OUR Team

Lindsey Pope, LMFT, LCAS, CCS

Owner & Therapist
Pennsylvania State University  | NOVA Southeastern University
(704) 840-5035 | lindsey.pope.counseling@gmail.com
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   Lindsey has always known that she wants to help others. It was this passion that led her to study Human Development and Family Studies at Pennsylvania State University where she received her Bachelor of Science. After college, she moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL to attend NOVA Southeastern's Master's program where she studied Marriage and Family Therapy. She obtained her License in Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) but realized how many of her clients were affected by addiction. Wanting to do more for these clients, she decided to pursue a second license and is now also a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS). Her expertise and experience in substance abuse counseling has also allowed her to pursue a Clinical Supervision License (CCS) which permits her to supervise clinicians working towards their LCAS. 

  Lindsey's specialties include marriage and family therapy, treating substance use disorders as well as individual therapy. Providing therapy to individuals working through depression, anxiety and life changes. Lindsey has provided therapy services in inpatient and outpatient settings.  
 

  Lindsey is a Gottman Bringing Baby Home Educator, and this allows her to help expecting and new parents prepare for lives after baby by decreasing postpartum mood disorders, relationship conflict and potential relationship hostility. Through therapy, she teaches parents how to maintain a strong sense of friendship, improve intimacy and co-parent effectively.
 

  Lindsey is a Gottman Seven Principles Leader which allows her to help couples address conflict and communication, deepening their relationship and connection and learn to communicate more effectively.

   Lindsey believes that strong, healthy and happy relationships are the backbone of every family. She also believes that focusing on one's mental health and maintaining  healthy relationships can be beneficial for helping children recognize what they desire in future relationships. 

Bess Lyons Ceresa, MS, LMFT

Marriage & Family Therapist

Central Michigan University | NOVA Southeastern University

(704) 447-7477 | bess.lmft@gmail.com

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   Bess earned her Bachelor of Science from Central Michigan University where she worked as a research assistant on an empathy training program for couples. This experience helped Bess to discover her passion for helping individuals and couples and to realize the impact that relationship patterns have on an individual’s as well as a couple’s well-being. Her interest in family dynamics led her to NOVA Southeastern University where she received her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. 

   Bess has specialized training in marriage and family therapy that allows her to work with couples to create and maintain healthy relationship patterns that can help them to communicate and to support one another through life’s most difficult challenges and stressors. She has completed Level 1, 2 and 3 training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and she uses Gottman Method Couples Therapy in her practice. She has also completed the training “Treating Affairs and Trauma: A Gottman Approach for Therapists on the Treatment of Affairs and Posttraumatic Stress.” She has completed the trainings “The 10 Principles for Doing Effective Couples Therapy” and “The 10 Principles of Effective Couples Therapy: What Science Tells Us and Beyond with Julie Schwartz Gottman, Ph.D. and John Gottman, Ph.D.” In addition, she is a Gottman Seven Principles Leader and a Gottman Bringing Baby Home Educator.

   Since graduating, Bess has provided individual, family, and couples therapy in outpatient settings, in the home, and in schools. She aims to empower individuals with the necessary tools to promptly reach their goals and to take ownership of their lives. Bess works with clients struggling with the stress and anxiety of everyday life and helps them begin to recognize harmful patterns with the goal to work through and modify the negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are interfering with their overall well-being. Bess utilizes a systemic approach while helping those struggling with interpersonal relationships, adjustment challenges, stress, anxiety, self-esteem issues, and depression. 

Tram Pokorney, MA, LCMHC, NCC

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Certified Gottman Therapist

Mississippi University of Women | University of North Carolina at Charlotte

(704) 840-5035 | tpokorney@popecounseling.org

   Tram is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor based in North Carolina, dedicated to helping individuals and couples navigate life’s challenges with compassion and clarity. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology with a Minor in Psychology from Mississippi University for Women, and earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

   With a strong foundation in both clinical and community settings, Tram brings experience from working in adult inpatient behavioral health, where she received specialized training in Mental Health First Aid and Crisis Prevention Intervention. She has also served on several community panels, advocating for mental health awareness and support.

   Tram works with both individuals and couples, and is a Certified Gottman Method Couples Therapist. She has completed advanced training in areas such as Treating Affairs and Trauma:

Helping Couples Heal and Rebuild Trust and Couples and Addiction Recovery. Her approach blends evidence-based practices—including cognitive behavioral and strengths-based therapies—with a warm, supportive presence.

   Tram is passionate about creating a safe and trusting space where clients can explore their inner world, work through life’s unexpected turns, and move toward healing. Her goal is to help

each person build a deeper understanding of themselves where they can live a life filled with authenticity, purpose, and meaning.

   Tram welcomes anyone who is yearning to have an authentic life that brings meaning and purpose.

Allyssa Resech, LCMHC

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor 

Winthrop University 

(704) 840-5035 | allyssa.pope.counseling@gmail.com 

   Allyssa Resech is a licensed clinical mental health counselor (LCMHC) in the state of North Carolina. She graduated with a Masters of Education in Clinical Counseling from Winthrop University. Allyssa’s passion for counseling is rooted in her desire to nurture self-discovery and help individuals to live authentically. Her counseling style emphasizes an open and warm approach and integrates multiple theories, depending on the needs of a client. Foundational theories Allyssa uses are Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Reality therapy, and Internal Family Systems. In addition, she has completed the Gottman Level 1 Couples Therapy training to inform her approach in working with couples.

   Allyssa works with adults and couples. Her expertise includes those who experience mood disorders, anxiety disorders, grief and loss, substance abuse, eating disorders, relationships

issues, and trauma. She also works with members of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

   Allyssa seeks to understand and meet clients where they are at, and to help them get to where they wish to go.

Suzanne Vella, LCMHCA

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate

Walden University

(704) 840-5035 | SuzannePopeCounseling@gmail.com

   Suzanne is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA) with a Master’s degree from Walden University. She began her professional journey as a teacher and school counselor, where she discovered her passion for supporting emotional wellness and building meaningful relationships. This passion led her to pursue clinical training with a focus on helping adolescents, adults, and couples navigate life’s challenges.

   Suzanne provides therapy for individuals ages 13 and up. She supports clients struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, life transitions, and relationship concerns.  She also works with couples seeking to improve communication, rebuild trust, and strengthen connection.

   Suzanne brings a warm, grounded, and collaborative presence to her sessions. Her approach is holistic, integrating existential therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS), tailored to each client’s unique needs. She believes that therapy is a space for deep reflection, meaningful change, and learning to live more authentically.

   Whether you are a teen feeling overwhelmed, an adult navigating stress or transition, or a couple working to reconnect, Suzanne is committed to walking alongside you with care, insight, and support.

Virginia Zampella

Practice Manager 

(704) 840-5035 | pope.counseling.center@gmail.com

   Virginia is a Practice Manager with experience in healthcare administration. She orchestrates daily operations to cultivate a warm and supportive environment for our clients. 

   Virginia's commitment to mental health is reflected in her collaborative leadership style, fostering open communication among our team of skilled clinicians. Beyond her managerial role, Virginia advocates for mental health awareness, embodying our commitment to your well-being.