Meet Our Team
Nichole Appleby, msw, lcsw
Nichole is a trauma-focused therapist with a background in supporting children and families across outpatient clinics, child advocacy centers, foster care, and residential settings. She earned her BSW from Meredith College and MSW from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Nichole is trained in Dignity Therapy, an evidence based model for end of life care and has prior experience at International Social Services–USA Branch in Baltimore. Nichole is a Nationally Certified and North Carolina rostered TF-CBT clinician, she is additionally rostered in PCIT, certified in AF-CBT, and recognized as a quality CPT provider. From 2013–2023, she served as a clinical faculty TF-CBT consultant with the NC Child Treatment Program and is now a state trainer for AF-CBT. Outside of work, Nichole enjoys painting, cooking, spending time with her dogs and her family.
Elizabeth Stephens. msw, lcsw
Elizabeth is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with broad experience in trauma-informed care for children, families, and adults. She earned her BSW from Meredith College and MSW from Tulane University. Her background includes inpatient psychiatric work at Broughton, Holly Hill, and River Oaks Hospitals, as well as leading Intensive In-Home services. Elizabeth is a Nationally Certified and North Carolina rostered TF-CBT clinician, rostered in PCIT, certified in AF-CBT, and recognized as a quality provider of CPT. She served as a TF-CBT clinical faculty consultant for the NC Child Treatment Program (2013–2023) and currently works as a state trainer for AF-CBT.
Melinda Clontz, MSW, LCSW
Melinda Clontz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and co-founder of Live N Joy Counseling Services in Lincolnton, NC. She he earned her BSW from UNC Greensboro and MSW from the East Carolina University. She has over 27 years of experience in social work, across settings including inpatient mental health, child advocacy centers, hospice, and private practice. Melinda specializes in trauma treatment and is trained in several evidence-based models, including TF-CBT, CPP, CPT, and PCIT.
She has served as clinical faculty with the NC Child Treatment Program, consulted with clinicians training in Trauma-Focused CBT and Child Parent Psychotherapy, and provided clinical supervision for over a decade. Guided by her values of love and support for children and families, Melinda is passionate about helping clients heal and thrive. Outside of work, she enjoys family time, biking, cooking, and relaxing on her back porch with her dog