Meet Our Clinical Team!

Abigail Basham, LPC is a school-based outpatient therapist located in Garnett, KS.  She has worked for SEKMHC since 2020.  Abby has a Masters of Science Degree/ Educational Specialist Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Florida State University. Prior to coming to SEKMHC, Abby worked in the behavioral health unit at Tallahassee Memorial in Florida. Abby received her undergraduate degree from Kansas State University.

Addison Gardner, MS is an outpatient therapist located in Chanute, KS.  She has worked for SEKMHC since 2016 and was involved with establishing the school-based programs.  Addison previously worked with children who had moderate to severe autism/developmental delays at Heartspring in Wichita.  She received her Undergraduate Degree from Kansas State University and Bachelor of Science in Family Studies as well as Human Services Masters.  In addition, Addison received her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Friends University.

Amy White-Blakesley, LP is an outpatient therapist located in Chanute, KS.  Amy has been working as a therapist for over 20 years.  She began working with children and families in Wichita as a master’s level therapist.  After receiving her doctorate, she came to work at SEKMHC.  She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and has experience in treating many mental health diagnoses with extensive experience in treating anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders and trauma.  Amy has experience in psychological testing, assessment, diagnosis and does the ADHD assessments for SEKMHC.  She is experienced in working with children, adults and geriatrics.  Amy is a Psy.D/Licensed Psychologist and has a Masters from Washburn University and Doctor of Psychology from Forest Institute of Professional Psychology.

Antigone Means, LP is an outpatient therapist located in Iola and Yates Center, KS.  She has predoctoral assistantship experience at Bannock Youth House, Idaho State University Assessment and Therapy Clinic, from the University of Mississippi Psychological Assessment and Therapy Clinic, Baptist Children’s Village, and the North Mississippi Regional Center.  Antigone completed her predoctoral internship at Arkansas State Hospital, including rotations in community mental health, forensic assessment, adolescent sex offender treatment, and adult/child individual and group therapy.  She has been employed at SEKMHC since 2000.  Her experience is with children and adults which includes anxiety and panic disorders, depression, marriage and family issues, reactive attachment/adoption issues, parenting, stress management, anger management and personality disorders.  Antigone received her Associates Degree from Sacramento City College in 1986; Bachelor’s Degree from California State Polytechnic University in 1991; Master’s Degree from Idaho State University, Pocatello in 1995; Predoctoral Internship, Arkansas State Hospital – 1999/2000 and Doctorate Degree from the University of Mississippi in 2002.

Ashleigh Dooley, LMSW is an outpatient therapist located in Chanute, KS.  She has worked in the social service field for the last 5 years and has been a therapist at SEKMHC since 2018.  Ashleigh is certified in basic A.R.T. (Accelerated resolution therapy) and trained in play therapy and has experience in working with children, teens and adults. She provides therapy at Chanute Elementary School a couple days per week. She is a Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW), with degrees in Master’s in Social Work; Master’s in Criminal Justice; Bachelor’s in Sociology; and Bachelor’s in Justice Studies.  In addition, she is certified in play therapy and grant proposal writing.  Ashleigh completed her education at Washburn University for her Masters; Pittsburg State University for her Bachelors; Mid America Nazarene for Play Therapy; Fort Hays State University for Grant Writing.

Blair McMillan, LMFT, LMAC is an outpatient therapist located in Chanute, KS and Crest School in Colony. She has worked for nearly three years in community mental health and works with individuals, couples, and families. Blair earned two Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Family Studies and Human Services from Kansas State University, as well as a Master’s degree from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln in Child, Youth, and Family Studies with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Bryan Cook, LMLP is an outpatient crisis therapist and member of the crisis department which covers all six counties in the jurisdiction of Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center since 2004. He completed his master’s in psychology with clinical emphasis at Pittsburg State University in 2004. Bryan did practicums at Osawatomie State Hospital and the Ozark Center in Joplin, MO as well as the Stephens’ Unit at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, MO.

Carol L. Esau, MS, LMFT, is an outpatient therapist located in Chanute KS.  She has worked for the past 5 years in both private practice and community mental health, the last 3 of which have been in community mental health.  Carol performs assessments, diagnoses and psychotherapy with individuals, couples and families.  Her emphasis is in working with people who have endured trauma, though she also has extensive experience in working with people who have anxiety, stress management issues, depression, relationship issues and anger management issues.  She received a Master of Science in Family Therapy from Friends University in July 2014 and was certified in Basic EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy in 2015.

Danielle Edwards, LPC is a School-based outpatient therapist located in Linn County- Prairie View School.  She has worked for SEKMHC since 2020.  Danielle has a Masters of Arts degree in Counseling from Mid-America Nazarene University. Her experience includes a clinical therapist internship at Safe Home Domestic Violence Shelter in Overland Park and as a school counselor intern with Blue Valley School District.

Debora J Higginbotham, LMSW, LMAC is an outpatient therapist located in Iola, KS.  She spent eight years as a case manager and supervisor in child welfare in rural Kansas; and two years as a drug and alcohol counselor for outpatient setting level 1 and Intensive treatment with involvement in Drug Court.  Debora received her education from The University of Kansas with a Master of Social Welfare and completed an Internship at Elizabeth Layton Center in Ottawa, KS with an emphasis in addition counseling completing the requirement for Certification in Alcohol and Drug Counseling.  Her degrees are Master of Social Work/Licensed Master Social Worker State of Kansas and Licensed Master Addiction Counselor State of Kansas.

Doug Wright, LP is an outpatient therapist located in Chanute, KS.  Administratively, Doug works out of the Iola office but covers all six of our counties.  His specialty areas and training include marriage counseling, treatment of trauma/PTSD utilizing prolonged exposure therapy, crisis intervention, crisis debriefing, anger management, and telehealth.  Doug has over 25 years of clinical experience working with all age groups, treating a wide variety of clinical issues, which includes working with military personnel, law enforcement and families.  This experience has included work in a variety of settings including outpatient mental health, university counseling center, juvenile detention, prison and centers for the developmentally delayed.   At SEKMHC, Doug has served in a variety of different roles including: outpatient therapist, Quality Assurance Manager, Risk Manager, HIPAA Compliance Officer and Director of Crisis Services.  He currently serves as the Clinical Director with oversight of clinical services for mental health and substance abuse.  Education:  Bachelor of Science Psychology and Sociology Majors from Fort Hays State University; Master’s Degree Community Counseling from University of Oklahoma; Doctorate Degree Counseling Psychology from University of Oklahoma.

Ekaterina Sterkhova-Ortiz, LMLP is an outpatient therapist located in Garnett, KS.  Ekaterina completed her clinical practicum at Marillac Children’s Psychiatric Hospital in Overland Park, KS and worked with children/adolescents on inpatient unit, as well as led outpatient groups. She enjoys working with diverse populations of clients that include children, adolescents, and adults, using therapeutic approaches involving CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), psychotherapy, and family systems therapy. Much of her experience has been with mood disorders (depression, anxiety, bipolar, etc.) as well as behavior disorders (ADHD, etc.) in both individual and family settings.  Ekaterina’s degrees include:  MA, Counseling Psychology, LMLP.  She received the MA in Counseling Psychology from the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Ks and studied undergraduate psychology and received her BA in Psychology from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO.

Heather McClendon, ARNP  is a Board Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner located in our Yates Center, KS office. McClendon also serves Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Linn, Neosho counties via telehealth. Heather provides psychiatric medication management and health education to adults and adolescents. Heather graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1995 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University in 2020. Heather’s  experience ranges from child and adolescent to adult and geriatric psychiatry in crisis and outpatient settings. Heather strongly believes in building a strong therapeutic alliance to support each person in achieving his/her mental health goals. Heather has previous psychiatric experience as a charge nurse on the adolescent unit at The Myhro Center/Hillcrest Hospital in OKC and also SSM St. Antony’s adolescent units/adult chemical dependency units. In addition, Heather also has over 15 years’ experience organizational leadership/cardiac/trauma care and quality assurance.

Janalin Taylor, LSCSW is an outpatient therapist located in Iola, KS as a School-Based therapist for Iola High School and Marmaton Valley Pre-K through 12th grades.  She has worked at SEKMHC for 30 years.  Janalin’s experience includes Adult Case Manager, Supervisor, Quality Manager and Therapist starting in 2005 in Iola, later for 2 years via tele video and now she is a school-based therapist at Iola High School and Marmaton Valley Pre-K through 12th grade.  She received her education from The University of Kansas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work.

Jeanette Rogers, LMLP is an outpatient therapist located in Garnett, KS.  She has an MS in Clinical Psychology and is a LMLP.  In 2018, Jeanette performed her internship at SEKMHC and has been employed here since 2019.  She received her BS in Psychology from Fort Hays State University and her MS in Clinical Psychology from Emporia State University.

Jeffrey Ready, LCP is an outpatient therapist located in Iola, KS.  Jeffrey has been providing psychotherapy to adults, couples, children and families for 29 years.  He is a Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist and received his Master’s degree from Washburn University.

Jennifer Ensminger, LMSW, is an outpatient therapist located in Humboldt, KS.  She has six years’ experience in Behavioral Health.  Jennifer earned her degree from Missouri State University in Master of Social Work and is working as a school-based therapist within the Humboldt School District K-12 grades.

John Helton, PhD, is an outpatient therapist located in Iola, KS.  He is the Former Administrative Director, Southwest Guidance Center, Liberal, Kansas; Former Chief Psychologist, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas; and Former Clinical Director, Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, Iola, Kansas.  John holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is a Licensed Psychologist.  He earned his BA in Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin and his PhD, Clinical Psychology from The University of Houston.

June Adams, LMSW is an outpatient therapist located in Chanute, KS as a School-Based therapist for Royster Middle School and Chanute High School.  She began her career with SEKMHC as a Case Manager, Supportive Employment Specialist and Outpatient Therapist from 1994 to 2010.  June then worked for Hospice from 2010 to 2019 and returned to SEKMHC in July of 2019.  She graduated from Iola High School then attended Allen County Community College where she received her Associates Degree.  After Junior College, she attended Pittsburg State University and received her undergraduate degree.  June graduated from KU in 2001 with her graduate degree in Social Work.

Kelly Ferguson, LCP is an outpatient therapist located in Fort Scott, KS.  Prior to working for Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, Kelly worked for years as a Psychiatric technician and certified medication aid at Ozark Center-Youth Residential Services.  She has been employed at Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center for over 26 years as an outpatient therapist.  Kelly received her education from Baxter Springs High School, Baxter Springs, KS; Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Sociology from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS; Master of Science in Psychology with a Clinical Emphasis from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS.

Krista Tummons, LAC, KCGC is an outpatient Chemical Abuse Counselor located in Fort Scott, KS and Pleasanton, KS.  She has been a Substance Abuse Counselor at Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center since January 1999; Kansas Certified Gambling Counselor since 2011 and a Tobacco Treatment Specialist May 2019.  Krista received her education from Pittsburg State University.  She holds degrees and certifications in the following: Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Licensed Addiction Counselor, Kansas Certified Gambling Counselor 1, and Tobacco Treatment Specialist.

Michelle Hoag, LSCSW is an outpatient therapist located in Iola KS.  She is a Tobacco Treatment Specialist since May 2019; specializes in Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavior Therapy; is a Certified Positive Behavior Support Facilitator through Kansas Institute of Positive Behavior Support since 2013.  Her focus is on integrative care and the whole person and she has achieved her advanced licensure.  Michelle has a Bachelor’s Degree in Rehabilitation Services and a Master’s Degree in Social Work.  Her education was completed at The University of Kansas in Social Welfare/Social Work.

Pamela R. Allen, LSCSW is an outpatient therapist located in Iola, Humboldt and Garnett.  She has been a contract therapist with SEKMHC for many years.  Pamela provides supervision for therapists working toward advanced credentialing.  She earned her MSW from The University of Oklahoma and has completed post-graduate training in Bowen Family Systems Theory and Therapy.

Rachel Haigler, LPC is an outpatient therapist located in Chanute, KS.  She began working in mental health in 2010 as a children’s psychosocial aid and continued working in mental health while pursuing a master’s degree in counseling.  Rachel has worked for Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center as an outpatient therapist since September 2015.  She also has training in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).  Rachel provides Individual therapy for children and adults and works with clients in a collaborative manner to help them find ways to address their mental health needs.  She went to Pittsburg State University, received her Bachelor of Science in psychology with an emphasis in substance abuse services and has a Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling.

Rhoda L. Schwindt, LSCSW is an outpatient therapist located in Iola, KS.  She has 10 years of private practice and most recently has had a year of experience as a school-based therapist with Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center.  Rhoda is a Licensed Master Social Worker.  Her education was completed at Pittsburg State University for her Bachelor’s Degree; The University of Kansas for her Master’s Degree and she has completed a Play Therapy Certification Course.

Sarah Henderson-Hodges, LMSW is a crisis therapist serving all locations.  She worked as a crisis clinician at Family Service and Guidance Center, serving children and families. Sarah worked as a Clinical Social Worker on the Senior Behavioral Health Unit at Fredonia Regional Hospital. Her practicum experience consisted of serving children and teens in a group home. Sarah’s second practicum experience was at the Veteran Affairs in Topeka in the Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM) program.  Her education was received from Washburn University/Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Washburn University/Master Social Work. She is currently working toward furthering her clinical licensure as a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW).

Sasha Kibler, LMSW, is an outpatient therapist located in Iola, KS.  She was a Psychosocial Group Coordinator at SEKMHC from 2008 to 2011 and Children’s Case Manager from 2011 to 2015.  Sasha also performed practicum placements at the agency part-time along with parent support and waiver coordination.  She was a co-occurring therapist as Nevada Mental Health from 2015 to 2018 and a Child Protection Specialist at DCF from 2017 to 2018.  Sasha received her Bachelor in Psychology with an emphasis in Case Management from Pittsburg State University and her Masters in Social Work from The University of Kansas.

Steven Murdock, LPC is an outpatient therapist located in Pleasanton, KS. He has a Master's of Arts degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. His experience includes work as a therapist at Midwest Integrative Marriage and Family Therapy and as a Behavioral Health Specialist at Swope Health. Steven is also bilingual and is fluent in Spanish.

Tandra Rhuems, LCP is an outpatient therapist located in Fort Scott, KS.  From 1997-2000 she worked at Kaw Valley Center focusing on Individual, Family, Children, Group and Home-Based Therapy.  She developed anger management groups for women, children and adolescents and facilitated groups.  From 2000-2017 she worked for Care Counseling Group focusing on Individual, Family, Children, Adolescent, Group and Couples Therapy; with attention to EAP, Military therapy, parenting classes and family preservation services.  From 2017 to current Tandra worked at SEKMHC as an outpatient therapist for individual, children, family and couples therapy.  Tandra is a Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist receiving her degrees from Johnson County Community College in General Studies, Pittsburg State University in Bachelor of Arts Psychology and Master of Science in Clinical Psychology.