Our Staff

Synergy Executive is Staffed with Professional Licensed Clinicians

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Paige Tuck

Paige Tuck, LPC
Executive Director

Bio

Paige Tuck is the Executive Director of Synergy Executive. She provides individual, couples, family, EMDR, trauma counseling and group therapy. Paige has an undergraduate degree from Drury University and a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Missouri State University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a National Certified Counselor and a Missouri Associate Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She has experience working with men in addiction and mental health and has a background in the legal and medical fields. She also facilitates education classes on mindfulness, relationship issues, and parenting.

Ann Koetting

Ann Koetting, LPC
Clinical Director

Bio

Ann Koetting is the Clinical Director at Synergy Executive. She provides individual, family, and group therapy, and is available for EMDR and trauma counseling. Ann has an undergraduate degree in Marketing and a Master’s degree in Counseling both from Missouri State University. Ann has worked in the field of addictions since 2007 as both a counselor and the Clinical Advisor at Alternative Opportunities Treatment Services. Ann worked at Missouri State University as an Adjunct Professor in the Counseling Department for 5 years. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Nationally Certified Counselor, and is EMDR certified.

Dan Piddington
Director of Recovery Support Services

Bio

Dan trained as a SMART recovery facilitator in California and brings his knowledge and experience to our clients seeking recovery. Dan facilitates SMART recovery meetings at both residential campuses, and at the Synergy outpatient treatment location. Dan is a role model for men in recovery and provides them with support and guidance throughout their journey in treatment.

Leea Reed, DO
Medical Director

Bio

Leea is the Medical Director for Synergy Executive. Leea has over 30 years of experience in the medical field and is a Family Practice Physician with Ozarks Community Hospital since 2005 practicing in the Springfield area. She is also a staff physician for Americare Ravenwood Assisted Living/ Memory Unit and Clinic Researcher at QPS Biokinetics. Leea has also previously worked at Cox Hospital, Lakeland Regional Hospital, and Epic/Columbia Hospital of the Ozarks. Leea received a BS in Biology from Truman State University, and her Doctor of Osteopathy from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. Leea is a member of the American Osteopathic Association and Board Certified by American Osteopathic Board of Family Practice.family therapy and facilitates education classes on trauma and various other topics.

Cindy Holiis-Keene, PMHNP
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Bio

Cindy is a psychiatric nurse practitioner for Synergy. She has been in the healthcare industry for over 20 years, working in a variety of settings. She is a dual certified Advanced Practice Nurse, completing her degrees from the University of Kansas in 2013 and University of Central Missouri in 2009. She is board certified in Family Mental Health and General Family Practice, providing advanced practice care for the past nine years. Cindy has a sincere interest in her work and for helping others. Cindy received Nurse Practitioner of the Year in 2012 in the Four States Business Journal.

Rose Whitcomb

Rose Whitcomb, PsyD, LPC
LPC and Facilitator

Jenifer Riegel, LPC
Counselor

Bio

Jenn is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor. She has worked in the field of addictions and behavioral health for over 20 years. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Southwest Missouri State University. Jenn utilizes a wide variety of evidence-based approaches and has been specifically trained in Motivational Interviewing and EMDR trauma therapy. She is also certified in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) and teaches models of de-escalation. Jenn has served in a variety of leadership roles for program development and clinical supervision and has implemented innovative models of care to provide holistic approaches to treatment.

Andy White, LCSW
Counselor

Bio

Andy is a counselor at Synergy Executive providing individual, family, and couples therapy. He facilitates treatment groups focusing on anger management, responsible thinking, and trauma. Andy received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Sociology, and Criminology from Drury University, and completed a Masters in Social Work from Missouri State University in 2019. He is EMDR trained, and a credentialed Missouri Associate Alcohol and Drug Counselor II. Andy is a trained Moral Reconation facilitator and has an extensive history working with mental health needs and substance abuse. Prior to joining Synergy Andy provided outpatient counseling and education to clients as well as working in conjunction with the Greene County Drug Court programs.

Elizabeth Campbell, LPC
Counselor

Bio

Elizabeth is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Synergy. She provides individual, family, and group therapy and facilitates treatment groups focusing on attachments and shame resilience. She also provides EMDR therapy to reduce symptoms from trauma. Elizabeth has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master’s degree in Education in Guidance and Counseling from Lincoln University. She has worked in the field of mental health and addictions since 2013. Elizabeth has completed training as a Wellness Coach and is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Medication Awareness. Elizabeth has served in a variety of leadership roles for clinical supervision and provides licensure supervision for provisionally licensed candidates.

Matt Awad, MAADCII
Counselor

Bio

Matt is a counselor at Synergy Executive and is credentialed as a Missouri Associate Alcohol and Drug Counselor II. He facilitates groups focusing on positive psychology and the impact of addiction on the brain. Matt graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Masters in Clinical Psychology from Southwest Missouri State University. Matt worked for over a decade as a college instructor and administrator following graduation. He transitioned to the field of community mental health where he worked with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. He provided direct care, supervised community support specialists, and was responsible for several housing programs for individuals with mental illness.

Mark Koetting, PhD, MAADC-II
Group Facilitator

Bio

Mark is a group facilitator at Synergy Executive and teaches a weekly class on co-occurring disorders and dual diagnosis. In 2002, Mark earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University in South Florida, where he received specialized training in forensic psychology, as well as psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. He co-founded the San Francisco Forensic Institute, contracted with the California Department of Mental Health, and maintained a private practice in the Bay Area for 11 years. He has extensive experience evaluating and treating individuals with substance-related disorders and serious mental illness.

Kristal McClear, LPC
Group Facilitator

Bio

Kristal McCleary is a full-time counselor at Synergy Counseling Center. She has her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Missouri State University and is a Missouri Associate Alchohol and Drug Counselor. Kristal facilitates a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills class at Synergy Executive.

Katie Loethen Gibson
Intake Coordinator

Bio

Katie is the first point of contact at Synergy Executive, and will assist you with all the information needed when making the decision to come into residential treatment. Katie is credentialed as a Missouri Associate Alcohol Drug Counselor II. She is currently pursuing a degree at Missouri State University in Social Work and plans to continue on to graduate school to work on her Masters in Social Work. Katie is a person in long term recovery who has a passion for helping others struggling with mental health and addiction.

Ashley Johnson

Community Support Specialist

Bio

Ashley Johnson is the Community Support Specialist at Synergy Executive. Ashley assists our clients with meeting their aftercare needs while in residential treatment, ensuring they have the support they need within the community to lead happier and healthier lives. Ashley has 5 years of experience working in substance abuse recovery. Ashley is licensed as a Missouri Associate Alcohol Drug Counselor II, Certified Peer Specialist and a Level I Medication Aide. Ashley is a person in long term recovery who has a passion for helping others succeed.

Julie Ast, RN
Registered Nurse

Bio

Julie is a nurse on staff at Synergy Executive. Julie completes an initial health assessment for our clients and is available to assist with any health care or health screening needs. She became a Registered Nurse in 2011 and currently works part-time at the Mercy Orthopedic Hospital. Julie also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management.

Kelly Layman, RN
Registered Nurse

Debbie Howell, RN
Registered Nurse

Tenille Neff, MS, LCAT, ATR-BC, LP

Art Therapist

Bio
Tenille Neff is a New York State licensed, registered, board certified Creative Arts Therapist, Psychoanalyst and an Arkansas State licensed Professional Counselor Ms. Neff is also a working artist who has participated in national and international art exhibits. Ms. Neff specializes in trauma treatment, depression, anxiety, anger management, and substance abuse. In 2013, Ms. Neff moved to Branson Missouri from New York City and started a local private practice.

Rebecca Chrestman

Acupuncturist

Megan Burns

Massage Therapist

Bio

Megan is a Graduate of Wellspring School of Allied Health and a Licensed Massage Therapist in the State of Missouri, with an interest in Integrated Deep Tissue Therapy, therapeutic relaxation and other wellness related modalities. Megan finds that massage assists both the body and mind to facilitate healing.

Sydney Winders

Music Therapist

Lisa Ziebell

Shamanic Practitioner

Tyler Ast

Trainer

Jordan Smith

Trainer

Jess Tran

Yoga Instructor

Jennifer Smythe

Art Instructor

Amanda Boswell, RD, LD, ACSM-CPT 

Nutritionist

Bio

Amanda teaches a bi-monthly nutrition class at Synergy. Amanda Is a Registered Dietitian and certified personal trainer. She graduated from Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics in 2020. She completed her dietetic internship with Missouri State University in 2021 and joined the AYB team in 2021.Amanda's passions include weight lifting, water skiing and wake surfing, and cooking and sharing recipe tutorials on her social media. In the future, she plans to pursue a Master's Degree in Functional Medicine.

Grant Dodge

Executive Chef

Bio

Grant trained at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY and has traveled, tasted and cooked all across the country. With over 20 years of Chef experience, Grant specializes in expertly showcasing dishes that allow the ingredients’ flavors, aromas, and nutrients to speak for themselves. Another of his many fortes is bread crafting- if Grant is in the kitchen, you can be sure the smell of fresh bread is in the air!

Kevin Blankenship

Executive Chef

Bio

Chef Kevin has been a southwest Missouri native his entire life. Working in the food industry for almost 20 years, Kevin has gained experience in many different facets of the industry from restaurants and private catering to college/university dining. In 2011, he committed to a life in recovery and has been a part of 12 step programs ever since. Once in recovery, Kevin decided it was time to attend culinary school to further his passion for food. In 2016 Kevin graduated with his Culinary degree from OTC in Springfield, Missouri. During his schooling, Kevin picked up a passion for competing in culinary competitions. He was able to work his way to the national level competition for SkillsUSA both years of schooling, finishing second in the nation in his final college competition. During this time he was also given the opportunity to compete on a local cooking tv show, Show Me Chefs. The only thing he loves to do more than serve others by cooking is to do so while sharing recovery, stating " Synergy is the perfect opportunity to do both!" When he isn't cooking, Chef Kevin is an avid outdoorsman and family man, and is always looking for the next adventure to go on with his 10 year old daughter.