Meet our team of qualified mental health professionals.
Our team
Jessica Joyce, PsyD
Dr. Joyce is a licensed clinical psychologist. Her degrees are from Rutgers University and Alliant University-California Professional School of Psychology. Dr. Joyce is the lead psychologist and owner of Psychological & Counseling Associates of the Lowcountry.
Dr. Joyce specializes in depression, anxiety, PTSD/Trauma, bipolar disorder, cumulative trauma, marital issues, and psychological assessments.
She has an accomplished background working with law enforcement, military, first responders and others who work in a high stress environment. Dr. Joyce also has a great deal of experience treating those affected by acute trauma, cumulative trauma, and those suffering from substance abuse disorders.
Dr. Joyce performs assessment and therapy on patients of all ages.
THERAPY, COACHING
Daniel Riggs, LISW-CP
Daniel is a licensed clinical social worker in both South Carolina and Florida. Daniel is a military veteran and has a passion for assisting military veterans and their families dealing with the unique situations surrounding military service.
Daniel specializes in grief and loss counseling, assisting patients diagnosed with terminal illness, working through trauma, and substance abuse issues. Other areas of expertise include anxiety mood disorders, self harming behaviors, stress and anger management. Daniel assists patients of all ages, from children to the elderly.
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR
Steve Meinert, Ph.D
Dr. Meinert holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Individual and Family Therapy from Saint Louis University and a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville. He is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois, a Licensed
Professional Counselor in Missouri and South Carolina, a Board Certified Telemental Health provider, and have achieved Diplomate status through the American Psychotherapy Association.
“I specialize in working with children and teens struggling in the school, home, and social settings or experiencing depression and/or anxiety.
I work with adults who are going through difficult times in their lives—divorce, job loss, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, or family stressors. What I love about the work I do is that, although I initially see people at a low point in their lives, as we work
together they find the courage, skills, and resilience to keep going and make life worth living.
For those who have never talked to a therapist before, I strive to help those with whom I work feel comfortable and unconditionally accepted in this important encounter. I want to work with you to help you move forward when you are not getting the most out of your life, you feel stuck or alone, for reasons you can explain, and for reasons you cannot explain. Are you open to therapy and to making a change? Let me help you navigate your world
and help you make the changes necessary to make a difference.”
LICENSED INDEPENDENT CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
Susan Knapp, MSW-LISW-CP
Susan is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in South Carolina (#12963), which qualifies her to diagnose and treat mental health disorders. She is in private practice with Psychological & Counseling Associates of the Lowcountry, providing individual and couples counseling to adults. Susan utilizes various methodologies such as Cognitive Behavioral, Family Systems, Task Centered, Mindfulness and Solution Focused Therapy, applied in conjunction with theories of human development, cultural diversity, and literacy.
In addition to private practice she has been a social worker for the military and for a large hospital system. She has the tools to help in a wide variety of situations. Her background includes psychotherapy with individuals and couples; working with
victims of sexual assault and domestic violence; grief, loss and bereavement counseling; and helping those diagnosed with a chronic illness. Susan has been a clinical social worker for 20+ years. Her clients benefit from these years of experience as she learned to listen without judgment and engage her clients with
warmth and compassion as she begins to understand and help them problem solve to create lasting change.
THERAPY, COACHING
Alison Jedrick, MSW LISW-CP
Alison is a licensed clinical social worker in South Carolina and Georgia.
After obtaining her Master’s degree from University of Georgia in 2001, she began practicing in the area of mental health and has remained in practice ever since. Her experience is diverse, ranging from intensive in-home mental health counseling with children and families to working with professionals on the go via telemedicine. She is experienced in helping people from all walks of life to cope with challenges, enhance their functioning, and achieve their personal goals.
As an EMDR therapist, she is well versed in working with many different types of trauma including child sexual abuse, recovery from domestic violence, and exposure to natural disasters. Alison also works well with people who have ongoing issues with
anxiety, mood disorders, self-harmful behaviors, anger, stress management issues, and difficulty dealing with family members. Alison is able to work with children 8 years and older, adolescents, and all ages of adults.
LICENSED INDEPENDENT CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
Cara O’Donnell, MSW-LISW-CP
Cara O’Donnell is a licensed clinical therapist who specializes in treating trauma, anxiety, depression, grief/loss, and daily stressors.
With over 18 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults, she strives to empower her clients to achieve a place of happiness and confidence in a warm and welcoming environment. She uses a variety of therapeutic approaches including solution focused, trauma focused, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Cara’s goal is to empower families and to instill hope that there can be positive changes!
Cara holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Marist College, a master’s degree in social work from Fordham University and a master’s degree in child advocacy and policy from Montclair State University. Cara is licensed in South Carolina and New Jersey.
LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST
Edna Garay-Lajara, LMFT
Edna is a bilingual English/Spanish Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in South Carolina. Edna graduated with a M.A. degree from Fairfield University in Connecticut in 2009.
Her desire as a therapist is to facilitate healing, growth, and change in your life within a safe environment. She serves a wide variety of the population including individuals, couples, and families. Her practice focuses on relationship distress amongst family members, couples’ issues, marital conflict, remarriage, stepfamilies/blended families, women’s issues, life transitions, grief, stress, anxiety, and depression.
Some of Edna’s methods include Emotional Focus (EFT), Solution-Focus (SFT), and Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) Therapies.
In addition, as a Certified Prepare and Enrich facilitator, Edna enjoys walking engaged and committed couples through premarital counseling. Edna also offers an integrated Christian counseling worldview with modern clinical therapeutic techniques for those who prefer this perspective.
THERAPIST
Katy Hamilton, LPC
Katy is a doctoral student with Fielding Graduate University completing her practicum training with Psychological and Counseling Associates of the Lowcountry under the supervision of Dr. Jessica Joyce.
Katy attained her master’s degree in counseling psychology in 2014 with Bowie State University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in South Carolina, as well as licensure as an LPC in Colorado and Wyoming.
Katy has been proving therapeutic services for the past 9 years to individuals across the lifespan, she has worked in crisis settings as well as community mental health and private practice. She uses an Emotion-Focused approach, along with CBT and DBT interventions to help clients reach their goals. Katy specializes in depression and anxiety and has experience with substance use, eating disorders and personality disorders. Katy works with individuals of all ages, and she offers a calm atmosphere with genuine concern and an open mind to help clients tackle life’s challenges.
THERAPIST
John D. Lajara, MSW, LISW-CP
John is a Licensed Independent Social Worker in South Carolina. He was previously licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in NYS and in CT until he relocated to the Lowcountry with his wife.
He obtained a bachelor’s degree in sociology and social work from Lehman College, CUNY, a master’s degree in social work from Fordham University and has been a social worker for more than 40 years.
John was a Certified Bilingual, English/Spanish, Licensed Social Worker with the General & Special Education students of the NYC Department of Education.
He worked at two major NYC hospitals in their outpatient programs with individuals, couples and groups. He also had a private practice in NYC where he worked with individuals, couples and groups dealing with issues of anxiety, bereavement, depression, divorce, and life transitions.
John is certified in Conflict Resolution and Crisis Intervention. In addition, he is certified as a Prepare Enrich Facilitator which he utilizes to work with couples who are dating or engaged and would like to consider taking the relationship to the next level.
He utilizes a variety of approaches including Cognitive-Behavior, Psychoeducational, Solution-Focused, and Trauma Focused therapies.
John offers integrated Christian counseling with modern clinical therapeutic techniques upon request.
His desire is to assist those who are hurting to find solutions to the pain they are experiencing so that they may live life to its fullest potential.
John enjoys working on house projects, on his car, traveling with his wife and spending time with family and friends.
PSYCHOLOGIST
David Baker, Ph.D.
Dr. David Baker is a licensed clinical psychologist with four decades of experience in the fields of psychology and behavioral health. He received his PhD in Counseling Psychology from Texas A&M University and completed the Doctoral Psychology Internship Program in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Baker has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings and has a long record of service as a psychologist, professor, consultant, researcher, and senior executive. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Science. Using a strength-based and collaborative approach, Dr. Baker provides psychological services that integrate behavioral science and practice to improve outcomes for individuals and organizations.
THERAPIST
Rachel Crump, LMSW
Rachel Crump is a licensed master social worker in both South Carolina and Georgia, and is offering individual therapy online and in person. She has a Master of Social Work degree from The University of Georgia. As a social worker, she looks beyond symptoms to see the whole person and recognizes that everyone is shaped by their environment. She builds a relationship with each patient that is authentic and supportive, where it is safe to share openly and without the fear of judgment.
Rachel collaborates with each patient to identify unhelpful patterns, name problems, and find solutions that will work best for them. She assists patients in identifying the beliefs that underlie the problem, the feelings that drive behaviors, and the part of the situation that is within their control to change. She works with people of all backgrounds and in all stages of life who are looking for help with ADHD, anxiety, depression, burnout, codependency, life transitions, self-esteem, stress, trauma, and addiction. Rachel utilizes strengths-based, cognitive behavioral, mindfulness-based, person-centered, solution-focused, and trauma-informed approaches in her practice.
THERAPIST
Alyssa Marple, LMSW
Alyssa is a licensed master social worker in the state of South Carolina, with over twelve years of experience working within the behavioral health field. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Human Services degree from the University of South Carolina, and then Master of Social Work from Pennsylvania Western University.
Alyssa has experience working with a vast population of young children, at-risk youth, and adults in various stages of life. She has worked within crisis settings, the school system, community behavioral health, the federal government, and non-profit organizations. She spent a decade working with military families experiencing domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault. Alyssa strives to create a comfortable and safe space to learn new skills, improve relationships, and process trauma. She has training in different modalities and treatment approaches which allows her the ability to meet each person where they are at, and offer strategies and tools to help in the success of reaching treatment goals.