Meet the Team
Jenny Vaughn, LCMHC
CEO/TherapistCo-founder of Vaughn acres Counseling, Jenny is a local to the area, growing up in Brunswick county.
Jenny has 5 years experience as a therapist. She works well with trauma, life-adjustments, personality disorders, anxiety, depression, and attachment work. With working with Jenny, you will find that I strive to provide a comfortable space for connection and intervention.
Jenny operates using an eclectic approach in favor of the therapeutic inventions needed for the client’s personal needs. Jenny has experience in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), AAT-I (Animal Assisted Therapy and Interventions), CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavioral therapy), Person-centered approaches, and solution focused techniques.
Jenny is also a certified Aromatherapist.
The mission is to provide a personalized, plant-based wellness experiences that nurture the body, calm the mind, and support emotional healing. The blending science and intuition helps clients reconnect with themselves through the therapeutic power of essential oils. Whether you're seeking stress relief, emotional balance, or simply a moment to breathe, the mission is to provide a safe and supportive space for your healing journey.
Hannah Parham LCSW
TherapistA Wilmington native, Hannah is passionate about seeing the community she loves thrive. Hannah attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where she received her Bachelor’s in Social Work and her Master’s in Clinical Social Work.
Hannah’s background working with survivors of human trafficking deeply shaped her trauma-informed approach to therapy. She integrates this experience with a deep commitment to healing, offering a safe, supportive space for individuals to process traumas and reclaim their sense of agency.
In addition to her trauma work, Hannah specializes in working with individuals navigating anxiety, life transitions, and the complexities of chronic illness and pain. Her practice has a particular focus on supporting women’s health, including endometriosis and pelvic pain disorders. She recognizes that these experiences extend beyond physical symptoms, often impacting emotional well-being and daily life.
Her therapeutic approach is compassionate, collaborative, and tailored to your unique needs. She draws from evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), person-centered approaches, and solution-focused techniques.
Frances Danner LCMHCA
TherapistFrances completed her bachelor's degree at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and her Master’s of Clinical Mental Health at Liberty University.
Frances has worked under Dr. Christina Strayer for two years as an Equine specialist. Dr. Christina Strayer has inspired her to become an Animal Assisted Therapist and specialize in Equine facilitated psychotherapy. Frances has 15+ years equine experience which included owning and operating a horseback riding lesson program where she offered showing, training and lessons.
Frances has worked for the past 10 years with Mane and Tail Therapeutic Horsemanship Academy providing therapy for adults and children with disabilities. Frances uses a client centered approach and offers equine facilitated psychotherapy, animal assisted therapy, nature therapy and in the office therapy.
Frances has a passion with working with littles, young adults, and families. Frances works through interventions such as Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Animal Assisted Therapy and Interventions (AAT-I), Assisting with life adjustments and life stressors through trauma, PTSD, anxiety and depression.
Marissa Akers LCMHCA
TherapistMarissa is a therapist who understands the pressure to keep performing — even when you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or unsure who you are outside of your achievements. She loves working with teens, college students, and adults navigating anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, stress, burnout, and depression, especially those who feel like they’re barely staying afloat in a world that expects them to be everything to everyone.
A former college athlete and cancer survivor, Marissa knows firsthand what it’s like to live in a high-pressure environment where strength is expected and vulnerability is often overlooked. As someone who also lives with chronic illness, she brings a deep understanding of how physical and emotional health intersect. She enjoys helping clients build confidence, strengthen self-worth, have honest conversations, and gently untangle perfectionism and people-pleasing patterns that no longer serve them.
Marissa takes an integrative, client-centered approach to therapy, often incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based practices. Faith-based counseling is available upon request. She is mindful of cultural and developmental influences on treatment and tailors therapy to each individual’s unique needs, goals, and preferences.
Clients often describe Marissa’s style as straightforward yet light-hearted — a space where honesty, humor, and compassion coexist. Her licensed animal-assisted therapy dog, Azula, brings a fun, quirky, and heart-warming presence into sessions, offering comfort, connection, and a little extra joy along the way. Marissa values being both a steady, supportive presence and someone who genuinely cares about her clients and their growth.
Marissa earned her Bachelor of Science in Micro and Molecular Biology from Knox College in Illinois and her Master’s degree in Counseling from Indiana Wesleyan University. Post-graduation, she has worked in foster care systems, reunification services, and private practice, gaining experience supporting individuals and families through complex transitions and life challenges.
Kara Howell, Clinical Intern
Kara is a graduate clinical intern at Vaughn Acres Counseling, currently pursuing her Master of Social Work through the Advanced Standing program at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, with an anticipated graduation date of December 2026. She is completing her Practicum in Direct Practice at Vaughn Acres Counseling.
Kara came to social work with the belief that real change starts at the personal level, in meaningful moments between two people. Her goal is to make a genuine difference in her community, one person at a time. She is passionate about meeting clients exactly where they are, honoring their experiences, and walking alongside them as they grow.
Kara holds a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and brings a diverse background to her clinical work, including minors in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Assistance Dog Training, as well as current experience interning with the Chief District Court Judge in New Hanover County.
Kara is currently developing her skills in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Narrative Therapy, and is eager to continue learning and growing as a clinician. Above all, she hopes every person she works with leaves feeling a little more seen, a little more supported, and better than when they came in.
