Brett Busby, LPC

Addiction, Couples, Family Issues
Brett Busby has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from LSU and is receiving his master’s degree from the University of Holy Cross in marriage and family therapy. He is a member of the American Coupling Association, the Louisiana Counseling Association, and the Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society. He has presented on learning disabilities at the Louisiana Counseling Association’s yearly conference and has extensive experience tutoring children with learning disabilities. He specializes in using emotionally focused therapy for couples and adolescents, and cognitive behavioral therapy to treat substance abuse.

David K. Jackson, PhD, MP

Pediatric Medical Psychologist
David K. Jackson, PhD, MP is a clinical and medical psychologist with a subspecialization in pediatric psychopharmacology. Licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, he gained invaluable experience at Children’s Hospital by prescribing psychotropic medications to children and adolescents for nearly 12 years (2007-2019). While affiliated with this institution, Dr. Jackson practiced at both the Rapid Treatment Program (RTP) in New Orleans and a multispecialty outpatient clinic located in Covington, Louisiana. Dr. Jackson is a former U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer (LTJG) and U.S. Army clinical psychologist (CPT-MAJ). During his active duty in the Army he completed an APA-approved predoctoral internship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC., and proudly served active duty personnel and their families as a clinical military psychologist in Texas and Hawaii. He has practiced as a Master’s or doctoral level psychologist in both inpatient and outpatient settings since 1982, when he became licensed in North Carolina. Dr. Jackson has won numerous awards in the military and as a graduate psychology student. He has published or presented in such diverse areas as adult learning and memory, equine assisted therapy, self-management of migraine headache, and pediatric depression. Dr. Jackson has special interests in assisting families and their youth in the clinical management of neurobehavioral, mood, somatic, and anxiety disorders, employing a holistic and integrative approach. Dr. Jackson’s ultimate goal is to enhance the child’s long-term growth and self-actualization using an individualized combination of psychosocial and pharmacologic supports. This is accomplished via close collaboration with the child’s pediatric physician. He currently maintains a private practice in Covington, Louisiana, where he and his wife have lived for many years and cared for a menagerie of beloved animals. These presently include two dogs and one relentlessly curious kitten.

Christine Powanda, PhD

Disability and Psychological Evaluations
I am a licensed applied developmental psychologist who has been licensed to practice psychology for more than 20 years. I obtained a BA, MA, and Ph.D. in psychology through the University of New Orleans. I have been primarily employed in private practice conducting psychological evaluations for various agencies, including Disability Determination Services, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, and Department of Children and Family Services, and through the local Courts. I have also worked for more than 20 years as a consultant for various local developmental disability agencies, including Metropolitan Developmental Center, Metropolitan Human Services District developmental disabilities, and Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority/Developmental Disability Community Services, including performing psychological evaluations to diagnose developmental disabilities and devising and developing Behavior Support Plans for challenging behaviors exhibited by persons with developmental disabilities. I have extensive experience conducting psychological evaluations, including psychoeducational evaluations, on individuals from infancy to late adulthood to assess for, diagnose, and make recommendations related to mental illness, developmental disorders, and learning disabilities.

Leah Steele, MSW, LCSW, MPH

Addiction, Depression, Grief
Leah is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 16 years of experience in the field of therapeutic interventions in Social Work, as well as that of Public Health. A proud alumna of Ursuline Academy, she is a native and lifelong resident of New Orleans whose personal and professional lives embody Ursuline’s motto, “Serviam,” a Latin word meaning, “I will serve.” Following graduation from her alma mater, she undertook studies at the University of New Orleans, from which she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She then went on to earn her Master’s degrees in Social Work and Public Health from Tulane University Schools of Social Work, and Public Health and Tropical Medicine, respectively.

Since her graduation from Tulane, Leah has worked tirelessly as a Social Worker to carry out the philosophy of Serviam, providing therapeutic, psychoeducational, and advocacy services to hundreds of adult clients in the Greater New Orleans area. Her resume includes positions utilizing her skills in Social Work and Public Health at both private and public nonprofit agencies, where she has been employed as Reproductive Health Educator and CSAT (Centers for Substance Abuse Treatment) Project Coordinator, and Agency Social Worker/Counselor, respectively.

Leah’s passion is providing healing therapeutic interventions to those individuals who have experienced suffering in their lives for any number of reasons. Through person-centered therapy, she helps her clients to identify viable solutions to problems, and to develop healthy perceptions of themselves, thereby freeing them to become peaceful, emotionally healthy, safe and whole. During her career, she has provided therapeutic Social Work services and interventions to adults in group, individual, and couples modalities for a variety of issues. She has a great wealth of experience in addressing multiple foci of clinical intervention, including trauma; grief and loss; adjustment disorder; substance use disorders; marriage/family/relationship dysfunction; sexual orientation issues; domestic violence; gender identity issues; sexual abuse; anxiety and depression; and women’s issues, to name a few. She is available for counseling in the Covington office.

Robert A Dahmes, MD 

Addiction, Couples, Family Issues

Robert Dahmes a child/adolescent and adult psychiatrist that has been in practice since 1979 in both in the private and public sectors of psychiatry. As a clinical assistant professor at LSU Health Sciences Center and teacher of psychopharmacology, Robert has conducted FDA-approved new medication research for over 20 years. In addition, he has presented lectures and seminars throughout the US, UK, France, and Greece. Robert is a Distinguished Lifetime Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, the Louisiana Psychiatric Medical Association, a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology, and a member of the Mid-Gulf Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 

Scope of practice: 

• Ages: 3 y/o and above 
• Gender: no limitations 
• Purpose for visit: psychiatric evaluations and medication management 
• Exclusions: 
  • substance abuse 
  • custody evaluations 
  • court-ordered or forensic evaluations 
  • Clozaril treatment or treatment with injectables 
  • non-medication therapy 

Jena Zanco, MSW, LCSW, BACS

Depression and Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, PTSD/Trauma, Teen issues such as peer pressure, life struggles, self-esteem, Grief, Social skills, self esteem building, support system building, Relaxation/meditation techniques, Non-suicidal thoughts and behaviors, Communication and conflict resolution

Jean Zanco has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 20 years and truly enjoys helping her patients become their best in every way. She received her Bachelor’s from Southeastern Louisiana University  and her master’s from Louisiana State University. She went on to achieve a Board Approved Clinical Supervisor License in 2002. Jena was born in St. Bernard, LA and like many, moved to the beautiful Northshore after Hurricane Katrina.

Jena believes in providing a laid back, personal, comfortable atmosphere where the client can feel safe, free, and at peace sharing their thoughts and feelings in a therapeutic environment. Mrs Zanco’s clinical experience ranges from outpatient and group setting with teenagers to adults, inpatient facilities working with veterans, acute and chronically ill clients to geriatric needs patients. She has served as a Clinical Manager at a mental health rehab, been a, community liaison/educator for multiple psychiatric facilities, worked in intensive outpatient settings and provided years of clinical patient evaluations for doctors, hospitals, emergency rooms, independent /assisted living facilities, schools and nursing homes to assist professionals with the proper treatment for their clients Ms. Zanco has collaborated closely with psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners for most of her career to provide the most effective treatment modalities and medication management for each unique patient. In addition, she has provided clinical and administrative supervision to social work interns and professionals.

Jena believes counseling is a collaborative effort between therapist and patient. She uses a person-centered approach to gain rapport with her clients. Through this and cognitive behavioral strategies, Jena helps clients identify solutions to problems, develop healthy perceptions of themselves and correct distorted actions/behaviors, thereby freeing them to become peaceful, emotionally healthy, safe and whole. Amongst all else, isn’t that what everyone truly strives for in life-Peace and Happiness. Jena’s grandfather and father are both military veterans, and she takes true pride in working with all heroes including all first responders. Her areas of expertise Consist of:

• Depression and Bipolar Disorder
• Anxiety Disorder
• PTSD/Trauma
• Teens Issues, such as peer pressure, life struggles, self-esteem, etc.
• Grief
• Social Skills, Self-esteem building, Support system building
• Relaxation/Meditation techniques
• Non-Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
• Communication and Conflict Resolution

Tina Malonson, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC

Adolescent, Adult, Older Adults – ADHD, Spectrum, Depression, Bipolar, Dementia, Impulse Disorder 

Tina Malonson is a mother of three sons, one daughter and two grandchildren. Tina was born and raised in southern Louisiana. She enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering at church and serving her community.

After earning her Associates Degree in Science of Nursing in 2006 from Charity School of Nursing in New Orleans, Louisiana she worked as a Registered Nurse while becoming a Childcare Health Consultant for the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals in 2007. She also became Training Center Faculty for American Heart Association in 2010 while pursing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Louisiana State University in 2016. Then she went on to continued her education at Nicholas State University in 2019 by achieving the degree of Masters in Science of Nursing and became Certified by American Association of Nurse Practitioners as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Tina entered the Nurse Practitioner world to explore her passion for medicine and psychology during the pandemic by working tirelessly providing care in the emergency room at Lincoln Medical Center and Mental Health Hospital in Bronx, New York. During this time, Tina gained invaluable experience and acquired a deepened thirst to help the vulnerable mental health population. She proceeded to pursue her education by accomplishing a Post Masters Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health from Herzing University in Wisconsin and became Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in 2022. Tina carries on her passion of serving by working as a Hospice Nurse Practitioner part time while caring for her patients at Beacon Healing and Wellness.

Holly Perry, LPC-S

Client Centered, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Choice Theory and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

Holly Perry received her undergraduate degree from Tulane University, in 1999, in the Social Sciences and her Masters of Science in Counseling from Loyola University, in 2003. She has worked in several counseling arenas including clinics, hospitals, schools, and private practice. Holly holds the credential of Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and specializes in treating Anxiety Disorders, Substance Abuse Disorders and LGBTQ+ issues.

Holly has extensive experience working with trauma, and Intensive Outpatient Services for chemical dependency. Holly considers counseling a collaborative effort with the client, designed to create a comfortable environment for client to master and sustain positive transformation. Holly uses several therapeutic approaches, including Client Centered, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Choice Theory and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. She treats clients of all ages.