Steven Tackett, M.Ed., LPCC
First and foremost, I am a father, son, and husband. I have been married since 1998 and have two amazing children, Spencer and Brooklyn. They are the source of my energy and my life. I have been blessed with amazing parents, Rodger & Patricia Tackett. My dad passed away in 2009; this led me to make changes in my life as a person and as a therapist. Grief never goes away. I was born and raised in Flatwoods, KY, and attended both Russell and Greenup County High School. Since graduating high school, I have lived in several locations such as Lexington & Richmond, Kentucky as well as Huntington, WV where I met my wife, Kristy. Family, honesty, integrity, and responsibility are my core values, and I strive to live the words that I speak in my work with others.
In 1999, I received my BS in Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University. While attending EKU, I was active in student council as well as the Greek system being a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Upon graduation, I continued working as a manager in retail sales. I moved back to Greenup, Kentucky in the summer of 2000 to pursue a career closer to home and to begin a family.
In 2006, I received my M.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling from the Lindsey Wilson College School of Professional Counseling. Graduating at the top of my class, I became a Nationally Certified Counselor and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Since this time I have been a member of the American Counselors’ Association, Kentucky Counselors’ Association, Kentucky Mental Health Counselors’ Association, National Board of Certified Counselors, and Chi Sigma Iota Honorary Society.
Prior to joining Tri-State Psychological Services in February 2007, I was a school-based therapist for Russell and Raceland Schools as well as an outpatient therapist and case manager while employed with Pathways, Inc. My experience also includes being an adjunct-professor for Morehead State University where I taught Human Growth & Development courses. I currently teach Child & Adolescent Psychology and Counseling Psychology at Shawnee State University. In 2010, I purchased the assets of Tri-State Psychological Services, PLLC and opened my current practice, Tri-State Counseling & Psychotherapy, LLC. My clients have included all ages, races, creeds, and backgrounds including the LGBTQ community. I have experience working with all types of presenting problems one may face in their lives and enjoy my job as much now as when I first started.
While spending time with my family & friends is my number one priority in life, I try to make time for several hobbies. Music has been a major part of my life since I was a child and continues to shape who I am today. An avid sports fan, I can be found at the ball fields taking in local, state, and professional games. I am the former President of the Greenup County High School Football Boosters and a member of the GCHS Site-Based Council. I have also learned to appreciate all forms of dance as my daughter is a talented, hard-working dancer. I am a certified Special Olympic Coach and have participated in both Regional and State Special Olympics. I also enjoy the outdoors whether it is fishing, walking in the woods, riding four-wheelers, or enjoying time on the porch. I am an animal lover as demonstrated by my many cats, dogs, etc.
On a more personal note and as a therapist, I believe that we all have inside of us the ability to conquer any problem that we may face. Sometimes life is not fair or kind and we need help. Each of us will come upon a time in our lives when we may become lost or stumble. It is those times when it is ok to reach out for help. As the U2 song states, “Sometimes you can’t make it on your own”. I appreciate you taking the time to read this brief introduction and look forward to partnering with you on the journey to be the person you want to be and to live the life you want to live.
Melissa G. Barker, M.Ed., LPCC
I am honored to introduce myself to you. I grew up in the Grayson area and have lived here my entire life. I enjoy the small, hometown atmosphere this area has to offer. I feel the relationships that we develop are the backbone of who we are. I have two wonderful parents who have given me the support and strength to follow my dreams. They have shown me the importance of honesty, hard work, and integrity.
I graduated from West Carter high school in 1999. I went on to graduate
from Morehead State University in 2003 with a Bachelors of Social Work
degree. In 2007, I obtained my Masters of Education with an emphasis in
mental health counseling from Lindsay Wilson College School of Professional
Counseling. I have since become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.
I am a member of the American Counseling Association, the Kentucky
Counseling Association, and the Kentucky Mental Health Counseling
Association.
I have previously worked at Pathways, Inc as a therapist for individuals,
groups, families, children, adolescents, and adults. I was also a school
based counselor in the Raceland Independent and Greenup County school
systems. Prior to becoming a therapist, I gained experience working with
troubled children and adolescents as a case manager in the IMPACT
program. I began working as a private practice therapist in 2007 with
Tri-State Psychological Services. During this time I worked with women,
children, teens, groups, and families with depression, anxiety, anger,
school problems, behavior problems, women’s issues and many more. In 2010,
I transitioned to my own practice alongside Tri-State Counseling and
Psychotherapy, LLC. I work with a wide range of clients and life issues with a
focus on women, children, teens, and families.
Personally, I love spending time with my family and friends. I adore
animals and have six very spoiled pets of my own; Zoey & Ellie, my cats, our office cat Callie; Eddie, Shiloh, my dogs, and of course Scarlett our office Hedgehog! I also
love sports and am a life-long UK fan. I enjoy reading, cooking, and
listening to music. I find these things to be therapy themselves. I feel
that we all struggle at times dealing with the obstacles life can throw at
us. During these times, it is helpful to reach out to someone in order to
find our own inner strength as we continue on our journeys. I feel honored
to get to experience the journey of those who allow me to go along.
Sarah E. Folger, M.Ed., LPCA
Hello, my name is Sarah Folger M.Ed. LPCA, and I am from Worthington, Kentucky. I was born and raised here and graduated from Raceland High School in 2011. After graduating high school I went straight to college at Shawnee State University where I obtained a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and received a Deaf Studies Certification. During my years at college, I was an intern at STAR Community Justice Center.
Following graduation in 2016 I went on to work at the Necco Center in Pedro, Ohio working with individuals with emotional needs and intellectual disabilities. After my time at the Necco Center I went on to work for a different branch at Necco as a Case Manager for foster children. While working at Necco I was obtaining my Master of Education in Counseling and Human Development and graduated in 2018. After graduating, I went to work at Regroup as an outpatient therapist working with primarily children in the schools. During my time at Regroup I had completed many trainings focusing on trauma. I worked with children primarily with PTSD, oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorders. I also had experience with working with adults with bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and others that also struggled with anxiety and depression.
After gaining my footing as a therapist, I then went into private practice in 2020 during the start of our pandemic. I now work with adults and children of all ages. I work with individuals with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorders, PTSD, and more. I work with many individuals of different races, cultures, religions, sexual orientation, and genders. I work with many individuals in the LGBTQ community. I utilize, but am not limited to, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral therapy, and Individual Psychology also known as Adlerian Therapy.
Outside of work I am very family and friend oriented and adore my pets. I love to travel, paint, and enjoy multiple outdoor activities. My favorite outdoor activities are kayaking, paddleboarding, or laying somewhere on a beach. I also love to binge watch tv shows and play video games. If you think we would be a great fit, then I look forward to meeting you soon!
Jackie M. Greene, M.Ed., LPCA
Hey there! My name is Jackie Greene, and I would love to take this opportunity to allow you to learn more about who I am. First and most importantly, I am a single mother of two wonderful boys Eli and Krew. I was blessed with wonderful parents who have been my biggest supporters and inspiration. I was born in Zanesville, Ohio and grew up in a small town called Crookesville. At the age of twelve, my father had to relocate his place of employment which brought us to the Tri-State area. We resided in Ironton, Ohio where I graduated from Ironton High School in 2002. After high school, I attended Ohio University and obtained my Bachelor of Arts and Science Degree in Psychology in 2012. After completing my undergraduate studies, I enrolled in Graduate School at Lindsey Wilson College where I earned my M. Ed. in Mental Health Counseling in 2020.
My family is the biggest part of who I am, and being a mother is the greatest joy of my life. My other interests include fitness and health; I enjoy being in nature, volunteering in my community, listening to all genres of music, being around animals, and traveling when I can.
Earlier in my life, I was a military spouse and have had the greatest privilege to live in multiple areas in the south ranging from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Experiencing different cultures and ways of living has played a key role in helping me connect with a multitude of different perspectives to how we all live our individual lives.
When I was young, I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. However life threw some major curve balls my way, including the significant tragedy with the loss of my brother. This helped me understand that everyone struggles. and knew I wanted to help be a part of the solution. THAT is why I am where I am today.
As your therapist, I am here to help you navigate through your most difficult struggles and to empower you to make progress toward your goals. I believe that building a strong therapeutic alliance with my clients is one of the key building blocks in order to be successful in the therapy process. My clients have included all populations, backgrounds, races, and ages. I don’t believe there is a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Our work together it will be tailored to best fit your need and your own personal journey. I have experience working with depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, family issues, relationship conflicts, grief, substance abuse, life transitions, and many other aspects that bring someone into therapy.
Just know you are not alone, and I am here to meet you where you are. Together we will work towards the best outcome you are seeking.
Bentley R. Vandever, M.A., LPCA
Hi! My name is Bentley Vandever and I was born and raised right here in Ashland, Kentucky. I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling Psychology in 2020 and completed my Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Northwestern University in 2023. I am a member of the National Board for Certified Counselors.
Mental health has always been extremely important to me and helping people achieve mental wellness is my core passion in life. I believe mental health looks different for everyone, and I strive to honor that belief by tailoring my services to the unique needs of each individual client. There are a plethora of reasons for seeking therapy and no reason is “too small”. I am a firm believer that everyone deserves to be heard.
I started with Tri-State Counseling and Psychotherapy, LLC in 2020 as an intern, and now I have the great privilege of working with my own, wonderful clients. I work with a variety of age groups and presenting concerns including anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. I especially enjoy working with teen and college-age girls, as my own life experience lends itself to my work with this population. I enjoy working with people from all walks of life, cultures, and backgrounds and I strive to educate myself on your unique worldview. The central theoretical orientations from which I work are Psychoanalytic and Existential.
Beyond my passion for mental health and helping others, I have many other interests and hobbies. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, houseplants, video games, traveling, and spending time with my cats!
Remember, there is no reason “too small” for seeking out therapy. If you’re interested in talking with someone about current stressors or past experiences, I’d love the opportunity to work with you and aid you on your journey to mental wellbeing!