Staff

Our team is dedicated to providing you with the best client-centered counseling in the area. Our clients’ well-being, success, and growth is our #1 priority and we are privileged to have a chance to work with you!

Email us at cgamm@moretolifecounseling.org to set up an appointment. Please let us know which counselor you’d be interested in working with!

Cathy Gamm, MAE, LPCC-S, CIMHP, CBHC

Owner, Therapist, Brain Health Coach, LPCA Supervisor, Clinical Director

Cathy is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Certified Integrative Mental Health Provider, and Certified Brain Health Coach. She holds a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Western Kentucky University, a Bachelor’s Degree in both Psychology and Criminal Justice from Michigan State University, a Certification for Integrative Mental Health, and a Certification for Brain Health Coaching from the Amen Clinics. Cathy has experience working with teens, college-age, and adults dealing with depression, anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, relationship issues, self-harm and suicidal thoughts. She works from an integrative mental health perspective for all clients to address the Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual aspect of whole mind-body wellness.

Cathy has a working knowledge of several therapeutic models that include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Reality Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to name a few. Her integrative approach to mental health and her certification in integrative mental health and brain health allows her to educate and empower clients to find the “why” behind the symptoms they experience. After finding the “why,” Cathy works with her clients to begin healing and growing.

Cathy’s approach is to provide support and individualized counseling to each client. She aims to help individuals effectively address their personal challenges and to “Embrace the Journey”. With compassion and validation, she works with each client to help them build upon their own strengths and obtain the goals they have set for themselves.

 

Amy Cook, MAE, LPCC, NCC

Therapist

Amy is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the state of Kentucky. She graduated from Western Kentucky University with her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling, with Marriage and Family emphasis, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Family Studies. Amy has experience working with adults who are seeking assistance with depression, anxiety, substance use, relationship stressors, and life adjustments. Amy has a working knowledge of several therapeutic models, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Reality Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing, to name a few. She is trained in EMDR (Phase I and II), a treatment that is a highly effective for trauma. Amy provides individual or couple counseling to help support and collaborate with clients to identify their strengths and desired goals. Her focus is to provide a compassionate and comfortable environment to empower and encourage individuals to improve their well-being and quality of life.

 

Bill Despain, MAE, LPCC, NCC

Counselor

Bill is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the state of Kentucky. He graduated from Western Kentucky University with his Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and a certificate in Addictions Counseling. Bill holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Relations from Trevecca Nazarene University, in Nashville, TN. He recently retired from 33 years in the United States Air Force where he spent the last 8 years working as a medical administrator. Bill is a member of both the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology and the Kentucky/Tennessee Society of Adlerian Psychology. As such, Bill sees the main goal of therapy as to help people feel comfortable and confident in their own communities and society in general. He focuses on a person’s feelings of anxiety and inferiority to examine that person’s sense of belonging.

Bill has experience working with adults, couples, eating disorders, self-esteem concerns, anxiety, grief and loss, depression, and impacts of various movements within life. With the client in mind, therapy sessions move through a brief, psychoeducational approach that is both humanistic and goal oriented. In addition, Bill is skilled through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Brainspotting (BSP), and Reality/Choice techniques.

Bill strives for a therapeutic setting in which engagement, insight, reorientation, and motivation may be provided. This client-centered approach to therapy is based upon a belief of holistic wellness, focusing on genuineness, an empathetic therapeutic relationship, and accepting the client for who they are and providing support for what they are going through.

In his free time, Bill enjoys hanging out with his family, exercising, and tackling home improvement projects, kayaking, and attempting to stay a step ahead of his chocolate lab.

MacRhae Mendez, M.Ed., LPCC

Therapist

MacRhae is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the state of Kentucky. She graduated
from Western Kentucky University in 2014 with her Bachelor’s degree and from Lindsey Wilson College in 2018 with her Master’s in Counseling and Human Development. MacRhae has experience working with transition-age youth and adults. MacRhae uses an eclectic client- centered approach as she believes there is no one-size-fits all approach to therapy. Her primary focuses are working with self-esteem, anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, sexuality, and life transitions. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), CBT for Psychosis, and Motivational Interviewing. She has working knowledge and training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). She is certified to administer the Structured Interview for Psychosis-Risk Syndromes (SIPS) and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders (SCID).

“My goal is to help you become self-aware, obtain knowledge about any barriers that might be in your way of achieving your goals, developing skills to address them, and to help you cope with (or eliminate) internal blocks in a collaborative and empowering nonjudgmental way.”

Rachel McAskill, M.Ed., LCADC, LPCA

Therapist
Rachel is a graduate of Western Kentucky University and received her Master’s of Education in Counseling and Human Development from Lindsey Wilson College. She is a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor Associate.
Rachel’s passion is working with individuals and families struggling with substance use disorders. She believes that we all need a safe place to unpack and explore unhealthy patterns in order to create meaningful changes we want in our lives. Fear, guilt and shame are common when faced with this illness.  Sometimes these feelings create barriers to change.  You are not alone!  Change is hard. It’s particularly challenging when a lifestyle is built around unhealthy behaviors.  As a therapist, her goal is to help individuals uncover and change these unhealthy patterns in order to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.

For the last 11 years Rachel has worked extensively with individuals with various addictions and co-occurring mental health issues that impair an individual’s life.  The road to recovery is an exciting journey of renewed mental, physical, and spiritual health.  Many of my clients have experienced negative consequences due to alcohol or drug use, including interaction with the criminal justice system, loss of driver’s license, job, children, etc. She provides substance abuse counseling, Drug and Alcohol Assessments, and inpatient treatment referrals that will satisfy most court involvement.

Rachel utilizes a mix of therapeutic models to help people through their struggles and creates a safe, non-judgmental space for clients to discover their inner resources and strengths. Change can be difficult and overwhelming. It takes courage to reach out for help. If you are concerned with your unhealthy relationship with substances, are hoping to maintain your sobriety, or have a loved one struggling, please reach out. Together, you can create a life of sobriety, filled with hope, serenity, and a healthier lifestyle.

Heather Vaughn, MA, LCADC, LPCA

Therapist

Heather is a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor, LCADC Supervisor, and a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in the state of Kentucky. She graduated from the University of the Cumberlands with a Master’s Degree in Addiction Counseling, and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Psychology and Art at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee.

Heather has experience working with adolescents, college-age, and adults struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, low self-worth, grief, substance use addictions, difficulties maintaining recovery, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, relationship stressors, and life adjustments. She also has experience with providing family, group, and individual counseling.

Heather specializes in dual diagnosis (Mental Health Disorders and Substance Use Disorders). Some of her working knowledge of therapeutic approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, Trauma-Informed Care, Psychoeducation, and Motivational Interviewing.  Heather is currently working on her certification to provide Somatic Experiencing Therapy.

Heather values a holistic and person-centered approach which provides individuals with the power, ability, and remarkable capacity for self-healing and personal growth in a safe environment. She strives to provide individuals living with addiction and mental health issues with unconditional positive regard, empathetic understanding, empowerment and motivation throughout the therapeutic process.

“A Broken Crayon Still Colors.”- Unknown

Shelley Shepherd, MA, LPCA

Counselor

Shelley has experience supporting individuals impacted by addictions and she fully embraces 12-step recovery methods. Shelley is also interested in working with individuals (adolescents to adults) who are experiencing grief, depression, anxiety or other concerns. As a strengths-based practitioner, Shelley believes every person has resources to pursue wellness and meaning in life. Shelley’s goal is to help individuals connect with both internal and external resources, including religious faith and values, to overcome life’s difficulties.