About Life Seasons
At Life Seasons, we meet each individual where they are on their own personal journey. It is our goal to honor the inherent good in our clients as we partner with them to grow toward their own personal success. We believe that there is no one direct path to this success, but rather many ways one can reach inner peace, joy, and self compassion. Our therapists are passionate about what they do, and we look forward to collaborating with you. It is our hope that through your time with us, no matter how long you are here, you walk away with a sense of love and acceptance for yourself, all the while carrying a deeper knowledge of how to continue moving forward toward your goals.
Meet Our Therapists
Brynnan Reddy, LPC, NCC, PMH-C
Brynnan received her Master's in Community Counseling from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. She holds LPC licensure in both Alabama and Virginia. Brynnan is also recognized as a Nationally Certified Counselor by the National Board of Certified Counselors. Most recently, Brynnan has been accepted as a Perinatal Mental Health-Certified (PMH-C) provider through Postpartum Support International. She has over 15 years of experience in counseling-related work in both volunteer and professional settings.
Over the course of her professional career, Brynnan has worked with adolescents, adults, couples, and families. She has helped her clients address symptoms of depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, impulse control, LGBTQ issues and concerns, relationship concerns, life transitions, family conflict, grief and loss, postpartum anxiety and depression, parenting concerns, trauma, and PTSD. While she works with clients from all different backgrounds, Brynnan finds her passion in working with moms, dads, couples, and families who are experiencing stress related to infertility, pregnancy, and postpartum transitions.
Prior to attending graduate school, Brynnan completed her undergraduate studies at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, where she received a BA in psychology and a Minor in Music. She began her career in the Washington, DC, area where she lived for 15 years after graduating from Rhodes. Raised in Alabama, Brynnan was excited to return home and introduce her family to everything this area has to offer. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, crafting/DIYing, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Michaela Whitehead, MS, NCC, LPC, CEDS
For Michaela Whitehead, working as a psychotherapist is not only a career, but a calling. Above all else, she believes in the resiliency of the human spirit and the power of transformative growth. Michaela is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) as well as a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and originally began her clinical work in Memphis, TN. She has been working in the mental health field since 2009, and her professional experience was gained in variety of clinical settings, including a college counseling center, a private rehabilitation facility, a community mental health agency, and a domestic violence safe house.
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Michaela holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master’s of Science in Counseling, both from the University of Memphis. Her specialty areas of practice include eating disorders, trauma, and complicated bereavement. She uses a holistic, person-centered approach to therapy and works as a team with her clients to help them achieve physical, emotional, and spiritual balance. Michaela provides support for survivors of abuse. She incorporates Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and the Instinctual Trauma Response (ITR) to help these clients work through past trauma and complicated grief.
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Michaela feels fortunate to help clients in their journeys towards eating disorder recovery. Practicing from a Health At Every Size (HAES) based approach, Michaela believes that all bodies are good bodies and all humans are worthy of body acceptance and healing in their relationship with food and movement.
Eating disorders are multifaceted. Treating them requires more than general mental health expertise—it demands profound, specific knowledge, innovative clinical expertise, and a specific ethical approach. The Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) credential is the most esteemed and renowned international certification for licensed mental health professionals treating eating disorders, which is why Michaela worked tirelessly to pursue this achievement. Being awarded this certification through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP) allows Michaela to lend even more proficiency to her compassionate approach in helping clients achieve recovery.
Prior to relocating to Huntsville in 2017, Michaela spent five years living in the Steel City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during her husband’s pursuit of his doctoral degree. She is the mother of three children, a voracious reader, musical theatre enthusiast, hockey fan, and fierce advocate for eating disorder awareness and prevention.​​​​
Lindsey Sheckles, MAE, LPC
Lindsey Scheckles, LPC, works with her clients to help them identify and utilize their strengths to create the relationships, career paths, and lives that they want. She is an experienced therapist who is committed to helping her clients use their strengths to develop skills that will foster desired changes in their lives. Lindsey works collaboratively with clients to identify their goals, develop a plan of action to meet those goals, and achieve personal growth a a result.
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Lindsey earned both her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and a Masters of Arts and Education in Counseling Degree with a concentration in marriage and family therapy from Western Kentucky University. Her education and over a decade of career experiences have equipped her to work with a broad variety of clients with a diversity of presenting issues.
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Lindsey does not believe the therapy process is “one size fits all”. She utilizes an integrated methodology that incorporates different theories and techniques to meet her clients’ individual needs. Working this way helps individuals and couples modify problematic thoughts and behaviors and improve overall quality of life. More than anything, Lindsey works diligently to empower her clients to create a life of contentment, even when there are bumps in the road. Lindsey has specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and a certification in trauma informed yoga.
Rachel Sullivan Tieslau, LPC, NCC
Rachel Tieslau, LPC, NCC, supports clients as they work to improve their health mentally, emotionally, and physically. She has a deep belief that each human being is valuable and important and loves spending time with clients of all ages and identities to find that worth within themselves. Rachel strives to provide individualized care to each client, integrating multiple approaches and techniques to best meet each person’s needs.
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In addition to a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Rachel holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition-Dietetics as well as a Master of Science in Nutrition Science. Combining her deep knowledge of nutrition with that of counseling, Rachel specializes in assisting clients struggling with disordered eating, eating disorders, and body image issues. She also loves to meet and work in partnership with those struggling with other mental health issues, as well.
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When not at work, Rachel enjoys spending time with her friends and family, being outside, musical theater, baking, and reading as many books as she can get her hands on.
Jillian Thomson, MA, LPC, ADC
Jillian Thomson, MA, LPC, ADC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 12 years of experience in community mental health, non-profit organizations, and school-based settings. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Counseling, with additional graduate coursework focused on child and adolescent counseling, trauma, grief, and addiction. Her clients range from pre-teens to adults.
Jillian's counseling approach is person-centered and trauma-informed, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative working environment. She has received training in modalities such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Relational Psychodynamic Counseling, and Narrative Counseling. Jillian incorporates art as a tool for expression, exploration, and healing when requested by a client.
Known for her warm and down-to-earth demeanor, Jillian sets out to establish an open space for clients to be their authentic selves. She welcomes laughter, tears, and colorful language as valid forms of expression. Jillian strives to provide a non-judgmental and affirming atmosphere that respects and celebrates individual identities and experiences.
As a certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Jillian strongly advocates for harm reduction and medication-assisted treatment for opioid use. Working alongside your medical provider, she will support your recovery journey by focusing on mental health, recovery, and relapse prevention. Jillian also offers emotional care and guidance to friends and family members navigating the stress, worry, or grief that accompanies having a loved one on this path.
Outside of her counseling practice, Jillian enjoys spending time with her husband, children, friends, and animals. She values playfulness, exploring nature and cities, gardening and indoor plants, art, new experiences in general, and watching reality TV. Having lived in five different states, she made the Huntsville area her home approximately four years ago.
Laura Freeman, LMFT
Laura Freeman, LMFT, specializes in supporting individuals and couples through infertility, perinatal, postpartum, and family transitions. This includes the addition of multiple children, blending families, and separation. With a focus on emotional connection during this pivotal life stage. Laura offers compassionate therapy to help manage the challenges of pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenthood. She provides evidence-based techniques tailored to each client’s needs, fostering emotional resilience and strengthening relationships. Her integrative approach ensures a supportive space for growth and healing during these seasons and beyond.
Laura is licensed in both Alabama and Georgia. She provides in person and online therapy sessions. With a strong background in both clinical practice and relationship dynamics, Laura brings a wealth of expertise to her work. She has specialized training in The FairPlay Method for equitable domestic labor, as well as UpsideDown Divorce® for divorcing couples who want a collaborative approach to co-parenting that centers on children’s wellbeing. Additionally, Laura uses EMDR therapy to help clients process trauma, including birth trauma. She also has specialized training in Emotionally-Focused Therapy with couples. No matter where you are on your journey, Laura will do her best to meet you there. All you have to do is show up (or log on).
Aleisha Chaffin, LPC
Aleisha Chaffin is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Alabama. Over the course of her career, she has gained clinical experience in numerous different settings and with people of all ages and diversities. Aleisha has provided counseling services in a hospital, community health center, intensive outpatient program, the school system, and in-home programs. Aleisha enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults. She has extensive knowledge in childhood issues and disorders, depression, anxiety and OCD, stress management, maternal mental health, anger management, eating disorders, grief and loss, and family therapy. Utilizing a strengths based approach in therapy, Alicia aims to help clients through life’s difficulties in a positive way.
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Alicia graduated magna cum laude from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. During her time at UAH she was a member of Psi Chi, Psychology Honor Society, Lambda Pi Eta, Communication Arts Honor Society, and Delta Epsilon Iota, Academic Honor Society. Aleisha earned her Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from Alabama A&M University where she was a member of Alpha Epsilon Lambda, National Honor Society of Graduate Students.
Paula Newman, LPC
Paula Newman is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Alabama and has had her LPC since 2003. Paula has focused her career working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families. Paula has over 25 years of experience counseling youth as a mental health therapist and in the Huntsville City School system. Paula has extensive experience with serving children in the community with a wide range of concerns including early childhood and adolescent academic, behavioral, and social concerns. Please consider seeking out Paula’s services if your child or teen is experiencing symptoms of ADHD, adjustment disorder, anxiety, depression, OCD, stress management, anger management, grief, struggle with life transitions, and adjustment to family changes. Periodically Paula will offer fun, engaging small group sessions based on the needs of the youth in the community. Possible groups that could be offered include groups teaching executive functioning skills, coping skills, social skills, etc. Paula always focuses on the strengths of the child while setting goals for areas of improvement. Youth need safety, love, security, optimism, and a positive sense of self. Counseling services will aim to develop a firm foundation for youth to thrive.
Paula can provide Psychoeducational Assessment, diagnosis, and reports per request. Parents and students need support when working with school staff to understand the needs of the student. Paula has over 20 years of experience in the schools and understands the 504 and IEP process. She can serve as a consultant or advocate for parents and attend meetings if requested in advance.
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Paula attended the University of Alabama in Birmingham and graduated with a Masters of Arts in Counseling with honors. During her time at UAB she was a member of Chi Sigma Iota honor society. Paula earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree from The University of Alabama.
Paula is active in her community and with her family. She is happily married and has three wonderful children. Her dog, Scout, is a black and white Cocker Spaniel and is her shadow. Paula enjoys the Huntsville community, going for walks, exercise, and travel.
Spencer Space, MA, ALC
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Spencer Space is an Associate Licensed Counselor (ALC) under the supervision of Laura Stisher, MS, LPC-S, CST. After graduating with his BA in psychology from Clemson University in 2000, he put his education on hold to begin what became a long-standing career in graphic arts in South Carolina. During the pandemic, Spencer realized that he was unfulfilled in his work and chose to pursue his master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. It was during this time that he and his family moved to Alabama.
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Spencer loves people, and his desire to help is tangible. From his youthful, charismatic presence to the complexities of his lived experiences, he is able to relate to people in all walks of life. He has experience with blended families, addiction, neurodivergence, including ASD and ADHD, and anger management. He holds a special interest in helping men grow, heal, and work through topics such as emotional expression, sexual issues, and toxic masculinity. Informed by the insights of Alfred Adler and John Bowlby, Spencer's philosophy of counseling is rooted in the belief that individual development and mental well-being are deeply influenced by early relationship and a sense of belonging. His counseling style is highly relational and client centered, fostering a supportive therapeutic relationship that helps clients explore and understand both their relational patterns and the underlying motivations driving their behaviors.
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Spencer is also a husband, a father to four children, and a cat dad. In his free time, he likes to cook, write, play the guitar, and cheer for the Florida State Seminoles.​