Meet Our Team!
Dr. Lisa Pennington
CEO and Clinical Director
B.A./M.A./Ed.S./Ph.D.
NC Licensed Psychologist
Psychologists
Andriette Farmer
B.S./M.S./Ed.S.
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Andriette Farmer is a Licensed Psychological Associate and a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. She received her undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech and her Master of Science in Psychology and Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology from Radford University. Before transitioning into private practice, she worked for several years as a School Psychologist within the school system. Andriette Farmer has been the Lead Psychologist at LPA for over 16 years. She is passionate about helping students and their families better understand their unique learning styles and emotional needs to promote optimal social, emotional, and academic development.
Dr. Kensleigh Hogan
B.A./M.A./PsyD
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Dr. Kensleigh Hogan is a licensed psychologist at Lisa Pennington and Associates, PLLC (Carolina Minds, PLLC). She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Pittsburgh and received her doctoral degree from Duquesne University. She has received training in both the school system and private practice settings.
Dr. Hogan specializes in working with children from early childhood through college, offering tailored, user-friendly assessments and a range of services to meet your family's unique needs. Her collaborative approach ensures that she works closely with both you and your child, partnering with schools when necessary to create a supportive and seamless experience. Whether your family is navigating learning challenges or emotional development, Dr. Hogan is here to help your child thrive while providing the guidance and care your family deserves.
Dr. Hogan’s services are designed to support children and families through various challenges. Her specialties include thorough and insightful Psychological Evaluations, addressing Social-Emotional Challenges, Parenting Guidance, School Consultation & Intervention Meetings, Potty Training & Sleep Challenges, Tantrum Management, and more.
Whether your family is dealing with learning differences, ADHD, social skills development, or behavioral concerns, Dr. Hogan is dedicated to providing guidance and support at every step. By partnering with families and schools, she creates individualized strategies to nurture the unique needs of each child and family.
Dr. Amelia Klass
B.A./M.S./Ph.D. (Post Doctoral Fellow)
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Dr. Klass is a post-doctoral fellow at Lisa Pennington and Associates, PLLC (Carolina Minds, PLLC). She recently earned her Ph.D. in School Psychology and completed her doctoral internship under the supervision of Dr. Lisa Pennington at the same practice. Dr. Klass holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Miami University and a Master of Science in Education with a focus on Child Psychology from Duquesne University. With extensive experience in both school settings and private practice, she is committed to supporting children and families through comprehensive evaluations and individualized therapy. Dr. Klass believes that children express themselves through their behavior and is passionate about helping them find healthier, more effective ways to communicate their needs. She deeply values the opportunity to connect with children personally and empower them and their families to foster growth and well-being.
Counselors
John Frazier
B.A./M.Ed./LCMHC-A
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John Frazier is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate and former school counselor who brings compassion, personal insight, and a deep understanding of the challenges children and teens face today. His own early experiences with therapy and academic challenges inspired a lifelong commitment to helping others—first as a teacher, then as a school-based counselor, and now in private practice.
John supports school-aged children through young adulthood, helping with anxiety, academic stress, emotional regulation, social struggles, and life transitions. He believes in meeting each client where they are, building strong therapeutic relationships, and working collaboratively to uncover practical strategies that foster resilience and growth. His approach is strengths-based and grounded in evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to help young people shift unhelpful thought patterns and build healthier coping skills.
John holds a Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is dually licensed as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA) and Professional School Counselor. He is passionate about creating a warm, supportive environment where children and families feel heard, understood, and empowered to grow.
Lily Hackman
B.S./MSW/LCSWA
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Lily Hackman is a Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate who brings warmth, positivity, and a calm, steady presence to her work with children, teens, and young adults. She is passionate about helping young people build resilience, confidence, and healthy coping strategies as they navigate life’s challenges.
Lily works with clients ages 4 through college, offering individualized counseling for concerns such as anxiety, emotional regulation, ADHD, executive functioning, social skills, and life transitions. Her therapeutic approach is somatic and strengths-based, helping clients understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. She integrates evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based strategies, and often incorporates creativity, movement, and play to keep sessions engaging and supportive.
Before becoming a therapist, Lily worked as a Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT), providing direct support to children on the autism spectrum using applied behavior analysis (ABA) to build communication, social, and daily living skills. This experience sparked her commitment to neurodiversity-affirming care and shaped her gentle, individualized approach to therapy.
Lily earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her Master of Social Work from UNC Charlotte. She is dedicated to building strong connections with families and helping each client feel empowered, seen, and supported.
Bridgette Carita
B.A./M.Ed./LCMHC/NCC
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Bridgette Carita is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with over 15 years of experience supporting children, teens, and families. Known for her warm and compassionate approach, she helps young people navigate challenges such as anxiety, emotional regulation, ADHD, executive functioning, social skills, and overall well-being.
Now working in private practice, Bridgette creates a supportive and engaging space where children feel safe to explore their emotions, build coping skills, and grow in confidence. She tailors her approach to meet each child’s unique needs, using a blend of evidence-based strategies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), play-based techniques, and parent collaboration to support lasting growth.
With a strong background as a former school counselor, Bridgette brings valuable insight into the emotional and academic demands children face today. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Radford University and her Master’s degree in Counseling Education from Virginia Tech. Bridgette works with school-aged children through adolescence and is passionate about helping them thrive at home, in school, and life.
Academic Support
Elaine Pennington
B.A./M.A.
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B.A./M.A.
Elaine Pennington has dedicated her life to the field of education, raising three daughters while simultaneously supporting the academic success of countless students over the years. With over 30 years of classroom teaching experience and more than a decade of private academic tutoring, Mrs. Pennington brings both expertise and heart to her work with children and families.
Driven by a deep passion for helping children thrive, she transitioned directly from retirement into private tutoring, motivated by the belief that every child deserves to reach their full potential. She specializes in providing individualized intervention support in the areas of reading, written expression, math, test-taking strategies, homework management, and organization and study skills.
Mrs. Pennington’s impact extends far beyond academics. She has attended many student graduations—often at the invitation of former students who credit her unwavering dedication and encouragement as key to their success. Her tenacity, patience, and genuine desire to see every student succeed are what make her not just an exceptional tutor but a lifelong advocate for children.
She is also a proud grandmother of eight and great-grandmother of four, continuing to inspire multiple generations through her love of learning and service to others.