“What is the bravest thing you’ve ever said? asked the boy.’Help,’ said the horse.
‘Asking for help isn’t giving up,’ said the horse. ‘It’s refusing to give up.”
– Charlie Mackesy, “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse”
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking that we used to create them..”- Albert Einstein
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Ryan Freeman-Burchfield, the founder and CEO of FBCBT, is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and Clinical Mental Health. She is one of the first nationally, and is the first and only in the state of Arkansas, to obtain the status of a Beck Institute Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Certified Clinician. Ryan is also a certified diplomate of the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies. She knows that modifying and balancing destructive thoughts/beliefs will allow you to gain mastery skills over your life.
She has been a practicing clinician in Northwest Arkansas since 2006, beginning her career with a local community mental health agency before pursuing her vision of opening this Institute as a specialty clinic to provide the highest standards of care. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Art (with an emphasis in painting) from Fort Hays State University (Hays, KS), and moved to NWA to pursue her Master’s degree. She stayed in this area because of all the colors, the trees, and the stunning mountains and valleys. Ryan is still in love with painting, strives to practice yoga, pushes herself in running, and finds the outdoors healing, but by far her greatest joy comes from spending time with her husband and 3 daughters, and her many nieces and nephews.
Ryan is honored and grateful to lead her team of talented, determined, and highly capable therapists. Call/text (479) 339-1238 or email info@fbcbt.org to learn more and/or schedule an appointment with any of our therapists.
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” – Albus Dumbledore
Makenzie Smith is one of our psychotherapists who is a Licensed Professional Counselor. He is also a Certified Cognitive Therapist and Diplomate of the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies. Through use of CBT, Makenzie strives to help clients feel safe to address your concerns and collaborates with you to move toward positive outcomes.
Makenzie received both his undergraduate degree (BS in Psychology) and Master’s degree (MS in Counseling) from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR. He spent the first 2 years of his career practicing with children and families in Hot Springs, AR before moving to NWA and working with a local community mental health agency providing school-based services.
Though he is a Northwest Arkansas transplant, this beautiful area has become his home over the past few years. He enjoys spending time hiking with his lovely wife, daughter Ava and their dog Barney, mountain biking, watching sports, and trying new and interesting restaurants in the NWA food scene. He also has a wealth of knowledge on “nerd culture,” loving anything related to comics, movies, video games, and TV.
We are honored and grateful to have him on our team. Call/text (479) 339-1238 or email info@fbcbt.org to learn more and/or schedule an appointment with Makenzie.
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking that we used to create them..”
-Albert Einstein
Megan (Meg) Myers, Licensed Professional Counselor, is a Mental Health and Relationship Therapist providing services via telehealth out of Hot Springs, AR. She has been practicing since 2014, but even before that she worked as an activity therapist for an agency outpatient program and was also a mental health paraprofessional. She obtained her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Masters of Science degree from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
Meg has always had a passion for helping others and has said from the beginning that this profession picked her. Meg’s philosophical belief is that individuals can subconsciously hold themselves back and even engage in self-sabotaging behaviors without being aware. To stop this cycle, Meg believes that one must identify the root source (or negative thoughts and beliefs) of why this continues to occur and actively work to change it. Utilizing CBT, she helps identify those negative thoughts and patterns and collaborates to find ways to change. Meg believes that sometimes, you have to get out of your own way and do things differently!
Meg is originally from South Arkansas but has made a home in Hot Springs with her husband of 7 years and their 3 children. She also has a daughter in Heaven, 3 grown step children, and a granddaughter. Family is the most important thing in life to Meg, and when she is not spending time with her family she enjoys watching horror movies, putting together jigsaw puzzles, and engaging in thrift store shopping and repurposing furniture. Meg also has a goal of publishing a novel!
We are honored and grateful to have Meg on our team. Call/text (479) 339-1238 or email info@fbcbt.org to learn more and/or schedule an appointment with her.
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking that we used to create them..” - Albert Einstein
Krystal Burks, Licensed Professional Counselor, offers mental health and relational counseling services via teletherapy to our clients. She strives to cultivate an environment where people can tap into their abilities to grow and change.
She joins the FBCBT team having 6 years experience working in the mental health field. Krystal began as an activity therapist for a community mental health agency in Hot Springs and fell in love with the field, becoming a mental health paraprofessional, and then returning to school to earn her Master’s of Counseling in Clinical Mental Health from Henderson State University.
She has experience working with a wide range of clientele (from children to adults), and mental health needs including depression, anxiety, trauma, and family/relational issues. Krystal is an Arkansas native and continues to fall more in love with the state as time goes on. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, and camping, which is all aided by the fact she lives in a national park!
Krystal also wants to visit all 52 Arkansas state parks (she’s seen 37 so far!). When not working or spending time outdoors, Krystal loves tapping into her creative side through painting, crocheting, drawing, sewing, and art journaling, to name a few.
We are honored and grateful to have her on our team. Call/text (479) 339-1238 or email info@fbcbt.org to learn more and/or schedule an appointment with Krystal.
“Happiness is a journey, not a destination.” – Alfred D. Souza
Jamie Summer-Stacks, LPC-S, joins the FBCBT as a mental health and relationship therapist providing services via telehealth. With over 20 years of experience as a mental health professional, she uses skills from CBT, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness for trauma, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. She focuses on using CBT to empower clients to recognize that they can impact their thoughts and change their feelings and behaviors.
Jamie earned her Masters of Science in Community Counseling from Henderson State University and has worked in multiple facets of mental health during her career, including community mental health, inpatient therapy, field-based work, and working in private practice settings. She has experience and additional training in working with substance use/abuse issues, trauma, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety. She is LGBTQA+-affirming, poly-aware, and sex-positive/kink knowledgeable. Her work focuses on reconnection, communication, problem-solving, parenting, and navigating life changes, helping improve relationships.
Jamie has a daughter, she recently married in June 2022, and her four dogs and a cat complete her family. When not working, Jamie can be found running, strength training, trying to eat healthy, reading, doing yoga, and hanging out with family and friends. She has completed the 500-hour yoga teacher training. Learning overall is a passion!
We are honored and grateful to have Jamie on our team. Call/text (479) 339-1238 or email info@fbcbt.org to learn more and/or schedule an appointment with her.
“Our fears do not stop death, they stop life.” – Rickson Gracie
Jehiah Burchfield brings many years of experience and knowledge to our team through his time as an Administrative Director, Supervisor and Manager at Piney Ridge Treatment Center & Youth Bridge here in Northwest Arkansas. Jehiah has a Master’s in Business Adminstration. Jehiah also teaches Business and Economics at Northwest Arkansas Community College where he spends time mentoring and leading future entrepreneurs on the ENACTUS team.
Jehiah has a life long committed practice in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and spends three days a week coaching in order to share his love of the art. Warning: Do not ask unless you are ready to go to the gym with him and obtain a tiny glimpse at the experience. wink, wink. Truly, Jehiah’s commitment to his art has been inspiring and life changing for him and for those who love him. Jehiah is also a Veteran of the United States Army and the lucky man married to Ryan 😉 Jehiah adores his 3 daughters and shamelessly loves his dogs Joe Frazier, Laila Ali and his unspoken favorite dog… the family’s toy poodle, Auggie or affectionately called “the Baby Dog”.
If you have any questions about career opportunities, internships or general questions and/or suggestions regarding our business please feel free to reach out to Jehiah as our professional representative via email at jehiah@fbcbt.org and he will be honored to help.
“There is no happiness like that of being loved by your fellow creatures, and feeling that your presence is an addition to their comfort.” – Charlotte Bronte
Stormie McCarrick has the official title of Director of Administration! She keeps our front desk running and is your go-to for any inquiries, while also keeping up with our therapists’ schedules and questions. She provides the team with organization and efficiency for checking clients in, keeping up with paperwork filing, scheduling appointments, and responding to phone calls and emails.
Stormie is the proud mother of her son, Aimen. She also enjoys swimming, being outdoors, spending time with loved ones and helping others.
We are honored and grateful to have her on our team! Call/text (479) 339-1238 or email info@fbcbt.org to learn more or to work with Stormie to set up your appointment with one of our therapists today!
“There are three ways to ultimate success:
The first way is to be kind.
The second way is to be kind.
The third way is to be kind.”
– Fred Rogers
Sydney has the official title of “Administrative Specialist” and she is essential in keeping us prepared and ready to help. She is creative, helpful, intelligent, dependable and motivated. She has the best team spirit and is always ready to learn!
Sydney hopes to one day become a child and adolescent psychiatrist! She is right where she needs to be to start building a solid foundation for her future aspirations. We are lucky to be apart of that journey.
She enjoys spending time with her friends and family in the beautiful NWA area!
We are honored and grateful to have her on our team! Call/text (479) 339-1238 or email info@fbcbt.org to learn more or to work with Sydney to set up your appointment with one of our therapists today!
“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful .” – Joshua J. Marine
Steele is a member of our administrative team as an Administrative Intern. She is a great benefit to our FBCBT team. She helps our team to provide us with organization and efficiency by checking clients in, keeping up with paperwork filing, scheduling appointments, and responding to phone calls and emails.
Steele is sweet, thoughtful and compassionate; she has been a wonderful addition to our team here at FBCBT. Steele attends the university of Arkansas majoring in psychology with two minors in Substance Abuse Disorders and Child Advocacy Studies. She is on the path to pursue her Masters in mental health counseling and hopes to continue a path with children and adolescents.
Steele enjoys spending time with friends and family. She also enjoys art and makes her own decorations.
We are honored and grateful to have her on our team. Call/text (479) 339-1238 or email info@fbcbt.org and Steele can help answer any of your questions about how we can help here at FBCBT.
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” -Nelson Mandela
Lauren Chapell has the official title of “Administrative Intern”! She is a wonderful asset to our team. Lauren assists in checking clients in/out, keeping up with paperwork, and responding to phone calls and emails.
Lauren is a current student at the University of Arkansas majoring in psychology and on the premedical track. She aspires to work as a neuropsychologist after she graduates.
Lauren enjoys the outdoors, going to the gym, and spending time with her loved ones. She also likes to volunteer for non profit boutique such as “Beautiful Lives”
We are honored and grateful to have her on our team. Call/text (479) 339-1238 or email info@fbcbt.org and she can help answer any of your questions about how we can help here at FBCBT.