Meet Our Counselors

Rachel Harrington, Alabama LPC# 4108,  graduated from the CACREP accredited program at the University of Montevallo in 2005. She has over fifteen years of experience working in counseling and mental health in a variety of settings, including schools and private practice. She has experience with all ages from children to adults. She has an eclectic approach to therapy, pulling from tenets of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy and Client Centered Therapy.  In addition, she is trained in EMDR therapy. Rachel has a deep understanding of mental health struggles including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and trauma.  She has an outstanding ability to meet patients where they are and is committed to helping individuals find a sense of worth, purpose, and hope in the face of struggles. Rachel is a wife and mother of three children and enjoys spending time with her family. She is a lover of animals, nature, and the arts.

Jennifer George,  Alabama LPC# 4054, NCC. I have had more than 13 years experience in counseling and mental health in a variety of settings.  I use an integrative/eclectic model of therapy with a huge concentration in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). In addition, I come from a Client Centered base where I believe the client has the ability to overcome past wrongs and hurts and the ability to create new habits and ways of thinking to live more fully in the present.  I have experience working with children, adults, and couples in both group and individual settings.  I have experience in working with issues ranging from mood disorders, anxiety, family dynamics, to trauma.  As a school counselor I have led group-therapy on various topics such as “tips for success” and  “beyond death and/or divorce.” I am a person who cares about her clients and patients and enjoys the opportunity to help then learn and grow. I am a wife, mother and grandmother. 

Carol McKinney, Ed.S., Alabama LPC# 2080: I have worked in the counseling field for more than 23 years with the last 19 in the school setting as an elementary school counselor as well a private practice setting.  I have experience working with children and adolescents, parents, adults, and groups. I have experience helping those with issues ranging from ADHD, self-esteem, anxiety, trauma, to depression.  My approach to therapy is an integrated/eclectic one with a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client Centered Therapy.  As a counselor, I strive to help clients develop goals and motivate them to achieve their goals and gain success. I am married with one son and enjoy spending time with family and playing golf. 

Karen Gotshall, M. Ed, Alabama LPC#3974, NCC:

    Life really is a journey! Sometimes that journey is full of life and hope and other times it is filled with challenges and pain. I have a passion for meeting people where they are and helping them regain a footing to move forward. I do this by helping to address cognitive distortions, a lack of healthy coping skills, and building on individual strengths. I am a wife and mother of 3 who enjoys spending time with family, friends, and my dogs.

    I have over 10 years of experience counseling through a variety of settings including schools and inpatient facility. I have an integrated/eclectic approach to therapy including CBT. DBT and solution focus. I have extensive experience in addiction, anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem, grief, and conflict. I use a Client Centered approach to help people reach their goals and progress the challenges that they may face.

Richelle Howard, M.S., Alabama LPC#05353:

Hi! I’m Richelle! I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor in Alabama and since receiving my Master of Science in Counseling from Johns Hopkins University in 2014, I’ve worked within school and private practice settings with individuals, families, children and adolescents, teens, and adults in the areas of depression, trauma, anxiety, ADHD, self-esteem, family dynamics, coping skills, life/career transition, grief, stress management, work-life balance, and relationship issues.

While my work is often spontaneous, improvisational, and often tailored to the specific needs, strengths, and desires of my clients, much of what I do is consistently informed by and primarily grounded in being a client-centered therapist.

When it comes to providing therapy for my clients, I believe in the power of relationship building. Plain and simple. I take great joy in my ability to be very laid back, very personable, warm, and empathetic. This allows many of my clients to feel seen, heard in ways that support their personal journey of growth. I see therapy as a catalyst towards self-awareness, healing, peace, and self-empowerment. The process may be challenging at times, but with the right support, it can be life-changing. As one who has benefited from therapy in my own life, it’s an honor to come alongside my clients as they navigate their own life experiences.

My goal for you in therapy is to experience the beauty of healing and newness despite the challenging life experiences that you may invite into our session time. In the face of trauma, difficulties, challenges, and life just happening–I am a firm believer that you can experience newness, restoration, and healing as you create a new narrative for your life and I’m simply here to journey alongside you to show that this can be possible.

Much of my therapeutic style is pulled from Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused/Strength-Based Therapy to assist in helping you identify the root cause of your challenges and guiding you towards peace and strength for the journey ahead. While my faith is pivotal to my belief system and I accept the invitation to incorporate within our work together, I am also a firm believer that regardless of your belief system–you can have full access to therapeutic support that brings about an alleviation of pain and enhances your emotional wellness.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending quality time with my husband, Chris and our three children. I’m also an avid lover of baking, professional binge watcher of true crime documentaries, and love reading and journaling.  If you have questions or feel like we could be a good fit, please feel free to email me so we can discuss next steps in regards to your healing journey.

I look forward to working with you!

Hi! My name is Shea Koll and I am one of the office assistants at Human Connections Therapy. I will assist in pairing you with a counselor that fits your specific needs and help answer any questions you may have about HCT. I look forward to helping you take that first step towards healing. I graduated from The University of Alabama at Birmingham with a bachelors degree in Psychology. I enjoy working with the youth group at my church and teaching dance classes. 

When I am not working, I love watching rom-coms, eating mexican food, and spending time with my loved ones. 

I’m Katie Froneyberger, an office assistant here at Human Connections Therapy, and I’m here to help however I can. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with my Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. I’m also a 2004 graduate of Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas and have spent time in Israel and Brazil on short-term mission trips. Currently, I am attending UAB's Master of Arts in Counseling program with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health.  I have served in churches across the U.S. and especially like teaching classes at my local church in Birmingham. I’m a mom to three amazing humans and two Pomeranians.

In my free time I enjoy reading in my hammock, learning new languages, eating out, and having coffee with friends.