Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D., MSCP
A Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, Dr. Romano founded Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in 2005. Dr. Romano obtained his Bachelors in Social Counseling, his Masters in Pre-Clinical Psychology / Psychometrics, and his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. He completed his doctoral internship at the Mississippi State Hospital and his postdoctoral residency with the LSUHSC Juvenile Corrections Program. Dr. Romano completed a postdoctoral Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology through Alliant International University. Dr. Romano has worked in the field of psychology since 1989 in a variety of settings, serving in roles ranging from direct care to administration. He has provided supervision and training on evaluating and treating perpetrators of domestic violence, sexual offenders, and those struggling with substance abuse to numerous clinicians practicing in and outside of our state. He is currently a consultant for the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office for program development and training. He received the Louisiana Psychological Association’s Early Career Award in 2008, he previously served as Secretary and Public Policy Officer for the Louisiana Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers, and he previously served as Chair of Membership for the Louisiana Psychological Association. Dr. Romano has been featured in local and national periodicals, on television and radio talk shows, and has collaborated on two Netflix documentaries. He is licensed in Louisiana and Mississippi, and his practice predominantly focuses on evaluating a broad range of private and legal referrals. Dr. Romano currently provides services at our main clinic as well as community-based services in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas.
Amanda H. Chapoton, LPC-S
A Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S), Amanda joined Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in 2010 and currently serves as our Clinical Director. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1997. She earned a Master of Education in Counseling from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2001. Amanda earned her certification as a Registered Play Therapist in 2005. Her diverse career includes time as an adjunct professor at Southeastern Louisiana University teaching courses in career planning, child development and marriage and family studies. Her extensive experience in counseling includes treatment of high-risk youth and those with mental health disorders as part of the Louisiana Judicial System. Amanda began providing treatment to juveniles who were adjudicated for sexual offenses in 2007. In her work with Brandon P. Romano and Associates, her practice has largely focused on treating victims and perpetrators of sexual offenses but has also included counseling children, youth, and adults experiencing a wide range of mental health issues. She is a trained forensic interviewer who has assisted law enforcement and child protection services in over seven parishes with child sexual abuse investigations, including testifying in open court. She has been qualified to testify as an expert in the field of counseling in the courts of Louisiana. Amanda currently provides counseling at our main clinic as well as community-based counseling and group treatment services for us in Baton Rouge.
Julie Ritchie, LPC
A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC), Julie joined Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in 2013. In 2009, Julie graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University with her Bachelors in Family and Consumer Sciences, concentrating in Family Studies. She earned her Master of Education in Counseling from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2012. She has worked and trained in the field of counseling since 2012. In addition to her LPC, Julie earned her certification as a Registered Play Therapist in 2020. Julie's experience includes individual and group therapy, trauma focused counseling, substance abuse treatment, juvenile and adult sex offender treatment, parenting skills, depression and anxiety, and play therapy. Julie published a chapter of Reactive Attachment Disorder: Play Therapy Interventions for School Settings in June 2013. Julie previously worked as a counselor at an inpatient facility in the Baton Rouge area focusing on helping individuals, families, and groups cope with substance abuse and mental health issues. Julie provides community-based group treatment services for us in Denham Springs.
Ernest Gross, Jr, LCSW-BACS
A Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Board Approved Clinical Supervisor, Ernest joined Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in 2014. He graduated from Xavier University with his Bachelors in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. He earned his Masters in Social Work from Southern University in New Orleans. Ernest has worked in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, in private practice, at Jetson Correctional Center for Youth, and in the New Orleans Public School System. In addition to being an LCSW-BACS, he is also a Certified School Social Worker Specialist. He has over three decades of experience which includes working with juveniles exhibiting sexual behavior problems, domestic violence, and other general mental health services via individual, family, and group counseling. Ernest currently provides community-based group treatment services for us in Baton Rouge.
N. Nina Ducote, M.A.
A Clinical Assistant and Psychometrist, Nina began employment with Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in 2011 and then returned to our practice in 2014 after attending graduate school at Spalding University for her second Masters in Clinical Psychology. Nina routinely assists Dr. Romano with evaluations by obtaining biopsychosocial data, administering/scoring psychological testing, and contributing to report-writing. She also provides specific treatment services to juveniles with sexual behavior problems and conducts supervised visitation sessions at our office. Nina works under the supervision of Dr. Romano at our main clinic in Baton Rouge. She also provides services in community-based settings (Hammond and other parts of Louisiana) and occasionally at our satellite clinic in Kenner.
Shannon Smith, LPC, NCC
A Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) and National Certified Counselor (NCC), Shannon joined Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in 2015. Shannon earned her undergraduate degree in General Studies with a concentration in Science and Mathematics from Indiana University. She earned her Master of Arts in Community Counseling from Louisiana State University in 2015 and has pursued post-graduate continuing education at Southeastern Louisiana University and Loyola University. Before beginning her career in counseling, Shannon worked in the field of victim services for 15 years, serving as a professional victim advocate in five different states and speaking on a local and national level about the effects of sexual violence. She has experience providing group and individual counseling to both survivors and perpetrators of sexual violence. Shannon uses an integrative, trauma-informed, and client-centered approach to counseling to assist her clients in their personal growth and development. She practices with an anti-racist, culturally-informed, and affirming lens and is an active ally to the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. She is trained in EMDR and Brainspotting. Shannon currently provides community-based group treatment services for us in Hammond.
Madison Schexnayder, M.S.
Madison began employment with Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in 2019 as a full-time Administrative Assistant and moved into a part-time Project Coordinator role in 2023. She graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe with her M.S. in Forensic Psychology in 2021. She obtained her B.S. in Psychology at Louisiana State University in 2019. Her responsibilities include managing referrals and logistical concerns for our adult sex offender treatment programming, assisting our psychometrist with administrative matters related to our testing cases, and assisting our practice to meet the administrative demands and expectations of several of our governmental contracts.
Karis Bouillon, LPC
A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Karis Bouillon joined Brandon P. Romano, Psy. D. & Associates as a PLPC in 2020. Karis earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Arkansas in 2013. She earned a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from John Brown University in 2018. Karis has been working in the mental health field since 2015, starting in behavior intervention in school-based programs in Northwest Arkansas. Karis has worked with a wide range of clients, including preschoolers, teenagers, adults, and elderly. Her first job as a counselor was at a children’s advocacy center in Arkansas, where she discovered her passion for working with survivors (and their families) of child abuse. Karis has also worked extensively with sexual assault survivors of all ages. She is also fluent in Spanish and has worked with families that have experienced trauma while in their country of origin or throughout their immigration journey. Karis is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for clients ages 4-17 years old. She enjoys utilizing play techniques, art therapy, and narrative therapy with clients. Karis currently provides counseling services at our main clinic in Baton Rouge and via Telehealth.
Ashley Sabido Magee, LPC
A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Ashley rejoined Brandon P. Romano, Psy. D. & Associates in 2020. Ashley earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Louisiana State University and worked at our practice as an administrative assistant before pursuing her graduate degree. She earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Cincinnati in 2019, where she focused on trauma in children and adolescents. After graduating with her masters, Ashley moved to Colorado where she worked as a crisis therapist, responding with police and paramedics on scene in mental health emergencies. Additionally, Ashley worked on call in a hospital emergency room, the county jail, and most middle and high schools in the county to provide crisis services when needed. Ashley practices individual and group therapy with children and adolescents, teens, adults, and families, with special interests in adult sex offender treatment, post trauma intervention, suicidal ideation, and individuals with persistent and severe mental illness. Ashley is also an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. She uses a client-centered approach, integrating various techniques to help her clients reach their therapeutic goals, and she has training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Ashley currently provides group treatment services at our satellite clinic in Kenner.
Allison Daigle, PLPC
A Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC), Allison Daigle joined Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in 2021. Alli earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology in 2018 and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2021 from Southeastern Louisiana University. Alli has worked with both adult and adolescent clients with a wide range of mental health disorders. Her first job as a counselor was at an addiction recovery treatment center in Denham Springs where she began as an intern. There she found her passion for working with those, particularly women, with substance use struggles. Alli has also worked with a residential treatment facility providing mental health and substance use services to adolescent females. She enjoys utilizing a strength-based approach with her clients, allowing clients to explore and address their issues and trauma while remaining focused on their strengths and abilities. Alli previously worked as a supervised intern for Brandon P. Romano & Associates facilitating sex-offender groups in group homes throughout Baton Rouge. Alli’s supervised hours as a PLPC at our practice including providing individual counseling and group treatment services at our main clinic in Baton Rouge.
Hannah Crawford, LPC
A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Hannah joined Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in 2021. Hannah graduated from Louisiana State University with her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2009 and went on to earn her Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee in 2011. Hannah is trained in Evidenced Based Practices in substance abuse and mental health treatment including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Suicide Prevention, Medication Assisted Treatment, Trauma Focused CBT, and several group therapy models. She approaches counseling from a person-centered perspective in creating and safe and trusting relationship with her clients. Hannah is an ally to both the LGBTQ+ and D&I communities. Hannah’s experience includes working with those with severe mental illness, substance use disorders, abuse and neglect, as well as those with relational problems, mood disorders, trauma, and grief. Hannah currently facilitates groups at our main clinic in Baton Rouge and also provides community-based group treatment services for us in Port Allen and Gonzales.
Judy Edwards, LCSW-BACS
A Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Board Approved Clinical Supervisor, Judy joined Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates over fifteen (15) years ago and resumed providing clinical services for our practice in October 2022. She graduated from Southern University A&M College in Baton Rouge with her Bachelors in Rehabilitation Psychology and a minor in Psychology. She earned her Masters in Social Work from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Judy has worked as a clinical social worker for more than two decades, serving in various sectors of the federal government, education, adult and juvenile corrections. Her experience includes working with juveniles and adults exhibiting sexual behavior problems, social skills, anger management, substance abuse, and other general mental health services via individual, family, and group counseling. Judy currently provides counseling at our main clinic in Baton Rouge and via Telehealth. She also provides community-based group treatment services for us in Port Allen and via Telehealth.
Jennifer Johnston, PLPC
A Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC), Jennifer joined Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in 2024. Jennifer earned her undergraduate degree in Gender and Sexuality Studies in 2009 from Tulane University, a Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling from Liberty University in 2011, and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2023 from Walden University. Jennifer is currently working on her Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychological Studies at Regent University. Jennifer has experience working with adult clients with numerous mental health disorders as well as those involved in the criminal justice system. Jennifer has worked as a mental health program director with the State of Louisiana for the past six years providing mental health services to individuals who were found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity or Irrestorably Incompetent to stand trial as well as providing competency restoration services to clients in Jefferson Parish Correctional Center. In this role, Jennifer learned the importance of mental health care and addressing the barriers many individuals face in the forensic population. Jennifer utilizes a person-centered approach with her clients in addition to integrating aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in helping clients restructure their thoughts and behaviors and facilitate positive change. Jennifer’s supervised hours as a PLPC at our practice include providing individual counseling and group treatment services at our satellite clinic in Kenner and community-based group treatment services for us in New Orleans.
Kirsten, Practice Manager
Kirsten graduated from the University of Mississippi Medical Center with a B.S. in Occupational Therapy in 1998 and is a Licensed Occupational Therapist. Her occupational therapy career afforded her experience in mental health, substance use, developmental disorders, neurocognitive impairment, and numerous types of physical dysfunction. Kirsten has served as the Practice Manager at Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates since its inception in 2005. Her responsibilities include managing day-to-day operations as well as handling financial matters, human resources, & contracts.
Cherie', Claims Specialist
Cherie' graduated from Northwestern State University of Louisiana with a B.S. in Hospitality Management and Tourism in 2010. She graduated from Our Lady of the Lake College in nursing in 2017 and is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Cherie' began employment with Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in 2010 as an administrative assistant. Cherie's current responsibilities include mental / behavioral health insurance claims filing as well as communication with health insurance carriers to resolve claim payment issues.
Avery, Administrative Assistant
Avery graduated with her B.S. in Psychology from Louisiana State University in 2023. She began her employment with Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in July 2023. Her responsibilities include managing referrals, scheduling appointments, maintaining supplies, coordinating screenings/evaluations/treatment under several of our governmental contracts, maintaining electronic and paper health records, and other administrative duties. Avery has professional interest in police and military psychology with plans to further her education via graduate school.
Bailey, Administrative Assistant
Bailey graduated with her B.A. in Political Science from Louisiana State University in 2021. She began her employment with Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in November 2023. Her responsibilities include managing referrals, verifying insurance eligibility and managing prior authorizations, scheduling appointments, coordinating community-based evaluations and Telehealth consults, maintaining electronic and paper health records, and other administrative duties. Bailey’s future plans include entering the legal field as a stenographer.