OUR Team
Lindsey Pope, LMFT, LCAS, CCS
Owner & Therapist
Pennsylvania State University | NOVA Southeastern University
(704) 840-5035 | lindsey.pope@popecounselingcenter.com
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Lindsey Pope, LMFT, LCAS, CCS, brings nearly two decades of experience providing therapy to individual adults and couples. She specializes in helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, substance use, life transitions, and the stress that can come with balancing relationships, family, work, and everyday life.
Lindsey earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Pennsylvania State University and her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University.
Lindsey works with individual adults who may feel overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, or simply ready for something to change. She also has a particular passion for couples therapy, helping couples improve communication, navigate recurring conflict, rebuild trust, and strengthen connection. Lindsey has completed Levels 1 and 2 of Gottman Method Couples Therapy training, as well as advanced Gottman training in treating affairs and trauma. She is also a Gottman Seven Principles Leader and Bringing Baby Home Educator.
Her approach is warm, practical, collaborative, and direct. Lindsey helps clients gain insight, recognize and challenge patterns, and develop tools that create meaningful change in their everyday lives.
Business Consultation for Therapists
In addition to her clinical work, Lindsey offers business consultation for therapists starting or growing a private practice. As the founder and owner of Pope Counseling Center, she provides practical, experience-based guidance on private practice development, insurance and credentialing, practice systems, caseloads, hiring, and growing a group practice.
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 earned her Master of Education in Clinical Counseling from Winthrop University. Allyssa's passion for counseling is rooted in her desire to
encourage self-discovery and help individuals live authentically.
Allyssa works with individuals and couples navigating anxiety, depression, communication challenges, attachment patterns, grief, life transitions, and trauma. She works to address presenting concerns while also exploring underlying patterns to foster
sustainable change. Allyssa utilizes behavioral and experiential approaches based on each clients unique needs, helping clients develop a deeper understanding of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while building skills to navigate challenges and make
meaningful changes in their lives and relationships. She has also completed Level 1 training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and integrates its principles into her approach to couples counseling.
Allyssa believes in meeting clients where they are while creating space for exploration, reflection, and growth. Her goal is to create a collaborative therapeutic relationship where clients feel understood and empowered to make choices that align with their
values and goals.
Suzanne Vella, LCMHCA
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate
TELEHEALTH ONLY
Walden University
(704) 840-5035 | SuzannePopeCounseling@gmail.com
Suzanne is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA) who graduated from Walden University with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Suzanne draws from a blend of Internal Family Systems and nervous system work. Through IFS, she helps clients explore their different “parts”, such as the part that constantly worries, is self critical, is angry or anxious, or the parts that work tirelessless try to keep everything under control or care for everyone but themselves— By approaching these “parts” with greater curiosity clients can begin to heal old wounds, embody self compassion, and live in alignment with their authentic selves. Nervous system work may also be used to explore conscious and unconscious patterns, and to identify together what the body needs to feel more safe.
As a neurodivergent herself,, Suzanne has a particular interest in the lived experience of ADHD and Autism, including masking to “fit in”, burnout from endless demands, difficulty completing tasks, emotional sensitivity/reactivity, difficulty in relationships, a sense of feeling misunderstood, or feeling like life requires more energy than it does for others (just to name a few!)
Suzanne also enjoys working with clients who are on a journey of exploring deeper existential questions regarding identity, purpose and meaning, nihilism, or reconstructing beliefs around religion. This may include exploration and reflection of philosophical or spiritual themes in whatever way feels authentic to the client.
Suzanne believes the therapy room can hold space for difficult emotions, while also making room for playfulness, connection, and even humor where it is healing. My approach is LGBTQIA+ affirming, social justice–oriented, inclusive and affirming for marginalized communities, and culturally-affirming. I respect each client’s identity, lived experience, and the broader systems that shape their well-being.
Ericka Lange, LCMHCA
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate
Liberty University
(704) 840-5035 | ericka.pope.counseling@gmail.com
Ericka is a is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA) who is passionate about helping individuals and couples navigate life’s challenges and develop greater balance and fulfillment. She believes in creating a supportive, collaborative environment where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to work toward meaningful change.
Ericka received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Catawba College and went on to earn her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. Her experience includes working in college counseling with students and student-athletes, as well as working with individuals and couples in private practice.
Ericka works collaboratively with her clients to identify their goals, understand the challenges that may be getting in the way, and develop practical steps toward the life and relationships they desire. She values building a strong therapeutic relationship and
strives to create a safe, welcoming space where clients can feel comfortable being themselves and working toward lasting growth.
Whether navigating relationship challenges, personal struggles, or life transitions, Ericka is committed to walking alongside her clients and supporting them as they work toward greater well-being and a more balanced life.