Nikki Dear
Licensed Certified Social Worker
Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas
nikki@acceptedtherapy.com
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Nikki is not currently accepting new clients.
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My name is Nikki Dear. I am a Licensed Certified Social Worker in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. I am the owner of Accepted Therapy Services. I currently live in Fort Worth, Texas where I manage the Fort Worth office of Accepted Therapy Services.
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In 2013, I experienced a significant change and loss in my life. During this process, I found myself in a dark, hopeless place trying to find a way forward. It was in this that I found myself telling people I was “fine.” I realized that the world we live in tells us that we should always be "fine," even when nothing is remotely fine. There is a lot of pressure to be perfect and not let other people see us struggle.
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According to Brené Brown, the definition of shame is to “do it all, do it perfectly, and don’t let them see you struggle.” So when we don’t allow ourselves to struggle out loud, we are severely impacted, as I learned the hard way.
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My hope is to walk with you through any difficult time you may be experiencing so that you can give yourself permission to struggle out loud. This process will look differently for everyone as our issues are unique to our experiences. My specialties include trauma, shame, and grief as these are all areas that I have experienced and still, on occasion, battle.
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Lori Hodges
Licensed Master Social Worker
Mississippi
lori@acceptedtherapy.com
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My name is Lori Hodges, and I am a Licensed Master's Social Worker from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. I graduated with Honors from The University of Alabama #RollTide in May 2022 with a Master's Degree in Social Work. I am delighted to be a full-time Therapist with Accepted Therapy Services. I believe that our Team's dedication and compassionate approach provides an ideal setting for our clients to process their emotions, heal from past hurts, learn new strategies, and experience personal growth.
We want to feel like we're "good enough." We struggle with negative thoughts and low self-esteem. We feel restless and insecure. We worry excessively about the future, and we live in regret of the past. We avoid the difficult stuff and numb ourselves with social media, shopping, or alcohol. We need a different solution. We want to manage our lives effectively- To make healthy decisions and have meaningful experiences. We want to be good parents, partners, and providers. We want to feel good about ourselves. The therapy process can help us understand how our life experiences impact our current well-being.
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I would like to provide a safe place for you to examine your past, live fully in the present, and plan for the future. Let's dig in! We will explore your core beliefs and combat negative thoughts. We can begin to process trauma, develop new coping skills, and build healthy esteem. We will use your values as a guide in the process.
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My therapy style is engaging, heartfelt, and relatable. We will work together to determine what changes you would like to make, prioritize your goals, and develop solutions. You already have the capacity for change - I'm ready to support you! Send me a message, and let's get started.
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Jesse Mitchell
Licensed Master Social Worker
Mississippi
jesse@acceptedtherapy.com
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Hello! I’m Jesse Mitchell, a Licensed Master Social Worker in Hattiesburg, MS. I have 18 years of experience working with children and families in a multitude of settings. Prior to taking the leap into private practice, I worked for 8 years providing individual, family,and group counseling services to children, adolescents, and adults in community mental health, residential, and intensive outpatient settings. I am a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi obtaining my bachelor’s degree in Social Work (2004) and my master’s degree in Social Work (2015).
My therapeutic style is highly relational. My goal as a therapist is to provide a safe, caring, and non-judgmental space where my clients feel seen, heard, and valued. I believe that this environment encourages growth and healing, which, to me, is the purpose of the therapeutic process. I hope to be a calm and encouraging presence to my clients while listening to their highs and lows, helping them with identifying and practicing new coping skills, and assisting them with developing goals that meet their individual needs. I’m eclectic, drawing from numerous treatment modalities, my own clinical training, and my years of experience. I like to think of myself as a life-long learner. Because I value learning, I continue to research, attend training, and seek out resources to enhance my therapeutic skills.
I have a broad range of experience working with individuals and families dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, family dynamics, grief & loss and navigating life transitions.
Jennifer Pearson
Licensed Master Social Worker
Fort Worth, Texas
jennifer@acceptedtherapy.com
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Though we may know that healing is nonlinear, we often feel pressured to hide our messy reality beneath a socially acceptable mask. We may internalize the “should”s and “shouldn’t”s and find ourselves lost in a sea of well-intentioned platitudes, unsure how to navigate life’s twists and turns. My approach is to meet you where you are and walk with you on your journey so that you don’t have to do it alone. I believe that a compassionate, curious, and non-judgmental approach to the exploration of our inner worlds is crucial to our potential for growth and healing. By providing a safe and supportive space, I hope to empower you to explore and honor your authentic self, and to develop the skills and insights necessary to navigate life's challenges with greater ease and resilience. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, relationships, burnout, grief, or simply seeking greater self-awareness and personal growth, I would be honored to accompany you on your journey.
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Core Beliefs as a Therapist:
1. Your feelings are valid.
2. You are the expert of your experience.
3. You deserve to feel heard.
4. Everyone is worthy of support at any time for any reason.
5. Reaching out for help takes strength and self-love.
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Recommended Reading:
Women Without Kids by Ruby Warrington
Laziness Does Not Exist by Devon Price
"You Just Need to Lose Weight": and 19 Other Myths About Fat People by Aubrey Gordon
Shelby Davis
Licensed Master Social Worker
Hattiesburg, MS
shelby@acceptedtherapy.com
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Sometimes all we need is a safe place to unpack what is on our heart and mind without judgment. I believe that life throws us loops and when we reach out for help, that shows how strong we truly are. I am here to hold space for you.
When processing things that make us uncomfortable it is my hope to create an atmosphere that evokes acceptance and understanding without feeling like a burden. It takes a lot of courage to get to the point, the one you are at right now, reading this profile. I admire your strength.
I have over six years experience working with children, adolescents, and adults providing mental health services in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I also have experience working through multiple modalities and strive to make therapy fun and interactive while still meeting your goals.
Hi, I’m Shelby Davis, a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and I am honored that you have taken the time to see if I may be the right fit for you. While working, I received my masters in social work from The University Of Southern Mississippi where I gained valuable experience through practice in settings such as a Child Advocacy Center and Health Care Clinics providing individual and family therapy.
My door is open, come as you are to a space without judgment. Life is hard sometimes, we were not meant to do those things alone, I would be honored to walk through those experiences alongside you. Reach out to schedule a consultation or appointment. You are important and valued, I look forward to working with you!
Ashlee Cote
Licensed Master Social Worker
Virtual Alabama & Mississippi
ashlee@acceptedtherapy.com
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Ashlee is available only via Telehealth
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One thing that we all have in common, is that our diverse life experiences make us who we are. As a result of those life experiences, we may struggle with trauma, depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. You may feel left with feelings of hopelessness and multiple uncomfortable feelings that need to be processed. You are not alone. Recognizing that you need help with this is the first step to healing and you are taking that step! My ultimate goal is to empower you as you move through your process and learn how to experience your emotions. I believe we are all experts in our lives, and that sometimes we need assistance overcoming these difficult experiences that life throws at us. By working together, I will walk with you so that you can make moves in a positive direction while having the support you are seeking.
My name is Ashlee Coté. I am a Licensed Social Worker and currently in the process of obtaining my Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW). As a veteran, I have a passion for working with other service members and their families, helping them to overcome the experiences that they have had and becoming the person that they want to be. I have experience working with individuals who struggle with difficulties that result from incarceration, homelessness, and individuals that have been hospitalized in an in-patient setting. I would love to walk with you through your journey as you process and heal from the experiences that you have been dealing with.
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Christi Corfee
Licensed Master Social Worker
Alabama & Mississippi
christi@acceptedtherapy.com
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Hello, I am Christi Corfee, LMSW. After years of working in behavioral therapy, I discovered my passion for individualized interventions that meet people where they are. I truly believe that therapy should be a unique experience for each person. In your unique experience, it is my goal to create a space that fosters effective and lasting change that will provide tools that empower each individual to become the best version of themselves.
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Play is our first language, so it is important to me to find fun and creative forms of expression in therapy. Come on in, get comfy, and let’s talk.