Meet The Team
Who We Are
Karen Grisham, MS
Executive Director
Karen Grisham graduated from Auburn University with a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2000. She began work at The Healing Place in 2001 setting up the programs and services based on The Dougy Center model, which is from The National Center for Grieving Children.
She has completed numerous trainings on grief and bereavement and is responsible for creating our In-School Bereavement Program in 2002. As Director of The Healing Place Karen is responsible for the supervision of staff and day to day operations of our facility. She writes grants and assists with fundraisers to ensure the long-term success of The Healing Place.
Karen enjoys spending time with family and friends, being on the river and cooking. She is married, has 2 teenage daughters, 3 dogs and a cat.
256-383-7133 ext-101
Katie McWilliams, LICSW-PIP
School Program and Crisis Coordinator
Katie serves as the School Program and Crisis Coordinator for The Healing Place. She has been working with The Healing Place in various ways since 2015. Katie has a wealth of experience in the field of social work including working with DHR, veterans, community mental health, and more.
Katie enjoys volunteering and advocating with community organizations who focus on Substance Abuse, Child Adolescent Mental Health, Child Welfare, Domestic Violence, and Victims of Crime. Katie has three children, 2 girls and 1 boy who keep her extraordinarily busy anytime she is not working. She is usually volunteering for all their activities as well.
Katie stated: “I really believe in the work The Healing Place accomplishes with local children, teens, and families. We provide support, often during desperate times and tragedies, for families without the barriers of finances, transportation, referrals, insurance claims, etc. The skills THP teach our clients while navigating Grief will assist them throughout their lives in navigating the majority of life experiences as adults.”
256-383-7133 ext-106
Lexie Mauldon, ALC, NCC, CFLE
under the supervision of Michelle Bolton, LPC-S
she/her
Development and Family Services Coordinator
Lexie Mauldon serves as the Development and Family Services Coordinator for The Healing Place. Lexie attended the University of North Alabama where she received her Bachelor's degree in Sociology with a minor in Family Studies. She received her Certificate in Family Life Education as well. Lexie continued her education through UNA and received her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor.
At The Healing Place, Lexie specializes in working with teenagers and providing an open and safe environment for them to express emotions and experiences. Lexie is passionate about providing affirming practices and about multicultural competence and advocacy in counseling. Lexie has experience working with children, teens, and adults who have experienced trauma, life transitions, grief, anxiety, depression, and interpersonal conflict. Lexie also develops group and individual curricula for The Healing Place and helps run social media and marketing campaigns.
In her free time, Lexie is a lover of art, especially literature, and spends time exposing herself to new foods and experiences as often as she can. You can find her at a concert, a new restaurant, or spending time at a coffee shop on any given afternoon.
256-383-7133 ext- 105
Brooke Leonard, MA, NCC
she/her
Clinical Coordinator
Brooke Leonard is from Florence, AL. She graduated from Wilson High School in 2012 then attended the University of North Alabama where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Sociology with a minor in Family Studies. Brooke joined the team at The Healing Place as an intern in January of 2021. After graduating with her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from UNA in December 2021, she began working part-time as Clinical Coordinator at The Healing Place.
As Clinical Coordinator, Brooke visits local elementary, junior high, and high schools monthly to facilitate Healing Hearts grief support groups. Brooke also sees individual clients in-office and helps prepare and lead in-office groups twice a month in addition to various other responsibilities. Brooke is a Nationally Certified Counselor. Her special interests in the field of counseling include: work with foster and adoptive families, families enduring loss, and work with veterans.
Brooke and her husband have one daughter, one dog, and one cat. Brooke enjoys reading, learning, listening to music, being outdoors, and spending quality time with her family and friends.