Welcome to Catalyst
Solution focused counseling, Insight focused therapy and assessment
About Us
Vibe Statement
Catalyst Counseling is a judgment-free space in which our fellow humans explore and heal from their pasts, acquire tools to problem-solve in the present, and work to create their desired future.
We are a small, intentional group of therapists with a focus on social justice, evidence-based practices, and meeting folx where they are.
We loudly and proudly create an intentional safe space for marginalized communities.
Catalyst is making a difference by:
Offering accessible and inclusive mental health services
Providing validation, support, unconditional positive regard, encouragement, and honest feedback
Fostering a judgment-free environment where learning and growing are acknowledged as a messy—and essential—process
Tackling issues around identity, sexual orientation, poly relationships, addiction, porn, personality disorders, and losing faith
Utilizing technology and referral sources to provide services and connect people with appropriate resources
meet maureen
Because they said I had to...
So, I hate talking about myself. But I know you are contemplating trusting me with your life story, so here are a few things you should know about me. (I guess.)
I'm an Independently Licensed Psychological Examiner and behavioral health care professional, and I’ve been practicing since I graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2011. I’m quite proud of the relationships I’ve built throughout my career, and I am very excited to be part of an incredible network of physicians, massage therapists and mental health professionals in Arkansas.
I practice what I preach to my clients—I’m a firm believer in actively seeking the good, the positive, and the real. I’m quite practiced at setting healthy boundaries and sticking to them. Outside of the office, you can find me gardening and doing home improvements, like building a deck or replacing a floor. I get a kick out of thrift-store shopping, both because of the bargain and the idea that it’s environmentally conscious. Should you choose Catalyst as your partner in leveling up, you will definitely be exposed to my crocheting—it's a bit of an obsession. Oh, and I have a wonderfully weird purse that looks absolutely nothing like a purse; it’s ridiculous, which is why I love it.
Meet Jamie
Jamie L. Summers-Stacks, LPC
I am so glad you are here! I am passionate about therapy, mental health and creating a safe environment where people can share their lives and feelings without fear of judgment. Together we will create a space to explore your concerns and problems; at Catalyst, You are the priority.
I love learning and have significant training in various modalities and especially love working with folx encountering substance use/abuse issues, trauma, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety. I am loudly LGBTQA+ affirming, poly-aware, and sex-positive/kink knowledgeable.
If you are struggling, hiring a professional is a great way to help resolve the things preventing you from living your life the way you want. With a heart for families, family issues and even estrangement, I love to do the hard work of reconnection, communication, problem solving, parenting, and navigating life changes; helping you improve your relationships.
With over 20 years of experience as a mental health professional, I am trained to help you heal, using skills & techniques from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), mindfulness for trauma and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, all with a Person-Centered approach.
Because therapy and counseling are deeply personal, my techniques will be tailored to you and your needs. We will work together to help you develop self-compassion, self-confidence & the skills you need to thrive. You are the expert on you, I'm just the guide.
I am so grateful that my days are spent with people sharing their stories with me. My background as a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 20 years of experience in treating adolescents and adults has been truly a calling. In 1995 I earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology & Sociology and in 1998 I received my Master of Science in Community Counseling, both from Henderson State University. Personally, I enjoy reading, learning, being active outdoors, and spending time with friends and family, my daughter, and fur babies. Some of the fur babies might make an appearance on a televideo call!
Meet collin
Collin T. Davies, LPEI, LPC
Hi there! I am happy share that I am the newest member of Catalyst Counseling and excited to announce I am bringing psych testing to the team!
I guess you could consider me a local as I first moved to Conway for college way back in 2005. I enjoy giving back to and working with the community where I pretty much grew up. I am currently licensed as a Psychological Examiner and Professional Counselor. I specialize in psychological testing (ADHD) and career assessment. In the therapy room, I enjoy particularly working with members of the LGBTQ+ Community and members of other marginalized groups.
If you choose to work with me, whether for therapy or testing, I want to help you identify your unique strengths and use your skills to overcome obstacles. If you are motivated and ready to discover new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving, we might be a good fit!
A little about me… After earning my BA in Psychology/English from UCA, I went on to graduate with my MA in Clinical Psychology from a tiny school in Missouri called Forest. Over the last 10 years, I have worked in several settings and am experienced in treating a variety of issues, including depression, grief and loss, life adjustments, and LGBTQ specific issues. I also enjoy working with other helping professionals. Whether you are seeking consultation, therapy, or psychological testing, let’s collaborate and develop a plan of action. I am also telemental health counseling certified so I can provide online counseling to Arkansas residents.
Outside of the office, I enjoy working out, watching movies, collecting movie memorabilia, and spending time with my two pug babies, Izzy and Peanut. Sometimes they may make an appearance during a virtual session!
About Catalyst Counseling
Let's talk about why you're here...
If you’re reading this, you likely have already decided that some changes need to take place. Maybe you’re exhausted from too many sleepless nights where decades-old conversations play on a loop in your mind. Maybe you’re tired of being triggered by the same traumas and want to break the cycle. Maybe you’ve maxed out your stress levels and just want to learn how to put yourself first, how to distance yourself from toxic people, how to turn off your phone for a while and just breathe—or how to tell your sister’s friend’s cousin, “No, thank you, I would rather let my cat claw my eyeballs out than partake in your most recent pyramid scheme.” Or maybe you want to figure out how to be yourself in a world that would rather you be anything else.
Regardless of the reason(s), if you’re looking to create real, lasting change in your life, then you’re in the right place. Starting counseling will be the catalyst for you to achieve your goals and overcome your hurdles.
The point:
I (Maureen, owner and founder) went to school for a long time and learned about a bunch of useful (and scientifically validated) tools—but you have been YOU your whole life, so you're kind of the expert in that department. You know your hopes, your desires, your fears, and your “why” for starting therapy.
And whether you heard about me through a friend or just the good ol’ internet, you’re here because you’ve decided to make some changes—and why not?—whether that be to deal with trauma, change harmful behaviors, come to terms with your identity, or to simply acquire the tools to navigate through life better; change is the only constant.
So great job! —Catalyst Counseling can help with all of the above. (Plus a lot more, of course.) Through counseling and therapy, we will explore, heal, energize, and help you become aware of your inner strengths.
The bottom line:
At Catalyst Counseling, regardless of labels, you can expect a safe, judgment-free, affirming, positive, bullshit-free zone where—together—we will work on the things that are no longer working for you.
The Catalyst Counseling Approach is Especially Effective When Dealing With:
● Trauma
● Substance misuse
● Family Issues
● Anxiety
● Depression
● Communication Barriers
The stuff
Depression & Anxiety
Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
Depression & Anxiety
Depression, fear, and anxiety are some of the most common and uncomfortable emotions that we can experience at some point in our lives. Through counseling and treatment, we are able to help you recover motivation, perspective, and joy that you once had in your life.
Trauma & PTSD
Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
Depression & Anxiety
Many individuals can experience mental health symptoms associated with painful and traumatic circumstances. Anxiety, fear, and hopelessness are a few emotions that can linger post traumatic events. Counseling and therapy can help you overcome these symptoms and guide you through the process of grief and healing.
Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
A Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a medical condition defined by the inability to control the use of a particular substance (or substances) despite harmful consequences. Substance abuse is a complex disease that can affect many areas of a person's life. Substance abuse or addiction requires individualized treatments and modalities that ad
A Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a medical condition defined by the inability to control the use of a particular substance (or substances) despite harmful consequences. Substance abuse is a complex disease that can affect many areas of a person's life. Substance abuse or addiction requires individualized treatments and modalities that address the symptoms and underlying causes of the disease and the consequences that substance use has on different areas of a person's life. This includes their ability to socialize, physical and mental health, and consequences at work, home, and school.
Family Therapy
Testing and Assessment, cont.
Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
Families often encounter issues that specifically affect mental health and functioning. Family therapy can help individual family members build stronger relationships, improve communication, and manage conflicts within the family. Some of the primary goals of family therapy are to create a better home environment, solve family issues, and
Families often encounter issues that specifically affect mental health and functioning. Family therapy can help individual family members build stronger relationships, improve communication, and manage conflicts within the family. Some of the primary goals of family therapy are to create a better home environment, solve family issues, and understand the unique issues that a family might face. Therapy encourages family members to tell their own stories to understand how those experiences shape who they are and how they relate to others. The person can start to view problems more objectively than just seeing things through their own lens.
Testing and Assessment
Testing and Assessment, cont.
Testing and Assessment, cont.
Tired of that 9-5? Burnt out? Toxic office? Mid life career change? Career testing for identifying strengths, weaknesses, helping you learn more about how to match your interests with a more rewarding career.
Psych testing can play a pivotal role in your overall treatment process. It can help guide your therapist’s approach to treatment,
Tired of that 9-5? Burnt out? Toxic office? Mid life career change? Career testing for identifying strengths, weaknesses, helping you learn more about how to match your interests with a more rewarding career.
Psych testing can play a pivotal role in your overall treatment process. It can help guide your therapist’s approach to treatment, provide additional information about risk factors, help you gain a better understanding of yourself, etc…
For instance, did you know that one in four Americans suffer from at least one diagnosable psychological disorder in any given year? In fact, many of them actually live with more than one.
Do you feel like maybe you fit into this statistic? If so, a diagnosis can make a difference in your life.
Read on to learn five reasons psychological assessments help.
1. Understand Yourself Better
We spend every living moment inside of our own minds. Yet, we often do not even understand what makes us tick exactly.
It can feel scary to not know why you behave a certain way, especially when you suffer from a mental illness. A psychological assessment can help you know yourself at a much deeper level.
This refers to a testing process that aims to examine the entire person through:
- Interviews
- Personality assessments
- Behavior assessments
- Cognitive testing
- Aptitude testing
- Educational testing
A licensed psychological examiner or psychologist conducts these tests in tandem with reviewing any relevant medical records to rule out the need for a referral to other medical professionals.
2. Receive a Diagnosis
Receiving a diagnosis for any condition can seem like a pretty bad thing. But, for somebody who suffers from a psychological disorder that affects their skills, personality, cognitive functioning, or behavior, it can feel like a relief.
At the end of a psychological test, a psychologist can diagnose you pretty accurately. This provides validation for many people who knew that something felt off within themself.
On the flip side, it can prove that nothing is wrong with your brain. This can prove beneficial in a number of circumstances.
Testing and Assessment, cont.
Testing and Assessment, cont.
Testing and Assessment, cont.
3. Get Proper Treatment
Psychological testing allows a person to seek out proper treatment for psychological disorders. Once the psychologist diagnosis a condition, they can set up a treatment plan. Some mental health issues stop negatively impacting a person’s life once they learn how to either combat it or live with it utilizing healthy
3. Get Proper Treatment
Psychological testing allows a person to seek out proper treatment for psychological disorders. Once the psychologist diagnosis a condition, they can set up a treatment plan. Some mental health issues stop negatively impacting a person’s life once they learn how to either combat it or live with it utilizing healthy coping skills and receiving support from loved ones. They may see an improvement in every aspect of life once they adapt their mindset and behaviors in a way that works.
4. Additional Help
When a psychological assessment test reveals that a person struggles in specific areas, they can put proper help in place. Treatment may focus on therapy and medication, but that does not always cover everything.
For instance, all the therapy in the world cannot change the brain to no longer have a learning disability. But the student can learn tools and receive additional support to compensate so that they can learn at a similar rate to their peers.
It may feel like psychological disorders create barriers. However, with a proper diagnosis, it can help a person receive the support they need to live more fully.
5. Maximize Your Strengths
Learning the areas that have room for improvement means getting the proper help to improve them. But, the testing also emphasizes your strengths.
Understanding your strengths allows you to hone in on them. This might mean finding outside-of-the-box ways to go about things so that they work best for you.
Psychological Assessments Change Lives
Psychological assessments do not tell a person that something is wrong with them. Rather, they bring struggles to light and highlight strengths so that the person can get help and use their strengths to their advantage.
This change lives in a positive way, and we love being a part of it. Contact us to schedule your psychological testing.
Oh yeah, and some faq
How do I know whether I really need therapy or counseling?
If you’re asking the question, the answer is YES, YES, YES. In truth, everyone needs some level of therapy or counseling from time to time—whether it’s weekly appointments to process past trauma or just a monthly check-in to keep you on the right track and maintain momentum. At Catalyst Counseling, we will work together to identify what type of therapy fits YOU, your needs, and your lifestyle!
What’s the difference between counseling and therapy? Which one is right for me?
Counseling and therapy are similar and are often used interchangeably—but also can be defined differently. Counseling is often solution-focused and shorter in terms of the number of visits; there is an end-goal you achieve, often a behavior that is ultimately changed. Therapy is more insight-focused and seeks out the root cause of the thoughts and feelings you may be experiencing.
Whatever you prefer to call your journey, it’s definitely a collaborative process.
What type of counseling experience can I expect?
I believe in meeting my clients where they currently are in life—mentally and emotionally—in order to help them move forward. My background is diverse, including working in community mental health settings with acute, severe mental illness, private group practice with individuals seeking greater understanding of themselves—and now, solo private practice with adolescents and adults seeking to make improvements in their lives and gain understanding of the underlying issues holding them back.
My style is relaxed, compassionate, and nonjudgmental.
What types of therapy does Catalyst Counseling offer?
I use a combination of strengths-based focus and basic behavioral and cognitive principles. I practice motivational interviewing with an emphasis on uncovering and identifying your intrinsic motivation for change. These methods are particularly effective for Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, and Psychotic Disorders.
I believe in the power of relationship and the transformative nature of the therapeutic process. As a Psychological Examiner, I also perform specialized psychological evaluations, psycho-educational testing, career testing, objective-personality testing, diagnostic interviewing, and consultation.
Which insurance plans do you accept?
Ambetter, BlueCross and BlueShield, Qualchoice, and some EAP plans.
Do you offer a sliding scale?
Yes.
accreditations
