A TRUSTWORTHY TEAM OF PROFESSIONAL THERAPISTS
Women Supporting Women
Tammy Coker
Tammy Coker is a Licensed Professional Counselor, EMDR and Internal Family Systems Trained Clinician with a decade of experience in the field of mental health, primarily spent as a clinician in the Addictions Intensive Outpatient Program at Shephearst Meadows. She specializes in women's issues including betrayal trauma, divorce recovery, and narcissistic abuse in her private practice here. Beyond her training in Marriage and Family Therapy, Tammy has experience that she brings to the therapy room from her own life's journey-- parenting into adulthood; divorce recovery; partner betrayal trauma; spiritual formation; marriage and relationships; career counseling; and codependency issues. Her greatest core belief is that there is always hope for a better future. When out of the office, Tammy enjoys gardening, traveling with her husband to beautiful destinations, as well as spending time with their six children and three precious grandchildren.
Mary Kathryn Evans
Mary Kathryn Evans is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Yoga Teacher, and EMDR trained clinician. She joined the Shephearst Meadows team in 2021, bringing an integrated approach to therapy, and trauma-informed yoga to the group. In her private practice, she concentrates on eating disorders, body image, and related women's issues. Mary Kathryn incorporates a whole person approach - mind, body, and spirit - in her treatment of adolescents and adult women. She and her husband, Hunter, love being part of the Jackson community through the Belhaven neighborhood and membership at Redeemer Church. When she's not with clients, you can find Mary Kathryn with her daughter, Amelia, curled up with her Labradoodle, Ellis, and a good book.
Courtney Layson
Courtney Layson is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Sex Addictions/ Multiple Addictions Therapist who specializes in the treatment of female sex and love addiction. She has two decades of experience treating trauma and addiction and utilizes these skills in her group work and private practice at Shephearst Meadows. In addition, she maintains her commitments and practice at Layson Counseling Group, where she and her husband co-facilitate individual, and couples work together. A Jackson native, Courtney currently lives in Madison with her husband Steve and their three children. In her free time, she can be found cooking, attempting to garden, and spoiling her labradoodle, Georgia.
Julia Weems
Julia Weems is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and EMDR Trained Clinician with two decades of experience in the mental health field. In her private practice at Shephearst Meadows, she specializes in the treatment of complex trauma. Julia is passionate in her work to facilitate healing for survivors of abuse and individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, and loss. A Birmingham native, Julia has called Jackson home since 2007. In her spare time, she enjoys performing with St. Brigid’s (an all-female Celtic ensemble) or just playing music at home with friends and family. She lives in Fondren with her husband and their two children.
Gayle Wimberly
Gayle Wimberly is a Licensed Professional Counselor whose clinical contribution in our mental health community has been far reaching and touched the lives of many individuals and families. Her early training and certification as a substance abuse professional paved the way for other women in the state of Mississippi to aspire and accomplish the same. Her commitment to community mental health led her to clinical positions with Saint Dominic’s Behavioral Health and MEA Cares. After twenty years of service and advocating for patients, she retired for five years only to find a renewed interest to return to her calling. In 2020, she joined the Shephearst Meadows team and opened a private practice to work with those experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, codependence, trauma, and life transitions. Patient advocacy remains crucial as is her desire to create a safe environment where clients can find the inner strength to create lasting change. Spending evenings and weekends with family, time in the pool with her five grandchildren and cheering them on at soccer games or gymnastics, is the highlight of her time way from work.
“The compassion I felt from the therapists was amazing. I really enjoyed the small group setting. Hearing from other women and their experiences contributed to my own self-acceptance and healing. As I continue to grow, I hope to set good examples and influence others in a positive way.”
