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Our team
Melissa Vallia, M.S., LPC
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Louisiana State University-Shreveport and a Master of Science degree in Counseling from Louisiana State University-Shreveport. I have experience providing counseling services to a variety of clients, including individuals, couples, and groups, both in the office and through telehealth services. My specialties include: addiction, anxiety, and depression.
My passion for helping others comes from the many people that have helped me through the difficult seasons in my life. I have worked and served in many different helping positions from being a Chaplain Assistant in the USAF to working for Goodwill Industries to serving as a leader in my local church. The decision to become a counselor came when I experienced great loss and wanted to help others navigate through their losses as well.
My goal in counseling is to meet my clients where they are and help them move to where they want to be in life. Change can be scary to even think about, much less make happen in your own life. Please allow me to walk alongside you as you navigate these positive changes in your life.
joyfulmind@medelacounseling.com - 318-460-0936
Marissa Kees, M.S., LPC
Marissa is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Marissa worked as a contract counselor for the Caddo Juvenile Justice System and in a substance abuse clinic before working in private practice in order to pursue her passion for working with children and teenagers. She works with children as young as 4, adolescents, and adults in office and through telehealth. Marissa has training in play therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and substance abuse. Her approach to counseling is from a cognitive-behavioral and solution focused perspective, in that patterns of thoughts and actions are explored in order to better understand the client's problems and to collaboratively develop solutions.Marissa is a wife and a mother to a toddler. She understands the importance of having a support system and would love to help support your family too.
keesCS@medelacounseling.com - 318-588-7244
Lori Williams, M.S., LPC
Lori (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has been serving the Shreveport/Bossier and outlying areas professionally since 2016. She has worked in Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital settings, Outpatient Community Behavioral Health/Substance Abuse settings, and Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Program experience. She has directed two behavioral health programs and has spent over 3 years combined in private practice. Lori has experience working with teens and adults from all socioeconomic on a broad range of issues, including but not limited to anxiety and mood disorders, ADHD, self-esteem/self-acceptance, body image issues, anger management, family and relational problems, substance and alcohol abuse/addiction, trauma, and grief. She enjoys offering a creative approach to therapy, implementing evidence-based therapeutic art techniques; and fostering an inviting, “come as you are” environment for clients to feel safe and accepted. Lori’s primary approaches to therapy come from client-centered, cognitive behavioral, rational emotive behavioral and dialectical behavioral therapies; but open to utilizing others based on client’s needs at the time.
atlas@medelacounseling.com - 318-935-0158
Jessica Williams, LPC
Jessie is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Jessie primarily approaches counseling through a type of therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She enjoys working with adult individuals who struggle with behaviors and thinking patterns that are no longer meeting their needs. She focuses on helping clients identify what a rich and meaningful life looks like for them. She works with you to create new ways of thinking and behaving that move you closer to the life you want.
Her passion for counseling developed during her own personal struggles with mental health. She is deeply committed to walking through those struggles with others, no matter where they are in the healing process. She enjoys working with individuals, family systems, and couples, both in the office and through telehealth services.
She has experience working with individuals with personality disorders, pervasive depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety, addiction and other chronic mental health conditions. She has spent the past two years developing a successful partial hospitalization program at a higher level of care. She is comfortable treating individuals stepping down from higher levels of care. She has a supportive, direct, and relaxed approach and would be glad to support you in your healing journey.
Glyn Gardner, PMHNP-BC
Glyn Gardner, PMHNP-BC grew up in the Dallas area and began his professional journey with a deep interest in human behavior and service. He earned a degree in Criminal Justice while attending college in San Marcos, Texas, before joining the U.S. Army in 1996 as a combat medic. During his military service, he deployed three times to the former Yugoslavia, experiences that strongly shaped his understanding of trauma, resilience, and mental health.
After completing his military service, Mr. Gardner pursued a career in nursing. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2008 from South Dakota State University. He went on to work in a variety of nursing roles, including more than nine years as an Emergency Room nurse in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he gained extensive experience caring for patients in acute psychiatric and medical crises.
In 2020, Mr. Gardner completed his Master of Science in Nursing and became board-certified as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Since then, he has practiced across multiple settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and emergency psychiatry, working with Ochsner/LSU Health.
In July 2025, Mr. Gardner founded Inner Strength Behavioral Health, where he provides comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and medication management. He treats a wide range of mental health conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. His approach is grounded in clinical experience, respect, and a commitment to helping patients regain stability, function, and inner strength.