At Arkansas Families First, we believe in comprehensive, team evaluations and collaborative care. Each of our clinicians provide unique specializations and expertise to our team. Read the information below to learn more about our treatment providers.

Clinical care at Arkansas Families First starts with our first-rate administrative team. They are the busy-bodies that handle your calls, schedule appointments, and manage the flow of programs and services.

From Left to Right: LaToya Williams, Rhonda Johnson, Kelly Sage

From Left to Right: LaToya Williams, Rhonda Johnson, Kelly Sage


Peggy Cosgrove, MS, RD, LD

Peggy Cosgrove, MS

 
 
 

                 Click Here for Peggy Cosgrove’s Professional Page

 
 
 
 

Ms. Cosgrove is a dietitian specializing in Eating Disorder treatment, Medical Nutrition Therapy, Weight Management, and Behavioral Modification.  Her work includes nutritional counseling and meal planning among other nutritional assessment activities.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Food, Human Nutrition, and Hospitality with a focus in Dietetics and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.  She went on to complete her Dietetic Internship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Central Arkansas Veterans Health System program.  Ms. Cosgrove then moved to New York where she worked as an inpatient Eating Disorder Dietitian for New York Presbyterian and opened a private practice.  She soon returned home to complete her Masters of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences with emphasis in Nutrition at the University of Central Arkansas while working in acute care.  Ms. Cosgrove enjoys being involved in many community activities including the Little Rock Marathon, weekly painting classes, and the Little Rock Kickball Association.


Janelle Von Storch, LPC

Janelle Vonstorch, LPC               

              Click here to read Janelle Von Storch’s Profession Page

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Janelle von Storch is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 15 years of experience in the field of mental health.  She has worked in outpatient, residential and private practice settings. She treats children, adolescents, adults and their families.  Janelle frequently works with ADHD, anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma and grief.  She is a certified Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) clinician and is also trained in Child-Parent Psychotherapy, which addresses disruption and trauma in infants, young children, and their parents. Janelle has a passion for working with birthmothers, foster/adoptive families and foster children/adoptees.


 Ivanjo Aldea, MD

Specializing in Child & Adolescent Psychiatristy
 
Dr. Aldea graduated from Tufts University in 1999 with a BA in Clinical Psychology and a minor in Military Science from M.I.T. Prior to entering medical school, he served as a Field Artillery officer in the US Army, which included a six month tour in Iraq. In 2008, Ivanjo graduated with his MD from the Ponce School of Medicine, Puerto Rico. He completed his residency in Adult Psychiatry at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2012 and recently finished his fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Brown University.Dr. Aldea specializes in children, adolescents and young adults (ages 5 through 25 years) with a multi-dimensional approach to mental health. This includes a comprehensive psychiatric and medical evaluation, with review of past history and discussion of diagnosis, treatment goals and medication management when necessary. He believes that a collaborative approach to mental health is essential, thus parents, families and other providers share in the decision making process and follow up.


Rachel Allen, LPE

Rachel Allen, LPE Specializing in Child Psychological Evaluations

 

                Click here to read Rachel Allen’s Professional Page

 

 

 

Rachel Allen is a Licensed Psychological Examiner specializing in assessing infants, toddlers, and children.  She graduated with Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Williams Baptist College in 2001 and completed her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Spalding University in 2008.  She began her practice by assessing infants, toddlers, and preschoolers at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.  She evaluates children under the age of three in order to assess for developmental delays.  She also conducts assessments for older children with difficulties such as Learning Disabilities, ADHD, and behavioral problems.   She also has ten years of experience volunteering in preschool, children’s, and youth ministries in local churches and acting as a mentor.


Laura Horton, PhD

Laura Horton, PhD Licensed Psychologist, Provisional
 
Dr. Laura B. Horton is a provisionally-licensed psychologist in the process of completing her post-doctoral requirements for full licensure.  She obtained her doctorate degree from the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) and completed her pre-doctoral internship at Tulsa Center for Child Psychology, part of the APA-accredited Northeastern Oklahoma Psychology Internship Program in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Dr. Horton specializes in the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and families.  She provides direct assessment services that address clients’ cognitive, adaptive, academic, behavioral, and emotional functioning.  She received specialized training in the assessment of autism spectrum disorder, using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – Second Edition.  Dr. Horton also conducts evaluations for cognitive delays in toddlers.  In addition, Dr. Horton is trained in the assessment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), intellectual disabilities, learning disorders, and mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.  Dr. Horton provides individual and family therapeutic services that address noncompliance, developmental delays, social skills deficits, impulse-control, depression, and anxiety.  She has received training in Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and implements other evidence-based treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and applied behavior analysis (ABA).  Parent and caregiver involvement is an important component in the treatment of children and adolescents, and Dr. Horton aims to provide additional support and resources for families, such as information pertaining to school accommodations and ancillary services.


 Jason LaGory, PhD

Dr. Jason LaGory Licensed Psychologist

                 Click her to read Dr. LaGory’s Professional Page

 
 
 
 
 
 
Dr. LaGory provides therapy and testing services to a young child and adolescent population, and their families. Dr. LaGory specializes in the treatment of individuals with comorbid developmental and psychiatric disorders. He uses various parent training models, such as Pivotal Response Training, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, as well as individual Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and traditional Applied Behavior Analysis techniques to reduce problem behaviors and increase appropriate coping and adaptive skills. Dr. LaGory uses a variety of psychometric instruments to provide an accurate diagnosis and determine the best course of treatment for his clients, including the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised, and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. Dr. LaGory has conducted research on motivation, neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders, trauma, as well as family and school issues and enjoys providing specialized training and supervision to other professionals and students.


 Serena McKnight, LPE 

Serena McKnight, MS Licensed Psychological Examiner
 

             Click here to read Serena McKnight’s Professional Page

 
 
 
 
Brochure for Serena McKnight 
Mrs. McKnight is a Licensed Psychological Examiner specializing in assessing and diagnosing children and adults. She utilizes up-to-date, standardized psychological testing to aid in treatment for children and adults with emotional, behavioral, or educational problems. Mrs. McKnight specializes in group and individual career assessments for teens and adults with and without mental and/or physical disabilities. She conducts in-depth career testing in order to discover interests, skills, strengths, and limitations to help develop personalized vocational goals.
 
 

Cindy Brown, LMSW

Cindy Brown, LMSW Licensed Masters Level Social Worker
Cindy Brown is a licensed Social Work counselor who conducts home visits as well as individual and group therapy for children, teens, and parents of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder.  She helps families develop strategies that work in each stage of development. She teaches social skills classes and practical independent living strategies to teens and young adults transitioning to adulthood. Cindy earned a B.S. in Psychology in 1983 and returned to school after raising a daughter with Autism Spectrum Disorder to earn an M.A., MBA, and  Master of Social Work degree.

 Paula Morse, LPC

Paula Morse, LPC Licensed Professional Counselor Marriage and Family Therapist
Brochure for Paula Morse, LPC
 Paula L. Morse is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has been practicing in Arkansas for over 10 years.  She graduated from Harding University with a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2001.  She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with a variety of presenting issues.  Paula has a great interest in helping families achieve their best functioning utilizing individual, marriage, and family therapy.

Mary M. Ekdahl, PhD

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             Click here to read Dr. Ekdahl’s Professional Page

 
 
 
 
 
Brochure for Mary Ekdahl, PhD
Dr. Ekdahl is the co-founder of Arkansas Families First, LLC. She has over 20 years experience in providing behavioral therapy and psychological evaluations for children and adolescents in outpatient settings. Dr. Ekdahl specializes in the treatment and evaluation of children and adolescents, with a strong emphasis on providing parents with the tools they need to assist and advocate for their child. Areas of specific expertise include Autism Spectrum Disorders, Learning Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorders, and Anxiety Disorders, as well as the provision of community and school programs that support mental health and access to mental health services. In addition, Dr. Ekdahl provides clinical supervision of master’s level examiners, as well as administrative oversight and planning as a co-owner of Arkansas Families First.

Adam H. Benton, PhD

Dr. Adam Benton Licensed Psychologist

                  Click here for Dr. Benton’s Professional Page

 
 
 
 
 

Dr. Benton is a child psychologist and Co-founder of Arkansas Families First, LLC, and the current president of Arkansas Psychological Association. He conducts evidence-based psychotherapy and psychological testing to address an array of childhood, adolescent, and family problems. He specializes in working with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as child traumatic stress, anxiety and maltreatment-related issues. Dr. Benton involves parents in all aspects of treatment, assisting them in finding strategies to help children overcome emotional, behavioral, or developmental struggles. Dr. Benton also provides supervision, training and consultation to clinicians around the state. He is actively involved in community efforts to support autism and resources for families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder.