We are trained and licensed professionals who provide quality counseling services that span a range of topics.
Meet the team below!
Ally Bayard, LPC-S
Founder, Counselor, Clinical Director, Board Approved Supervisor, Certified Autism Specialist
Ally is the founder and clinical director of Refinery Counseling Center LLC. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and board approved supervisor in the state of Louisiana. Ally enjoys providing a range of mental health services including play therapy, family therapy, parenting education, relationship counseling and consultation services. Her areas of focus include anxiety, childhood issues, family and relationship dynamics, neurodivergent disorders and helping clients through life transitions. Ally enjoys incorporating Christian values and guiding principals in to her work as the client desires. Click to learn more.
Joshua Hinkel, LPC, NCC
Joshua is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC). He earned his Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Southeastern Louisiana University.
Joshua has experience working with children, adolescents and adults, and he has supported clients through a variety of stressors. His areas of focus include trauma, borderline personality, relationship issues such as struggles with communication and infidelity, and working with men on social skills, dating, anxiety, and feeling lost as they navigate the unique challenges of our current day and age.
Joshua’s approach to therapy is integrative and is based on the needs of each individual client. However, he will often use CBT, DBT, Internal Family Systems, and Trauma-Focused modalities of treatment. Joshua is also EMDR trained, and will utilize this modality of treatment with clients when appropriate. He is also a certified telehealth provider.
In his free time, Joshua enjoys playing guitar, reading, and playing video games.
Madison Texada, LMSW
Madison is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Social Work Degree from Louisiana State University.
Madison is passionate about helping children, teens, and young adults navigate life’s challenges with confidence and resilience. She has experience in both private practice and intensive outpatient settings, supporting clients with anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, and behavioral concerns. She also has a special interest in working with children affected by separation or divorce, as well as young adults adjusting to independence, relationships, and personal growth.
Madison’s approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy and parent-child interaction in order to strengthen parent/child attachment and address behavioral challenges. . She enjoys incorporating art and play-based therapy to create a comfortable and engaging space for children. Madison’s approach is warm, open-minded, and supportive. She strives to create a safe and welcoming environment where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered to grow. She tailors her approach to each client’s unique needs, always prioritizing their well-being and development.
Outside of work, Madison enjoys spending time with friends and family, exercising, watching her favorite TV shows, and spending time outdoors!
Katelyn Gomes, LMSW
Katelyn is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Louisiana State University.
Katelyn has experience working with families and children in both school and private mental health settings. Her areas of focus include anxiety, depression, self esteem, peer relationships, behavioral skills, life transitions, grief, family conflict, and school/work issues. Katelyn approaches her therapy sessions with intentionality, warmth, kindness and understanding. She incorporates CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and play-based therapy in her sessions. Her goal is simple: to be a reliable source of encouragement and compassion for her clients while they navigate the ups and downs of life.
Outside of work, Katelyn is happiest when spending time with her family, baby boy, and husband. She loves trying new restaurants, going to coffee shops with friends, and staying active.
Mary Ruiz, PLPC
Mary is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC). She holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern State University.
Mary has experience working with adults and teenagers to address anxiety and stress, depression and suicidality, life adjustments/transitions, relationship problems, self-esteem issues, chronic pain, trauma, and grief and loss counseling. Mary also has additional training and a passion for working with adult neurodivergent clients—those questioning or previously diagnosed with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and/or OCD. Techniques used in session are primarily from an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) framework. Mary considers a variety of factors when working with clients, including environmental and societal influences, family dynamics, and each person’s unique biology and personality.
In her personal time Mary enjoys slow mornings and cooking at home with her husband and daughter.
Paige Michel, LMFT
Paige is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). She holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from The University of Southern Mississippi.
Paige has experience working with families, couples, children and adults. Her areas of focus include relationship stress, anxiety disorders, trauma, and self esteem. Paige works from a systemic perspective and tailors her therapeutic approaches to the unique needs of each client. She often uses narrative and experiential approaches to therapy. Paige also utilizes various trauma focused modalities (including prolonged exposure) to help guide you towards change and growth.
In her free time Paige enjoys watching classic movies and spending time with her family and friends.
Taylor Bourque, PLPC, PLMFT
Taylor is a Provisionally Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (PLMFT) and Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC). She holds a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Houston Christian University.
Taylor’s area of focus include marriage and family as well as clinical mental health counseling, therefore she is able to help clients who are experiencing and/or struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions related to the self, the family system and/or relationships. Taylor also has experience in working with issues of body dysmorphia and questioning of sexuality and gender. Taylor utilizes a person-centered and psychodynamic approach to counseling and can also incorporate Christian values into her therapeutic model if the client desires. Taylor works with children, adolescents, and adults.
In her free time, Taylor is either reading a fantasy novel or going on an adventure with her family. When you are ready, Taylor is excited to be a part of your journey and help facilitate growth, healing and overall mental wellness.
Janie Hooper, LMSW
Janie is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Social Work Degree from Louisiana State University.
Janie has experience working with families and children in both the school and private mental health setting. Her areas of focus include anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, peer relationships, and family transitions. Janie’s approach to therapy is individualized and based on the “whole child.” She loves to incorporate cognitive behavioral techniques, play-based therapy, and art into sessions to equip clients with tools to cope, resolve conflict, and improve overall emotional intelligence. Janie is passionate about working with youth, and happy to provide a positive and safe environment for them to flourish!
Outside of work, Janie is happiest when spending time with family, laughing with friends, traveling, and doing all things that “spark joy!”
Emily Thibodeaux, PLPC
Emily is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC). She holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Emily has experience working in various settings including the school setting, community clinic, and private practice. Her primary areas of focus include children and young adults. Emily specializes in working with children ages 3-10 experiencing behavioral, social, and emotional difficulties, as well as family-related challenges, grief, and anxiety. Emily is passionate about helping children better understand and express their needs and emotions through their natural language of play. In addition to working with children, Emily enjoys working with young adults who are experiencing difficult life transitions, low self-esteem, relationship and/or family stressors, or experiencing grief. Emily focuses on fostering a trusting, supportive, and safe relationship with her clients. She takes an integrative approach and customizes her sessions to meet the specific needs of her clients. Emily’s ultimate goal is to empower her clients and walk alongside them as they achieve their desired goals.
In her free time, Emily enjoys catching up with friends over coffee, spending time with her family, and going on walks with her puppy.
Gabby Marino, PLPC
Gabby is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC). She earned a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Loyola University New Orleans.
Gabby has experience working with children and adolescents in the school and private mental health settings. Her areas of focus include but are not limited to, anxiety/ stress, grief, self-esteem, academic struggles, life transitions, family challenges and peer relationships. Gabby has always had a passion for helping and working with kids. She views the therapeutic relationship as the heart of therapy. Gabby values establishing a safe space of trust and support so clients can gain insight, learn coping skills, and ultimately grow toward their full God-given potential. She loves to utilize mindfulness-based techniques, play, art therapy, and other creative outlets when working with clients.
In her free time, Gabby loves spending quality time with family and friends, working out, traveling, and watching her favorite TV shows.
Elizabeth Morris, PLMFT
Elizabeth is a Provisional Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (PLMFT). She completed her undergraduate studies at LSU and later earned a Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy from Touro University.
Elizabeth is passionate about helping couples strengthen their relationships, rebuild trust, and improve communication. She specializes in affair recovery and guiding partners through tough conversations with honesty and care. Trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)—a highly effective approach for couples—she helps clients express their needs in a way that fosters deeper connection, reduces conflict, and enhances intimacy.
Beyond her work with couples, Elizabeth enjoys supporting adolescents and adults as they navigate life transitions and heal from past experiences. Her approach is warm and compassionate, yet she believes in being direct and transparent to help clients gain clarity and make meaningful progress toward their goals.
Outside the office, Elizabeth loves to travel and experience different cultures with friends and family. When she is home she loves to cook, spend time outdoors with her dog Pretzel, and collect houseplants.”
Sarah Fisher, PLPC
Sarah is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) with a Master’s of Counselor Education from Louisiana State University.
Sarah believes in the transformative power of counseling and works with clients ages 9 and up. Sarah helps those struggling with anxiety, self-esteem, life transitions, and more. With experience in various settings, including private practice and IOP, Sarah draws upon cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to empower individuals to cultivate hope, autonomy, accountability, and resilience.
Sarah is also trained in Brainspotting, a powerful approach that can elicit real change for trauma survivors. As a therapist, her priority is to create a safe environment. In this space, clients are encouraged to openly explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Sarah is experienced in working in a variety of settings including private practice and IOP. Sarah’s ultimate goal is to assist clients in slowing down, cultivating a sense of curiosity and self-compassion, and empowering them to make the positive changes they desire.
Outside of work, Sarah loves diving into a good book, spending quality time with friends and family, staying active, and traveling.
Cooper Chavers, BS
Practice Manager
Cooper is the practice manager and “jack of all trades” at Refinery Counseling Center. She manages all office responsibilities including scheduling, billing, social media, community engagements and client relations. Cooper is a Baton Rouge native and earned her degree in public relations from LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication. Upon graduating, Cooper worked in Public Relations for Entergy in New Orleans and spent a year in Raleigh, NC for her husband’s work.
Outside of the office, Cooper enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog. She also loves spending time with family and friends, cooking, traveling and being outdoors!
