Still Waters Counseling Services, PLLC

About Still Waters Counseling Services

Finding the right counselor can feel overwhelming, and many people aren’t sure where to start. At Still Waters Counseling Services (SWCS), our mission is to make that step easier. Instead of navigating endless searches or wondering who to trust, we connect you with a community of independent licensed counselors serving Knoxville, Jefferson City, and the greater East Tennessee area. Each counselor in our community practices independently, yet shares a commitment to providing compassionate, professional care.

Because SWCS works with multiple counselors, you have access to a diverse set of specialties and approaches. This means you’re more likely to find someone who understands your specific goals, values, and needs. Whether you are looking for individual therapy, couples counseling, or online support, we help connect you to the right counselor.

At SWCS, we are not a treatment center—we are a connection point. Our role is to simplify the process, matching you with a licensed counselor who can meet your needs while handling the practical administrative details behind the scenes. By removing barriers, we give you the freedom to focus on what matters most: your care and growth. 

Locations
Our Knoxville office is located in North Knoxville, near the Old North Knoxville and Fountain City areas, offering convenient access for residents throughout the city. Our Jefferson City office is centrally located, serving Jefferson County and the surrounding East Tennessee communities.
Both offices also provide online counseling options, making it possible to connect with a counselor from the comfort of your home. Whether in-person or virtual, the focus is always on finding a counselor who feels like the right fit.

Approaches of The Counselors

At Still Waters Counseling Services, each counselor brings their own unique style, but all share a commitment to compassion, collaboration, and respect. We believe that counseling works best when you feel comfortable, understood, and supported in your goals.

From evidence-based approaches, to skillful listening and collaborative problem solving, you can find a counselor that offers a practical and useful approach that works for you. Whether you are seeking help for anxiety, working through trauma, strengthening your marriage, or looking for faith-integrated care, our goal is the same: to help you find steady steps toward healing, growth, and renewed hope.

Meet Our Counselors

I work with adults who are navigating the stress, confusion, and challenges that life’s many roles can bring—whether as a parent, partner, student, or friend. My goal is to provide a space where you feel truly heard and supported. Personal experiences have shown me the power of having a compassionate listener, and I strive to offer that same care in my work with every client.

I help clients facing anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, life transitions, addiction, and relationship concerns, including parent–child dynamics and premarital counseling. Together, we explore your values, clarify your goals, and work toward healing and growth in ways that fit your unique story.

My approach is both supportive and practical. While I draw on evidence-based strategies, you won’t need to know the technical terms—we’ll focus on what works for you. I collaborate with clients to set clear goals, provide helpful resources, and encourage steady progress.

For those who wish to bring faith into their counseling, I am able to integrate a Christian worldview into the process. Whether faith-based or not, my goal is always to meet you where you are and support you in finding clarity, resilience, and renewed strength.

Alexis Castle, LPC-MHSP

I work with teens (16+) and adults, offering a direct yet compassionate approach that helps clients feel both supported and challenged in meaningful ways. My goal is to create a safe space where you can be honest, explore your story, and begin moving toward lasting change.

I specialize in trauma, complex PTSD, narcissistic abuse, dissociative disorders, and ADHD in women—particularly those diagnosed later in life. I use advanced trauma therapies, including EMDR and Deep Brain Reorienting, in ways that are approachable and focused on real progress.

At the core of my work is a belief in resilience. I want clients to feel empowered not just to manage symptoms, but to grow, heal, and reconnect with themselves and the people who matter most.

Lakshmie Napagoda, LCSW

**Lakshmie does not offer a free 15 minute consultation.**

I work with adults who may feel weighed down by past trauma, grief, or the everyday stress that leaves you feeling drained or disconnected. My goal is to provide a safe, supportive space where you can process difficult emotions, strengthen relationships, and reconnect with a deeper sense of yourself.

With nearly two decades of experience, I bring a compassionate and collaborative approach to counseling. I draw from a range of proven methods, such as Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT),  to meet your unique needs, but what matters most is that you feel seen, understood, and empowered. Clients often describe our work together as both encouraging and practical—focused on real growth and healing.

Influenced by my Sri Lankan heritage and personal faith, I welcome clients from all backgrounds and belief systems. Whether you are working through trauma, navigating betrayal, facing anxiety or depression, or rebuilding self-esteem, you don’t have to do it alone. I would be honored to walk alongside you on your journey toward healing and wholeness.

Ricky Varney, LPC-MHSP

I work with teens (16+), adults, and couples who may feel overwhelmed by life or uncertain about the next step. My goal is to meet you where you are and provide a space that feels safe, supportive, and real. Clients often describe my style as collaborative and relational—I believe meaningful change happens through connection, honesty, and even moments of laughter.

I help clients navigate anxiety, depression, trauma (including religious trauma), grief, abuse, anger, self-esteem, identity, and relationship struggles. With couples, I draw from proven approaches to strengthen communication, rebuild trust, and create healthier patterns.

Whether you’re facing a life transition or long-standing challenges, I see therapy as a journey we walk together. My role is to support you in finding healing, clarity, and resilience as you move toward a more authentic life.

Sheila McGinty, LCSW

I work with adults who are navigating life transitions, anxiety, and depression. My approach is compassionate and down-to-earth, with an emphasis on creating a safe and comfortable space where you can open up at your own pace.

Clients often come to me feeling overwhelmed or uncertain, and my role is to walk alongside them with encouragement and steady support. Together, we focus on building confidence, resilience, and practical steps toward lasting change.

I believe that counseling works best when it feels both genuine and approachable. My goal is to help you feel understood while also giving you tools to move forward with greater clarity and hope.

Erica Powell, LPC-MHSP

I work with children, teens, and adults, and I welcome individuals and families from all cultural and faith backgrounds. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, understood, and supported as we explore the challenges you are facing.

Clients often come to me looking for help with anxiety, depression, family concerns, or navigating big changes in life. I take a warm and practical approach, offering guidance that fits your unique situation while building on your strengths.

I believe counseling should be a collaborative process—together, we can develop skills, strengthen relationships, and create steady steps toward lasting growth and resilience.

Specialties / Categories 

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Child Counseling
• Trauma & PTSD
• Stress
• Grief & Loss
• Marriage Counseling
• Couples Counseling
• Premarital Counseling
• Christian Counseling / Spiritual Concerns
• Church Hurt
• Online Counseling

Costs

Insurance and payment options vary by counselor—please inquire for details.

Each counselor also offers self pay at a rate of $140/hr for individuals and $165/hr for couples. If you believe you may qualify for financial hardship, you may discuss your situation with your counselor.

Contact Us

Call today to be learn more about a licensed counselor who fits your needs.