Paige Tuck is the Executive Director of Synergy Recovery Center. Paige has her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Missouri State University and is a Recognized Associate Substance Abuse Counselor. She has experience working with women in addiction and mental health and has a background in the legal and medical fields. Paige provides individual, couples, EMDR, and family counseling services to the clients served at Synergy Recovery Center. She also facilitates education classes on trauma, mindfulness, relationship issues, parenting, and self-esteem.

417-812-4440
ptuck@synergyrecoverycenter.com

Ann Koetting is the Clinical Director at Synergy Recovery Center. She provides individual, family, and group therapy, and is available for EMDR and trauma counseling. Ann has an undergraduate degree in Marketing and a Master’s degree in Counseling both from Missouri State University. Ann has worked in the field of addictions since 2007 as both a counselor and the Clinical Advisor at Alternative Opportunities Treatment Services. Ann worked at Missouri State University as an Adjunct Professor in the Counseling Department for 5 years. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Nationally Certified Counselor, and is EMDR certified.

417-812-4440
akoetting@synergyrecoverycenter.com

Rhonda Ferguson is the Clinical Director at Synergy Counseling Center. She offers individual, group, couples, and family therapy and facilitates education classes on trauma and various other topics. Rhonda is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Nationally Board Certified Counselor, and a Level Two Missouri Associate Alcohol and Drug Counselor who holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Evangel University. She worked for five years at Preferred Family Healthcare Treatment Services, as a counselor with women in addiction and mental health treatment and later as the Clinical Supervisor. Prior to joining the mental health and substance use treatment field, Rhonda earned an undergraduate and Master’s Degree in Education from Missouri State University, has a background in curriculum design and instruction and taught adolescents in the public school and therapeutic boarding school setting for seven years.

Mackenzie Eibert is completing his provisional licensure for professional counseling at Synergy Counseling Center. Mackenzie earned his Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Missouri State University. Prior to his time in Missouri, Mackenzie earned his Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Anthropology from The University of Tennessee. While in Tennessee, Mackenzie worked as an addictions counselor, helping to serve rural communities there. Now, Mackenzie works with individuals with general mental health concerns, individuals with substance use disorders, and adolescents. Mackenzie utilizes both his personal and professional experiences to aid in providing help to those he serves.

Hi, I’m Julie, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Springfield, Missouri. LCSWs are clinically trained psychotherapists educated through accredited schools of social work, with grounding in systems theory, trauma-informed care, ethics, and the social factors that shape mental health.

I help people navigate anxiety, trauma, burnout, shame, and major life transitions. My goal is to help people become braver with their lives — grounded enough to move toward change without abandoning themselves in the process.

Before becoming a therapist, I spent over two decades in leadership roles across complex systems. I understand the pressure of high expectations, sustained responsibility, and trying to hold everything together. I also bring experience in youth systems, which strengthened my understanding of identity development and the enduring impact of early family experiences.

Often, the patterns that feel heavy or frustrating today developed during times when they served an important role in keeping you safe and whole. Therapy offers space to slow down, be fully seen, and build greater steadiness and clarity. I believe there is wisdom in every part of you — even the parts that feel reactive, exhausted, or guarded.

My approach integrates:
• EMDR for trauma processing
• Internal Family Systems (IFS) / Parts Work
• Somatic Integration & Processing (SIP) for nervous system regulation
• Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)

I specialize in trauma therapy, anxiety treatment, nervous system regulation, and burnout — particularly for women in leadership and high-responsibility roles.

I offer a grounded, collaborative space where you won’t be rushed or pushed. We work at a pace that feels sustainable, with room for both depth and moments of lightness along the way.

If you’re looking for therapy that meets you with both strength and humanity, I’d be honored to connect.

Sara is a counselor at Synergy Counseling Center where she provides individual and family therapy. Prior to Synergy, Sara specialized in working with families addressing trauma and attachment and is trained in Brainspotting as a trauma intervention. Before moving to Missouri, she lived and worked in the Chicago area where she served as an individual and family therapist at a residential treatment facility. She has also served as a family therapist in the Chicago area where she provided multi-systemic therapy for adolescents and their families who were part of the juvenile justice system. Sara also spent several years living and working in Asia before pursuing further education and training in clinical psychology. Sara earned her undergraduate degree in family psychology from Oklahoma Baptist University and her Master’s degree in clinical psychology from Wheaton College. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri and a Nationally Certified Counselor.

Come in, sit down, get comfy. I want my office to be your “safe space” – the place where you can say absolutely anything without fear of judgment. We will start where you are, and figure it out as we go. I’m not a big “therapy techniques” person – I’m more of a “heart to heart” person. I am, however, trained in EMDR, and do find it very useful in providing relief from traumatic memories.

One of my favorite quotes (and I have MANY) is Ram Dass, saying “We’re all just walking each other home.” In my years on this planet, I’ve learned to trust that the Universe is a mysterious and miraculous place. It helps to have someone alongside you as you navigate it.

Elizabeth Buchanan has a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine, which bases much of its curriculum on the work of Dr. John Townsend, co-author of the bestselling Boundaries books. As a PLPC, Elizabeth uses her skills as a full time therapist at Synergy Counseling Center. ELizabeth facilitates a weekly education class at Synergy Executive on Grief and Loss conjoined with group therapy.

Rick Acord joined the Synergy team after completing his internship in 2023. He holds a MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Concordia University Irvine and is a Counselor in Training with the state of Missouri. Rick has a background of working with couples, college students, and teenagers. He uses Emotion Focus Therapy, Choice Theory, and Logo Therapy to help clients find healing. Additionally, he is trained in the Townsend Model and the Gottman Method. He firmly believes in the power of the counseling relationship in that it has the potential to serve as a catalyst for insight, progressive change and overall mental health wellness. He hopes his personal and professional experiences can be an aid for clients in the counseling process.

Jenn is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor. She has worked in the field of addictions and behavioral health for over 20 years. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Southwest Missouri State University. Jenn utilizes a wide variety of evidence-based approaches and has been specifically trained in Motivational Interviewing and EMDR trauma therapy. She is also certified in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI). Jenn has served in a variety of leadership roles for program development and clinical supervision and has implemented innovative models of care to provide holistic approaches to treatment. Jen currently only sees clients via telehealth.

Kim Sallee has worn many hats through the years in her work supporting clients, staff, and the operations of Synergy Counseling Center since it first opened. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Notre Dame and uses her math-magician skills in her current role as Billing Specialist and insurance extraordinaire. Kim is also wrangler of our occasional office pup, Maggie.

Darla Oliver is the Intake Coordinator for Synergy Counseling Center. Darla is the first point of contact for most individuals that we serve and her primary responsibility is ensuring that all current and potential clients are welcomed and eased into the appropriate services and level of care for their specific needs. She also works hard to support the operations and clinical staff on a daily basis to keep things running smoothly and to promote a peaceful and calm wellness atmosphere in our office. She works attentively and personally with new clients to help them choose services that best meet their individual needs. In addition to helping new clients and staff, she works closely with participants of our Intensive Outpatient Program and helps provide structure that best reflects and supports a healthy journey towards recovery. Darla has years of experience in the behavioral health and human services support and administration field and has served on the board of the Jefferson County Toys for Kids program based in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

John Hiley returns to Synergy as Assistant Intake Coordinator greeting and assisting new and current clients in the afternoons. Prior to this, John served as Residential Supervisor at Synergy Executive followed by a brief period away. In his role at Synergy Counseling Center, John is the first point of contact for many individuals that we serve and his primary responsibility is ensuring that all current and potential clients are welcomed and eased into the appropriate services and level of care for their specific needs. He also works hard to support the operations and clinical staff on a daily basis to keep things running smoothly and to promote a peaceful and calm wellness atmosphere in our office.