Our Staff

Mark Neese, LCSW, BCBA

Co-Owner/Co-Founder

Mark Neese, Therapist at True North Counseling
Mark has been in the helping profession for the past 40 years. This includes being a therapist and counselor.

Mark has spent the past decade developing tools to work with Senior Adults and started SilverStrong as a program of True North Counseling to address their needs. Mark is a Certified Personal Trainer with The American Council on Exercise (ACE). In addition, he is a Senior Fitness and Functional Aging Specialist with ACE. He has a specialty in Weight Management from ACE and has a certification in Holistic Nutrition from the American Fitness Professionals Association.

Hank Buckwalter, LCSW, Executive Director

Principal Clinician

Hank has experience empowering various populations throughout his 8+ years working in mental health. This includes working with teens, adults, individuals with developmental/intellectual disabilities, families, and brain injury survivors while implementing Evidence-Based Practices.

Erin Hightower

LCSW, Marriage & Family Therapy Associate
Licensed Clinical Social Worker – Kentucky & Indiana
Marriage & Family Therapy Associate – Kentucky

Erin has over 10 years of experience in the field of mental health, earning a Master’s of Science in Social work with a specialization in Marriage and Family therapy from the University of Louisville.  Her undergraduate background is in psychology and Pan-African Studies. She enjoys working with individuals, beginning at age 12 into adulthood, as well as couples and families; supporting and collaborating with clients through the challenges of life.

Sharonda Tunstull, LCSW

Associate Clinician 

Sharonda has mentored and worked with children, teens, and their families from various backgrounds for over 7 years. Sharonda has instructed parenting classes and led motivational groups with teens and young adults. She currently works with adolescents with developmental and intellectual disabilities who struggle in the classroom setting as well as outside. Sharonda is presently pursuing her Master’s in Social Work.

Stephanie Barnes, MSSW, LCSW

Associate Clinician 

Stephanie received her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Bellarmine University and her Master’s in Social Work from U of L. A Louisville native, Stephanie has served populations in Indiana, Louisville, and South Central Kentucky, where she now resides.

Stephanie has practiced clinical social work for 5+ years and has worked with various presenting issues, such as anxiety, panic disorder, depression, PTSD/trauma, suicidal ideation/self-harm, severe mental illness, and relationship/family dysfunction.

Stephanie is offering telehealth therapy for individuals, couples and families.

Chanel has 6+ years of experience advocating for individuals and families through international training, case management, residential clinical work, and community-based protective services. She represents and promotes holistic health and healing approaches for every individual. Chanel strives to provide a non-judgmental and client-centered environment; as she supports the idea that the therapist collaborates on identifying solutions that are already embedded within an individual.

Jennifer Nance, MSW, MBA

Associate Clinician/Administrator

Jennifer is a Certified Social Worker in the state of Kentucky, licensed to provide therapeutic services and working towards becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She earned her Master of Social Work at Campbellsville University and her Master of Business Administration from Ashworth College. Jennifer enjoys working with individuals, adolescents through seniors, of all gender identities, as well as couples and families; empowering clients and working towards overall well-being. Her style of therapy is considered laid back and conversational but always tailored to what each individual needs and likes.

Sean Davis, CSW

Associate Clinician

Sean received his Bachelor’s in Psychology and Masters of Science in Social Work from the University of Louisville. He is currently working towards his LCSW. Originally from Evansville, Indiana, Sean has been living in Louisville since 2014.

Sean has experience working with the Veteran population, survivors of domestic violence, and adults with substance misuse. His approach to therapy is client-centered and strengths-based. He believes his clients can find what they need within themselves and that the therapist’s role is to provide support, reflection, and the tools needed to move from surviving to thriving.

Abby Pike

Student Intern

Abby is an experienced professional who has worked with diverse groups of people, including teens, adults, individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community, and those who have experienced childhood or adolescent trauma, mental illness, and more. Originally from Kentucky, Abby is passionate about helping people discover their truth and achieve inner peace. Her sincere dedication to this work shines through in every interaction and she is always eager to help others in any way she can.