Counseling in Gray, TN
About Appalachian Christian Counseling
Welcome to Appalachian Christian Counseling, a non-denominational fellowship of Christian counselors dedicated to supporting individuals and families in crisis across the Tri-Cities, TN. We offer compassionate, faith-based counseling for those facing challenges like family strife, depression, financial difficulties, or spiritual uncertainty. Our diverse team of skilled professionals provides personalized care in a warm and welcoming environment.
At Appalachian Christian Counseling, you’re not just receiving counseling—you’re joining a community committed to helping you find hope, healing, and renewed strength through your journey.
At Appalachian Christian Counseling, you’re not just receiving counseling—you’re joining a community committed to helping you find hope, healing, and renewed strength through your journey.
Healing begins when you feel heard, understood, and supported.
Meet the Providers
Thaddeus Noto
M.Div., LPC, MAC, C-DBT, & Life Coach
Owner/Operator Appalachian Christian Counseling
Counseling for Marriage & Family, Addiction & Personality Issues.
Thad has been a local counselor for over 20 years with specializations in family conflict, relationship issues, substance use concerns, addiction issues, and personality disorders. He has trainings in Gottman Method Marriage Therapy, Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and STEPPS for personality disorders.
(423) 306-3866
Counseling for Marriage & Family, Addiction & Personality Issues.
Thad has been a local counselor for over 20 years with specializations in family conflict, relationship issues, substance use concerns, addiction issues, and personality disorders. He has trainings in Gottman Method Marriage Therapy, Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and STEPPS for personality disorders.
(423) 306-3866
Kody Hodge
M.A., A-LPC/MHSP & Life Coach
M.A., A-LPC/MHSP & Life Coach
Kody takes a person-centered approach with her clients and enjoys helping clients achieve their goals whether it be in relationships, career fields, academics, or emotional concerns. She has experience with children, adolescents, and adults including parents who aren't sure what avenue to take next. She is also a certified SYMBIS pre-marital counseling facilitator to help get your marriage off to a great start!
Kody would love to work with you (or your family) to help reduce negative emotions, improve areas of struggle in your life, and work toward the happy, healthy you that you desire to be.
She graduated from Liberty University with a bachelor's degree in Religion and a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
(423) 788-4208
Kody would love to work with you (or your family) to help reduce negative emotions, improve areas of struggle in your life, and work toward the happy, healthy you that you desire to be.
She graduated from Liberty University with a bachelor's degree in Religion and a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
(423) 788-4208
Alisha Ratliff
M.Ed., (Pre-licensed Counselor)Alisha is a clinical counseling intern from Lindsey Wilson College. She will be graduating in April 2024 and has experience working with children and adolescents. She also enjoys working with adults and families. She believes in the importance of individualized care and uses an empathetic and collaborative approach to therapy. By creating a warm and non-judgmental environment, she establishes a strong therapeutic alliance with her clients. Alisha prefers to use a blended approach of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), person-centered therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions to help her clients improve their daily lives and maintain emotional health and positive well-being.
On Sabbatical
On Sabbatical
Joyce Lawson Noto
Ed.D., LMSW
Joyce Noto is from Hawkins County and Kingsport and wouldn’t live anywhere else! She graduated from Church Hill High School and went to work at Eastman as a teenager. After raising 2 children and seeing her husband stricken with a preventable illness from which he died a prolonged and horrible death, she became an advocate for people with hemophilia infected with HIV due to lax safety standards and successfully got relief for them through Congress. Following his death, she went to school to become a social worker, earning an associates degree from North East State, a BSW from ETSU, M. Ed. in School Counseling from Carson-Newman, MSSW from UT-K, Ed. S. from Lincoln Memorial, and a doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Argosy-Sarasota, but she is still the simple Appalachian girl she always was. She worked in the Sullivan County and Washington County schools, retiring as a School Counselor, but now is focused on an intensive outpatient program for adults with substance use disorders.
(423) 306-3866
(423) 306-3866
Erica Hubbard, MA
"M.A., LPC/MSHP (Owner/Operator of Porch Swing Counseling TN)
Erica is a counselor, wife, and proud Momma of four (two biological and two bonus kids). She received her Master's degree in Counseling from East Tennessee State University. She lives in Northeast Tennessee and feels most at home outdoors — whether she's fishing, kayaking, walking country roads, or working out to clear her head and reconnect with her body.
Before she became a counselor, she spent years as a stay-at-home Momma. That experience gave her a deep understanding of how women and caregivers often lose themselves while pouring everything into others. She's walked through identity shifts, seasons of overwhelm, and the quiet ache of wondering, what about me?
Porch Swing Counseling TN was born from that place — to create a space where people feel safe, supported, and grounded as they rediscover who they are and what they need.
Erica works with adults navigating anxiety, grief, burnout, life transitions, and caregiver stress. She has a heart for serving women, blended families, and individuals from rural communities where seeking mental health care may still feel unfamiliar or even stigmatized.
Her style is warm, honest, and practical. She uses evidence-based therapies like ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and mindfulness techniques to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Faith is a personal and meaningful part of her life, and she is comfortable integrating Christian values into counseling when it’s important to you — and equally comfortable meeting you where you are, regardless of belief.
Whether meeting in person or online, her hope is that your time together feels like sitting on a quiet porch swing — honest, steady, and full of hope.
(423) 430-6581
Before she became a counselor, she spent years as a stay-at-home Momma. That experience gave her a deep understanding of how women and caregivers often lose themselves while pouring everything into others. She's walked through identity shifts, seasons of overwhelm, and the quiet ache of wondering, what about me?
Porch Swing Counseling TN was born from that place — to create a space where people feel safe, supported, and grounded as they rediscover who they are and what they need.
Erica works with adults navigating anxiety, grief, burnout, life transitions, and caregiver stress. She has a heart for serving women, blended families, and individuals from rural communities where seeking mental health care may still feel unfamiliar or even stigmatized.
Her style is warm, honest, and practical. She uses evidence-based therapies like ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and mindfulness techniques to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Faith is a personal and meaningful part of her life, and she is comfortable integrating Christian values into counseling when it’s important to you — and equally comfortable meeting you where you are, regardless of belief.
Whether meeting in person or online, her hope is that your time together feels like sitting on a quiet porch swing — honest, steady, and full of hope.
(423) 430-6581
Meet the Interns
Interns are students who are participating in a graduate program to obtain their master's degree in clinical counseling.
Internships are required to meet the criteria for graduating and offer the student the opportunity to practice what they have learned in a clinical setting with experienced counselor supervision. It's the first step to helping the student learn what it is like to sit in the chair and spread their wings for their counseling career.
Internships are required to meet the criteria for graduating and offer the student the opportunity to practice what they have learned in a clinical setting with experienced counselor supervision. It's the first step to helping the student learn what it is like to sit in the chair and spread their wings for their counseling career.
Rachel Mohler
B.S.
Hi! My name is Rachel Mohler and I have a Bachelor Science in Elementary Education . I am currently working on my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy with an emphasis on Addictions and I have first hand knowledge of how that affects not only the addict, but the family as well.
My goal as a therapist is to help people realize that they are not defined by their problems and/or their current life circumstance. That together, they can be given the tools that they need to change their narrative and live life they want. One step at a time. I look forward to hearing from you.
423-557-7030
My goal as a therapist is to help people realize that they are not defined by their problems and/or their current life circumstance. That together, they can be given the tools that they need to change their narrative and live life they want. One step at a time. I look forward to hearing from you.
423-557-7030
Havvah Powell,
M.A.
M.A.
Havvah Powell is a counseling intern through Wake Forest University pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. A third culture kid, she earned a nursing degree from Kent State University and also holds a master’s degree in Biblical History and Geography with an emphasis in anthropology and Hebrew. She lived and studied overseas for three years, experiences that shaped her cross-cultural perspective and appreciation for diverse backgrounds, relationships, and personal experiences.
Together with her husband, she is raising four children and serves as a foster parent. Her clinical interests include trauma, children and adolescents, addiction, and interpersonal conflict in both personal and professional relationships. She uses a patient-centered approach and incorporates Motivational Interviewing and Internal Family Systems to support clients in building insight, resilience, self-awareness, and meaningful change.
(423) 426-6634
Together with her husband, she is raising four children and serves as a foster parent. Her clinical interests include trauma, children and adolescents, addiction, and interpersonal conflict in both personal and professional relationships. She uses a patient-centered approach and incorporates Motivational Interviewing and Internal Family Systems to support clients in building insight, resilience, self-awareness, and meaningful change.
(423) 426-6634
Rebecca Mott
B.S.
Hello, my name is Rebecca Mott, and I am currently pursuing my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University, with a specialized focus on trauma therapy. My academic journey is rooted in a deep passion for faith-integrated care, holding a bachelor’s degree in religion and Christian Counseling.
I can bring a unique combination of theological grounding and clinical training to provide compassionate, holistic support to individuals navigating life’s most difficult challenges. My focus on trauma therapy reflects my commitment to walking alongside clients as they heal, find resilience, and reclaim hope.
My faith and professional calling bring a Christ-centered perspective to counseling, honoring the connection between spiritual well-being and emotional health. I am committed to creating a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel seen, heard, and supported on their journey toward healing and wholeness.
(423) 707-9267
I can bring a unique combination of theological grounding and clinical training to provide compassionate, holistic support to individuals navigating life’s most difficult challenges. My focus on trauma therapy reflects my commitment to walking alongside clients as they heal, find resilience, and reclaim hope.
My faith and professional calling bring a Christ-centered perspective to counseling, honoring the connection between spiritual well-being and emotional health. I am committed to creating a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel seen, heard, and supported on their journey toward healing and wholeness.
(423) 707-9267
Jill Smith
B.A.
B.A.
Hello, I’m Jill. My passion is walking with people and helping them to rekindle hope and find their strength, peace, and purpose again. I enjoy working with adults and adolescents. My personal interests in counseling are varied and include trauma, crisis, depression, anxiety, anger, and grief to name a few. My personal story involves childhood trauma, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
As a Christian, I hold to Biblical principles by meeting you where you are with compassion, dignity, understanding, truthfulness, and the love of Christ. I will respect your personal choice whether you decide to make faith/spiritual integration a part your counseling journey or not. I also believe in the multicultural counseling approach. I will strive to respect your personal culture and values. I will hold your concerns nonjudgmentally and give you the space and compassion you need to sort through your circumstances and move toward healing.
My husband and I moved from Texas to the Tri-Cities area of TN about two years ago. I am a retired law enforcement officer from an agency in the DFW area of Texas. I love helping fellow first responders move towards relief, restoration, and resilience in overcoming cumulative, work-based stress and trauma and other life issues. During my police career, I became a member of my agency’s Public Safety Wellness Unit which provides trained peer support for first responders (fire, police, detention, EMS, dispatch, etc.). I am trained in Critical Incident Stress Management & Assisting Individuals in Crisis through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc. I assisted my agency with on-duty critical incident group debriefings and individual peer counseling.
Education: B.S. Psychology: Crisis Counseling degree; Certificate in Critical Incident Stress Management & Assisting Individuals in Crisis through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc.; Light University Biblical Counseling certificates in Caring for People God’s Way and Extraordinary Women (women’s issues).
Currently: M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling student
Member: American Association of Christian Counselors; the American Counseling Association; Psi Chi International Honor Society in Counseling
(423) 276-6299
As a Christian, I hold to Biblical principles by meeting you where you are with compassion, dignity, understanding, truthfulness, and the love of Christ. I will respect your personal choice whether you decide to make faith/spiritual integration a part your counseling journey or not. I also believe in the multicultural counseling approach. I will strive to respect your personal culture and values. I will hold your concerns nonjudgmentally and give you the space and compassion you need to sort through your circumstances and move toward healing.
My husband and I moved from Texas to the Tri-Cities area of TN about two years ago. I am a retired law enforcement officer from an agency in the DFW area of Texas. I love helping fellow first responders move towards relief, restoration, and resilience in overcoming cumulative, work-based stress and trauma and other life issues. During my police career, I became a member of my agency’s Public Safety Wellness Unit which provides trained peer support for first responders (fire, police, detention, EMS, dispatch, etc.). I am trained in Critical Incident Stress Management & Assisting Individuals in Crisis through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc. I assisted my agency with on-duty critical incident group debriefings and individual peer counseling.
Education: B.S. Psychology: Crisis Counseling degree; Certificate in Critical Incident Stress Management & Assisting Individuals in Crisis through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc.; Light University Biblical Counseling certificates in Caring for People God’s Way and Extraordinary Women (women’s issues).
Currently: M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling student
Member: American Association of Christian Counselors; the American Counseling Association; Psi Chi International Honor Society in Counseling
(423) 276-6299
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Counseling at Appalachian Christian Counseling?
Counseling involves a safe and supportive environment where a trained professional helps you navigate personal challenges. Through compassionate guidance, we address issues like anxiety, family conflict, and spiritual uncertainty to foster healing and personal growth.
Is Counseling Safe?
Yes, counseling is a safe process led by experienced professionals who respect your privacy and provide a judgment-free space for exploration and healing.
How long does each session last at Appalachian Christian Counseling?
Every client has unique needs, therefore the time length can vary. Typically, a session at Appalachian Christian Counseling lasts between 60 and 90 minutes.
What Should I Expect in My First Session?
In your first session, we’ll discuss your concerns, goals, and any questions you have. It’s a relaxed conversation to help us understand how best to support you. This is also an opportunity for you to see if our counseling approach feels right for you.
Discover Hope and Healing
Take the first step towards a brighter future with our compassionate counseling services. Contact us today to schedule your consultation—no obligation required.