STAFF & THERAPISTS
Amy Blackwell,CFSS, CFPS,CTSS
Executive Director
Amy Blackwell is the Executive Director at Compassion Counseling, has a Bachelor’s in Business with a specialization in leadership and Management and Leadership, and stands as a certified professional committed to advancing mental health. Amy holds certifications as a Family Support Specialist in Tennessee, a Family Peer Specialist nationally, and a Trauma Support Specialist certified by the Trauma Institute International. Her exemplary contributions were acknowledged as a recipient of Reclaiming Children’s Award from the National Federation of Families in 2021.
Amy’s journey is not just a professional one; it’s a personal born out of love, experience, and an unwavering commitment to fostering compassionate understanding around mental health issues. As the Executive Director at Compassion Counseling, Amy continues to lead with empathy, dedication, and a vision for a future where mental health challenges are met with understanding, support, and healing.
Suzanne Stratton, LCSW
Clinical Supervisor
Over the past 26 years, Suzanne has worked with children, families, and the elderly In hospital, home, and school settings. Now she serves as Compassion Counseling’s Clinical Supervisor. She has both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in social work from the University of Tennessee. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has a School Social Work Certification. Suzanne has served in leadership capacities as President of the Tennessee Association of School Social Workers and Knox Branch Chair of the National Association of Social Workers. She is passionate about providing quality services to clients and the mission of Compassion Counseling.
Amy Jackson, LPC, MHSP
Therapist
Amy grew up in Southwest Virginia and traveled to various parts of the country as an adult before deciding to follow her passion in mental health. She graduated from Maryville College with a BA in Psychology in 2006. She then earned her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of the Cumberlands in 2021. She is a Licenced Professional Counselor. She has 18 years of experience working with individuals with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and Borderline Personality Disorder. She is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She has the most experience working with adults, ages 25 and older. Amy follows a person-centered and holistic approach but uses various interventions from other approaches as needed during the therapeutic process. She has a passion for empowering individuals from all cultures to find their own strengths, resiliency, and sense of well-being.
Cait McMahan, NCC
Therapist
Cait McMahan, was born and raised in Blount County, Tennessee, is a distinguished former collegiate athlete and passionate mental health counselor. Growing up in Blount County, Cait attended Eagleton Elementary and Middle School, followed by Heritage High School, where she was actively involved in sports. Her athleticism led to an exciting opportunity to play basketball at the collegiate level, ultimately becoming a two-time National Champion under the esteemed coaching of Pat Summitt.
Cait earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from The University of Tennessee and later pursued a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Lincoln Memorial University. Following her academic achievements, Cait ventured into a career in music, spending four years DJing for ESPN’s College Football Program.
While Cait enjoyed her time in the music industry, she found her true passion in helping others achieve a better quality of life. This realization led her to further her education and transition into counseling, where she now focuses on supporting individuals in overcoming life’s challenges and finding balance.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Cait enjoys hiking, camping, traveling, gardening, and spending time with her family, two cats, and her Cane Corso.
Felix is a dedicated professional with a diverse background and holds a degree in pharmacy from National University College in Puerto Rico. Married father of three boys, he brings a nurturing and empathetic approach to his work in healthcare and pharmaceutical sciences. Felix is a retired baseball player who spent 13 seasons in the Puerto Rico Professional Baseball League. After his playing career, he coached youth baseball and high school for 20 years, showcasing his leadership and ability to inspire young athletes. He also has experience working with special needs children, reflecting his commitment to inclusivity and specialized education. Felix is fluent in both English and Spanish, which has enhanced his ability to communicate and build relationships in diverse settings. With experience in sports, education, healthcare, and administration, he is a well-rounded professional with a proven track record. His dedication to his family, work, and community highlights his qualities as a compassionate leader.
Seth has a MS in the School Counseling and currently enrolled for his second MS as a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist through Capella University. Seth has worked close to a decade for DCS (or their providers) in Foster Care. He has also maintained employment in an Intensive Outpatient Program as a counselor and group facilitator. Seth worked with elementary students as a school based therapist before taking a hiatus to be a stay – at – home dad for a few years. Now that the youngest is school bound Seth is excited to begin the next chapter of walking beside those who need support, encouragement, new tools, or someone just to be there in their time of crisis. Whether it is volunteering in ministry or conducting an art therapy class, He enjoys the act of serving others with the talents and gifts he has. .
Michelle Landry
Bio Coming Soon!
Christina works with a variety of clients while pursuing an MA in Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling at Naropa University, which gives her a nonjudgmental, open-minded approach to counseling. She has worked in an intensive outpatient setting with kids and adults experiencing different stages of life and transitions. Her creative interests first led her to receive an MFA degree in poetry which she has taught at the college-level for ten years. This mix of meditation training and art therapy allows for a balance of curiosity (“a beginner’s mind”) and experimentation (or play) to find what modality works best for each client. Christina always finds herself near the mountains, from the Alleghenies in Pennsylvania where she grew up, to the Rockies in Colorado for counseling intensives, to the Smokies where she’s found her home.
Hallie grew up in Maryville, Tennessee and graduated from Maryville Christian School in 2015. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from King University and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with Liberty University. Her passion for helping others was shaped through six years of missionary work abroad, where through her experiences, she discovered a deep desire to walk alongside individuals in finding healing, freedom, and peace. She strives to create a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered in their growth. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family, cat, and labrador retriever.
Anna Shigley
Masters Intern Level
Originally from Indiana, Anna now calls Maryville, TN home. She is a Master of Social Work intern at Compassion Counseling with experience supporting children, adolescents, and families in educational, community, and mentoring settings both locally and internationally. Her background includes case management, client advocacy, and social-emotional support, with a strong emphasis on building meaningful, trusting relationships with clients.
Anna has worked extensively with children and families to help them navigate emotional difficulties, build resilience, improve communication, and address behavioral and relational challenges. She is committed to providing holistic, client-centered care and creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard and empowered to work toward their goals.
Anna utilizes a strengths-based, empathetic approach to care and is currently completing her Master of Social Work at Liberty University.
Outside of her professional work, Anna enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, reading, and traveling
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