• Welcome to Alexandria Counseling

    A place to find connection, stability, and nourishment.

    Become Rooted in Truth.

    By acknowledging your past, you can realize who you are by accepting who you’ve been. By learning to live in the present, you can become grounded in each moment and experience life to the fullest extent. And by looking forward to the future, you can build the life you’ve always dreamed of from the ground up, taking control of your own destiny. 

    Compassionate & Professional

    We care about you, your family, and your story. You can trust that we will treat you with respect, dignity and compassion in every interaction, while maintaining the highest standards for integrity and ethics.

    At Alexandria Counseling, we believe that difficulty can be transformative. Like the mighty oak, adversity can bring tremendous growth. Allow us to accompany you on your journey.

    Meet Our Staff

    Shirley Ryland, LCSW, Founder

    Shirley Ryland, LCSW, Founder

    As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Shirley has provided therapy to adolescents and adults since 1982 when she earned her Master's in Social Work from Louisiana State University. She initially worked at Central Louisiana State Hospital with mental health patients and then went on to provide treatment to chemically dependent individuals and their families at Rapides Chemical Dependency Services. In 1990, she went into full time private practice in Alexandria where she experienced mentorship and developed her clinical skills. In 2017, she founded Alexandria Counseling LLC. As the owner, her mission is to assist and develop highly trained clinicians that offer therapeutic services to individuals and families. She strives to provide an environment for both clinicians and clients that is warm, welcoming and inviting, while providing excellent clinical care.
    Janice Miller, LPC

    Janice Miller, LPC

    Janice earned her Bachelor's degree in psychology from NSU, then her Master's degree in counseling from ULL. She has worked in an inpatient behavioral health setting as well as a university setting. She now provides individual counseling for clients working on various mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, grief, adjustment disorders and life transitions. She utilizes therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy to help each client reach their therapeutic goals and live their best life.
    Alice’ Harper, LMSW

    Alice’ Harper, LMSW

    Alice' received her Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Louisiana College and her Master's in Social Work from LSU. Alice' has worked in non-profit and outpatient mental health settings. Alice' is passionate about helping girls and women ages 10 and up dealing with anxiety, depression, mood disorders and life adjustment issues, guiding them to walk in freedom. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and spiritually based CBT (as requested), Alice's goal is to provide a safe place for all clients to heal and grow.
    Von Vallery, LCSW

    Von Vallery, LCSW

    Von Vallery, LCSW graduated from Louisiana College in 1991 with an undergrad in Pre-Law and Psychology. He then went straight to work at Red River Treatment Center as a counselor and obtained his Master’s in Social Work in 1994 from Grambling State University. He was a clinical supervisor at Red River Treatment Center. In 2011, […]
    Lauren Arnold, LCSW

    Lauren Arnold, LCSW

    Lauren is a licensed clinical social worker with a Master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas at Arlington. Lauren has practiced social work for over 20 years in many different environments including outpatient, school-based, and in home settings with children, adolescents, adults and couples. She also has specialized training in trauma focused […]
    Dani Carter, LPC, LAC

    Dani Carter, LPC, LAC

    Dani Carter is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Addiction Counselor. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Addiction Studies and her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern State University. She has worked in various inpatient, outpatient, and educational settings since graduating that have helped her to develop her clinical […]
    Crystal Atkins, LCSW

    Crystal Atkins, LCSW

    Crystal Atkins is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Board Approved Clinical Supervisor. She graduated from Northwestern State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. Crystal then went on to obtain a Masters of Social Work Degree from Louisiana State University of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Since obtaining her Master’s Degree she has practiced Clinical Therapeutic […]