About Us
Our staff of counselors brings decades of experience in mental health services
At CFIC, we believe in the value of professional and confidential behavioral health services. We strive to treat each person with the care and respect they deserve. Change is a difficult process and we respect those that make efforts to pursue treatment. We believe that treatment outcomes are best when the treatment approach is effectively matched to the individual’s specific situation.
Dr. S. Hugh Bryan, Counseling Psychologist
Dr. Hugh Bryan is a Licensed Psychologist. He obtained a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Louisiana College and then completed a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Georgia, followed by a Ph. D. in counseling psychology from the University of Missouri at Columbia in 1983. Dr. Bryan worked in private practice at the Christian Center for Psychological Services from 1975-1978 and was licensed in Missouri as a Psychologist and worked in private practice from 1978-1983.
Dr. Bryan founded the The Center for Family & Individual Counseling, Inc. in 1983. He specializes in providing family therapy, marriage therapy, treating depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. He also serves as the psychologist for the Alexandria Police Department and provides pre-employment screenings and fitness for duty evaluations for policemen from various Central Louisiana law enforcement agencies as well as the Federal Occupational Health Services. Dr. Bryan evaluates ministerial candidates for the State of Louisiana for the United Methodist Church.
Dr. Bryan is a member of the American Psychological Association, Biofeedback Society of America, National Rehabilitation Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the American Christian Counselors Association. He has been married for over 40 years and has three children and three grandchildren.
Christine Tilley, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Christine Tilley is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Louisiana with over 20 years of experience in the field of mental health. She has also been licensed in Florida and Maryland. She has considerable experience working with a wide range of chronic and acute emotional problems as well as helping others in areas of general life problems. She works with individuals (children, adolescents, and adults), couples, and families.
Her areas of expertise include depression, generalized anxiety, panic attacks, problems related to ADHD in children and adolescents, behavioral problems in children and adolescents, marriage problems, stress management, and helping children transition after divorce. In her counseling, Christine primarily utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with an emphasis on problem solving and development of coping skills. She comes from a Christian-based perspective. She has been married over 20 years and has three children.
Dr. Natalie Smith, PhD. Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Smith graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge in 2010 with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She pursued graduate school at LSU and completed a Master's degree in 2013 and Doctoral degree in 2016. Following graduate training, Dr. Smith worked as a school psychologist for various public school systems in Louisiana specializing in psychoeducational assessment and intervention for children with severe behavioral needs. She also worked as a behavioral consultant for residential programs serving individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism, and related disorders. Dr. Smith joined the Center for Family and Individual Counseling in 2018.
She works with children and adolescents ranging in age from preschoolers to young adults. She offers comprehensive assessment and treatment services for youth experiencing anxiety, depression, developmental delays, learning problems, attention problems, social deficits, behavioral problems, and adjustment disorders. Dr. Smith recognizes the impact that a child's mental health can have on the entire family unit and therefore regularly involves parents in the treatment process. Whether trying to navigate puberty, adjust to a divorce, improve social relationships, or manage anxiety, Dr. Smith appreciates the uniqueness of each child's experiences and strives to create a comfortable, positive atmosphere where a child can freely express themselves and develop skills to improve upon their current challenges. Dr. Smith is a central Louisiana native. She resides in Alexandria with her husband and children.
Shelley Kaplan, MSW, LCSW Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Shelley Kaplan graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in psychology, and a Masters in Clinical Social Work from University of Houston in 1992. She has worked with children, adults, families, couples, and groups in multiple settings. Shelley trained at Cullen Bayou Place, an outpatient counseling center through Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. She served as director of the young adult program at Five Oaks Residential Treatment Center, as well as a program therapist at Memorial Spring Shadows Glen, an inpatient psychiatric hospital. Shelley has been in private practice at the Center for Family and Individual Counseling since 2019. She enjoys working with teenagers, adults, couples, and families by addressing individual and relationship issues, including marriage and family issues, difficulties adjusting to life changes, physical and sexual abuse, depression, anxiety, grief, as well as other challenges of daily living.
Shelley begins her treatment by initially assessing what a client's issues are, as well as their unique needs. With the client, she will guide them through developing an individualized treatment plan. Shelley recognizes the great courage it takes for people to admit that they need help and she strives to provide an open and non-judgmental atmosphere. The therapeutic relationship should be a safe place, and clients should receive unconditional positive regard in the face of whatever difficult experiences they have or continue to have. Shelley believes that her clients must trust that she has the knowledge, skill set, and the desire to provide appropriate care, as well as to keep it confidential. She seeks to empower the people she works with to realize their capacity to change and to recognize that they are equipped with the inner resources to do so. Shelley greets her clients with great hope that they can heal by cultivating greater personal insight and improved emotional intelligence. Subsequently, this promotes self-understanding and healing from past and present wounds.
Through sincerity, compassion, and empathy, Shelley strives to connect with her clients and help them on their journey of growth, selfawareness, and healing. Shelley is originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, moving to the US in 1978. She has been married for 27 years and has three grown children.