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 was first introduced to therapy at a young age after help was sought out because he struggled with anxiety and academically. After experiencing the impact and lasting changes that counseling provides, John started his journey by seeking to support others, first as a teacher and then as a counselor in the schools. Receiving that experience, John realized he could give back most meaningfully through offering care as a therapist in private practice.
Earning his master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, John is dually licensed as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA) and Professional School Counselor.
Bringing a solution-focused, strength-based approach to treatment by supporting success and well-being, John works to build strong, trusting relationships as well as empowering recognition of one’s own resilience and capabilities.
Grounded in the belief that we all hold the potential to grow, John builds partnerships in sessions to identify practical strategies and build on strengths to navigate emotional, social, and life’s challenges. John is passionate about creating safe, supportive environments where growth can thrive.
Lily Hackman
B.S./MSW/LCSWA
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Lily Hackman is a Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate (LCSWA) who brings warmth, positivity, and a calm presence to her work with children, adolescents, and young adults. With a passion for helping young people thrive, Lily offers individualized, evidence-based counseling to support challenges related to anxiety, emotional regulation, ADHD, executive functioning, life transitions, and social skill development.
Lily works with clients ranging from ages 5 through college, utilizing a somatic and strengths-based approach that helps children and teens develop awareness of how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. She enjoys integrating creativity, movement, and play for young children into her sessions and creates a welcoming therapeutic environment where clients feel safe, heard, and understood. Her goal is to help each child recognize their unique strengths and feel confident expressing them in the world.
Before becoming a therapist, Lily worked as a Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT), providing direct support to children on the autism spectrum through the use of applied behavior analysis (ABA) strategies to help them develop communication, social, and daily living skills. This hands-on experience deepened her commitment to working with neurodiverse children and inspired her to pursue graduate training in clinical social work.
Lily earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her Master of Social Work from UNC Charlotte. She is dedicated to partnering with families and helping each child, adolescent, and young adult feel empowered, supported, and resilient as they navigate life’s challenges.
Bridgette Carita
B.A./M.Ed./LCMHC/NCC
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As a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina, Bridgette brings over 15 years of experience walking alongside children, adolescents, and families with care and compassion. She believes that when given the right tools and support, every child has the ability to grow through their challenges and thrive. Whether she’s helping a student manage big feelings, build confidence, or improve executive functioning skills, Bridgette uses a warm, strengths-based approach tailored to each child’s needs.
She provides counseling services for school-aged children through teens and offers support in areas such as anxiety, emotional regulation, ADHD, executive functioning, social skills, and school accommodations. With her background as a school counselor in elementary, middle, and high school settings, Bridgette understands the importance of bridging emotional wellness and academic success.
Bridgette earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Radford University and her Master’s degree in Counseling Education from Virginia Tech.
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.