Counselors - Counseling Associates of the Four States

Deanna Street

MA, LPC, NCC

Deanna opened Counseling Associates of the Four States, LLC in 2008 with the goal of providing high quality counseling services to the surrounding area. Ms. Street is skilled in marriage and family counseling, specializing in the treatment of women’s issues, such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and sexual trauma. Deanna is an advocate for healing early childhood trauma and treats Dissociative Identity Disorders as well as all personality disorders. Ms. Street has extensive training and experience in mental health assessment including, but not limited to; personality, intelligence, achievement, gifted, and ADD/ADHD testing.

Ms. Street has worked in the mental health field since 1989. She worked for the University of Missouri-Columbia Hospital in the child and adult Psychiatric Unit. She worked with a multi-disciplinary team conducting testing and psychological assessment. In addition, she provided pre and post operative assessments for patients undergoing neurological surgery and ECT. Deanna also was part of a research team that evaluated the efficacy of various drugs on patients with anxiety disorders such as panic attacks and generalized anxiety disorder.

Deanna has experience providing individual, marriage and family counseling in a private practice setting. She was a licensed psychologist in the state of Minnesota and a clinic Rule 29 specialist where she reviewed all the charts to ensure that diagnoses were accurate and documented appropriately. She did personality and intelligence testing providing reports as necessary to various agencies. Deanna also presented talks on diverse topics to schools, churches and hospitals. She has experience in the group setting with eating disorders, anxiety disorders, post-partum depression, and post abortion/grief issues.

Deanna is currently licensed in the state of Missouri as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). She is certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors. She is a member of the American Counseling Association and the Missouri Chapter of ACA. She is a clinical supervisor for individuals who are provisionally licensed by the state of Missouri. She is trained in EMDR which is the recommended treatment for trauma. Deanna is also trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) which is an evidenced based, non-pathologizing way of treating a client that helps to understand and heal wounded parts of the person so that they can be the best version of themselves.

Personal Note from Deanna:
I believe that each person has the potential within themselves to heal from trauma and/or normal life experiences and to make the necessary changes to significantly improve their current situation and emotional symptoms. I feel that it is my job to provide the atmosphere and therapeutic relationship to allow these changes to occur. You can be assured that I will help you gain the insight and the necessary skills to help you grow personally and develop a strong sense of self.

Jamie Simmons, Intern

Intern

My name is Jamie Simmons! I am an intern and currently pursuing my master's degree in social work from Aurora University. In 2012, I completed my undergraduate degree from Missouri Southern State University in Health Science. I have worked in the healthcare field since obtaining that degree and felt a calling to help those who may be experiencing struggles with mental health and/or the challenges of life. I have always wanted to help people and feel that this opportunity has given me the chance to use my abilities to do so. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and reading a variety of genres. I love learning new things and I'm excited to get to do that at Counseling Associates of the Four States, LLC!

Michael Brockett, Marriage Counseling Coordinator, Mentor and Coach

Michael Brockett is the Marriage Counseling Intake Coordinator at Counseling Associates of the Four States. He also practices as a pre-marriage and marriage restoration advisor, mentor, and coach. Now retired, Michael was previously a Practitioner Member of the Academy of Family Mediators and is currently certified as a Health and Wellness Coach by the Mayo Clinic College of Science and Medicine. Michael is also a certified facilitator of the SYMBIS Pre-Marriage Assessment Guide, the creator of the Michaels Lee Marriage Restoration Guide and the Marriage Gotcha Identifier Assessment (MGIA). He is Mediator Member (non-lawyer) of the American Bar Association.

Rob Taylor

MS, LPC

Rob Taylor has been providing counseling in the Four State area for the past 30 years. He specializes in treating individuals experiencing anxiety, panic, depression and PTSD. He is a trained provider of EMDR which is a world-wide known counseling technique for helping individuals suffering trauma or the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Rob has specialized training in counseling couples who are experiencing relationship distress. He strives to help couples continue to grow closer to one another through improved communication and intimacy, as well as helping couples to heal past wounds which are continuing to cause pain and distress. Rob provides premarital counseling to couples who are attempting to make decisions about long term commitments.

Rob has an extensive history of providing counseling to children and teens both in hospital settings and long-term residential treatment centers, as well as outpatient settings over the past three decades. Although Rob is not providing counseling for children at this time, his knowledge pertaining to mental health issues in children can be a wonderful resource for parents that are needing guidance. He also helps parents experiencing "empty nest" to successfully adjust to the new challenges of reconnecting more deeply to one another.

Rob has received specialized training in Nonviolent Crisis Prevention whereby he has helped many individuals learn ways to deescalate problematic situations. He has provided workshops and trainings to schools and to local communities. Rob has worked within local schools to help teachers implement Individualized Education Plans or 504 plans for students having specific needs.

Rob has a long history of working with doctors, nurses and other health professionals in providing a multidisciplinary treatment regimen for clients experiencing emotional distress. He sees many individuals experiencing stressful life adjustments such as divorce and blended family stressors, as well as clients who are adjusting to job or career changes or relocation to new communities.

Rob counsels many college students who are processing their future goals, including their career path or adjusting to their recent graduation from high school and who are joining the full-time workforce or making decisions about college or their college major. Rob is a former high school and college athlete and has talked with many athletes about the thrill of competition but also keeping the joy and fun in sports to prevent burnout.

Rob sees many clients suffering bereavement from the loss of a loved one. He has counseled many older adults who are experiencing depression or loneliness or who are making decisions about retirement. Rob has experience in counseling most any type of life situation and is often referred by local doctors in helping individuals suffering emotional distress. Rob is married and along with his wife has raised their three children into adulthood. He enjoys being outdoors, playing tennis, jogging, swimming, playing the guitar or piano and loves spending time with his family and friends.

Rob refers to himself as an "integrative counselor" whereby he believes that there are many different approaches to helping individuals, depending upon a persons needs. Rob believes in the importance of getting to know each individual and views every person as unique. He believes in establishing agreed upon goals for therapy and views the diagnostic process as important but that a diagnosis does not define a person. He strives to help individuals learn the art and science of getting to now their natural personality traits and strengths so as to best navigate life. Rob believes in a nonjudgmental and empathic approach to counseling and views all people as having valuable strengths and abilities.

Amber Tipton

MS, LPC, CRADC

Amber is an experienced therapist working with individuals who have trauma, substance abuse needs, disabilities, and anger management concerns. Amber can help you overcome the challenges you’re facing. She enjoys working with individuals, couples, and families who are experiencing unique life circumstances and assisting them in restoring life balance. Amber strives to give clients excellent care in a safe and confidential environment.

Amber received her Master of Science in Counseling from Missouri State University. While working on her degree she was voted the President of COPE (Counseling Outreach and Peer Engagement), the counseling department organization to raise funds for the non-profit campus counseling clinic Center City Counseling Clinic.

Amber completed her PLPC with a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health treatment facility in Springfield, MO. There she was promoted to supervisor of the Nixa Clinic that assists clients who qualify for a C-Star co-occurring adult Medicaid program. She enjoyed teaching groups there such as Helping Men Recover, a group that addresses the needs of men who’ve experienced trauma and who abuse substances to cope.

Amber worked closely with state and federal probation and parole referral resources as well as referrals from Children’s Division. Amber became the primary therapist working with the federal reentry court before her departure into private practice. She also served on the Domestic Violence Task Force in Greene County promoting awareness about domestic violence issues to reduce the number of Domestic Violence cases in Greene County.

In private practice, Amber has worked with individuals, couples, and families seeking healthier relationships and a better quality of life. Amber became a trained Emotion Focused Couples Therapist (EFCT) in order to better serve her couples and families struggling with attachment needs. Lastly, Amber assists individuals with diverse and multicultural needs such as those in the undocumented population, LGBTQIA, Native American, and others.

”I love working with people from all walks of life. Personal growth and true happiness are attainable when given a safe environment to learn and the right tools to use.”

Jacob Conklin

MS, LPC, NCC

Jacob Conklin is a Licensed Professional in Missouri. He is certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors.

Mr. Conklin was raised in Joplin and recently returned to the area from Colorado where he spent the past six years providing services on the Western Slope of Colorado. Mr. Conklin holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Psychology from the University of Arkansas and Master of Science (M.S.) also from the University of Arkansas, a CACREP program. Prior to returning to Joplin and joining with Counseling Associates of the Four States, Mr. Conklin had a private practice and was the executive director of a children’s advocacy center in Western Colorado. He has clinical experience in residential treatment centers, intensive outpatient treatment programs, day treatment as well as community settings. Read More

Rebecca Morrissey

MSW, LCSW

Rebecca was born and raised in Joplin, Missouri, having a strong connection to this community. She graduated from Missouri Southern State College in 1995 with her Bachelor of Art degree in Psychology, and from Southwest Missouri State University in 2003 with her Master of Social Work. She is currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in both Missouri and Oklahoma. Read More

Emily Wickstrom

MSW, LMSW

Emily has resided in the Joplin area since childhood. She is committed to supporting and serving the people of this area while she raises her family in this community. Emily graduated from Missouri Southern State University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration in 2008 and completed her Law Enforcement Certification in 2011. She has worked to serve the area’s highest need individuals and families since then. Emily began providing services with Counseling Associates of the Four States in January 2022, and completed her master’s level degree in Social Work in May 2022.

Emily has experience working with populations struggling with substance use, traumatic experiences, and a wide variety of mental health needs and is excited to begin utilizing this experience in working to meet the needs of her clients. She is EMDR trained and has experience implementing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy, and she continues to expand her knowledge of therapeutic modalities to bring the best experience for each client. Emily enjoys working with individuals and couples, ages 15+, on issues including but not limited to self-esteem, communication, relationship improvement, trauma processing, depression, anxiety, and ADHD related issues.

Tracy Ellman, LCSW

LCSW

Tracy Ellman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the states of Missouri and Oklahoma. He has been providing therapy in different venues for approximately 30 years. He has experience mostly with teenagers on juvenile probation, families, impaired physicians, Alzheimer patients, young adults, terminally ill, and many more.

Tracy's education includes a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Illinois State University, a Master's Degree in Sociology also from Illinois State University, and a Master's in Social Work from The University of Kansas.

Tracy has worked at a non-for-profit agency in Oklahoma for the past 24 years. He has been an adjunct professor at MSSU, and has also provided counseling and monitoring for impaired physicians who are referred due to boundary issues, depression, disruptive behaviors, and addiction issues.

Tracy has been co-published in two journals: 1. OMEGA-Journal of Death and Dying "Devaluating Death Education through Short-Term Suicide Intervention Programs" along with Raymond L. Schmitt, Ph.D 2. Journal of Sport Behavior "The Influence of Race/Ethnicity in Salary Arbitration" along with Wilbert M. Leonard.

Tracy uses mostly the following treatment modalities in his therapeutic approach with clients: Cognitive, Behavioral, Family Systems, and Trauma Focused Therapy.

"I feel we are experts in areas that we have experienced ourselves. I encourage clients to change their thinking, for if we can change our thinking, we can in turn, change the way we feel and behave. I love to advocate for my clients. I try to empower my clients, so that they can in turn, advocate for themselves and illustrate appropriate assertiveness in their own daily lives. I want to thank you for the opportunity to serve you! Let's get through any issues you are impeded in life by, together."- Tracy Ellman, MSW, LCSW

Julie Morningstar, LPC

LPC

Julie is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), originally from West Central Illinois. She has lived in Southwest Missouri since 2015. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in 2009 from Trine University in Angola, Indiana and a Master Of Science in Clinical Community Mental Health from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois in 2016.

Julie has experience working with different populations, serving those struggling with difficulties such as: anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance abuse. Utilizing a person-centered therapeutic foundation, Julie works to meet the unique needs and circumstances of those she serves. Julie is trained in EMDR.

Meet Our Counselors

Deanna Street

MA, LPC, NCC

Jamie Simmons, Intern

Intern

Michael Brockett, Marriage Counseling Coordinator, Mentor and Coach

Rob Taylor

MS, LPC

Amber Tipton

MS, LPC, CRADC

Jacob Conklin

MS, LPC, NCC

Rebecca Morrissey

MSW, LCSW

Emily Wickstrom

MSW, LMSW

Tracy Ellman, LCSW

LCSW

Julie Morningstar, LPC

LPC