Our team is here to help you in a safe and caring environment with the challenges of life
Nancy Holderman Smith
MSW, LISW-CP, Director
nancysmith@liveoakcounselingcenter.org
Nancy serves as Director and Counselor at Live Oak Counseling Center. Nancy works with older teens and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, family issues, and parenting issues.
Her therapeutic approach is collaborative, and patient centered. Nancy is a big believer in the therapeutic alliance as a key to healing. Nancy integrates tools from Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused therapy models.
With a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Public Relations and a master’s degree in Social Work, Nancy is a Licensed Independent Social Worker in Clinical Practice.
Nancy has been married to a Presbyterian minister for 32 years and has raised three children now in college and graduate school. Nancy loves to travel, cook, garden, exercise and spend time with her family.
Eric Hartley
MSW, LISW-CP/AP
erichartley@liveoakcounselingcenter.org
Eric is a Licensed Independent Social Worker for Advanced and Clinical Practice who came to Live Oak Counseling Center in 2016 after more than 30 years in the mental health field. He began this work at William S. Hall Psychiatric Institute where he worked with adolescents. He next worked for nine years in the Intermediate Care Unit at the Women's Correctional Center. After that he returned to the mental health system in community mental health as Adult Services Coordinator and then director of the Fairfield County Mental Health Clinic, a sattelite of Columbia Area Mental Health Center. His most recent incarnation is here at Live Oak where he works with adults and adolescents.
He employs a broad range of therapeutic approaches to address issues of daily living, depression and anxiety, but most of his focus has been on addressing various kinds of trauma. He has trained in EMDR by the EMDR Institute and has certification in clinical hypnosis by the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis.
Eric has years of experience and knowledge, but these years have served to bring him to the realization that each client is unique and comes with his or her own knowledge, experience, wisdom and potential resources. He thinks of himself as a facilitator and collaborator for change.
As a father of two and a grandfather of four, the oldest of whom is now in college, Eric has learned a thing or two about change and how magical it can be when you get out of the way.
In addition to providing therapy, Eric is an approved supervisor for those seeking the license of Licensed Independent Social Worker. While clinical work is a part of his life, it is not everything.
Eric also enjoys painting, playing clarinet and guitar, reading, working out at the gym and trying to keep up with the lives of his children and grandchildren. He is pleased to have landed here at the Counseling Center for this leg of his life's journey and very much enjoys the camaraderie of his co-workers here.
Linda Olson
MSW, LISW-CP
lindaolson@liveoakcounselingcenter.org
Linda has practiced psychotherapy for 30 years with individuals, couples and families. She has experience addressing anxiety, depression, relationships, addictions and life transitions.
Positive solutions include focusing on strengths, resiliency and developing new and more creative ways to live with life stressors.
Sarah S. Smith
LPC, MEd., EdS.
Sarah is a licensed professional counselor with a school counseling background. Sarah has a Masters Degree in Student Personnel Services and an Educational Specialist degree in counseling.
Sarah is specially trained in play therapy for children ages 3-10 years. She also trained at the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy specializing in children and adolescents. Sarah offers parent consultation, school consultation and individual therapy for children and adolescents.
Sarah’s role as wife and mother of two young women in their mid-twenties provides real world perspective which enhances her professional expertise. She offers life skill coaching and treatment options for ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma and grief. Sarah also has experience working with clients on the autism spectrum.
Charles Wilbanks
MSW, LMSW, phd
charleswilbanks@liveoakcounselingcenter.org
Charles focuses his practice on helping individuals and families who are dealing with grief and loss. He also is a Licensed Minister in the United Methodist Church. Charles provides virtual therapy only.
Susan Yelverton
MSW, LISW
susanyelverton@liveoakcounselingcenter.org
Susan works with older teens and adults and enjoys collaborating with her clients to identify their strengths, values and intentions. She believes that therapy can help people to grow and heal by offering a safe place to examine their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors with curiosity instead of judgment.
Her therapeutic approach is informed by training in mindfulness-based practices, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. As a former arts educator, she also believes that creativity can be an important part of the healing process.
Areas of special interest are: depression/anxiety, life transitions, work and home/life balance, LGBTQIA concerns, spirituality, support for educators, and adoption and attachment issues.
Susan is participating in a two-year Mindfulness Teacher Training Certification Program which is a collaboration between the Insight Meditation Society, Sounds True, and the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California/Berkeley.
Melissa Tringali
Office Manager
admin@liveoakcounselingcenter.org
Melissa’s background is in accounting and she handles all things money related. Since working at Live Oak she has seen how important it is to care for your mental health.
She believes seeking counseling should not be seen as a weakness but a wise choice. When Melissa sees friends or family suffering a loss, dealing with a diagnosis, or making their way through a new stage of life she is quick to suggest counseling, whether at Live Oak or elsewhere.
