Administrative Staff
Shelby Martone
Office Manager
Hello! I'm Shelby and I am the assistant for Lotus Counseling and Wellness. I am very excited to be a part of this wonderful team! I obtained certifications in the medical field in 2016, graduating with a 4.0 GPA. I have gained experience in medical assisting, medical receptionist, scheduling, as well as many other administrative and clerical office settings over the years. I am a mother of an amazing 5-year-old boy who is my entire world and whom I spend all of my free time with.
I am a very versatile person with the compassion to help others in hopes of making someone's day! I will always strive to learn anything new and overcome any challenges brought to me. I look forward to creating strong and trusting relationships with coworkers and clients.
Clinical Staff
Hannah Johns, LMFT/LCSW
Located at the main office
Mental Health Therapist
Works with children ages 4 and older, teens and adults for counseling
Private Pay and Insurance
Hannah graduated from the University of Louisville in 2019 with a Master’s in Social Work and a concentration of Marriage and Family therapy. She earned her full Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2020. Hannah received her LMFT in January of 2022 and her LCSW August 2022. Hannah has worked in many different fields of therapy, including in-home therapy, residential, psychological hospitalization, direct relief efforts, and many different volunteer opportunities.
Hannah believes in the integrity and worth in every human life. Through a humanistic approach, she aims to uplift, support, and show her clients that they have purpose and belong on this earth, no matter their struggles. Every person is worth saving and every life is worth living and growing in. Her approach to counseling includes CBT, Solution Focused, DBT, Bowenian, Positive Psychology and eclectic practices.
Hannah is a holistic healing enthusiast, practicing meditation, sound bathing, crystal healing, tarot, and healing in nature. Hannah additionally like to incorporate art as a healing modality.
Karen Richardson, LMFT
Located at the satellite office
Mental Health Therapist
Works with children ages 4 and up, teens and adults for counseling
Private Pay and Insurance
Karen is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 19 years of experience in behavioral health care working with children and adults. She has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings, providing individual, family and group therapy through community mental health centers and in-home therapy. Karen has worked in other arenas, such as criminal detention, family court service provision, and an intensive outpatient program for dual diagnosis clients -those with a substance abuse and a type of mental health need. She holds a bachelor's degree from Furman University, a Master's degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and earned a post-master's certificate in marriage and family therapy from the University of Louisville. She has specialized expertise in the treatment of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, chemical dependency, child/parenting issues and issues relating to divorce. She can address issues with a Christian foundation, as requested and has a broad range of therapeutic knowledge of grief, trauma, mood stability, and mental illness symptomology and treatment.
Cassandra Roberts, LCSW
Located at the satellite office
Mental Health Therapist
Works with children ages 4 and older, teens, families, and adults for counseling
Private Pay and Insurance
Cassandra received her Master's degree from the University of Louisville in Social Work. She also received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Latin American Studies, as she can provide services in Spanish. Cassandra has dedicated 14 years to the Mental Health field as she was worked with groups, children, teens, families, and adults within inpatient and community settings. Cassandra’s approach to therapy is respect, compassion, and support for self-determination. She prioritizes forming a collaboration to help clients reach their goals. She is committed to helping clients reach their full potential. Cassandra is relatable and approachable when collaborating with clients. Her passion to change stigmas regarding mental health, help others address their trauma, and her own experience with healing led to her path in Mental Health. Her therapeutic modalities are: Family System Trauma Therapy, CBT, Trauma Focused CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy, Play Therapy Techniques, & Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Cassandra’s strong belief in growth, change, and self-compassion drives her desire to provide hope to those in need. Cassandra is excited to be a part of the Lotus family and to promote wellness in our community.
Tynese Vinson, LCSW, LPN
Located at the satellite office
Mental Health Therapist
Works with children ages 4 and older, teens, families, and adults for counseling
Private Pay and Insurance
Tynese is a clinical therapist and licensed practical nurse. Licensed in Michigan and Kentucky with over 10 years experience working as a clinical therapist. She has worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression anxiety and relationship issues.
Her therapy style is warm and interactive treating our clients with compassion dignity and respect. Her approach combines cognitive behavior, humanistic and psychodynamic. She can also provide hypnotherapy if that is an approach the client would like to explore. She will tailor dialogue and treatment plan to meet your specific needs. She specializes in the follow modalities: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Hypnotherapy
"It takes courage to change and to do what is necessary for that change to occur. I look forward to working with you."
Shelly (Michele) Werts, LCSW, RYT-200
Located at the main office
Mental Health Therapist, Reiki Practitioner, Yoga Teacher, Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider, Peristeam Facilitator, Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Warrior Goddess Training Facilitator, Owner
Works with adult women for counseling
Private Pay and Insurance
Shelly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, U.S. Navy Veteran, certified Warrior Goddess Training Facilitator, Bootstrap Stress Management Facilitator, Yoga Teacher, certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider, certified Vaginal Steam facilitator, Ayurvedic Wellness Coach, and Reiki Practitioner. Shelly has been working in the mental health field for over 22 years, starting her career in mental health as a Psychiatric Technician in the U.S. Navy. Shelly worked in Corrections for seven years within behavioral health as a Corrections Officer and Substance Abuse Counselor. Shelly worked for the Veteran's Administration for nine years as a Therapist, and conjointly with DOD for one year in the IDES program. Shelly is trained to work with teens, adults and couples suffering with trauma, anxiety, depression, stress and a variety of other mental health concerns for counseling. Shelly also provides Ayurvedic Wellness Coaching, Vaginal Steam Facilitation, Reiki, teaches Yoga classes, provides individual Yoga sessions; and is specifically trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Problem Solving Therapy, Somatic Psychotherapy, and Mindfulness.
Shelly completed Ayurvedic Health Counselor training through Shakti School, her 200-hour Yoga Teacher certification with Yogaia Yoga School in Louisville, and has completed 24 hours of training in Trauma Centered-Trauma Sensitive Yoga with the Center for Trauma and Embodiment Yoga Program, providing her with the skills to integrate a trauma-informed lens into yoga classes. “I teach yoga that most levels can enjoy and have been practicing yoga on/off since high school. Working in mental health has provided me an opportunity to examine the human condition. I believe it is important to combine body work with mental health therapy through a variety of modalities. There are many pieces to the bigger picture. Providing an atmosphere that encompasses something for everyone to progress in their individual journey to wellbeing has been my dream and guiding post. Yoga and Reiki have been ways for me to bridge the gap between mental health and physical well-being as a therapist and as a trauma survivor. I believe it is important to listen to what our bodies tell us and to never push oneself beyond your edges. While our services do not offer a cure, they are a means to serenity and peace of body, mind and spirit.”
Wellness Staff
Joyce Colwell, RYT 200
Yoga Teacher
Joyce began practicing yoga in 2010. After being away from the mat for a few years,
she began a self-guided journey to better health that included a home yoga practice.
Moving back to Louisville in 2015, she returned to studio practice and reconnected to
something deeper than the physical practice of yoga.
Joyce enjoys personal study of yoga principles and philosophy, with an emphasis on
the yamas and niyamas and how they apply to her modern-day Western life. The
desire to deepen her personal study led to yoga teacher training during 2015-2016,
completing her studies to become a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT200). She enjoys
inspiring and encouraging others to explore the edges of their comfort zones on and
off the yoga mat in a fun and supportive community atmosphere and applying what they discover in their daily lives.
Off the mat, Joyce works with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as a Licensed
Behavior Analyst. She enjoys spending time with her family, grandchildren, a few close friends, and
cuddling with her four-legged fur-baby, Paisley. Joyce believes you are never too old to pursue your
dreams and goals. She enjoys living a healthy lifestyle that has included ultrarunning and is pursuing her goals in female bodybuilding, enjoys multiple styles of yoga, warm sunshine, smiles, hugs and exploring the boundaries of her own comfort zone.
Amy Flannery, Reiki Master, CYT
Reiki Practitioner, Yoga Teacher
Amy has been a student of yoga since early 2000 and began teaching yoga after graduating Teacher Training at Full Moon Yoga in Louisville, KY in 2005. Amy began her Reiki Studies under Rev. Patrice Joy Masterson and completed levels 1, 2, 3 and Master Level in 2011. Amy continues to study energy work and occasionally incorporates vibrational healing with tuning forks and chakra drums during sessions. Amy is the mother of one daughter and two German Shepherds, she is a wife, an avid reader, novice gardener and nature lover!
Jacob Gilbert, LMT
Massage Therapist
Kentucky native born and raised. After graduating from Bullitt East high school in 2003 I persued a career in EMS attaining my EMT-B license. After receiving experience for a number of years I furthered my education and career to receive my paramedic license and associate's degree from Western Kentucky University. I felt inspired to explore alternative/naturopathic healthcare after experiencing years of traditional healthcare. Having grown up in and around my fathers' physical therapy clinic and being told by many of my natural massage ability, I decided to complete massage therapy school and received my massage therapist license. I intend to continue and further my knowledge and career in naturopathic medicine. My philosophy of healing is thus: prevention and maintenance, diet and exercise. An informed and balanced practice of both western/traditional and alternative/naturopathic healthcare practices coupled with a strong individual belief you can feel better.
Katie Morris, LMT
Massage Therapist
Katie was trained at Advanced Massage Therapeutics in Louisville, Kentucky, receiving her state licensure in massage therapy in 2011. Her base training included Swedish and deep tissue massage techniques, injury assessment, kinesiology and anatomy and physiology. Since graduating, Katie has regularly taken continuing education to further her skillset and understanding of the human body. She believes in using the most gentle least invasive methods possible to promote health and wellness. Through classes in meditation, reiki, and reflexology, Katie has developed her view of the person as an integrated whole. "We are a compilation of mind, body, and spirt, and all of these need to be addressed for us to feel healthy and function as our best self." She has a passion for the environment and natural living. In the future she plans to pursue certifications in Thai massage, CST (craniosacral therapy), Manual Lymph drainage, and Lomi Lomi as well as obtaining her RYT (registered yoga teacher) credentials. Katie loves life and wants to help you love it too.
"Massage isn't just a luxury that feels good. It is an important part of self care and integral to the path of health and wellness. It is my dream and desire to one day help spread love and make the world a better place by teaching mindfulness, awareness, coping mechanisms, and healthy lifestyles to children. "
Anna Steinbrenner, RYT 500
Yoga Teacher
Anna is passionate about supporting others to experience radiant health and peace of mind. She has studied various types of yoga including Kundalini, Hatha, Tantra, and Vinyasa and enjoys teaching dynamic classes, full of fluid movement and breath. Drawing upon 12 years of personal practice, she offers embodied understanding of yoga. She believes when we care for our body, we care for our soul.