Hi, I'm Rikki and I'm the owner of Bent Tree Counseling.
I know that choosing a counselor is one of the most important parts about counseling. Read through my bio and see if I seem like someone you could connect with.
CREDENTIALS
Dr. Rikki Permenter is licensed with the State of Louisiana as a Licensed Professional Counselor - Supervisor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She also holds a credentialing as a National Certified Counselor.
EDUCATION
Dr. Rikki Permenter is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Family, Child, & Consumer Science. She is also a graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with two masters, a Masters of Arts in Marriage & Family Counseling and a Masters of Theology. She is also holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology & Counseling from New Orleans Baptist.
MISCELLANEOUS
Dr. Rikki Permenter is originally from Zachary, Louisiana. She loves (in no specific order) yoga, the beach, Burt's Bees chapstick, weenie dogs, Jesus, and Community Coffee - Between Roast only. She's backpacked Central America, lived in Texas for a minute, and on Maui for a year. She loves to travel and has been to 12 countries since graduating college. If she isn't at CC's borrowing their internet you can find her at a Silliman football game, watching The Office on Netflix with her husband (check him out here, or here, or here) , hanging out with her weenie dog (because she is hilarious), or chasing around the cutest girls on the block, Hudson James & Magnolia Ruth.
EXPERIENCE
Dr. Rikki Permenter has been practicing since 2009. She started out with an internship & practicum in Chalmette, Louisiana at The Gathering Counseling. After graduating with her masters she began her post-masters internship seeing clients at New Orleans Baptist, Spectrum in Denham Springs, Zachary Community Church, and in Private Practice in Baton Rouge. After licensure she continued seeing clients in Private Practice in Baton Rouge. Seeing clients at each of these various sites gave her experience in working with a wide range of clients. She has seen clients from various socioeconomic statuses, various ethnicities, various ages, and clients with severe mental illness.
Ya need to meet Megan Lewis.
CREDENTIALS
Megan Lewis is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor and Provisionally Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with the state of Louisiana. She is also a Trust-Based Relational Intervention Practitioner and has completed Level 1 Training in Emotionally Focused Family Therapy.
EDUCATION
She graduated from Auburn University (War Eagle!) with a Bachelor of Industrial and Systems Engineering and earned a Masters of Arts in Counseling with a specialization in Marriage and Family from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
EXPERIENCE
Megan applies a systemic approach to helping individuals, couples, and families as they work through life’s challenges. Before working at Bent Tree Counseling, she worked at Leeke Magee Christian Counseling Center and Crossroads primarily serving kids from hard places, adolescents, trauma-survivors, and individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and relational challenges. She previously served overseas in Europe and has a particular interest in serving individuals and families serving cross-culturally.
MISCELLANEOUS
Megan is originally from the Jackson, Mississippi area, but she lived in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, and Europe before settling down in New Orleans, Louisiana. She loves coffee, Gilmore Girls, board games, walks by the lake, and exploring new places! In addition to her mid-term assignment in Europe, she’s also been a part of numerous short-term trips across Southeast Asia, Central Asia, South America, and Central America. She’s visited more than 15 countries and is eager to begin traveling again soon. On a typical weekend, you can find her watching Friday Night Lights, visiting family, chillin’ with friends, or hanging out in nature.
Zab - you need to meet her!
CREDENTIALS
Zab Neilson is a Graduate Student in Clinical Training at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy.
EDUCATION
She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Masters in International Businessand is in the process of earning a Masters of Arts in Counseling with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
EXPERIENCE
Zab is currently a graduate student in practice and is completing her internship at Leeke Magee Christian Counseling Center. Her areas of interest are trauma, grief, church hurt, and individuals struggling with depression and anxiety. Prior to her graduate studies, she served overseas in the Middle East and has a strong passion to serve individuals living in a cross-cultural setting as she knows from experience both the joys and deep struggles of serving in a hard place.
MISCELLANEOUS
Zab was born in China and is half Chinese and half American. She has lived in several states across the U.S. and has been to 22 countries and counting. She loves exploring new cultures, trying new foods, and meeting new people. Traveling to new places in one of her greatest joys. She is also an adventure enthusiast and loves scuba diving, hiking, kayaking, or anything outdoors. And she is always down for During a typical week, you can find her at her crossfit gym, a good local coffee shop, or spending time in nature.
Have ya met Emery?
I am a senior at Southeastern Louisiana University majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Human development and Family studies. After I graduate undergrad in December of 2022, I plan to continue my education by studying for my masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Southeastern Louisiana University. After my masters I plan to study for my ph.D. I am also certified in equine-assisted learning and equine-assisted therapy/psychotherapy. My business is named S.H.A.E. you can find information on it on the page below.
I am from Clinton, Louisiana. I graduated from Silliman Institute in 2018. My grandfather owns our family farm in Norwood, Louisiana where I like to spend most of my time taking care of the cows. My best companion is my horse named Shae. When I’m not studying or doing school work you will find me with my family, friends, fiancé (named Kale), and my horse. The greatest title that I own is being called Mimi by KristAnn, Paisley, Joelle, Mason, Pierson, and Triff! I have been in their life for about 7 years now, and they have the biggest chunk of my heart. I love being in the outdoors hunting (with my dad, brother, our dog Luna, and Kale), drinking coffee (with my mom and best friend Jilyan), and all things western. I want people to know that no matter what you may be facing in your life you never have to be alone. There is always someone there to help, and I hope that I can be that someone for you!
S.H.A.E: Safely Healing Among Equine.
Owner- Emery Gardner.
-Equine Assisted learning/therapy/psychotherapy.
Info about S.H.A.E:
We are based in Clinton, Louisiana about two minutes from Silliman Institute. You can contact us at 2257197091 to schedule a session or just get info on the program. You can find us on Instagram and Facebook as well.
My Purpose:
I hope to help each and every person that walks into Shae’s pasture. I know that God placed me on this earth to make a difference in people’s lives, and Shae was placed with me to help me do this. I love and care for every person that I come into contact with. My heart longs to help people heal, and to overcome whatever one may be facing in life right now. I am here to help you and Shae is waiting to love you. I hope you will join us and find the best version of yourself that God made you to be.
Meet Alayna - she’s great!
Education
Alayna Garner graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Family Consumer Science, concentrating in Human Development and Family Studies. She is currently in the process of obtaining her Master of Science in Counseling, with a focus on Marriage and Family Counseling, from the same institution.
Miscellaneous
Alayna Garner is from Kentwood, Louisiana, and enjoys a variety of activities that enrich her life. She loves reading good books at the library and cherishes spending time with her energetic six-pound Yorkie, Harper. Alayna values moments with family and friends, especially going on evening rides with her paw paw and taking leisurely walks in nature. She also enjoys dining at good restaurants, appreciating the experiences shared over a meal. As she embarks on her journey in counseling, Alayna is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for her clients, understanding that this path is a collaborative experience where healing and growth can thrive together.
This is Joy!
Joy Jones is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Louisiana and a Marriage and Family Therapist Associate with a permit to practice in Kentucky. She began her journey to becoming a therapist many years ago. Even prior to becoming a clinician, she has always had a innate desire to help others and to sit with those who are struggling. She has provided care to moms with unplanned pregnancies in a crisis pregnancy center, worked in a group home for teen girls in the foster care system, worked with women and children who have escaped sex trafficking as a safe house staff, worked with many children and parents involved in the child welfare system, and traveled the world loving and serving people in need, all of this before she decided to go to school to become a therapist! She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2013 and then later went on to earn her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 2020.
During her time in graduate school, she received training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to more effectively help her clients process and heal from trauma. In 2022 she obtained extra training to become a Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Practitioner in order to better serve kids and families from hard places. Every training she has received has been in an effort to become even more equipped to serve her clients and help walk with them to healing and wholeness. Clients she is equipped to counsel are children (ages 4 and up), adolescents, adults, and families. She sees clients aged 13 and up via telehealth. Her approach to counseling is relational, solutions-focused, biblically based, and clinically grounded. Humor and play also play a role in her therapy approach. Joy loves learning, and seeks to consistently be pursuing knowledge to best serve her clients.
She considers it a sacred honor to walk alongside her clients in their struggles and celebrations. She values authentic connection between self, others, and God as high priorities in her own life and she desires to help others connect in these ways as well.
She and her family moved to Russell County, Kentucky in the summer of 2023. She and her husband have three boys, Carson (6), Gryffin (4), and Theo (1), an Aussiedoodle named Rocky, and a flock of 24 chickens. Joy keeps asking for goats but her husband has vetoed adding to the chaos! When she’s not working or chasing her kiddos around, she can be found in local coffee shops behind her computer, planning her family’s next outdoors adventure, or tending to her houseplants and garden outdoors.
Joy is committed to providing a nurturing environment for her clients, where they can feel comfortable enough to open up and experience genuine healing. She genuinely hopes to offer you the same level of support and understanding.
After your first session at Bent Tree Counseling if you don't feel like you have really connected with your counselor just tell them! They will not be offended or hurt. Not all counselors will be a good fit for every client. Bent Tree Counseling is well connected with other counselors in the Baton Rouge & surrounding areas and is committed to helping you find the perfect person for you. We'll even give you a referral.
