Welcome! I am Dr. Leslie Blanchard, a clinical psychologist and founder of River Valley Psychology. I received my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 2008 and completed my internship with Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. In July 2011, I moved to Russellville and had the privilege of opening River Valley Psychology.

When the practice first began, I was the only clinician in the office. As I became more connected to the River Valley community and recognized the growing need for quality mental health services, I made the decision to expand the practice. Over the years, we have been fortunate to add several incredible providers who share a passion for offering compassionate, evidence-based care in a warm and welcoming environment.

I truly enjoy working with individuals across the lifespan and with a wide range of needs, including children, adolescents, and adults. While my approach is eclectic and individualized, I utilize empirically supported treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), along with many other therapeutic techniques and interventions. My goal is always to tailor treatment to each person’s unique strengths, challenges, and goals while helping clients feel understood, supported, and empowered throughout the therapeutic process.

Outside of the office, I enjoy spending time outdoors and appreciating the natural beauty of Arkansas, especially its lakes and scenic landscapes. I also love spending time with my husband, our two children, and our sweet dog, Roxy -  who you will likely see around the clinic bringing a little extra warmth and comfort to the day.

I would be honored to support you on your journey toward healing, growth, and greater well-being. Change is not always comfortable, but you are always worth the effort.

I enjoy serving a variety of populations. Most recently I completed extensive and advanced level training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing   (EMDR) therapy. EMDR has been extensively researched and is effective   in treating a variety of mental health conditions including trauma, depression, and anxiety.

I also enjoy working with perinatal mood disorders including Postpartum Depression (PPD) and Postpartum Anxiety (PPA). This type of therapy includes risk assessment, support identification and strengthening, attachment and bonding work with infant/toddler and other children (if appropriate), and discussion of other additional forms of treatment.

Populations served include new mothers, adolescents and adults. Other modalities used include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Strategic Family Therapy. 

I completed my Master of Social Work degree in 2012 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. I was trained in generalist social work as well as advanced direct practice social work. Upon completion of my masters degree I worked in non profit therapy and counseling settings from 2012 to 2018.

Hey there! I’m Stephanie Taylor, LCSW, a passionate supporter of children, adults, and families navigating complex emotions and life circumstances. I enjoy helping individuals with anxiety, depression, attention issues, grief and loss, complex trauma, chronic illnesses, self-esteem, career shifts, and relational issues. I believe in making therapy FUN-ctional, unique, and “Taylor” made to meet your needs. I am trained in EMDR, the Trauma Conscious Yoga Method, and I love using an eclectic mix of evidence-based practices to provide a safe space where people feel heard and empowered. Outside of work, I’m a total nerd for reading, baking, sports, attempting to garden, and tolerate working out.

I completed my Masters of Social Work degree in 2014 from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville (Woo Pig Sooie). I was trained in generalist social work and advanced direct practice with multiple systems, as well as advocacy and social policies. Upon completion of my Masters degree, I have worked in non-profit settings, higher education, provided supervision, trainings, and auditing services.

I enjoy serving a variety of populations including children, adolescents and adults.  My target populations are individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship/family issues and adjustment concerns related to life transitions. I utilize evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Strategic Family Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Solution Focused techniques to work towards individualized goals.

I completed my Master's of Social Work degree in 2015 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. I was trained in generalist social work as well as advanced direct practice social work. Upon completion of my Master's, I worked in community mental health from 2015-2021.

Beginning therapy can feel intimidating but valuing your well-being is the first step in the process that can lead to successful outcomes for you and those around you. Whether chronic concerns or short-term situational stressors, we can work together to make steps towards the future you deserve. Therapy doesn’t solve every problem in life but it can help increase understanding of how your experiences have shaped you and how to use this to move in a direction of progress. I place a high value on the therapeutic relationship and look forward to working with you. 

I was born and raised in the Russellville area. I currently live with my husband, 2 children, 2 dogs and 2 cats. I enjoy spending my free time on big and little adventures with my family.

I completed my Masters in Community Counseling from the University of Central Arkansas in 2010. I am trained in general counseling and am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I have worked in non profit settings from 2010 - 2018 and now enjoy working with clients in private practice.

I believe therapy should be a warm, welcoming, and supportive space where clients feel safe to be themselves. My goal is to help each person feel understood, empowered, and equipped to move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and hope.

I focus my practice on working with older teens (16+), college students, and adults navigating life transitions and stressors, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, grief and loss, and communication or relationship challenges.  I utilize a variety of techniques and evidenced based practices including Cognitive Behavioral, Solution-Focused, Strengths-Based Perspective, Gestalt Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, and EMDR Therapy.   

Whether you are facing a difficult season, feeling stuck, or simply looking for support and personal growth, I would be honored to work with you.

I serve a variety of populations including children, adolescents and adults. I enjoy working with those who are struggling to adjust to life stressors or are trying to manage Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or other mental health conditions. I am passionate about suicide prevention and strive to effectively work alongside those struggling with suicidal thoughts and life's overwhelm. Whether you're experiencing a crisis or in need of support during a challenging time of life, I have experience with offering a safe space to explore this. I use evidence-based treatments including Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to support individuals working toward their goals. 

I completed my Masters of Social Work degree in 2015 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Completing my Master's Degree allowed me to work in settings with diverse populations and establish skills that I bring with me to the therapy room. Asking for support is not easy, but the experience of learning about yourself and finding ways to improve your mental health can be so rewarding. I hope to see you soon! 

Brandi is currently providing services via telehealth for River Valley Psychology from a remote office.  She can be reached at 479-970-7981 for information regarding new patient availability, scheduling and appointment times or changes.

Brandi earned her Master of Social Work degree in 2011 from University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she received training in both generalist social work and advanced direct practice. In 2014, she completed training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). In 2017, she completed the National START Coordinator program, specializing in supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) alongside co-occurring mental health conditions.

Brandi is passionate about serving a diverse range of clients, from early childhood through adulthood. She treats a wide variety of mental health concerns, including self-esteem challenges, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, family conflict, psychosis, grief and loss, trauma, and suicidal ideation. She has extensive experience working with children, teens and adults of all ages. Prior to joining River Valley Psychology, Brandi worked for a non-profit community based organization that served children facing numerous challenges, including foster care transitions and adoption, trauma and abuse, and daily life challenges.

In 2018, Brandi completed training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, an extensively researched approach shown to be effective in treating trauma, depression, and anxiety. Most recently, she has also received training in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), and Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy for PTSD.

In addition to her clinical work, Brandi is a trained yoga teacher who incorporates breath work and mindfulness techniques into her practice to support holistic healing and well-being.