeking understanding and guidance on the path towards healing. Everyone has a story to tell, and everyone deserves to be heard. I have worked intensely with childhood trauma, adolescent and adult addiction and recovery, and a variety of mood and anxiety disorders. As a Registered Play Therapist with the Association for Play Therapy, my training and experience in Play Therapy for ages 4-12, and Seeking Safety for adolescents and adults helps me connect to clients of all ages using a unique approach. I value the importance of the family system when working with individuals, especially children. You are capable of increasing your emotional safety, and I love helping people on the paths to doing so.

I am passionate about working with trauma survivors. People often identify themselves by past experiences. But who you are is greater than what you have done or had happen to you.

My faith as a Christian provides the energy for my work, but I have tremendous respect for each person's story and strive to honor the client's differing views and choice on whether or not to incorporate issues of faith or spirituality into therapy.

Yvonne B. Kissinger, MA, LPC/MHSP

*Accepting appointments only*
Monday & Tuesday: 9am - 5pm
Wednesday: 9am -12pm

Yvonne is devoted to helping her clients recover and be fulfilled. Her goal for each client is to reach their potential, cope well with their challenges, and achieve their dreams. She uses a variety of techniques with a foundation of evidenced-based practices to assist her clients in their current circumstance.

Yvonne has been fortunate to have worked in the profession that she is passionate about for over thirty years. She has worked as a psychotherapist in outpatient clinics, in natural disaster areas treating trauma and grief, in administration as a trainer, as a school counselor, a school social worker, a consultant for the Florida Dept. of Education, and in a residential center for abused children. She has worked with all ages and is an advanced clinician in her work with children, grief and loss, relationships, family relationships, depression, trauma, anxiety, and a host of other issues.

Yvonne was raised on a farm and ranch in western South Dakota where she learned the values of family and work. Yvonne has lived in South Dakota, Wyoming, Florida, and in Tennessee for the last 20 years. She attained both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wyoming and continues to advance her knowledge in the counseling profession.