About Us
About
Dr. Melanie Erwin-Pennington, Ph.D., LPCC-S, NCC is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor-Supervisor and is the owner and primary provider of Guiding Hope Counseling Center. Pennington opened Guiding Hope Counseling Center in 2021 after serving as a behavioral health therapist at Appalachian Regional Healthcare Psychiatric Hospital/ARH Hazard Clinic, both of which are located in Hazard, Kentucky for nearly 7 years. Pennington obtained her Bachelor's degree in Human Services in 2014 from Lindsey Wilson college as well as her Masters of Education degree in Counseling and Human Development from Lindsey Wilson college in 2016. Pennington recently obtained her Ph.D. in Counseling and Supervision from Lindsey Wilson college in September of 2024. With nearly 11 years of experience in the mental health field, Pennington continues to serve children, adolescents, as well as adults in Eastern Kentucky and surrounding areas. Pennington offers in-person appointments as well as telehealth appointments to meet the clients needs.
Dr. Pennington specializes in Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, as well as various other mental health conditions. Pennington is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and currently working towards her EMDRIA certification. Additionally, Pennington is trained in ASSYST as well as PRECI, which are additional techniques of EMDR therapy. EMDR is a technique based on the idea that emotional distress can be processed during REM sleep, and that the brain's ability to reconsolidate memories can be enhanced through bilateral stimulation. EMDR was originally developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it can also be used to treat other mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Dr. Pennington also specializes in dream work and interpretation which is the practice of analyzing dreams which can reveal subconscious feelings, anxieties, aspirations, or concerns about their waking life.
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