Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Tatum-Sharp And Ashley Arriola.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Ashley and Kayla have been best friends since 8th grade. They both grew up in Halls and are first generation college students. They graduated from Halls High School in 2008 and Carson Newman University (then College) in 2012 with Bachelor’s of Arts degrees in Applied psychology and minors in Sociology and Positive Psychology.
Kayla graduated from ETSU with a Master’s of Arts in Community Agency Counseling in 2014. While in graduate school, Kayla was a graduate assistant teaching 3 undergraduate courses each semester. Kayla began working in the mental health field upon graduation at Helen Ross McNabb Center. She started out in school-based therapy and later transitioned into jail diversion services ending in a supervisor position. Kayla also worked in Hospital, IOP, and crisis services programming. Kayla obtained licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor- Mental health service provider designation in 2019. Kayla transitioned to private practice in 2021 when she opened Embracing You Counseling PLLC.
Ashley graduated from LMU with a Master’s of Education in Counseling in 2014. Ashley began working in the mental health field as Case Manager at Helen Ross McNabb Center while in graduate school. Upon completing her master’s degree, she transitioned to criminal justice services at Helen Ross McNabb Center. She later moved to working in the hospital setting at Blount Memorial Hospital while maintaining a small private practice. Ashley has also worked in IOP and in-home services. Ashley obtained licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor- Mental health services provider designation in 2017. Ashley transitioned to full-time private practice during COVID.
Ashley and Kayla merged their private practices in 2023 into Powell Counseling Center PLLC.
Over the years, we have hired several wonderful clinicians who have helped us build the practice and provide quality services to the community. We have also greatly benefited from the assistance of our CFO Sydney Basler, LPC-MHSP(t). She has been instrumental in assisting with all of the administrative tasks and basically any task that has needed to be done. Without her Powell Counseling Center would not be possible.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The biggest challenges that we have faced are related to learning how to be business owners/ entrepreneurs. Our training taught us how to provide mental health services. We were not taught how to own and run a business. So, we have learned as we have gone along with the help of mentors, consultation, and research. It has been an awesome journey, but it has not always been easy.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Powell Counseling Center PLLC provides mental health therapy services to the community. Powell Counseling Center is owned by Kayla Tatum-Sharp, LPC-MHSP and Ashley Arriola, LPC-MHSP.
We currently employ 5 therapists: Our CFO Sydney Basler, LPC-MHSP (t); Holly Williams, LCSW; Isaiah Challen, MSSW; Kayla Stinson, MS; Henley Smith, MS. We also have an intern who is still working on her master’s degree at this time, Emily Aycock.
We accept most major insurances and private pay.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
With more individuals seeking mental health services than ever, most expect that the mental health field and the need for mental health counselors will continue to increase. We are excited to be a part of this growth in the years to come, and hope to continue to expand our services to meet the needs to of the community.
Pricing:
- Please reach out for pricing information
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.powellcounselingcenter.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Powell-Counseling-Center-PLLC-100085407205091/
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/powell-counseling-center-pllc-powell-tn/381763
