Founded in 2014, Beauty for Ashes Counseling, LLC is one of the most respected counseling practices serving The Upstate and Sumter, South Carolina, Western North Carolina, and surrounding areas. Our counseling services earn their reputation from a deep and sustained commitment to quality care, innovative approaches, and creative methods.
Our therapists are dedicated to providing solace, emotional wellness, and healing to people in pain. Our ultimate goal is to help restore you to your most authentic self.
We have two in-person offices:
Taylors Office:
1527 Wade Hampton Blvd., Greenville, SC 29609
Sumter office:
533 Oxford street, Suite A Sumter, SC 29150
We also provide telehealth services to clients who reside in North Carolina, Florida and Alaska
Meet Our Team of Therapists:
Greenville Office:
Cheryl L. Childers, MSW, MA, LISW-CPS, LPC, ATR-BC, RPTS, CDWF
Beauty for Ashes Counseling Founder Cheryl Childers is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supervisor, Licensed Professional Counselor, Board Certified Art Therapist, and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor.
Cheryl is also a Certified Daring Way™ facilitator, specifically trained to utilize the research of Dr. Brené Brown.
Cheryl Childers is a multi-credentialed therapist and educator with over 20 years of experience in the fields of social work, art therapy, and play therapy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design, Photography, and Psychology from Franklin Pierce University and a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina. In 2017, she earned a Master of Arts in Art Therapy from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.
Throughout her career, Cheryl has achieved several notable accomplishments:
In 2009, she studied under Joni Eareckson Tada at the Joni and Friends International Disability Center, earning a certificate in disability ministry.
In 2011, she received the Commander's Award for Public Service from the United States Army, the fourth-highest civilian honor.
In 2020, she earned both the Registered Play Therapy Supervisor (RPTS) credential from the Association for Play Therapy and the Board-Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC) credential from the Art Therapy Credentials Board.
In 2022, Cheryl completed the Family Court Mediation Certification & Advanced Negotiation Workshop Training through the South Carolina Bar to become a certified Court Mediator.
Currently, Cheryl serves the Greenville County Probate Court as a court appointed Guardian ad Litem, and guardian; and the Greenville County Family Court as an expert witness, and court appointed therapist with an emphasis in co-parenting, reunification therapy, and supervised therapeutic visitations.
Cheryl has worked across a broad spectrum of care settings, including long-term care, hospice, rehabilitation, dialysis, mental health, and court systems. She is passionate about supporting fellow therapists, helping them develop the confidence and skills necessary to build thriving practices. She provides therapy, clinical supervision, consulting, coaching, and professional CEUs to equip therapists to better serve their clients with compassion and competence.
In her personal time, Cheryl is an avid artist, finding joy in illustrating, painting, and photography. Her creative spirit fuels both her professional work and personal pursuits, allowing her to integrate art into her therapeutic practice. Cheryl’s dedication to mental health, combined with her diverse experiences, has shaped her holistic approach to healing for children, adults, and families.
Cheryl works out of the Taylors and Sumter offices and utilizes telehealth for North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Alaska clients. She is out of network with all insurance carriers except TriCare, and Medicare Part B. Still, She is happy to provide a superbill (a simple way to request out-of-network reimbursement from your insurance company).
**Cheryl currently has a waitlist
Wes Davis, MEd, LPCS, CCPT
Licensed Professional Counselor, Clinical Supervisor, Child-Centered Play Therapist
Wes…
has lived most of his life in upstate South Carolina. His interest in the helping arts developed during his years at Gardner-Webb University where he earned his undergraduate degree in 2001. In 2002, Wes earned his Master’s in Counselor Education from Clemson University.
Today, Wes has well over 18 years of experience in clinical mental health work, including working with various populations and age groups. Though he has treated individuals for a wide range of issues, his expertise is in counseling persons with chronic mental illness and supporting them in their recovery.
In this work, Wes employs a holistic philosophy. By helping clients address the mental, physical, and spiritual aspects of their lives, Wes helps people discover their potential.
Wes is in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, PAI, Tricare, and United Healthcare works out of the Beauty for Ashes office in Greenville, South Carolina, and provides telehealth to all of SC.
Wes is also available for clinicians who are seeking LPC supervision.
Angelica Means, MSW, LISW-CPS
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
School Counselor
ANGELICA…
is a Licensed Independent Social Worker in Clinical Practice (LISW-CP) and has been actively working in social work for 12 years. She enjoys working with individuals and families who are struggling with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, grief, or trauma as they navigate through life’s many challenges. Her ideal clients range from adolescents to older adults. She’s had experience working with many different populations in inpatient and outpatient settings.
Angelica is in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Healthy Blue/Blue Choice, Medicare, SC Medicaid, First Choice/Select Health, Tricare and United Healthcare. She works out of the Beauty for Ashes office in Greenville, South Carolina and offers telehealth to all of SC.
Angelica is also available for clinicians seeking LISW-CP supervision.
Brianna Norwood, M.Ed., Ed.S, LPCA, NCC
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
Brianna
is the newest addition to the BFAC team. She enables her clients to identify their strengths and support them in identifying steps toward achieving mental wellness. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of South Carolina in August 2018 and has worked for various organizations serving children and adolescents. She continued her education at Clemson University and while enrolled, she gained clinical experience in an Elementary School setting serving children and an Outpatient Addiction Facility serving adults.
Brianna received an M.Ed. in Counselor Education with a Clinical Mental Health emphasis from Clemson University in May 2023. She is a National Board Certified Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate. She received special training to support individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, and navigating life adjustments.
She self-identifies as a neurodiversity-affirming therapist.
Brianna offers a person-centered approach to counseling including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Experiential techniques. In her free time, Brianna enjoys reading, creating art, cooking, and spending time in nature.
Brianna currently sees clients via telehealth and in person from our Greenville office. She can see clients who have SC Medicaid, First Choice/Select Health Medicaid, Absolute Total Care Medicaid, Molina Medicaid, and Blue Choice Medicaid under the supervision of Wes Davis, LPCS, and Cheryl Childers, MSW, LPC. She is out of network with all other insurance carriers but has a sliding fee scale to meet your financial needs.
Hannah Patteson, MSW, LISW-CP, PCIT
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
HANNAH…
is a compassionate therapist specializing in empowering individuals and families through evidence-based approaches and creative expression. Drawing from therapies like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), she guides clients in overcoming fears, reducing anxiety, and fostering resilience.
With expertise in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, and Assertive Communication Therapy, Hannah offers a holistic approach to healing, emphasizing mindfulness, acceptance, and positive change.
She integrates creative expression into therapy sessions, using play, expressive arts, music, and role-playing games to help clients explore and communicate their experiences uniquely and meaningfully.
Hannah's passion lies in family therapy, supporting individuals of all ages through life's transitions. She specializes in family communication, growth opportunities, and strengthening bonds within diverse family systems.
Her practice encompasses various areas, including family reunification, LGBTQ+ support, and working with children and individuals with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and neurodivergence-related challenges.
Hannah holds a Master of Social Work and a BSW from the University of South Carolina. Committed to ongoing professional development, she stays abreast of the latest therapeutic techniques and research.
If you're seeking support in navigating life's challenges, building resilience, or strengthening family connections, Hannah is dedicated to accompanying you on your journey of growth and healing.
Hannah currently utilizes telehealth and in-person from our Greenville office. She is out of network with all insurance carriers (as she becomes credentialed) but has a sliding-fee scale to meet your financial needs.
Sumter Office:
Jamie Manko, MA, LPC, NCC, ATR
Licensed Professional Counselor,
Art Therapist, Sumter Office Coordinator
JAMIE…
is deeply client-centered in her work. She works closely with her clients to help them tackle points of difficulty and struggle. In sessions, she utilizes art therapy and mindfulness to ease anxiety, reduce stress, and improve sleep and focus. She also believes in the value of engaging in the creative process to work through whatever is holding you back from achieving your goals.
Jamie received her Master’s in Art Therapy from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and focuses her clinical practice on grief, loss, trauma, and depression. She is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and incorporates that skill into her client-centered approach.
Jamie sees clients via telehealth and in person in our Sumter office. She can see clients who have SC Medicaid, Healthy Blue/Blue Choice Medicaid, Molina Medicaid and Select Health/First Choice Medicaid, Medicare, and BCBS. She is out of network with all other insurance carriers but has a sliding-fee scale to meet your financial needs.
Jamie is also available for clinicians seeking LPC supervision.
Lydia Khan, MSW, LISW-CP
Lydia…
has been working in the field of mental health since 2014, primarily with adolescents facing crises and in various settings - from schools to shelters to residential facilities. The ability to communicate and understand emotions is a learned skill, and Lydia uses her training as an Expressive Arts Therapist to assist clients to achieve this through self-reflection and re-connection.
Lydia was born and raised internationally, living in With exposure and adaptation within various communities around the world, she grew to develop the Third Culture Kid’s respect for diverse beliefs, heritages, histories, and social structures. This has informed her professional journey to find a way to help people and communities. Lydia graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and Politics from Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, PA, and has her Masters in Social Work with a Graduate Certificate in Military Social Work from the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO.
She is a Clinically Licensed Social Worker in both the states of Missouri and South Carolina. She has worked with DBT and substance use counseling techniques in addition to Expressive Arts, and provides both individual and group therapy opportunities out of the Sumter, SC office.
Lydia sees clients via telehealth who are located in either Missouri or South Carolina. She will begin to see clients in person in our Sumter office beginning in August 2024. She can see clients who have SC Medicaid, Healthy Blue/Blue Choice Medicaid, Molina Medicaid and Select Health/First Choice Medicaid, Medicare, United Healthcare and BCBS.
Meet Our Support Staff:
Job Alexander
Office Manager
Job Alexander…
is the Beauty for Ashes office manager. He seconds as a marketer, producer, musician, and storyteller. He received his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from North Greenville University.
Job is happy to represent Beauty for Ashes team and is here to assist you with all of your scheduling and billing needs.
Shiloh, Certified Therapy Dog
Certified Therapy Dog
SHILOH…
Along with her four siblings were found on the side of the road right after they were born. A good samaritan found them and rescued them. She bottle-fed them and found three of them homes. Shiloh and her brother were sent to Greenville Animal Care to find their forever homes. Cheryl fell in love with her the moment she saw her, and their home has never been the same (literally).
Shiloh is a certified therapy dog, as well as a service dog. She has been a part of Beauty for Ashes Counseling from an early age and can be requested for therapy sessions.
Kyrie Eleison, Retired (Really Tired) Therapy K-9 - RIP
Therapy Dog, Security Detail
Kyrie…
When the son of Beauty for Ashes founder Cheryl Childers lost his dog Kida, he was heartbroken. So it was a stroke of luck when Kida’s breeder learned of Kida’s untimely death and contacted Cheryl to let her know they were going to breed Kida’s parents again and would like to give Cheryl and her family the pick of the litter. Kyrie was well worth the wait! Her full name, Kyrie Eleison, is Greek for “Lord have mercy.”
Kyrie was certified as a therapy dog. She was a part of Beauty for Ashes Counseling for several before COVID retired her. Sadly, she passed away in May 2024 and we miss her more than ever.
Beauty for Ashes Counseling Team
