Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Hattiesburg, MS

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor passionate about helping clients move past what's holding them back from being their best selves. I am a proud alumnus of North Carolina Central University (B.A.) and Nova Southeastern University (M.S., Mental Health Counseling). I welcome clients from all walks of life and every stage of the journey, whether you're new to therapy or returning. Together, we identify what isn't working, build on what is, and create a path toward real, lasting change. My goal is that you leave feeling heard, understood, and equipped to move forward.

I bring over 20 years of experience supporting adults through addiction, mood, and thought‐related challenges, with a strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship. I work to create a space where you feel genuinely seen, supported, and safe to explore your story. Together, we move at a steady, compassionate pace toward clarity, emotional grounding, and meaningful change.

Hi! Im April Kitchens, LCSW. I am thrilled that we have crossed paths. If you are here, you have done half of the work! Im passionate about helping others manage OCD, anxiety backed disorders, depression and other stressors that life has handed to you. We all experience difficulties but when enough is enough we could use a helping hand. I am that hand.

I am August Irving, a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Board Certified TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH), and the owner of Life Lessons Counseling, LLC. I provide compassionate, evidence-based therapy to teens and adults navigating anxiety, depression, and life transitions. While I work with a diverse range of clients, I have a special interest in supporting women through midlife and perinatal challenges. My approach is collaborative and practical, focused on building resilience, clarity, and sustainable change. I offer therapy in person in Clinton, Mississippi, and virtually throughout Mississippi and Pennsylvania.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), approved by the Mississippi Board of Counselors, a Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC), approved by the Utah Department of Commerce, certified in DBT, and a certified parent trainer. I am a published author. I have over 15 years of experience in the mental health field. I earned my undergraduate degree in psychology at Mississippi University for Women (2003). I also earned a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University (2012).

I am open minded with a focus on empowerment and establishing self-awareness for each client to identify their ability to fix and solve their own problems with motivation, guidance, and hard work.

Dr. Brutus is a licensed mental health provider and Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) in the field of Sport and Performance Psychology who works at the intersection of mental health, sport, and leadership performance. She supports high-achievers—including athletes, professionals, and leaders—who are navigating pressure, identity, performance demands, and life transitions.

In addition to therapy services covered by insurance, Dr. Brutus also provides mental performance consulting leveraging her specialty training in sport psychology, which focuses on optimizing performance in sport, business, and leadership settings. This work is not covered by insurance and is typically more goal-oriented and performance-driven.

Dr. Brutus is known for her warm, direct, and empowering style. She creates a space where clients feel supported while also being challenged to grow. Whether clients are seeking mental health support, performance enhancement, or both, her goal is to help them build clarity, resilience, and confidence across all areas of life.

My professional background includes experience in psychiatric mental health, telehealth services, patient advocacy, care coordination behavior health counseling, and nursing leadership. Throughout my career, I have worked in a variety of healthcare settings, providing psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and supportive counseling. My leadership experience has also strengthened my ability to coordinate comprehensive, patient-centered care and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary healthcare teams. I serve adolescents, adults, and older adults and strive to create a welcoming, respectful, and culturally sensitive environment where clients feel comfortable discussing their concerns. My goal is to help clients improve their emotional well-being, develop healthy coping strategies, and achieve meaningful progress in their mental health journey.

For more than 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside individuals, couples, and families as they work toward healing, growth, and change. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor, and Substance Abuse Professional, I bring both deep clinical knowledge and a compassionate, down-to-earth approach to therapy.

I specialize in helping clients navigate life’s most personal challenges—including relationship and intimacy concerns, life transitions, grief and loss, trauma, and mental health struggles. I also provide substance abuse treatment, DOT/SAP evaluations, and recovery support using evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Reality Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, the Duluth Model, and the Matrix Model.

I have a special commitment to serving Black communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people living with HIV, re-entry populations, sex workers, and youth facing challenges. I understand how personal, cultural, and systemic factors shape each person’s story, and I create a safe, affirming space where clients feel truly seen and heard.

In our sessions, you can expect a respectful, judgment-free environment where your voice matters. I believe therapy works best as a partnership—we’ll set goals together, explore what’s holding you back, and develop practical strategies you can use in daily life a more fulfilling life. Whether you’re seeking support for a specific issue or simply want to invest in your personal growth, I’m here to help you take that next step.

You've Been Strong for Everyone Else-Now It's Your Turn

For the past 18 years, I’ve helped individuals build resilience, regain confidence, and create meaningful change. If you’re the person everyone relies on but rarely asks for help, the high-achiever who looks successful on the outside while feeling overwhelmed on the inside, or someone who has lost their motivation, confidence, or sense of direction, you’re not alone.

Maybe your mind never seems to shut off. Perhaps you’re constantly overthinking, struggling to set boundaries, feeling emotionally exhausted, navigating a difficult relationship, carrying the weight of past experiences, or facing a life transition that has left you feeling stuck. You may know what needs to change but feel unsure how to move forward.

At Dwell Ase' Counseling and Consultation, LLC, my goal is to meet you where you are and help you move toward where you want to be. Whether you're seeking relief from anxiety, navigating a major life change, rebuilding your confidence, or simply wanting more from life than just getting through the day, meaningful change is possible and the support you need is just an email away.