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Finding the Light in Your Child is Our Passion!

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You have a Partner in Carolina Minds.

At Lisa Pennington and Associates, PLLC, and the new home of Carolina Minds, we strive to illuminate the light in every child through various services. From assessments to counseling, tutoring, and school interventions, we collaborate with families to create a positive impact in their child’s life.

Learn About Us
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Parenting Support, Whenever You Need It.

Created by Dr. Lisa Pennington, the Parent Me Workshop Series offers families practical strategies and expert guidance for common parenting challenges, including anxiety, ADHD, behavior concerns, and strong-willed children.

This on-demand series includes four workshops designed to help parents feel more confident, strengthen connections at home, and respond more effectively to everyday challenges. Each course offers clear, actionable tools you can begin using right away.

Become a member today and receive lifetime access to the complete workshop series.

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How Can We Help Your Child?

We offer a range of assessments, therapies, and tutoring to reach as many children as possible. Our private practice specializes in counseling services, parenting support, and comprehensive evaluations for Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, learning disabilities, and social/emotional development. We also provide academic interventions and support services for school consultations. Our mission is to empower children, adolescents, and young adults to achieve their fullest potential.

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With over 20 years of experience in treating children and teens, we understand how daunting and isolating it can feel to seek the help your child needs. From diagnosis and treatment to collaborating with schools and referral partners, we ensure you won't feel alone in addressing your child's mental health and educational challenges.

We are with you every step of the way.

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Our Services

  • READ THE ASSESSMENT DESCRIPTIONS HERE

    Learning Disabilities (Reading/Dyslexia, Writing/Dysgraphia, & Math/Dyscalculia)

    ADHD

    Early Childhood Assessments

    Early Kindergarten Eligibility

    School Accommodations, 504 Plans, and IEP Eligibility

    Talented and Gifted Assessments

    Learning Process Testing

    Learning Preferences and Needs

    School Admissions Testing

    Emotional/Behavioral Challenges

  • READ THE COUNSELING SERVICES DESCRIPTIONS HERE

    Individual Therapy

    Play Therapy

    Parenting Support & Family Therapy

    Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity

    Anxiety/Excessive Worries

    Coping and Social Skills

    Emotional Regulation

    Effective Communication Skill

    Cognitive Behavioral Interventions

    Confidence Building

    Peer Relationships

  • READ THE TUTORING DESCRIPTIONS HERE

    Reading (Decoding, Fluency, and Comprehension)

    Written Expression and Spelling

    Math

    Test Taking Strategies

    Homework Management

    Organization/Study Skills

    Executive Functioning

  • READ THE SUPPORT SERVICES DESCRIPTIONS HERE

    Psycho-educational Assessments

    Assistance with 504 Plans​

    Individualized Education Plan Eligibility Meetings

    School Consultations

    Classroom Observations

    Intervention Development, Implementation, and Monitoring Progress

  • We offer a range of services, including:

    • Parenting Groups on common early childhood topics such as potty training, emotional regulation, and behavior management—providing evidence-based strategies and peer support in a warm, collaborative environment.

    • Individualized Parent Coaching Sessions tailored to your family’s unique needs. Whether you're navigating sleep struggles, screen time concerns, discipline questions, or school readiness, our experienced clinicians will work alongside you to develop realistic, practical strategies for home.

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  • Assessments

    An individualized assessment may be helpful if your child is showing signs of learning difficulties, anxiety, lack of focus, hyperactivity, or disruptive behavior at home or school.

    Our services include evaluations for learning disabilities such as dyslexia and dysgraphia, ADHD, giftedness identification, early childhood development, school admissions, as well as addressing emotional and behavioral challenges.

    A child resting their head on their folded arms on a light blue table with colorful notebooks and pens around them, spelling out the word 'DYSLExIA' with letter tiles.

  • Counseling

    If you’re a parent feeling concerned about behavioral challenges or unsure about your child’s emotional or social well-being—whether it’s disruptive behavior, anxiety, social skill deficits, fears, or excessive worrying—we can help!

    Our counseling services are here to assist your child and family with whatever you might be facing. We see children individually, together as a family, or parents on their own.

    A young boy and a woman sit cross-legged on a colorful area rug in a classroom, engaging in a game or activity involving colored paper or game pieces, with educational toys and artwork visible in the background.

  • Educational Tutoring

    Does your child need a confidence boost in school? Are their learning difficulties impacted by a diagnosis or mental health issues? We offer one-on-one tutoring that makes learning fun! Our certified tutor creates personalized plans to help your child excel in all subjects, from core subjects to executive functioning, homework management, and organizational/study skills.

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  • School Consultations

    Managing your child's diagnosis, Individual Education Plan (IEP), and/or 504 Plan can be challenging to handle alone. We help parents and schools collaborate more effectively by providing psycho-educational assessments, assistance with IEP and 504 Plans, classroom observations, and attending meetings. Additionally, we offer intervention development, implementation, and progress monitoring.

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Contact Us
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Dr. Lisa Pennington

Dr. Lisa Pennington

B.A./M.A./Ed.S./Ph.D.

NC Licensed Psychologist

CEO and Clinical Director

Andriette Farmer

Andriette Farmer

B.A./M.A./Ed.S.

NC Psychological Associate

Nationally Certified School Psychologist

Dr. Kensleigh Hogan

Dr. Kensleigh Hogan

B.A./M.S.Ed/ PsyD

NC Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Amelia Klass

Dr. Amelia Klass

B.A./M.S.Ed/ Ph.D.

NC Provisional Psychologist

John Frazier

John Frazier

B.A./M.Ed./LCMHC-A

NC Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate

Julia Norvid

Julia Norvid

B.A./M.Ed./LCMHC-A

NC Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate

Lily Hackman
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Lily Hackman

B.S./MSW/LCSWA

NC Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate  

Elaine Pennington

B.A./M.A.

Academic Tutor and Retired Teacher

OUR BLOG

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The Firefly Effect

Two children, a girl with glasses and curly hair and a boy with short hair, are sitting at a table outdoors with lunch. The girl is holding a sandwich and smiling at the camera, with a pink lunchbox in front of her. The boy is holding a sandwich and smiling, with an apple on the table.

Helping Your Child Ease Back to School Nerves

A woman comforting a young girl, holding her head and shoulder, in a bedroom with dark blue walls and a bed in the background.

4 Ways to Calm Your Anxious Child

An adult man and a boy sitting together outdoors, engaged in a conversation. The man is wearing a light blue and white striped shirt, and the boy is wearing a light-colored long sleeve shirt. They are sitting on what appears to be a porch or patio in front of a house with windows.

Tips for Connecting with Your Autistic Child

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