Our Team

Dr. Waggoner is a licensed, board-certified clinical health psychologist. She earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from Wright State University. She then completed a two-year formal postdoctoral program specializing in Clinical Health Psychology. From working in clinical settings to conducting research and influencing health care policy, health psychologists measure the impact of behavior on health and create ways to help people make behavior choices that induce good health and prevent illness.

For the first decade of her career, Dr. Waggoner worked for the Department of Defense in a variety of roles. Clinically, she has worked in level-1 trauma hospitals, pain rehabilitation, and several primary care clinics (internal medicine, women’s health, flight medicine). She then worked for Air Force Medical Operations, conducting clinical research, writing policy, and training clinicians to practice in primary care behavioral healthcare settings.

Dr. Waggoner proudly serves a diverse client base, including active-duty military service members. Most recently, she moved to Mississippi from Japan, her family having been stationed there. She took this opportunity to pursue private practice ownership, with the hopes of collaborating with the healthcare community and supporting efforts toward normalizing integrated care.

Currently, she provides psychological testing and assessment for children and adults facing difficulties in key areas of their lives. She values inclusion and is neurodiversity-affirming, stating, “we all have a way in which we understand the world around us, which is strongly influenced by who we are, how we learn, what we experience, and the culture in which we grew up. There is no ‘’typical’ or ‘standard’ way of thinking, feeling, behaving, and simply being. It is important to acknowledge that we see and experience things in our own ways, which naturally comes with both strengths and vulnerabilities. However, those difficulties are not flaws that need to be ‘fixed’ or corrected, but part of a person’s unique experience and identity. I seek to empower others and utilize psychological testing to uncover reasons why they might be struggling with an issue that is preventing them from moving forward.”

In her free time, Dr. Waggoner values spending time with her family, cooking, and building Lego designs.

Marie is a licensed professional counselor, who specializes in the treatment of addiction in youth and adults. She earned two master’s degrees: one in clinical psychology from Midwestern State University, the other in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas. She is also a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC).

Marie has 25 years’ experience in the mental health field. Her therapy style is relational and authentic; she’s known for bringing creativity and even a bit of humor to the counseling space. Marie is trained in a method of psychotherapy known as EMDR; Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy. She has found EMDR to be effective for treating addiction and uses it and other behavioral therapies to return her clients to a place of balance, improved perspective, and most of all, peace.

Marie tells us, “Every person is valuable and worthy of my respect and care. Human connection is perhaps the most powerful of all the therapeutic tools, and therapy is most effective when it’s respectful and collaborative. I enthusiastically walk alongside you to challenge and support you as you navigate difficulties, process new experiences, and exercise the courage to make changes. I believe everyone can heal and grow.”

Marie enjoys a variety of hobbies during her leisure time. Those that top the list would be toying with arts and crafts, dancing with her husband, attending a performing arts event, or traveling to visit extended family.

Amy is a licensed professional counselor, who treats youth and adults with mild, moderate, and severe mental health issues. She earned a master’s degree in counseling from Delta State University, and has 23 years’ experience in the field.

Amy specializes in Motivational Interviewing, a counseling style centered around individual talk therapy. Motivational Interviewing is designed to strengthen a client’s commitment towards reaching goals, doing so in an environment of compassion, acceptance, and empowerment; recognizing the client’s autonomy, resourcefulness, and ability to choose.

Amy is also trained in EMDR; Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, which is effective for treating PTSD, addiction, anxiety, and eating disorders. It incorporates elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), along with mindfulness, deep breathing, relaxation, and guided visualization.

As an extension of Amy’s work as a counselor, she is also a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT200). She enjoys the physical and mental benefits of yoga, and passionately recommends them to anyone struggling with anxiety or just searching for a key to relaxation.

She shares, “I believe that we are all individuals, and all perfectly ‘imperfect’. We all have gifts and weaknesses, and it’s all part of being human! I believe that with the proper tools and guidance, we can transcend our weaknesses and turn them into gifts, using our wisdom and experiences to support others who are suffering from trauma, anxiety, mood disorders, grief, or loss.”

In her free time Amy enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and of course, practicing yoga.

Dewey is a licensed professional counselor who treats teens and adults who are experiencing feelings of worry, sadness, frustration, and overall dissatisfaction in their lives. Through talk therapy, he seeks to educate, equip, and encourage those pursuing a better quality of life to reach their goals and dreams.

He attended William Carey University and earned a master’s degree in 2003 in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Individual Counseling. During his 20 years of practice, Dewey has provided counseling services in both inpatient and outpatient settings. He believes in the need for human connection within the counseling process; and of utmost importance to him are the values of respect, vulnerability, equity, and inclusion.

Dewey’s counseling style is CBT-based (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), using simple, practical, and pragmatic approaches to overcoming mental health problems. He seeks to help those who are struggling by exploring their difficulties, identifying their desired changes, and guiding them towards solutions.

He abides by this firm foundation: “We all wish to understand and to be understood, especially when we are facing difficulties in life. I believe in the power of relationships, and that love, acceptance, and healing can be found in them. I want you to feel seen, heard, and valued – then together we can develop solutions and strategies to return you to peace of mind and satisfaction in your life.”

Dewey is an avid outdoor sportsman and enjoys hunting and fishing with his 3 brothers.  He and his wife enjoy singing in the church choir, spending time spoiling their cat Kay Kay, and planning their next adventure to a “bucket list” destination!

Kim is a native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and currently resides in D’Iberville. As the newest member of the Phoenix team, she is pleased to bring 25+ years of caring service to our thriving behavioral health private practice. She earned degrees in criminal justice (1995) and sociology (1999) from Northwestern State University. When she’s not doing “all things professional”, she often attends New Orleans Saints football games or takes weekend jaunts to a fun destination!