“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”
“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.”
~ Abraham Maslow
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking that we used to create them..”
~ Albert Einstein
“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
“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
“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
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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@ to learn more and/or schedule an appointment with any of our therapists.
“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.” – Abraham Maslow
LeeAnne Rhodes is a Mental Health, Relationship, and Family therapist practicing as a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist-Supervisor. She believes that “CBT considers the whole person (their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and the interaction between all these parts and how these pieces influence our interactions with others) rather than just considering only one piece. It acknowledges our past experiences but focuses more on the present and future.”
After receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Fort Hays State University (Hays, KS), LeeAnne moved to Northwest Arkansas to pursue a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from John Brown University (Siloam Springs, AR). She practiced for over a decade with a local non-profit agency providing individual and family therapy services to students and their families in a rural Arkansas school district prior to joining FBCBT. LeeAnne also holds the specialization on her licenses as an Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling certified supervisor, meaning she works with newly licensed clinicians to grow and develop their skills and professional identity.
LeeAnne enjoys trying to keep up with her two energetic kids, running, spending time in the Arkansas outdoors hiking and camping with her family, learning about American history, and has a goal to visit all 50 states (she has 31 down and 19 to go and is always looking for recommendations of what to do in each state!). We are honored and grateful to have her on the team! Call/text (479) 339-1238 or email info@ to learn more and/or schedule an appointment with LeeAnne.
“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@ to learn more and/or schedule an appointment with her.
Ava is a Licensed Professional Counselor who works as a Mental Health therapist on our team offering telehealth sessions. Ava utilizes person centered therapy interventions and cognitive behavioral techniques to create comfort, compassion, and understanding. Her counseling has specifically focused on anxiety, depression, and recovery from traumatic experiences. She works collaboratively with her clients to facilitate the creation of treatment goals to help clients gain awareness and insight into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Ava received her Master’s degree in Counseling Education from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She has gained experience working with children, adolescents, and adults at local community mental health agencies, schools, and psychiatric hospitals. Ava is also a certified yoga instructor and enjoys teaching clients about mindfulness, body awareness, and breathing techniques.
Ava has traveled all over the world and even earned her yoga certification in Rishikesh, India. She enjoys hiking, camping, reading, spending time with friends and family, and loves to explore new places as a solo traveler.
Ava offers telehealth sessions for morning appointments to after work hours on weekdays. She is very passionate about helping others and improving lives by enhancing overall functioning and emotional and social wellbeing.
“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@ to learn more and/or schedule an appointment with Makenzie.
“No matter where you go, there you are” – Buckaroo Banzai
Shannon is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Cognitive Processing Therapist who serves as a Mental Health and Relationship Therapist on our team. She uses her CBT skills to create warmth, compassion, and sincerity with her clients. Shannon also specializes in using Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) to treat trauma. She works collaboratively and with intention to facilitate the creation of a treatment plan to help you move toward growth and change as quickly as possible.
Shannon received her Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR) and has gained experience working with children, adolescents, and their families in her work with a local community mental health agency prior to joining this practice. Counseling is Shannon’s second career—she graduated with a BA in Elementary Education and taught in both traditional and special education settings during her time has a teacher.
She has traveled and lived in many different places, but when she moved to NWA, this became her home. Shannon is the extremely proud mother for 4 grown children and has 8 grandchildren! She finds the most joy spending time with them, but is also an avid reader and therapeutic colorist. She loves sports (especially tennis, golf, and volleyball), and being active outdoors hiking, camping, kayaking, and fishing with her family and friends!
We are honored and grateful to have her on our team. Call/text (479) 339-1238 or email info@ to learn more and/or schedule an appointment with Shannon.
“We cannot become what we want to be by remaining what we are.” -Max DePree
Bayan Salameh is part of FBCBT’s telehealth team, seeing clients ages 18+. She focuses her practice on the treatment of Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder. She approaches treatment understanding “Therapy is as effective as the client allows it to be. With CBT, it allows the client to do the work at their own pace, while also tying feelings, thoughts, and behaviors together. The client is able to make connections while rewiring their brains and learning effective healthy thinking processes and behaviors.”
Bayan holds her Masters of Science in Clinical and Mental Health from Texas A&M University in Texarkana. She brings her experience working in mental health facilities to the FBCBT team.
Bayan has 2 cats that she describes as “the loves of my life.” She loves animals and has the life goal of owning a little personal petting farm. She loves travel–seeing Rome and Switzerland are at the top of her list!
“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@ 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@ 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@ to learn more or to work with Sydney to set up your appointment with one of our therapists today!
“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
Lex has the official title of “Administrative Specialist”! She is a wonderful asset to our team. Lex assists in checking clients in/out, keeping up with paperwork, and responding to phone calls and emails.
We are honored and grateful to have her on our team. Call/text (479) 339-1238 or email info@ and she can help answer any of your questions about how we can help here at FBCBT.
