Care built around
real people.

Robbin Brackett, M.Ed., LPC, LPCS
Outpatient Therapist

Robbin is a Licensed Professional Counselor as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor. She served as Clinical Director at a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility for 8 years and was eager to get back to doing more of what she loved, serving individuals and families more closely. Robbin received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Charleston, majoring in English and minoring in History. She received her Master’s degree from Clemson University in Counseling.

Robbin has worked as a counselor in the Upstate for 30 years both in outpatient settings and in residential psychiatric settings. She has a passion for working with children, adolescents and families who have been involved with DSS, as she adopted a child who had been in DSS. Robbin’s specialties include working with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, depression, anxiety, and anger issues, both in individual and group settings. She also has extensive experience working with addictions. Robbin primarily utilizes of CBT, TF-CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Client Centered Therapy in working with her clients. Her primary focus is to help her clients to overcome their personal hurdles and grow into the best version of themselves.

Robbin is originally from Charleston, South Carolina. She moved to the Upstate to attend graduate school and fell in love with the slower pace. Robbin loves cheering for her Clemson Tigers and going to football games in Death Valley. She also loves spending time with her dog, Sophie, and cats, Moose and Goose. In her down time, she can be found watching Hallmark movies, heading to Charleston to spend time with family, or spending time with friends.

If Robbin were to be a superhero, it would be Wonder Woman because her powers include having the wisdom and compassion of the ages, she seeks peace, but is prepared if she needs to fight.

Desiree Arnold, LMSW
Mental Health Therapist | Spartanburg

Desiree provides outpatient mental health services through Carolina Family Services' Spartanburg office.

Amber Ashford, LMSW
Therapist | Spartanburg / RBHS

Amber is a Licensed Master Social Worker with more than 10 years of experience in the mental health field. She finds great joy in supporting individuals as they strive to live to their fullest potential.

Amber believes in honoring and holding space for life’s challenges while helping people develop practical solutions. She enjoys working with youth ages 12 and older, as well as adults.

In her free time, Amber enjoys reading, completing puzzles, and spending time with her family.

Amber chose Iron Man because of his wit and humor. She naturally finds the humor or bright side in most situations and appreciates Iron Man’s memorable lines and dry sense of humor.

Telisha Pringle, LPC
Therapist | Spartanburg

Telisha received her Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology from Converse College and received her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Columbus State University. Telisha is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Telisha has experience working with children and adults in a number of settings, and enjoys working with clients with varying presenting problems, including: a history of trauma, anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Telisha believes in equipping her clients with the tools they need to change their way of thinking, in order to achieve the life they want for themselves. During sessions, she uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness based interventions, and Client-Centered Therapy. She also recently began the process of becoming TF-CBT certified.

In her free time, Telisha enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, cooking and baking, and traveling.

Telisha closely identifies with Storm from X-Men because she is very strong and and strong-willed, she is a natural leader, but capable of being a team player, and because like Storm, Telisha believes that it is extremely important to mentor and mold the next generation so that they can be the best versions of themselves.

Brianna Spearman, LPC
Therapist | Williamston

Brianna is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of South Carolina, and her Ed.S. in Counseling Education with a focus of Clinical Mental Health from the University of South Carolina. Brianna has lived in the upstate her whole life, aside from her six years in Columbia.

Brianna enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults. Her specialties include anxiety, depression, anger issues, adjustment disorder, and trauma. Brianna uses primarily a person-centered approach with her clients, but brings in aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Play therapy.

In her spare time Brianna likes to hang out with her two cats, Luci, and Jack, and enjoys sculpting and working with clay! Brianna is interested in traveling, arts-and-crafts, and exploring new things! Brianna loves listening to all genres of music and finding new bands to go see!

If Brianna were any superhero, she would be Black Widow as Black Widow is always learning from her past to help her change and excel in the future. Like Black Widow, Brianna is always on the lookout for new things to learn and how to improve herself and work.

Melinda “Mindy” Tyson, MS, LPC/S
Outpatient Therapist | Community Support Services Manager | Intern Supervisor
Greenville and Spartanburg | Outpatient and Community Support Services

Mindy received her Bachelor of Science degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and her Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Saint Cloud State University. She has 10 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults facing a wide variety of challenges.

Mindy has a passion for supervising and training therapists and believes mental health is an integral part of life. She combines her counseling and criminal justice backgrounds to support teenagers facing legal challenges, help clients overcome barriers, and strengthen families working through generational trauma. She believes children displaying behavioral challenges are often those who need support the most.

Mindy takes an integrated approach to therapy. She helps clients understand the brain and mind-body connection, explore their thoughts and perceptions, develop healthy connections, consider cultural and social influences, and identify individualized meaning and purpose. She believes no person’s potential should be underestimated because of a diagnosis or other barriers. Her favorite quote is Mahatma Gandhi’s, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

Outside of work, Mindy enjoys spending time in nature, taking her cat on hikes, traveling, exploring places rich in history, and creating meaningful memories with her family.

Mindy chose Black Panther because he is strategic, intelligent, adaptable, compassionate, and committed to justice. Like Black Panther, she is most comfortable as a quiet strategist behind the scenes, using intelligence and empathy to find solutions, support others, and make a difference while remaining fierce when needed.

Christine Taylor, MS, LPC
Therapist | Telehealth

Christine received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Counseling Education from the University of South Carolina and received her Master of Science degree in Applied Clinical Psychology from the University of South Carolina Aiken.

Christine joined CFS in 2020 and enjoys working with adolescents and adults. Her specialties include depression, anxiety, self-esteem, obsessive-compulsive disorder, a history of trauma, and ADHD. Christine helps people develop new ways of thinking, feeling, and acting that allow for a more fulfilling life. During her telehealth sessions, she uses evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based interventions.

When Christine is not helping her clients to become the best versions of themselves, she enjoys hiking, traveling, watching sports, and spending time with her dogs and husband. If she were a superhero, she would be Captain Marvel because she admires her strength and resilience when facing adversity.

Meghan Parimi
Master’s Intern | Greenville and Spartanburg

Meghan is a master’s-level intern at Carolina Family Services and is currently completing Liberty University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She expects to graduate in December 2026 and plans to practice as a mental health counselor working with children, adolescents, and families. She especially enjoys working with children on the autism spectrum and their parents.

In her free time, Meghan enjoys visiting coffee shops, going to the beach, and spending time with her three-legged cat, Tip Toe.

Meghan chose Catwoman because she is smart, independent, resilient, and, of course, loves cats.

Tassie Garrett, M.Ed., LPC
Therapist | Spartanburg

Tassie has experience working with children, adolescents, and families. Her therapeutic approaches include Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), art-based and play-based interventions, mindfulness and meditation strategies, and self-esteem-building interventions.

Tassie believes each small step is a win worth celebrating. As she explains, “We always celebrate great achievements and outcomes but often miss the small, yet significant steps that lead us toward the growth we wish to achieve.” Mindfulness is a skill she frequently uses to help clients slow down, focus on the present, lean into discomfort without judgment, recognize small wins, and overcome challenges.

Tassie chose She-Hulk because she demonstrates physical and mental strength while advocating for people who have been harmed. Tassie relates to She-Hulk through her own passion for advocacy and justice, her sensitivity to others’ needs, and her ability to help ground those around her.

Helen Halter, MA, LPCA, NCC
Mental Health Counselor | Williamston / Outpatient

Helen received her Bachelor of Science degree from Clemson University, majoring in Criminal Justice and minoring in Psychology. She received her Master’s degree from Liberty University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Helen has experience working with children and teens on the Autism spectrum, as well as children, teens, and adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, and trauma-related disorders. Helen joined CFS as an intern in January 2024 and stayed on to begin her professional career as an outpatient counselor. She utilizes CBT, TF-CBT, DBT, ACT, person-centered, and mindfulness-based strategies and has completed Level 1 training in the Gottman Method for couples.

Helen is originally from Springfield, Missouri and moved to South Carolina to attend Clemson University. She enjoyed the Upstate so much she decided to make it home. She enjoys spending time outdoors with friends and family. Helen chose Captain Marvel because of her confidence, determination, and willingness to stand up for others.

Olivia Panasko, MSW, LMSW
Mental Health Therapist | Greenville

Olivia received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the College of Charleston and her Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW).

Olivia works with children and families from a variety of backgrounds. She supports children and adolescents navigating anxiety, depression, trauma-related disorders, grief, self-esteem concerns, and anger. She also works with neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ youth and enjoys using relational approaches along with elements of play and expressive arts.

Olivia is from the Greenville area and enjoys traveling to nearby cities, visiting coffee shops, listening to live music, and indoor rock climbing. She also has a cat named Steven and a family dog named Gus.

Olivia chose Jean Grey from X-Men because she is compassionate, empathetic, and strong and uses her powerful mind in pursuit of justice. Although Jean Grey possesses telekinesis and telepathy, she connects with others through her innate understanding and compassion.

Colette M. Lapresi, MS, LPC
Outpatient Counselor | Greenville | Accredited Group Triple P Provider

Colette began her journey with Carolina Family Services as an intern and later transitioned to Community Support Staff before becoming an outpatient counselor. After earning her LPCA, she continued working toward full licensure and is now a Licensed Professional Counselor. Colette works with children, adolescents, and young adults beginning at age three.

Her areas of focus include anxiety, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, depression, and helping clients and families develop practical skills that support emotional and behavioral well-being. Her approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, play-based interventions, family-focused counseling, and parenting support.

Colette is an active, accredited Group Triple P provider. Through Group Triple P, she supports parents and caregivers as they build practical parenting strategies, strengthen family relationships, encourage positive behavior, and respond confidently to everyday challenges.

After growing up in Upstate New York, Colette happily made South Carolina home. She enjoys spending time outdoors, gardening, caring for her plants, cooking while listening to music, and spending time with her dog and two cats. She also enjoys having both the mountains and the beach within reach, listening to Dolly Parton, and searching thrift stores for unique finds.

If Colette could choose a superhero to represent her, she would choose Bubbles from The Powerpuff Girls. Bubbles is sweet, kind, optimistic, sensitive, and compassionate. Despite her gentle nature, she is also powerful, capable, and fiercely protective of her family. Colette relates to the balance Bubbles demonstrates between emotional sensitivity, kindness, and strength.

Diamond Pilgrim
Mental Health Therapist | Spartanburg

Diamond provides outpatient mental health services through Carolina Family Services' Spartanburg office.

Shelby Bowen, LPC
Therapist | Williamston

Shelby provides outpatient mental health services through Carolina Family Services' Williamston office.

Nicole Wardell, MA, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor | Greenville Outpatient

Nicole is a Licensed Professional Counselor with more than a decade of experience in the counseling profession. Since beginning her clinical career in 2012, she has worked in a variety of counseling roles and settings, supporting children, adolescents, women, and families.

Throughout her career, Nicole has developed a particular passion for working with children and helping them build the emotional, behavioral, social, and coping skills they need to thrive.

Nicole chose Shuri because she is intelligent, strong-willed, brave, and heroic. Although Shuri may not be at the center of every story, her behind-the-scenes brilliance is a major part of what makes Wakanda what it is. Nicole relates to Shuri because the work she does behind the scenes helps people become the best versions of themselves.

Jessica Ragoonath, M.Ed., LPC
Therapist | Telehealth

Jessica received her Master of Education in Counseling and Human Development and is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). She enjoys building healthy therapeutic relationships with individuals and families and working collaboratively with clients to help them reach their goals.

During her four years with Carolina Family Services, Jessica has worked with a clinically and demographically diverse caseload that has supported her personal and professional growth. She works with a variety of presenting concerns, including ADHD, trauma, grief, anxiety, and depression.

Jessica provides virtual sessions. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her cats, Bellatrix and Tonks, and all things Marvel and Harry Potter.

Jessica chose Wanda Maximoff, also known as the Scarlet Witch, because she possesses extraordinary power yet cannot avoid hardship. Wanda represents the internal struggle between right and wrong and the complicated relationship between intention, choice, and impact. Jessica believes her story shows that past mistakes do not prevent someone from making better choices moving forward.

Lindsay Nettles, MA, LPCA
Therapist | Greenville Outpatient

Lindsay is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) with Carolina Family Services. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Clemson University and her Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Outside of work, Lindsay enjoys reading, watching movies, traveling, and spending time outdoors. Some of her favorite things include sunsets, flowers, animals, and Coke Zero.

Lindsay chose She-Ra from Masters of the Universe because she is known for her empathy, loyalty, compassion, and ability to see the good in everyone.

Lydia S., MS, LPC-A
Mental Health Counselor
Williamston Office, OP

Lydia chose Black Widow because she is observant, compassionate, and notices details that others might miss. Lydia relates to her desire to understand people, help others, and do what she can to make a difference.