Our Counselors
Julie Perry
Julie Perry
Julie Perry
BSN-RN, MA, NCC, LCPC, Level 1 EFT, PATH INT. member
Julie Perry is the Executive Director of Mended Hearts and has over 20 years of experience in the mental health field. Julie was a nurse for many years during which she worked on inpatient, adolescent, adult, and eating disorder units at OSF and Methodist hospitals. During that time, she earned her master’s degree in counseling from Bradley University and graduated with high academic honors. Her medical background has contributed to her belief in a holistic approach to counseling. This approach leads her to take body, mind, support systems, and spirituality into account when working with clients. It is important to recognize that all components of the individual are interconnected and she believes to achieve optimal health, one needs to care for each aspect. Julie will help clients try to achieve healthy coping skills for their minds and bodies as they work together throughout the sessions. Julie’s ultimate goal is for each unique individual that comes to Mended Hearts to reach a balanced state. Julie has lovingly helped countless kids, and families in the area with over a combined experience of 20+ years for the best quality of service for a greater mental health!
Karen Dunne
Julie Perry
Julie Perry
MA, LPC
Karen completed her practicum internship at Mended Hearts after graduating with her Masters in June 2023, and she received her Licensed Professional Counselor license in June 2024. Karen is an Eagala certified professional; Eagala is a global professional organization focused on incorporating horses into mental health treatment.
Karen has more than 40 years of experience with horses, so she loves to share her knowledge in equine and animal- assisted therapy sessions. She utilizes multiple therapeutic modalities to help clients with issues like anxiety, depression, PTSD, self esteem, grief, and emotional regulation. Her strengths are empathy and compassion, and many clients have stated that they feel very calm when working with Karen.
Pennie holmes
Michelle alcorn
Michelle alcorn
MS, LCPC
Pennie Holmes started at Mended Hearts in May 2021 as an intern with Capella University. One year later in June 2022, she graduated with her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Her passion lies in addiction counseling, working with adults, families, and children who are affected by the disease of addiction and its many branches. Academic achievements include Associates of Occupational Drug and Alcohol Counseling. She shares her experience, strength, and hope as a proud recovering alcoholic celebrating seven years of continuous sobriety in April of 2022.
She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education which has been integral when working with children to understand their developmental, and emotional needs in counseling. She has an eclectic style of counseling that reaches many ages and diversities that traditional therapy is ineffective. She integrates Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Training, and Motivational Interviewing with her clients to address many common ailments or Dis-Eases of the mind, body, and spirit.
Having lost her parents at an early age, Pennie can reach clients struggling with grief, loss, depression, and anxiety.
Pennie explains Mended Hearts as “This beautiful facility is an optimal platform to take a walk in nature, paint at the kitchen table, play out emotions, or have systematic discussions with groups and families”. She aspires to always be a part of Mended Hearts in all the years to come!
Michelle alcorn
Michelle alcorn
Michelle alcorn
MA, LCPC
Michelle has over 30 years of experience in the mental health field. She earned a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Lincoln Christian Seminary. She has worked as a mental health therapist in residential, school, and outpatient settings. She has also provided individual and group therapy for children, adolescents, and adults while working at a funeral home.
Michelle has assisted people struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, stress management, trauma, grief and loss, low self-esteem, autism, behavioral difficulties, and relationship difficulties. Michelle believes it is important for people to increase their self-awareness surrounding their thoughts and feelings so they can better regulate their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. She also believes in a holistic approach to counseling as the mind, body, and spirituality of a person are closely interconnected. The various animals at Mended Hearts are incorporated into sessions as well, depending upon a client’s preferences.
She has completed training in NET (Neuro-emotional Technique), a technique that identifies and addresses unresolved events and emotions in a person’s life, so they are no longer significantly impacted by these events in a negative manner.
Michelle is also a certified health and wellness coach. She is passionate about guiding others towards developing healthy habits that lead to fulfilling lives. This passion started when she and her husband embarked on a health and wellness journey where they lost a combined total of 265 pounds. She is now dedicated to empowering others on their own paths to health and wellness.