An Introduction to Killebrew Companies and their Visionary Founder, Dr. Alyssa Killebrew

An Introduction to Killebrew Companies and their Visionary Founder, Dr. Alyssa Killebrew

When one hears the name Killebrew, thoughts of resilience, innovation, and a holistic approach to wellness might come to mind. Founded and guided by the passion of Dr. Alyssa Killebrew, the Killebrew companies have made significant strides in diverse sectors ranging from mental health to agriculture.

Let’s explore the various ventures that constitute the Killebrew legacy:

Killebrew Psychological Services: 

This pivotal arm of the Killebrew companies is an outpatient and testing facility renowned for its specialized expertise in areas like trauma, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, and a myriad of other conditions. Under Dr. Killebrew’s guidance, clients embark on a therapeutic journey tailored to their needs, drawing from a variety of therapy types including Dialectical Behavior (DBT), Existential, and Trauma Focused among others.

Essential Touchstones Psychological Services:

A crucial enterprise focusing on adolescents with co-occurring mental health conditions and substance use, as well as mental health issues in adults. Holding certifications from the Department of Mental Health and the Joint Commission, Essential Touchstones champions evidence-based treatment merged with experiential therapies.

SEK Therapeutic Intensives and SEK Camp:

SEK stands as a beacon of hope for grieving adolescents, drawing inspiration from the personal grief journey of Dr. Killebrew, who lost a dear friend and her daughter in quick succession. Named in tribute to her daughter, Sara Elizabeth Killebrew, the intensive therapeutic programs here harness the power of nature, arts, and group activities to usher in healing.

Killebrew Ag Foundation & Killebrew Rodeo:

A testament to the Killebrew family’s deep-rooted connection with agriculture, these initiatives aim to cultivate the next generation of Mississippi farmers. The foundation’s mission focuses on comprehensive agricultural education, while the rodeo event, a tribute to the late Keath Killebrew, Dr. Killebrew’s husband — a Mississippi farmer who died tragically in a plane crash — serves to fund scholarships for young agricultural enthusiasts.

Touchstone Yoga:

A haven for those seeking peace and balance, Touchstone Yoga offers a range of classes. Under the guidance of skilled instructors like Sarah Sellers and Susan Herring, students can explore Vinyasa Yoga or the calming Restorative Yoga.

At the heart of these varied initiatives is Dr. Alyssa Killebrew. Driven by a relentless passion to assist others in finding inner peace and purpose, she’s committed to forging paths of lasting change. Her dedication isn’t just to her profession; it’s a testament to her personal journey, having faced significant losses yet continuing to rise, always keeping the vision of assisting others in their healing journeys.

In the Killebrew realm, there’s a clear message: Through resilience, faith, and dedication, it’s possible to transform personal tragedies into platforms that uplift others. As Dr. Killebrew often states, “We Rise by Lifting Others.”

Introducing Trauma-informed Medical MASSAGE THERAPY

Introducing Trauma-informed Medical MASSAGE THERAPY

Essential Touchstones is now accepting self-pay patients for Medical Therapeutic Massage with Mrs. Brenda Hayes.
Brenda has experience helping patients engage resilience through trauma-informed body work. She works with each patient to build trauma awareness while building safety and trust through collaborative connection and strength-based body work.

Brenda is a licensed massage therapist with training in medical massage. Trauma-informed massage therapy is a tool that can help patients heal from adverse events in childhood and adult trauma.

Trauma can be due to direct individual experience. That trauma can also be systemic, or intergenerational in nature. Trauma hugely impacts the body and mind. It can affect a person’s memory and brain development, sense of safety, ability to ask for help and voice preferences, as well as diminish one’s capacity to regulate emotions and experience trust in relationships.

Experiencing trauma can also lessen a person’s comfort in interacting with healthcare providers. Considering the prevalence of trauma and its wide-reaching impacts, we can understand how important it is for a massage therapist to apply the principles of trauma-informed practice in their sessions.

If you’re looking for trauma-informed massage therapy, please consult your mental health professionals and give us a call at 769-231-9414 today.

Introducing new business partner and Adult treatment program

Introducing new business partner and Adult treatment program

New Partner and Business Development Officer

Essential Touchstones is excited to announce Dr. Jerri Avery Gledhill as an Essential Touchstones Partner and Business Development Officer. Jerri Avery Gledhill Ph.D., LPC, has over 20 years of experience in clinical treatment services, federal grant-writing and implementation, social service program management, work force development, social science research, and governmental and nonprofit leadership. Dr. Gledhill met the founder of Essential Touchstones, Dr. Alyssa Killebrew, early in her career and the two developed a fast friendship. Professional pursuits and like minds have continued to bring them together. Essential Touchstones is the avenue through she hopes to continue her mission to serve people who are hurting and promote healing. Dr. Gledhill currently also works in private practice at Killebrew Psychological Services, LLC in Ridgeland, MS (also owned and founded by Dr. Killebrew) and provides behavioral health policy and evaluation consultation services. She is married to James “Gleddy” Gledhill and is the proud mom of five children. Learn more about Dr. Gledhill.


New Adult Trauma-Focused IOP

Essential Touchstones is proud to announce the launch of an Adult Trauma-Focused Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in November 2022. While Essential Touchstones has long provided IOP service for adolescents with mental health and/or substance use disorders, the program is now newly certified by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health to provide this service for adults. The target population will be adults with mental health disorders created by or exacerbated by traumatic experiences.

Once a week appointments are not always sufficient to meet the mental health needs of individuals and inpatient levels of care exceed what the individual needs to mitigate symptoms. When this is case, an IOP can provide a time-limited, intense level of treatment aimed at the reduction or elimination of self-harm, suicidality, dissociation, guilt, numbness, anxiety, flashbacks, loss of trust, anger, loss of pleasure, and other symptoms and the increase in functionality at home, school or work. Essential Touchstones will continue to refer persons with a primary substance use disorders to other IOP programs in our community and will focus our treatment on individuals with a substantial history of trauma resulting in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or other mental health disorders that have resulted in a marked reduction in quality of life.

The IOP group will meet three times a week, for three hours per day and also include a minimum of one hour of individual therapy per week. The curriculum includes components of the Seeking Safety curriculum for the treatment of trauma and the following evidence-based treatment programs and practices: Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Internal Family Systems and Experiential Therapy. The coordinator is Ms. Dena Campbell, LPC-S, who is a first responder and an experienced mental health practitioner. Contact us for more information at [email protected] or 769-231-9414.