Our Team - Bridge to Recovery

Kostas Matheos

LPC-S, LPAT, CSAT, EMDR II, BC-TMH, CPSBT-S, CSRTT-S

As founder and owner of Bridge to Recovery, Kostas has led the facility since 2006. Bridge recognizes a great need in the community for a place where people can heal from trauma and addictions. Understanding what fuels our pain and unmanageability is the heart and soul of recovery.

Kostas is a graduate of the University of Mississippi and holds a Master’s degree in Art Therapy from Southwestern College in Santa Fe, NM. She is trained as a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, Certified Problematic Sexual Behavior Therapist and Supervisor, Certified Sexual and Relational Trauma Therapist and Supervisor, and an EMDR level II clinician. Kostas was recognized as one of the top 10 Leading Business Women in Mississippi in 2010. Over its 17-year history, Bridge has allowed her to work with individuals not only from around Mississippi but across the country.

The Mississippi native considers herself half Greek and half redneck, as she’s an avid hunter. She was born into an entrepreneurial family and grew up working in her parent’s restaurant “Bill’s Greek Tavern.” She enjoys anything outdoors, traveling, reading, and art in her spare time.

Dr. Jennifer Trihoulis

MD

Dr. Trihoulis grew up in Jackson, Mississippi. As the daughter of a psychiatrist, she spent many hours with her father in treatment settings, where she saw people recover and heal.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences from the University of New Orleans and a Master’s in Public Health from Tulane University. She completed medical school at the University of Mississippi and residency at the University Medical Center in Jackson. She is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the American Board of Addiction Medicine.

Dr. Trihoulis’s interests include mood, trauma, and addictive disorders, and she spends much of her time studying the latest research and technology applicable to treating these disorders. She spends time with her three children when she’s not seeing patients.

Judy Matheos

Judy grew up in Mississippi and married Bill Matheos, a true immigrant from Thassos, Greece, and is a proud mother of two daughters and one grandson.

She joined Bridge in November 2009, assisting in the front office, and says the most rewarding part about her job is seeing the changes in people from the first time they walk through the door.

Patty Parham

Office Manager

Patty was born and raised in Mississippi. She has always found joy in helping others. She graduated in 2018 with a medical billing and coding degree and has been married for 13 years. She has four precious children. In her spare time, Patty loves to be outside gardening or simply soaking up the sunshine.

Nakesia Ellis

MSN, PMHNP-BC

Nakesia was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. She can remember having an interest in nursing as early as middle school and became interested in mental health in her late teens when a loved one was diagnosed with a mental disorder. At that time, she witnessed firsthand the struggles families face when caring for a loved one with mental illness. Those struggles and the lack of knowledge about mental health sparked her passion for the field of psychiatry.

She began working as a mental health tech in 2005 while obtaining her certificate as a Practical Nurse at Hinds Community College. In 2010 Nakesia returned to Hinds Community College to receive her Associate’s Degree in Nursing to transition from a Licensed Practical Nurse to a Registered Nurse. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mississippi University for Women in 2015, and in 2020 graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing from Saint Louis University. Her areas of interest in psychiatry include addiction, psychotic disorders, and mood disorders.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her three children and traveling. She is committed to providing quality and compassionate care to her clients.

Keith Hudson

PhD, LPC-S, BC-TMH

Everyone is capable of change— it just takes a decision and commitment to the process.

As a licensed clinician, Keith has a sincere passion for improving the lives of those in distress, as he helps individuals work toward healthy changes in self and relationships. His major goal is fostering positive thinking, even in the face of adversity.

Keith holds a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate in psychology. He now has his own counseling practice, directs the undergraduate psychology program at Jackson State University, and leads group and individual therapy at Bridge.

Outside of Bridge, he likes spending time with family. He’s also an avid tennis player.

Renee Wilkinson

Office Assistant

Renee was born and raised in Mississippi. She grew up in a military family; our men and women who serve our country have a special place in her heart.

Renee has a degree in digital photography and graphic design. She has 3 amazing daughters who have her heart. Renee has been an avid league bowler for the past 20 years. When she is not with her children or bowling she can be found in her kitchen cooking with love!

Laura Rutledge

LPC, EMDR, BC-TMH, CSAT

Laura was born and raised in Mississippi. She remembers her childhood curiosity toward anyone she met and has it in her practice today.

Laura earned her Bachelor’s from Ole Miss and knew she wanted focused training to become a therapist. She received her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary in 2018. Currently, Laura is working on her certification to complete her CSAT (certified sex addiction counselor) as well as EMDR.

As a counselor at Bridge to Recovery, Laura brings fresh insight and a passion for guiding others. Throughout the day, you may find her listening to good music from any decade.

Virginia Boles

RDN, LD, NBC-HWC

Virginia is a Mississippi native who came into the world of nutrition because of her own experiences with food and health. When she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, she realized part of her purpose was to help others manage their own diet-related health conditions. After she began her journey into nutrition education, she realized how mental health and nutritional health are intricately interwoven.

Virginia’s desire is to help people learn about food and their bodies and help others find peace and have a positive relationship with them.

Virginia obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Nutrition and Dietetics from The University of Southern Mississippi. In her free time, you can find Virginia outdoors with her family or inside making something crafty. She loves cooking and feeding people in her home because she believes the best fellowship happens around the table.

Rebecca Turner

MS, RD, LD

Rebecca is an author, registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), radio host, television presenter, and girl mom. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) with a bachelor’s and master of science degree in nutrition and food systems. In 2012, she was awarded the Mississippi Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year and received the Circle of Excellence Award from SUDIA in 2014.

Rebecca has extensive broadcast and print media experience, specializing in creating multimedia content on food and wellness. Turner provides sensible nutrition advice to a statewide and national audience through print, TV, and radio. Turner is the nutritionist for the cooking show, Fit to Eat, airing nationally on the Create Channel and statewide on Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB), and contributes to MPB’s Emmy Award-winning children’s show, Ed Said. As a wellness expert, Turner appears on WLBT / FOX 40-TV and has created nutrition-based features for national publications like LifeWay HomeLife Magazine and Open Windows Devotionals and regularly contributes to Today in Mississippi Magazine and Our Mississippi Home blog site.

Rebecca has authored Mind Over Fork: Escape Dieting to Find the Healthy Lifestyle You Deserve, offering a holistic approach to well-being, focusing on nutritional advice, mindful meditation, and behavior modification. Turner’s latest release, Enjoy Good Health: A faith-based approach to personal wellness, combines her food expertise with her Christian faith to help women live a healthy life based on God’s Word, not the world’s standards.

On weekdays, Turner hosts an uplifting and inspiring talk radio show, Good Things with Rebecca Turner, on SuperTalk Mississippi.

Bernard Matherne

P-LPC, NCC, ICADC-II, CTT, BC-TMH

Bernard was born and raised in the suburbs of New Orleans, Louisiana. He has been a resident of Rankin County since 1987. He married his wonderful wife, Gayle, in 1992. Together they have three children and three beloved grandchildren. During his free time, he enjoys fishing, watching sports, and spending time with family.

Bernard has devoted his adult life to serving those suffering from addictive illness. His passion was born from his addiction recovery journey, which began in 1983. Bernard has worked in a variety of settings, counseling individuals with diverse backgrounds. He has held positions of Addiction Counselor, Clinical Director, Chief Clinical Officer, and Executive Director of residential and outpatient levels of care. Currently, Bernard is a therapist at A Bridge to Recovery, counseling adults with chemical addictions, process addictions, mood disorders, and unresolved trauma.

Bernard obtained a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Belhaven University and a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of Louisiana – Monroe. Bernard currently holds a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (P-LPC) licensure. He is an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICADC-II), National Certified Counselor (NCC), Certified Trauma Therapist (CTT), and Board Certified TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH.) In addition, he is past president of The Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals. Bernard is a 2-time recipient of the Catherine Turcotte Addiction Professional of the Year award.

Bernard has worked extensively with individuals who have struggled with Relapse. He obtained an Advanced Certification in Relapse Prevention Therapy from the CENAPS corporation in the mid-1990s and has assisted many individuals in increasing their recovery resilience and minimizing relapse risks.

Laura Merrill McCaleb

LCSW

Laura Merrill was born and raised in the Mississippi Delta, an environment full of rich history and interesting characters that inspired a love of helping others and curiosity about what makes people tick.

She obtained a Bachelor of Social Work from Delta State University in 2004 and a Master of Science and Social Work from the University of Tennessee in 2005. For the first part of her career, she returned to the Delta and worked with individuals and groups across all stages of development to address various mental health issues. In 2016, she began working at a residential substance abuse treatment center. During this time, she developed a passion for working with individuals and their families to develop rich and meaningful lives despite past circumstances.

She is a registered yoga teacher, a certified EMDR therapist, and an LCSW supervisor. She combines evidence-based practices with her love of yoga philosophy for a therapeutic approach that is both warm and compassionate. She enjoys yoga, reading, live music, and spending time with her son in her free time.

John Conway

MS, P-LPC

A native of Jackson, Mississippi, John Conway has been active in the recovery community for over 22 years, and his experience with substance abuse and addiction issues keeps him passionate about helping people learn ways to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

John received his undergraduate degree in Communication from Mississippi State University, holds a Master of Science in Community Counseling from Jackson State University, and is completing an Education Specialist degree in Mental Health Counseling from Mississippi College.

In his spare time, John likes to travel and go on adventures with his wife, run half-marathons with his daughter and friends, go camping, and spend time outdoors.

Katie Beddingfield

LCSW, LMFT, EMDR

Katie Lambright is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Social Work from The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS. Katie also holds a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from The University of Southern Mississippi.

Katie has ten years of experience working in mental health. She is passionate about working with people who are struggling with problematic compulsive behaviors and substance use disorders that desire to learn healthier ways of coping with the painful experiences that lead to problematic behaviors.

Katie also enjoys working with families and couples who are impacted by addiction and provides a supportive environment that can promote healing. Katie is also skilled in treating trauma using EMDR therapy.

Denise Marsters

CADC, CSAT

Denise Marsters is the Executive Director and the Founder of The McCoy House Extended Care for Women.

She is a certified alcohol and drug counselor and a certified sexual addiction therapist and has worked in the field of addiction and mental disorders for over 27 years. She is trained in equine
therapy, experiential therapy, and relapse prevention.

Denise has worked in inpatient and outpatient treatment settings over the years and facilitates retreats and intensive workshops nationwide.