Dr. Stephanie Steele-Wren, PsyD (She/her/hers):
Dr. Steele-Wren has worked in a variety of clinical settings and is a licensed psychologist in Arkansas, practicing in the Bentonville, AR/Northwest, AR area. She also identifies as bisexual and has lived experience of ADHD, pregnancy loss/miscarriage, preeclampsia/high risk pregnancy, as well as chronic illness (Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome), which makes those with similar identities and experiences a great fit.
Her doctoral dissertation focused on how to better serve women’s mental health while facing breast cancer, also something she has personal experience with. If you would like to read her dissertation, please click here.
In addition, Dr. Steele-Wren is extensively trained in Psychological Testing and Evaluation and enjoys putting the pieces together in the investigative nature of testing.
AS SEEN IN
Specialized Interests
Chronic Illness
Personal experience living and coping with chronic illness.
Women's Issues
Well-researched in how to better serve women's mental health.
Neurodiversity
Personal experience with managing ADHD and formally trained in Autism services.
Qualifications & Credentials
- 11 Years of Clinical Practice
- Licensed Psychologist, Arkansas — License No. 202154
- PSYPACT Authorization – Mobility # 24112
- ArPA, Arkansas Psychological Association — Member
- Society for Personality Assessment (SPA) — Member
- American Psychological Association (APA) — Member
- APA-Accredited Doctoral Internship, SUNY Albany University Counseling Center, 2018-2019
- Doctorate in Counseling Psychology (Psy.D.) — Springfield College, 2019
- Master of Science, Mental Health Counseling — Nova Southeastern University, 2013
- Bachelor of Arts, Psychology — Williams College, 2011
Approach to Wellness
In her free time, Dr. Steele-Wren enjoys weight lifting, dancing, the great outdoors of the Natural State, cooking, painting, and photography (see her original nature photography below!). She is also passionate about traveling to new places, spending time with her spouse and their daughter, two dogs, friends, and admits to binge-watching her favorite television shows when she needs to turn her brain off.
Dr. Mara Whiteside, Ph.D., ABPdN, NCSP,
(She, her, hers)
Mara Whiteside, PhD, ABPdN, NCSP, is a board-certified pediatric neuropsychologist and associate professor of pediatrics. She has worked in public education as a school psychologist and currently holds a clinical attending position at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and provides services at Schmieding Developmental Center and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She has taught undergraduate psychology courses at University of Arkansas and at University of Central Arkansas. She trains postdoctoral fellows and practicum students on pediatric assessment. Dr. Whiteside also provides clinical support for research done at the Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center. Her clinical passion is assessment of neurocognitive changes in children who have undergone cancer treatments, and she participates in Children’s Oncology Group.
Dr. Whiteside uses her experience working in public schools to help families and children navigate special education services and understand neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Whiteside specializes in translating testing data, history, and observations into strengths and weaknesses linked to academic and behavioral performance.
Dr. Whiteside provides comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations of children and young adults (ages 6 years through 21 years). She does not conduct an evaluation to look for one disorder or condition; rather, her evaluations provide a comprehensive profile of the child or young adult which may include appropriate diagnoses and comorbidities.
In her spare time, Dr. Whiteside reads a wide range of books. She has an interest in bibliotherapy and the benefits of reading to mental health. You can read more about the books she reads at readlikeapsychologist.com. You can also find more information about neuropsychological evaluation at her website.
Qualifications and Credentials
- Over 10 years of clinical experience in schools and academic medicine
- Licensed Psychologist – 17-24P
- Board Certified Pediatric Neuropsychologist – Diplomate #2155
- Nationally Certified School Psychologist – #51853
- Arkansas Psychological Association – President-Elect
- National Academy of Neuropsychology – Women in Leadership committee member
- American Psychological Association – member
- American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology – member
- Doctorate of Philosophy in School Psychology – University of Central Arkansas
- Masters of Science in School Psychology – University of Central Arkansas
- Bachelors of Arts in Psychology – Harding University
Mary Ann Stewart,
M.S., LPC (She, her, hers)
Mary Ann Stewart was born in England as a military brat. She has lived most of her life in Arkansas, growing up in Jonesboro and living in Northwest Arkansas since 2006. Mary Ann has clinical expertise working with older adolescents, adults, college students, and veterans as a licensed professional counselor. Settings she has worked in include community mental health, school-based services, case management, crisis management, college mental health, disability services, and private practice. She has personal experience with ADHD and chronic illness and loves to help clients learn to advocate for themselves to live their best lives.
Patients have described Mary Ann as warm, empathetic, compassionate, and truly dedicated to helping others.
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, granted by the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling, and earned both her Master’s of Science and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She has 8 years of direct patient clinical practice in various settings, and also has 15 years of experience working with college students across various departments on campus. She is an American Counseling Association Member and is currently formally training her dog “Chewy”, a Great Pyrenees, to become a fully certified therapy canine.
Mary Ann’s specialized interests include Attachment, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Neurodiversity, Grief, Chronic Illness, Trauma, as well as facilitating Group Therapy.
Approach to Wellness:
Mary Ann enjoys spending time with her two dogs (also known as ‘the bears’ or ‘Bananas’ and ‘Grapes’), jogging, yoga, and weightlifting. She loves to travel and attend concerts with her husband. She also is an avid reader, a Razorback superfan, a cook, and you will always see her making memories through photography wherever she goes.
Christal Kennedy,
M.S.W., LCSW
(she, her, hers)
Christal has lived most of her life in Northwest Arkansas graduating from Springdale High School. Christal attended the University of Arkansas where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and master’s in Social Work. Christal has clinical expertise working with adults including those who are non-binary, transgender, and those in polyamorous relationships, as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Arkansas.
Christal’s knowledge base regarding clinical services and diagnoses are wide range. Christal practices from a Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) and Solution-Focused approach. Her main interests and expertise are in trauma processing, neurodiversity, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem.
Former clients have described Christal as compassionate, open, and understanding; “Sessions with her helped balance me”.
Approach to Wellness:
Christal enjoys spending time with friends and family. She enjoys walking, mindfulness practice, and has recently begun to reengage in yoga. She also is an avid reader and baker. Christal enjoys going on adventures and trying new things with her closest loved ones.
Ashlee Richardson (She/her/hers)
Office Manager
Ashlee was born in Tampa FL and the second born to four children. She was raised in Southern California and at 18, she moved to Arkansas and has been here ever since, other than the most recent 5 years spent in Savannah, Georgia, for a new experience. She moved back to NWA this year to be home with her family and friends. She is a huge fan of the southern hospitality and embodies it herself.
She has two teenage boys that keep her on her toes and also keep her learning all the new lingo floating around society. She loves every minute of being a boy-mom. She considers herself a beach bum at heart and loves anything ocean-related. At one point she even wanted to be a marine biologist. Ashlee has 13 years of experience in healthcare administration and enjoys being the warm and friendly face you see when you come into our building and talk to when you call us. She has a strong a drive to help others and taking Psychology in college contributed to her excitement to be working alongside the other amazing women here at Psychology Works, PLLC. Patients have described Ashlee as willing to go the extra mile and very friendly and relaxed.
Approach to Wellness:
Ashlee loves music to relax and also pump her up for the day to come so she can be her best self to our clients. Most days you can find her out doing and giving back to the community any way she can. She also loves planning potluck meals where everyone gets together and enjoys indulging while just talking about everyday life. Ashlee definitely considers herself a FOODIE (especially when it comes to anything chocolate). She enjoys long, quiet drives to unwind and also painting and generally being creative. Mostly, though, she enjoys Christmas probably more than the average human and cannot wait to put her Christmas tree up and get ready for the holidays!