Front Porch Counseling Center

At Front Porch Counseling Center, we are passionate about offering therapeutic support to our residents and the broader Greenville community.

We have partnered with City Center Counseling Ministry and other local therapists to offer counseling services. Our counselors have expertise in treating a variety of struggles including trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, parenting, and other season-of-life challenges.

Our counselors provide outpatient services for men, women, couples, and adolescents at a reasonable cost.

Bryce Nelson

Bryce graduated from Liberty University in 2022 with an MA in Professional Counseling and has applied for his Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A) in the state of South Carolina. Bryce has been trained for inpatient and outpatient therapy, addiction counseling, family counseling, and crisis intervention.

In previous work, Bryce operated as a behavioral therapist for children and young adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. He helped them develop social skills, regulate their emotions, communicate effectively, and strengthen independent living skills that were pertinent to their immediate development. Bryce also works at Shannon Forest Christian Academy as one of the school’s mental health counselors. He meets with students of all ages, from K4 to seniors in high school, and helps them cope, process, and navigate various challenges they face as they continue to grow up.

Bryce is passionate about the journey of mental health counseling, which always starts with the belief that every person who steps into the counseling office possesses a unique and untold story that most people don’t know about. At FPH, Bryce is open to spending time with anyone who desires to step out and begin this journey together.

Outside the work of counseling, Bryce lives in Taylors, SC with his beautiful wife and two wonderful children.

Nicole Smith

Nicole graduated from Clemson University in 2013 with an Ed.S. in School Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA). Nicole has spent years working with high school and college students helping them navigate their emotional/social, academic, and career success.

She is enjoying a new chapter in her counseling experience as she walks alongside clients to help each person find the best version of themselves. Nicole is eager to help others discover how they are uniquely created and how they can find success, happiness, and hope in their lives. Nicole specifically focuses on working with clients through major life transitions, anxiety, depression, self worth, stress management, and relationship struggles.

Chelsia Allison, LPC-A

It is said that the relationship we have with ourselves is one of the most important relationships we will ever have. Chelsia Allison is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate who is a firm believer in helping women of all ages discover authenticity, self-compassion, and move towards wholeness.

Chelsia has an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University and has experience working with clients who have experienced anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, grief, traumatic experiences, and those adjusting to new seasons of life.

Chelsia takes a client-centered approach, trusting that you are the expert on yourself. She is happy to partner with you on your journey towards healing and offers tools to empower you through the beautiful process.

Click here to email Chelsia

Brooke Lugo

Brooke received her BA from North Greenville University and is now nearing completion of her MA in Clinical Mental Health at Liberty University.

She is newly married and attends Grace Church together with her husband. In her free time, Brooke enjoys hiking, attending concerts, and spending time with her family.

Click here to email Brooke

Kari Buddenberg

Kari graduated from Liberty University in 2009 with an MA in Professional Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) in South Carolina.

Her educational experience includes inpatient and outpatient therapy, family counseling, crisis stabilization, addiction counseling, and group psychoeducation. Kari has also worked with a non profit organization researching and implementing best practices for interventions to women and families in crisis.

Kari’s counseling experience includes those struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, and relational conflict. She also has a passion for marriages and has walked alongside many couples as they processed their pain and hope.

Because we are relational beings at our core, Kari believes counseling can be a useful tool in our journey toward wellness, stability, and joy.

Click here to email Kari

Jessica Barley

Jessica is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate with an MA in Clinical Counseling from Liberty University.

Jessica worked for several years as a wedding photographer, learning the importance of perspective in how we tell stories. As a counselor, she has witnessed this principle to be true at an even deeper level, as how we view ourselves and our stories impact how we live our lives. Jessica believes that engaging our stories honestly and courageously can reveal strength, provide clarity, and bring healing.

Jessica has experience working with a variety of issues, including addiction and recovery issues, grief, anxiety, and trauma. As a former foster and current adoptive parent, Jessica also has a special interest in working with foster and adoptive youth and families as they navigate their unique stories. Jessica uses narrative therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, body work, and skill building as she comes alongside her clients.

Click here to email Jessica

Nicole Felkel

Nicole Felkel is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW-CP) working in Greenville, South Carolina. She earned a Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and received a BA in Psychology from Salem College. Nicole provides counseling to youth, adults, couples, groups, and families. Her clinical interests include life transitions, eating disorders, weight management, marital counseling, stress management, mood disorders (including postpartum depression), anxiety, grief, trauma, and self-esteem. Nicole utilizes a holistic approach aimed toward physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. She has advanced training in integrated care, mindfulness, solution-focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and sensorimotor psychotherapy. She is also a certified Positive Discipline Parenting educator. Her passion is providing an encouraging and healing environment to help individuals and families find strength and develop coping skills to journey through struggles to create a healthier, meaningful, and joyful life.

Yami Diaz

English version

Yamilette is originally from Puerto Rico and is a bilingual therapist. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of South Carolina, Yamilette is committed to helping families and individuals discover how to be their best selves and live fulfilling lives. Yamilette also has an MA in Counseling Psychology from Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. With this additional training, she is able to focus not only on how the client functions as an individual but also on their relationships with others at all ages. Yamilette uses a holistic approach where she integrates mind, body, and soul—taking into consideration how your overall well-being is affected by your emotional, social, physical, and spiritual condition. Yamilette believes in taking a collaborative approach to help clients reach their goals by providing them with the necessary tools and resources.

Spanish version

¡Hola! mi nombre es Yamilette, soy puertorriqueña y soy una terapeuta bilingüe. Tengo una licencia como terapeuta de familia y parejas en el estado de Carolina del Sur y estoy comprometida en ayudarte a descubrir cómo ser la mejor versión de tí mism@ y vivir una vida plena. Tengo una maestría adicional en Consejería Psicológica de la Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico. Con esta capacitación adicional, puedo concentrarme en tu funcionamiento como individuo durante todas las etapas de tu vida y también en tus relaciones con otras personas. Utilizo un enfoque holístico en el que integro mente, cuerpo y alma. Esto significa que tomo en consideración como tu bienestar general se ve afectado por tu condición emocional, social, física y espiritual. Creo en adoptar un enfoque colaborativo para ayudarte a alcanzar tus objetivos proporcionándote las herramientas y los recursos necesarios.

Tara is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a LPC Supervisor working with adults, adolescents, children, and families. After graduating from The University of South Carolina with a Ed.S (masters plus 30 hours) in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2003, Tara has been practicing in a variety of settings. She believes we all have a story to tell and utilizes narrative, cognitive behavioral, and systemic therapy. Tara is passionate about exploring attachment and family systems, as well as how our family of origin impacts all of our relationships. Not only does Tara believe in the power of personal growth, she also focuses on spiritual growth through the use of Scripture and prayer. Tara has training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral therapy and specializes in anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, relationships, and strengthening our identities as a child of God.

Samantha Monson

Samantha received her BS and MA degrees in Counseling from Clemson University. Prior to becoming a counselor, Samantha worked with high school and college students through a non-profit, outreach ministry called Young Life. Through that experience, she developed a passion for helping others navigate life’s challenges and pursue self-discovery, growth, and emotional health. Samantha has worked as a counselor in a school based setting for about six years and has experience working with a variety of people and backgrounds. She provides counseling for anxiety, depression, trauma, transition, relationship conflict, self-esteem, and other stage-of-life concerns. Her hope is to provide a safe and supportive therapeutic setting to help clients utilize their strengths to process, receive support, and move through life’s challenges. She uses a combination of different therapeutic theories and techniques, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, EMDR, Choice Theory, and Person-Centered Theory.

Natalie Patterson

Natalie has a BA degree in Psychology from Clemson University and completed her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University in 2022. She has applied for her Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) in the state of South Carolina. Natalie has worked with clients of all ages at Middle Tyger Community Center in Lyman since January of 2022, dealing with issues such as grief, trauma, depression, anxiety, and life transitions.

Previously, Natalie worked as director of Mentor Upstate, a non-profit school-based mentoring program that helps connect willing adults to students in local schools who are in need of a mentor. In addition to her experience training mentors, she is a Master Certified ACES trainer in South Carolina and is passionate about presenting brain-based research in an accessible way. She and her husband were previously therapeutic foster parents and adopted one of their four children from foster care. Her personal and professional experience give her a specific interest in helping to educate clients, normalize the impacts of trauma, and to help them identify effective ways to process difficult life events.

Natalie lives in Spartanburg with her husband and their four children.