Hi, I'm Rikki and I'm the owner of Bent Tree Counseling.
I know that choosing a counselor is one of the most important parts about counseling. Read through my bio and see if I seem like someone you could connect with.
CREDENTIALS
Dr. Rikki Permenter is licensed with the State of Louisiana as a Licensed Professional Counselor - Supervisor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She also holds a credentialing as a National Certified Counselor.
EDUCATION
Dr. Rikki Permenter is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Family, Child, & Consumer Science. She is also a graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with two masters, a Masters of Arts in Marriage & Family Counseling and a Masters of Theology. She is also holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology & Counseling from New Orleans Baptist.
MISCELLANEOUS
Dr. Rikki Permenter is originally from Zachary, Louisiana. She loves (in no specific order) yoga, the beach, Burt's Bees chapstick, weenie dogs, Jesus, and Community Coffee - Between Roast only. She's backpacked Central America, lived in Texas for a minute, and on Maui for a year. She loves to travel and has been to 12 countries since graduating college. If she isn't at CC's borrowing their internet you can find her at a Silliman football game, watching The Office on Netflix with her husband (check him out here, or here, or here) , hanging out with her weenie dog (because she is hilarious), or chasing around the cutest girls on the block, Hudson James & Magnolia Ruth.
EXPERIENCE
Dr. Rikki Permenter has been practicing since 2009. She started out with an internship & practicum in Chalmette, Louisiana at The Gathering Counseling. After graduating with her masters she began her post-masters internship seeing clients at New Orleans Baptist, Spectrum in Denham Springs, Zachary Community Church, and in Private Practice in Baton Rouge. After licensure she continued seeing clients in Private Practice in Baton Rouge. Seeing clients at each of these various sites gave her experience in working with a wide range of clients. She has seen clients from various socioeconomic statuses, various ethnicities, various ages, and clients with severe mental illness.
Have ya met Emery?
I am a senior at Southeastern Louisiana University majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Human development and Family studies. After I graduate undergrad in December of 2022, I plan to continue my education by studying for my masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Southeastern Louisiana University. After my masters I plan to study for my ph.D. I am also certified in equine-assisted learning and equine-assisted therapy/psychotherapy. My business is named S.H.A.E. you can find information on it on the page below.
I am from Clinton, Louisiana. I graduated from Silliman Institute in 2018. My grandfather owns our family farm in Norwood, Louisiana where I like to spend most of my time taking care of the cows. My best companion is my horse named Shae. When I’m not studying or doing school work you will find me with my family, friends, fiancé (named Kale), and my horse. The greatest title that I own is being called Mimi by KristAnn, Paisley, Joelle, Mason, Pierson, and Triff! I have been in their life for about 7 years now, and they have the biggest chunk of my heart. I love being in the outdoors hunting (with my dad, brother, our dog Luna, and Kale), drinking coffee (with my mom and best friend Jilyan), and all things western. I want people to know that no matter what you may be facing in your life you never have to be alone. There is always someone there to help, and I hope that I can be that someone for you!
S.H.A.E: Safely Healing Among Equine.
Owner- Emery Gardner.
-Equine Assisted learning/therapy/psychotherapy.
Info about S.H.A.E:
We are based in Clinton, Louisiana about two minutes from Silliman Institute. You can contact us at 2257197091 to schedule a session or just get info on the program. You can find us on Instagram and Facebook as well.
My Purpose:
I hope to help each and every person that walks into Shae’s pasture. I know that God placed me on this earth to make a difference in people’s lives, and Shae was placed with me to help me do this. I love and care for every person that I come into contact with. My heart longs to help people heal, and to overcome whatever one may be facing in life right now. I am here to help you and Shae is waiting to love you. I hope you will join us and find the best version of yourself that God made you to be.
Ya need to meet Megan Lewis.
CREDENTIALS
Megan Lewis is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor and Provisionally Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with the state of Louisiana. She is also a Trust-Based Relational Intervention Practitioner.
EDUCATION
She graduated from Auburn University (War Eagle!) with a Bachelor of Industrial and Systems Engineering and earned a Masters of Arts in Counseling with a specialization in Marriage and Family from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
EXPERIENCE
Megan applies a systemic approach to helping individuals, couples, and families as they work through life’s challenges. Before working at Bent Tree Counseling, she worked at Leeke Magee Christian Counseling Center and Crossroads primarily serving kids from hard places, adolescents, trauma-survivors, and individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and relational challenges. She has a particular interest in serving individuals and families serving cross-culturally.
MISCELLANEOUS
Megan is originally from the Jackson, Mississippi area, but she lived in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, and Europe before settling down in New Orleans, Louisiana. She loves coffee, Gilmore Girls, board games, walks by the lake, and exploring new places! In addition to her mid-term assignment in Europe, she’s also been a part of numerous short-term trips across Southeast Asia, South America, and Central America. She’s visited more than 15 countries and is eager to begin traveling again soon. On a typical weekend, you can find her watching Friday Night Lights, visiting family, chillin’ with friends, or hanging out in nature.
After your first session at Bent Tree Counseling if you don't feel like you have really connected with your counselor just tell them! They will not be offended or hurt. Not all counselors will be a good fit for every client. Bent Tree Counseling is well connected with other counselors in the Baton Rouge & surrounding areas and is committed to helping you find the perfect person for you. We'll even give you a referral.
