We know going to see a counselor for help can be an intimidating experience. We wanted our clients to feel welcome and safe, so we named our service "The Kitchen Table". We believe some of the best counseling happens around the kitchen table in the homes of healthy families. It is there that good conversation about the issues and struggles people face get resolved. We strive to make our clients feel comfortable and at home as we work together to find solutions to their problems. We are here to help people find joy, be at peace, and live the way God intended. “Pull up a chair” and browse our website to find out more about The Kitchen Table Counseling and Life Coaching services of Lafayette and Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Jessie Iles, M.S.N, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC
We're delighted to introduce you to Jessie Iles, our dually certified Family and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C, PMHNP-BC). Jessie's path is marked by continuous learning and a heart for service. She earned her Associate Degree in Nursing from Louisiana State University in Alexandria in 2009, followed by a Bachelor's degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2011. In 2015, she completed her Master of Science in Nursing, stepping into the role of a Family Nurse Practitioner. Motivated by personal and clinical experiences, Jessie pursued a post-graduate certificate in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, which she obtained from Frontier Nursing University in 2024. That same year, she also trained in EMDR therapy.
Her diverse clinical experience includes cardiology, clinical trials, emergency medicine, telehealth, inpatient psychiatry and rehabilitation, hospice, long-term care, and urgent care. Beyond her clinical roles, Jessie serves as clinical adjunct faculty with Northwestern State University, provides as-needed coverage at a rural urgent care clinic and a recovery and detoxification facility, and co-represents the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners’ Acadiana region. Owing to her personal faith, Jessie endeavors to provide compassionate and holistic care that also meets the goals and desires of the client. She wishes to provide a safe and inclusive environment to facilitate a healing journey for her clients where clients can be empowered to live their happiest, most wholesome lives. Her work at The Kitchen Table provides clients with clinical evaluation and diagnosis, generalized psychotherapy, medication management, treatment planning and follow-up. Jessie brings to the table her compassion, empathy, and love for listening to your stories.
Growth Challenge 1
March 28 - 30, 2025
GC1 is a powerful workshop that anchors your identity through experiential exercises, small-group discussion, mini-lectures, and individual, focused coaching.
Growth Challenge 2
February 27 - March 2, 2025
GC2 is an action-packed two and a half days, consisting of experiential exercises, small-group discussion, mini-lectures, and individual, focused coaching.
*Must have completed GC1
Can you tell my parents that?
Marc D'Aunoy, M. Ed., LPC, LMFT
Marc is the co-founder and clinical director of The Kitchen Table founded in 2006. Marc received his Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of New Orleans in 1998. He holds a license in both Marriage and Family Therapy and Professional Counseling in the state of Louisiana. Marc has been licensed since 2001 (LPC) and 2002 (LMFT). He is trained in EMDR, (a therapeutic process that resolves past trauma), and Recall Healing (addressing psychosomatic disorders) along with other areas of professional counseling & life coaching skills and experience. Marc is best at restoring struggling marriages and families, helping people heal from PTSD and coaching people through difficult life circumstances.
Candice Alexander, Certified Life Coach
Candice received her Life Coaching Certification from the Kitchen Table Counseling in 2019. Candice coaches people to find their God-given identity by speaking TRUTH, LIFE & LOVE. She has learned through the years that the only true way to care for others is to allow the Holy Spirit to lead her in the direction that He wants to minister and she simply follows His lead. Her fearlessness is contagious. Candice is a raw and real, straight shooting coach who brings to the table a passion for those who desire to grow in true intimacy with the Lord. Her coaching inspires people to pursue the calling of God on their life.
Jessie Iles, M.S.N, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC
Jessie is a dually certified family and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C, PMHNP-BC). Jessie’s healthcare career began in 2004, when she completed her certification to be a nursing assistant. While working as a nursing assistant, Jessie pursued her Associate degree in nursing and graduated from Louisiana State University in Alexandria in 2009 and began work as a registered nurse. Following this, Jessie earned a Bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2011. In pursuit of higher education, Jessie graduated in 2015 from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a Master of Science in nursing and proceeded to work as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Patrick Bowman, M.S., LPC-S, BCPCC
Patrick is a Licensed Professional Counselor – Supervisor, and Board-Certified Professional Christian Counselor. He offers individual and couples counseling, as well as spiritual guidance. He has been Instructor of Psychology at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette for over 30 years. Patrick received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Xavier University, a Master’s degree in Applied Psychology from the University of Southwest Louisiana, and completed graduate course work in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Cornell University. He is a graduate of Harding University School of Biblical Studies and completed additional graduate courses at Harding University Graduate School of Religion.
Alyshia Boagni, M.S., LPC
Alyshia began her journey towards obtaining her license in counseling while homeschooling her 4 children and studying her family tree. Seeking to understand patterns of behavior led her down the path of understanding the impact of adverse childhood experiences, identifying the effects of early life trauma and how people build resilience into adulthood. After earning a Master’s Degree with dual concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2017, she worked as a school counselor focusing on prevention and the impact of trauma on learning and family dynamics. Her focus on trauma led her to statewide and community advocacy as an ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Educator. She is considered an expert in understanding how trauma affects us into our adulthood and how to overcome these challenges in all aspects of life.
Michelle O'Connor, Certified Life Coach
Michelle O’Connor is a mom of two children and a stepmom to two children. She’s been married to her husband John for 20 plus years and they have seven grandchildren and is currently raising one of her granddaughters. Michelle has been on the pursuit of personal growth for the last 25 years, healing from an abusive marriage, physical and emotional trauma, and family of origin struggles that has propelled her forward to live life to the fullest and bring as many people as she can with her. She believes deeply that everyone has been born as a beautiful gift. Her passion is helping others see themselves as God sees them.
Yvette Torres, Certified Life Coach
Yvette Torres is a mom to one son, originally born and raised in Los Angeles California.
Tiffany Bohannon, M.S., PLPC
Tiffany recently completed her graduate program at University of Louisiana at Monroe, where she received her Master’s degree in Counseling on a combined track for Cinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling with a focus in Pediatrics. She is passionate about facilitating healing for young adults, adolescents, and children. A native of Southwest Louisiana, Tiffany has worked in a variety of career fields before deciding to pursue her passion for counseling.
Melissa Mistrot, M.S., LPC
Melissa earned her Master’s Degree in Counselor Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2005. She is board licensed through the state of Louisiana as a Licensed Professional Counselor and is a National Certified Counselor through The National Board for Certified Counselors. Melissa has worked with a diverse population, including adults and adolescents in inpatient and outpatient facilities and primarily with adolescents in a school setting for nearly 20 years. Melissa is passionate about helping clients feel understood and giving them hope when they feel hopeless.
Angel Marsh, Certified Life Coach
Certified Emotion Code Practitioner
Angel Marsh served in the United States Air Force and retired as Master Sergeant after 21 years. She met her husband Chris in the military and they have been married for over 20 years. They have a blended family with five children. Angel lived with undiagnosed PTSD for many years after retirement and this pain led her to counseling for her own recovery and support. She knows the intimate struggle of trauma and the victory of hard work and healing that came through counseling and Growth Challenge. Having completed all three phases of GC, she serves on GC teams to champion others in their healing journeys.
Angel uses tools and techniques to identify and release trapped emotions that weigh people down with unnecessary emotional baggage. Trapped emotions block people from feeling love, joy, and peace which cause disconnection and keep people stuck, unable to move forward. Oftentimes this energy work can also free people from chronic physical pain.
Lindsay Jones, M.A., PLPC
Certified Life Coach
Lindsay Jones is a wife and mom of three amazing children. She has completed her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is a certified TKT life coach. In addition, she and her husband have worked in ministry to young adults for over 10 years and understands the ongoing demands of that life. Her heart is to see ministry families not burn out and live from a place of wholeness and health in Christ. Along with her faith, the support of a life-giving community, and personal grief therapy she has had to overcome various trials in her life. Lindsay has experienced the loss of a child, major medical issues, and family dissension. Her hope is to help people discover their unique gift and genuinely celebrate them. Lindsay brings to the table a down to earth practicality, the passion for creating a hospitable environment, and being a safe place for people to share their whole heart.
Ashley Trouille, M.S., CCC-SLP
Certified Life Coach, Speech Language Pathologist
Ashley received her Bachelor of Science in Special Education/Early Intervention in May of 2008 and her Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology in May of 2013 from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She is currently in graduate school pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health. Ashley has experience working in the school system and in family homes with children who have special needs. Since 2013, Ashley has worked as a Speech Language Pathologist serving patients and families in their homes, skilled nursing facilities, and hospitals as they experience the realities and health issues of aging.