Our Counselors

Click names to learn more.

  • Begins October ‘23 in Southaven & Clarksdale

    Abby completed her Master's in Counselor Education from the University of Mississippi in 2021. She is a licensed professional counselor and a national certified counselor. Abby has extensive experience working with children, including those with disabilities, adolescents, and early adults. She specializes in anxiety, depression, attention deficit disorders, family divorce issues, autism, and helping people cope with life transitions. Abby believes that building a solid therapeutic relationship and creating a safe environment is crucial in counseling. She also appreciates the importance of psychoeducation and unconditional positive regard. Apart from work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and family, watching sports, and binge-watching movies.

  • Southaven & Clarksdale

    Cindy received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2017. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Mississippi and Missouri. She has experience working in rural communities as well as with military families. She has worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting, relocation, transitions, trauma, and substance use.

    Her therapy style is client centered, warm and interactive, allowing the client to be the expert in their life. She believes in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Her approach combines cognitive-behavioral, family systems, and psycho-education.

    When Cindy is not at work, she is likely spending time with her children and husband, working on a craft project, hiking, or reading.

    “It takes courage to take the first steps toward change. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support, empower, and walk with you on your journey.”

  • Nicole been practicing therapy since 2002 after receiving her master's degree from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. She is currently licensed as an LPC in Mississippi and Tennessee and has full telehealth training as well. Over the years, she has broadened her professional skills through many years of experience in multiple settings, continuing education, and her own personal growth. Her current major interests are the impact of trauma, the compassionate mind, and mindful parenting. Nicole is fully trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and has some education and training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She currently offers both individual and group therapy for adolescents and adults. When not at work, Nicole is likely spending quality time with her three children and husband, volunteering her time with the Angioma Alliance, basking in nature or music, or enjoying a nonfiction book.

  • Laurie received her Master's Degree in Counseling from the University of Mississippi in 2011 after earning her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Mississippi in 2009. While in graduate school, she completed internships at the University of Mississippi Counseling Center and the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. Following graduate school, she was employed by Communicare in Oxford, Mississippi, as a day treatment counselor at an elementary school and later as an outpatient substance abuse counselor. Laurie was then a counselor at a private practice for 8 years before transitioning to Irby Psychological Services. Laurie is trained in EMDR (trauma therapy) and is a Board Certified-Telemental Health Provider. She feels passionate about helping older children, adolescents, and adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, and trauma. During therapy sessions she most often utilizes EMDR, CBT, principles from DBT, strategies from play therapy, and art therapy techniques. Since having her own child, Laurie has enjoyed learning about and teaching parents positive parenting principles.

    In addition to therapy services, Laurie also services as our social media content manager. When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching television, and reading.

    Note: Laurie’s last day with IPS will be December 19th, 2024. She is not currently accepting new clients at this location. If you would like to schedule an appointment with her at her new practice, you may do so by emailing laurie@southern-serenity-counseling.com.

  • Latrice received her Master’s degree in Counseling from Delta State University in Cleveland, MS in 2002 after receiving her Bachelor’s degree from Alcorn State University. She is a licensed counselor in Mississippi and Louisiana. She has worked in a variety of settings throughout her professional career. Furthermore, Latrice has over 15 years experience providing mental health services to children, adolescents, and adults. She is passionate about helping people who experience autism, ADHD, depression, anxiety, divorce, grief, and serious medical conditions. She has extensive training and a Behavior Intervention Certification in working with persons diagnosed with Autism and their family members (parents and siblings). When she is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering with the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) Foundation. Latrice will begin seeing clients in January 2023.

  • Kayne received her master's degree in counseling from the University of Mississippi in 2023 and her bachelor's degree in psychology from Mississippi State University in 2020. Throughout her graduate program, Kayne offered counseling and play therapy services to individuals of all ages, including children, adolescents, and adults, in school and private practice settings. When she is not at work, Kayne is strongly interested in fictional literature, holistic wellness, and spending quality time with her spouse and dog, Leo.

    Kayne is a P-LPC under the supervision of Nicole Clayton, LPC-S. She is taking self-pay clients and will add MS Medicaid, UHC, and Ambetter. She’ll be seeing clients in Southaven and Clarksdale.

  • Dr. Sarah received her PhD in School Psychology from The University of Memphis in 2014 after completing her predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at Munroe-Meyer Institute in Omaha, Nebraska. She and her family returned to the Memphis-area in 2015, where she worked at the Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities before going into private practice in 2018. Dr. Irby is a licensed psychologist in Mississippi (2018) and Tennessee (2015), as well as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Dr. Irby is also a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Director of the MA/EdS School Psychology Program at The University of Memphis, where she teaches several graduate-level courses, an undergraduate course in behavior psychology, and provides clinical supervision. When Dr. Irby is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, playing board games, and going to Pure Barre classes.

  • Dr. Phil earned a Ph.D. in psychology, with a concentration in school psychology, from the University of Memphis. He completed a pre-doctoral internship in Lauderdale County Schools in West Tennessee and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. He is licensed as a psychologist both in Tennessee and Mississippi. Dr. Norfolk has 3 years of experience working as a child psychologist in a university-based clinic, as well as several years of experience in school settings. Dr. Norfolk most recently worked at UTHSC’s Center for Developmental Disabilities and provided clinical supervision and training under the Leadership and Education in Neurodevelopmental Disorders (LEND) Program. Dr. Norfolk has special interest and training in the assessment and treatment of autism spectrum disorder, however, he enjoys working with a variety of referral concerns in completing psychological assessments. Outside of IPS, Dr. Norfolk provides evaluations for Tennessee Early Intervention Services (TEIS) and serves as an early childhood mental health consultant with Porter-Leath. Dr. Norfolk lives in Olive Branch with his wife and two young children. When he is not at work, he enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends.