Hammond Team

Sierra is a Registered Nurse, BSN with 17 years of experience caring for the Behavioral Health Population and 6 years in an administrative role. Sierra is a Psychiatric and Substance Abuse healthcare champion with experience supporting and implementing psychiatric care facility mission, vision, and core values. Sierra has always been passionate about providing holistic care to adolescents in need of Behavioral Health Resources, which led to joining The Maples team. Before coming a member of the Maples Team, Sierra worked as the Chief Nursing Officer at Ochsner Rehabilitation Hospital in Jefferson Parish, LA, providing oversight of a 56-bed unit, collaborating…

Lori Harper is the Director of Education for The Maples. She graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education. Before coming to The Maples, Lori was a classroom teacher for 37 years. She started tutoring at the Baton Rouge facility and realized how important it is for adolescents to have an advocate to help them navigate school while in treatment. Lori gradually developed a process for monitoring and encouraging residents while continuing their schoolwork. Lori works with each resident’s school or district to establish the best plan of action for academic success and a smooth transition…

Chassity is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) who moved to Louisiana to pursue her education and quickly embraced the culture—becoming a proud LSU Tigers fan along the way. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Valdosta State University and went on to complete her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Louisiana State University. Her academic background and training have shaped a thoughtful, client-centered approach to counseling that prioritizes understanding each individual’s unique experiences and strengths. Chassity is passionate about creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel genuinely heard and respected. She believes…

Niki Banta is the parent support counselor for The Maples Adolescent Residential Program. Niki has experience working with inpatient, outpatient and family group therapy as an eating disorder counselor. She has worked extensively with adolescents and has knowledge of clients with depression, anxiety, self-harm, eating disorders and trauma. She utilizes a variety of counseling modalities tailored to meet the needs of the client.

Licensed Professional Counselor, Supervisor
Louisiana State University, M.A. in Clinical Counseling
Louisiana State University, Education Specialist
Louisiana State University, B.A. in Psychology
Member of the Louisiana Counseling Association

Dr. Kevin Zimmerman is a provisionally licensed marriage and family therapist with over a decade of combined experience in clinical care, teaching, and research focused on healthy family functioning. At The Maples, he provides family therapy with a steady, compassionate presence and a deep commitment to helping each adolescent—and her family—move toward healing and wholeness. Kevin holds a PhD in Human Development and Family Studies and has taught university-level courses in child and adolescent development, family dynamics, and communication. His therapeutic work is grounded in evidence-based approaches such as Family Systems Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy…

Katie Krause, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor working with families, teens, adolescents, individuals and couples helping to navigate life’s challenges. Katie earned a Bachelor of Science in counseling from Southeastern Louisiana University and has nearly a decade of experience in the field.

She specializes in communication issues, conflict resolution, and relationship dynamics using evidence-based approaches, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Family Systems and Emotionally Focused Therapy.

Katie enjoys traveling and new experiences in her free time while raising her two teenagers.

Licensed Professional Counselor
Southeastern Louisiana University, B.S. in Counseling

Carlie Dowell, LMSW, is a proud Louisiana native and dedicated Licensed Master Social Worker. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from Louisiana State University. During her academic journey, Carlie developed a passion for behavioral health and youth advocacy through internships and volunteer work with local nonprofits. Currently pursuing her LCSW licensure, Carlie brings valuable clinical experience from both residential and inpatient settings. She has a solid foundation in therapeutic interventions and is committed to fostering a supportive, empowering environment where young clients can thrive and build lasting resilience into adulthood. Outside of The Maples, Carlie…

Madi Engels is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker born and raised in Dallas, TX. She  attended the University of North Texas for her bachelor’s degree in social work, with a  minor in counseling. Madi continued her education at Tulane University to achieve her  Master of Social Work, with a certificate in Mental Health, Addiction, and the Family. Madi incorporates Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person Centered Approaches, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, incorporating Parts Work and Systems Approaches while working with clients to empower them to be the best version of themselves. In her free time, Madi enjoys working on her various…

Adrian is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) born and raised in Louisiana. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Kansas and completed her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with distinction at Loyola University New Orleans. Adrian brings experience from diverse clinical settings, including acute inpatient facilities and correctional institutions, where she has worked with individuals navigating complex mental health challenges. She completed her graduate internship at The Maples, where she developed a passion for working with adolescents and refined her ability to provide compassionate, individualized care. Outside of The Maples, Adrian enjoys time…

Brianna Kora is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) born and raised outside of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She began her professional education by earning a Bachelors of Science degree from Louisiana State University in Child and Family Studies with a minor in Social Work. Upon graduation she attended Tulane University where she earned her Master of Social Work. Brianna previously worked with adolescents in an acute inpatient setting, and has transitioned to The Maples to work with teenage girls in a residential setting, with the goal of empowering her patients to enact positive long-term change. She utilizes CBT, Motivational Interviewing, DBT, and…

Alicia is from Springfield, Louisiana, and currently resides in Hammond, Louisiana. She is currently the Head RN at The Maples, Hammond. Alicia has been a nurse for 14 years. She obtained her bachelor’s degree of Science in Nursing from Our Lady of the Lake College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She has worked in various areas of Nursing and held different roles in her career. Alicia has worked in Orthopedic Surgery, Clinic, Utilization Review, Population Health, Rehabilitation, and Behavioral Health/Mental Health. She has had the pleasure to have worked in Mental Health/Behavioral Health for 10 years and counting, with many different…

Paige Franklin, serves as the Assistant Head of Nursing in Behavioral Health, providing clinical leadership and operational support to ensure safe, high-quality patient care.

She brings a multidisciplinary background in kinesiology, pharmaceutical services, and neurosurgery, which strengthens her clinical perspective and approach to complex patient needs. In her role, Paige assists with nursing oversight, staff development, policy implementation, and regulatory compliance while promoting evidence-based practice and collaborative care models.

She is recognized for her strong clinical judgment, professionalism, and commitment to fostering a supportive, therapeutic environment that prioritizes patient safety, dignity, and long-term recovery."

Zepelin is a big dog with an even bigger heart! He might look huge, but he’s as gentle as a teddy bear. Zepelin was crowned King of the Friends of the Animals Strolling for Strays in 2024. Zepelin makes appearances at all three Maples locations! He’s great at sitting quietly, giving soft snuggles, and just being there when you need a friend. Zepelin knows that sometimes, just having a big, fluffy buddy nearby can make a tough day feel a little easier. His favorite things? Ear scratches, slow walks, making kids smile—and chasing squirrels (but only when he’s off duty)!

Sammy is Ms. Brie’s three-year-old Beagle that frequently visits our Hammond location. Sam works to protect the girls by consistently barking at the doorbell and any strangers. When off duty he trots around the Hammond facility looking for dropped snacks and cuddles. His favorite hobbies are chasing squirrels, playing fetch outside and napping with the residents.

Travis Weisbrod is a certified exercise physiologist who specializes in working with mental health and behavior change. He has worked in the mental health treatment field for the last 10+ years and first began working in health and fitness 20 years ago.  Travis, a California native who now calls Baton Rouge home, completed his master’s degree from LSU in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Clinical Exercise Physiology. As a certified exercise physiologist, strength and conditioning specialist, and behavior change specialist, Travis uses evidence-based methods to help improve symptoms and outcomes for patients with a variety of mental health conditions. He…

Ryan is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University’s Masters of Counseling program with a focus on family counseling. Ryan has been a practicing clinician since 2012. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, and a Nation Certified Counselor, specializing in addiction and family counseling. Ryan has developed family programs through education, led development of chemical dependency program literature, and is an active supervisor for Provisional counselors entering the field. He has been focused on counseling professionals facing family issues, addiction, and working closely with state monitoring boards such as the Louisiana state board of nursing, Louisiana state board of physical…

Kimberlee Hedrick is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (BCD) and Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP) who has been in private practice in Baton Rouge for over 20 years providing individual, group and family psychotherapy. She specializes in treating both males and females struggling with disordered eating including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, and Binge Eating Disorder, as well as body image disturbance and underlying mood disorders.  Her strong belief in an authentic, compassionate and relational approach provides the underpinnings of her treatment philosophy as she strives to empower others to live “a life worth living.”…

Lori Harper is the Director of Education for The Maples. She graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education. Before coming to The Maples, Lori was a classroom teacher for 37 years. She started tutoring at the Baton Rouge facility and realized how important it is for adolescents to have an advocate to help them navigate school while in treatment. Lori gradually developed a process for monitoring and encouraging residents while continuing their schoolwork. Lori works with each resident’s school or district to establish the best plan of action for academic success and a smooth transition…

Mary Claire Delony, a Baton Rouge native and RYT, has been teaching on the yoga mat for 12 years.  After finishing her Masters degree in Painting and Drawing in 2008 in NYC, she moved back home to begin a teaching career in the art classroom.  From elementary and high schools to LSU studio classes, she taught art for a span of 13 years all while deeply entrenched in movement and breath practices that continually helped her manage and heal from a lifetime of debilitating anxiety.  An unexpected pivot from teaching in yoga studios to residential treatment in 2023 at St. Christopher's Addiction Wellness,…