Our Team
AUDREY SNYDER, M.ED, LCMHC, LCAS
Director of Business and Financial Affairs
Based in Waynesville, NC
I have known since an early age that my occupational passions reside in the altruistic realm. Initially, I pursued my combined interests of music and helping others by obtaining training as a music therapist at the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!). However, the categorization of music therapy as a secondary therapy limited my ability to provide care in many settings. Therefore, upon graduation I accepted membership into the 2008 Eastern North Carolina corps of Teach for America, an organization that places recently graduated college students in low-performing underserved schools. This experience and a two subsequent years of teaching as a special education teacher sparked my passion in the mental health field.
In 2013, I began my master’s program in mental health and school counseling at North Carolina State University. While in my master’s program I fell in love with the Western North Carolina mountains and their people. (Literally, I married a man from this area and moved back with him to renovate the old family home place.) In 2015, I began my career as a therapist, helping clients with issues at all stages of life. I feel exceedingly fortunate to use all my skills that I have gained on this windy path to being a therapist in the mountains and to live and work in such a beautiful area with such a great community.
TOM WILMOT, MS, LCMHC
Credentialing Specialist
Based in Bryson City, NC
I am originally from Northeast Ohio, but I have made my home in Western Carolina for the past 15 years. The pursuit of my passion for “helping” through my role as a therapist actually represents a second career for me. After graduating from Georgia Institute of Technology with a Masters degree in Computer Science, I spent the majority of my professional life designing and implementing Information Technology solutions for the healthcare industry. However, in 2004 I went back to school, and after 5 years of night classes graduated from Georgia State (Atlanta) with a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology. My “course change” to focus on working with children and families to help them to navigate the often “rough seas” of today’s challenging world has been a very rewarding personal decision.
I began working in the community as a therapist in 2008 at Hawthorn Heights, an adolescent residential facility in Swain County, and have been fortunate to been afforded several avenues to provide professional counseling services to schools, individuals, and families in Western Carolina. I look forward to continuing to pursue opportunities to learn and grow from those seeking help and bring innovative and caring approaches to finding a “life worth living”.
ROBIN SUMNER, LCMHC
Therapist
BASED IN FRANKLIN, NC
I was born and raised in Franklin, NC and lived in Western NC almost all of my life. It wasn’t until I started traveling as a young adult that I realized what a gem this area is and that we live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. I never want to call any other place “home”.
Life tends to take twisty avenues to get where you want to be. That is no exception for me! In 1999 I graduated from Western Carolina University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Health. It wasn’t until after graduation that I did some soul searching and discovered what I was passionate about was helping others. That led to a Master of Arts in Education with a focus on school counseling. I am a licensed clinical mental health counselor, as well as, a licensed school counselor. I love the diversity of being able to work in clinical and school settings. I have worked in public schools, group homes, and a domestic violence agency.
Life can be challenging. I love working with “tweenagers” up through adults who are ready to tackle hard things. My goal is to create a safe, laidback, and non-judgmental space to explore those challenges. My therapeutic approach is tailored to your needs while remaining strength-based and collaborative. You are the expert on your life. I would be honored to go on this journey with you.
Karla Harscheid, LCSWA , LCASA
Therapist
BASED IN FRANKLIN, NC
I provide person centered care in a safe and open space for clients to explore their motives for seeking therapy. I understand and believe that you, like all humans, are multifaceted and therefore I intend to meet you where and how you are with the affirmation that 'you are the expert of your own experience'. I have a 20+ year background in teaching yoga which manifests as somatic therapeutic practices. Currently I am a Licensed Clinician Social Worker Associate (LCSWA) and registered Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist Associate (LCAS). Modalitites used : Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, CBT
I hold a space for you that is free of expectation and judgement and full of an unconditional positive regard. I aim to create a safe environment in which to work as deeply as you would like to better understand your awareness of the ever-evolving self. I strongly believe that 'life is the company you keep, so keep good company' and that begins with you.
JACK SNYDER
Art & Music Instructor
BASED IN WAYNESVILLE, NC
I am a graphic designer, visual artist and musician hailing from the mountains of western North Carolina. Education was primarily at the N.C. State University College of Design, and Raleigh was my home for 10 years before heading back to Waynesville.
Visual specialties include illustration, animation, graphic design, hand-drawn art and digital art. Music specialties are guitar, bass, vocals, percussion and music recording production.
At heart I am an entertainer and performer. Getting a good reaction out of people is usually my main goal.
Cresta Fletcher
Billing Support Specialist & Referral Coordinator