Meet our therapists
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Susan Baker, P.Hd, LPC/MHSP
Professional Consultation & Licensure Supervision available
Not accepting new clients
Susan is the founder of and therapist here at Cognitive Connections. Her additional roles include licensure supervisor and graduate professor at Lincoln Memorial University. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Tusculum University, Master’s in counseling and guidance from Lincoln Memorial, and Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision from The University of the Cumberlands. She got her start in community mental health: both as an individual therapist and leading an intensive outpatient program where she worked with childhood trauma, parenting issues, and family systems. Susan completed her doctoral dissertation on mental health professionals’ experiences in private practice as it pertains to stressors, burnout, and best practices. What was learned has become foundational to the culture at Cognitive Connections.
Fast forward to her work in private practice, she now divides her time between supervising pre-licensed clinicians and providing therapy for women recovering from abuse/psychological violence, trauma, life transitions, and interpersonal conflict.
She is certified in DBT and trained in EMDR and works through a humanistic framework, meeting the client where they are.
Session rate: $150
Licensure Supervision rate: $120
Kelsey Shropshire M.Ed, LPC/MHSP
Waitlist for new clients
As a relational and attachment-focused therapist, Kelsey understands the therapeutic relationship itself as the primary agent of change. Because many wounds occur in relationship, healing must also happen in relationship. The consistency, safety, and attunement of the therapy space create the conditions for what was injured in early or later relationships to be met, understood, and repaired. She works primarily with adults who have experienced attachment trauma, often rooted in early relationships with caregivers where emotional neglect, inconsistency, abandonment, and abuse were present. These early dynamics frequently shape later relational patterns. In therapy, she helps clients make sense of these patterns, build internal safety and self-trust, and find new ways to show up in relationships that aren't built from survival.
Kelsey is trained in EMDR and integrates this modality when clinically appropriate, with adjustments for complex trauma. She approaches symptoms non-pathologizingly, viewing them as adaptive responses formed in environments where safety, consistency, or emotional availability were limited.
Availability: Mondays, Tuesday & Thursday Mornings
Session Pricing: $125, Private pay only
Hannah Wright, M.Ed, LPC
Accepting New Clients
Hannah Karras holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Lincoln Memorial University and a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. She views life as a constantly evolving journey, one that can present challenges such as intense emotions, stress, anxiety, and relationship difficulties. As a therapist, Hannah is committed to providing a safe, judgment-free space where clients can openly explore these challenges and develop a personalized toolbox of coping strategies to navigate whatever life brings. Hannah has experience with children, teens, and adults and has supported clients navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, and personality disorders. Prior to becoming a therapist, she spent seven years as an educator—three years teaching fifth grade and four years in kindergarten—which has deeply informed her understanding of development and emotional resilience.
In practice, Hannah utilizes a variety of evidence-based approaches, including EMDR, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), play therapy, and equine-assisted therapy. She believes that therapy should be tailored to each individual's unique needs and that true growth happens when clients feel heard and actively involved in their own healing process. Specialties: Adolescents & adults - Trauma, Depression, Anxiety, Personality Disorders
Availability: Monday-Thursday
Session Pricing: $100, Private pay only
Sierra Carr, M.Ed
Accepting new clients
Sierra is recent a graduate of Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Lincoln Memorial University working under supervision toward her licensure. Her experience includes working in community mental health programs, and adult and adolescent residential treatment. In private practice, her experience has supported her continued individual work with adults and teens. Her approach emphasizes the significance of the therapeutic relationship, meeting clients where they are by practicing non-judgmental listening, reflection, and supporting them in identifying their own path. In treatment she utilizes varying modalities like DBT and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to specialize in supporting individuals experiencing Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), trauma-related issues, anxiety, and depression. By integrating these evidence-based practices, she seeks to empower her clients on their path toward healing and resilience. Sierra is looking to work with individuals 13+ with trauma and life transitions.
Availability: Part-time Monday through Thursday
Session Pricing: $100, Self-Pay only
Counseling Interns
These are graduate level interns working under supervision to complete their practicum and internship requirements.
Session cost is $50 with sliding scale available upon request.
Paiton Whaley
