Felicia D. Smith, PhD (she/her/hers)
Dr. Smith is a child/adolescent psychologist and co-owner of StrongMinds. She has expertise in the areas of psychological assessment, adolescent mental health and wellness, and culturally-responsive care. Dr. Smith earned her PhD from the University of Virginia and completed her clinical fellowship at Harvard Medical School/Boston Children’s Hospital. In addition to clinical practice, she consults with local universities and community agencies on mental health topics and trains psychology doctoral students in culturally-responsive care with youth and families. Dr. Smith is the past president and active member of the Kentucky Psychological Association (KPA), and currently serves on several committees with the American Psychological Association. Dr. Smith was previously awarded the KPA Schuster Advocacy Award and the KPA Psychologist of the Year Award. When she’s not working, she is an avid tennis player and enjoys hiking and skiing with family and friends. Dr. Smith also treasures her roles as wife and as mom of two children.
Ben Birkby, PsyD (he/him/his)
Dr. Birkby is a clinical psychologist who has been providing professional services to children and families for 25 years. He holds a PsyD from Spalding University in Louisville. Dr. Birkby joined StrongMinds as a part-time Associate in the spring of 2013. At StrongMinds, Dr. Birkby provides specialty behavioral health services for children, adolescents, and young adults and their families. He treats a wide variety of conditions and concerns ranging from normal developmental challenges to serious emotional and behavioral difficulties. He also provides school consultations, parenting consultations, and professional presentations on a variety of topics. Dr. Birkby previously worked in summer therapeutic recreation programs in New York and Kentucky and completed his predoctoral internship at Boys Town in Nebraska. He served on the Ethics Committee of the Kentucky Psychological Association from 2004-2007 and served as both Chair and Vice-Chair of that committee. He also served a two-year term on the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Psychological Association from 2010-2011 and was a recipient of the Art of Governance Award from the Center for Nonprofit Excellence during his tenure. He is currently a member of the Kentucky Psychological Association Political Action Committee.
Kristi B. Kelly, LPAT, ATR-BC (she/her/hers)
Kristi is a Board Certified Art Therapist with a Master of Arts in Expressive Therapies from the University of Louisville. She has worked for the past twenty-five years with children ages 3-15 in a school setting, attending to a variety of issues surrounding divorce, social skills, anger management, selective mutism, peer relations, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, learning challenges, self-awareness, anxiety, self-harm, and family concerns. As an expressive therapist, Ms. Kelly uses a variety of techniques including drawing, sculpting, collage, bibliotherapy, play therapy, and guided imagery to help children express themselves and reach their personal goals. She also works collaboratively with parents to help them understand and guide their children so that each child can feel safe, empowered, and successful. Currently, Ms. Kelly is the full-time Counselor at Saint Mary Academy. She uses a team approach, working with parents, teachers, administrators, and students, to promote the success of each child. At Saint Mary Academy she also teaches an expressive arts class to middle school students to introduce them to new opportunities for self-exploration and expression.
Olivia Alexander, M.Ed. (she/her/hers)
Olivia Alexander is a 4th year counseling psychology doctoral student at the University of Louisville. She received her B.S. in Psychology at Kennesaw State University while working as a Direct Care Professional at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Georgia. Olivia has published work in topics such as adolescent depression, Black male student athletes, culturally-responsive science education, and prayer. Her experience ranges from leading psychoeducational groups in schools to working in juvenile justice. She is primarily oriented to treatment through a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy lens while also integrating interventions from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Outside of her academic work, Olivia enjoys indoor and outdoor gardening, going to live music events, and actively participating in CrossFit.
Meaghan Flynn, BA (she/her/hers)
Meaghan is a 3rd-year doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at the University of Louisville. Originally from St. Louis, she graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2017 with a B.A. in Psychology. Following graduation, Meaghan worked as a project manager at South Carolina and then as a research assistant at the University of Iowa’s Child Lab. She enjoys working with children and adolescents with anxiety, depression, and behavioral concerns. Meaghan enjoys spending time in Louisville’s many parks, exploring coffee shops, and listening to podcasts.
Megan Morrison, B.A. (she/her/hers)
Megan Morrison is currently in her second year at Spalding University’s Clinical Psychology Doctoral program, with her emphasis area being a hybrid between Adults and Children/Adolescents/Family. Her clinical interests include trauma, developmental psychology, and utilizing psychological assessment to help folks find answers and discover their strengths. In her free time, Megan enjoys hiking, listening to good music, and spending time with friends and family.
Alex Velez, M.S. (she/her/hers)
Alex Velez received her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Murray State University and is currently a doctoral student in Spalding University’s Clinical Psychology Program, with an emphasis in Health Psychology. Her clinical interests include the mind-body connection and the research and use of integrative medicine as a whole-body treatment approach to mental health. Alex has experience assessing and treating adults, children, and families and has worked with individuals who have struggled with anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, and more. In her free time, Alex enjoys cooking, walking/hiking outdoors, reading, and spending time with her significant other and their German Shepherd, Max.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Ashley Ann Dondanville, M.Ed.
Ashley Ann is in her fourth year in the counseling psychology PhD program at the University of Louisville. She earned her M.Ed in child development from Vanderbilt University and her BA in psychology and family development from the University of Dayton. She enjoys working with children and adolescents who are experiencing anxiety, depression, or who are having a just plain tough time! She is currently starting her dissertation on high school students’ rumination, depressive symptoms, and blood pressure. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing with family and friends, reading, and taking walks.