Meet The Team

LICENSING SPECIALIST

Emily received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kentucky. She has served in multiple social service settings since graduation, including a food pantry and homeless shelter. Emily joined the Childplace team in May of 2018 as an administrative assistant in the counseling office. She transitioned to her current role in foster care in 2020. Emily provides licensing services and also serves families in the agency’s private adoption program.

FOSTER CARE CASE MANAGER

Abby received her BS in Global Studies from Boyce College in Louisville. She has served children in a variety of settings, both internationally and in the States. Abby joined the Childplace team in May of 2022. Abby provides case management support to children and foster families.

Therapist

Jake likes jumping out of airplanes and solving Rubik’s Cubes for fun, though not (yet) at the same time. He earned a Bachelor’s in Preaching from Johnson University in Tennessee, then a Master’s in Counseling from Asbury Seminary in Florida. When he started his career, he served as a Connections Pastor in the Christian Church, and a Case Manager at Lifespring, before coming to Childplace in 2021. Now, he works as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate and serve clients of all ages and with various mental health concerns. In the office, he often uses techniques of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Internal Family Systems. He wakes up every day to partner with people who are navigating life’s challenges and help them create good lives, full of clarity, peace, and significance. One of his favorite quotes is “History proves you’ve survived 100% of your most difficult days. You’ve already come so far, so don’t give up now, just take the next right step.”

Therapist

Lauren is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with her Masters in Social Work and Masters in Couples and Family Therapy from the University of Louisville. She has been a practicing clinician since 2019 with a background in working with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. She has been trained in both Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help children and families heal in the aftermath of trauma. Lauren believes whole heartedly in working together with families and other support systems to help her clients build resiliency and work towards healthy attachments. In her free time, Lauren loves to spend time with her husband and two dogs as well as singing, dancing, or reading.

Therapist

Emma began her employment with Childplace in 2022. She received her MSSW through the University of Tennessee. She has her certification in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy. She has also received training in Theraplay and Child-Parent Psychotherapy. Emma enjoys working with children, adolescents and their families, with a special interest in helping those who have experienced trauma.

FOSTER CARE CASE MANAGER

Lori received her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Campbellsville University specializing in Child Welfare. She joined the Childplace team in August of 2023 and has worked with children and families in a variety of settings throughout her adult life including day care management, teaching preschool, and volunteering with a foster and adoptive ministry. Lori provides cases management support to children and foster families.

FOSTER CARE CASE MANAGER

Bellamy received her BS in Biblical Counseling at Boyce college in Louisville, KY. Bellamy has experience through various opportunities serving children and families at different capacities. Bellamy provides case management support children and foster families.