Our Clinicians
Stacey Carter, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist, Founder
Dr. Carter received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, with a specialty in behavioral medicine, from Saint Louis University in 2003. She completed an internship and postdoctoral fellowship in the VA system, specializing in the treatment of chronic pain. She then worked in two inpatient chronic pain programs in Florida prior to returning to the Midwest in 2005. She now specializes in presurgical evaluations and has working relationships with many surgeons, pain management offices and weight loss clinics in the Kansas City area. Dr. Carter conducts evaluations with patients being considered for various surgical interventions to treat chronic pain. She also works with patients pursuing weight loss surgery, providing presurgical evaluations and psychoeducational support. She has publications in the area of chronic pain and outcome assessment and does community presentations on behavioral strategies to manage pain.
Outside of her practice, Dr. Carter keeps very busy with her husband, three sons, one daughter and two dogs! On any given weekend, you will likely find her sitting on the sidelines of a basketball or volleyball court.
"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."
– Winston Churchill
Jess Stacy, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Stacy is a clinical psychologist licensed in Kansas and Missouri, who graduated from California School of Professional Psychology in 2017, but she has been providing mental health services since 2013. She has a history of working in many helping settings, including residential and outpatient substance abuse facilities, crisis centers, college counseling centers, and outpatient clinics. She has also provided disability evaluations for the general public, as well as the Veteran population. At Aspire, Dr. Stacy conducts pre-surgical evaluations for individuals being considered for weight loss surgery and provides psychotherapy to adults. Her primary goal with each pre-surgical evaluation experience is to provide a shame-free, compassionate space, where she can understand your history and wellness goals. Your long-term success is important to her, and she will use her expertise to ask the right questions and give thoughtful and individualized recommendations and guidance. Outside of her practice, Dr. Stacy can be found running on a trail, paddle boarding, seeing live music, or spending time outdoors with her two Basset Hounds.
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
– Nelson Mandela
Bre-Ann Slay, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Bre-Ann Slay is a dedicated and experienced licensed clinical psychologist providing bariatric pre-surgical evaluations at Aspire Behavioral Health. Dr. Slay's training includes a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology, specializing in Child and Adolescent Therapy and Assessment, along with a master's degree in Forensic Psychology, both from the University of Denver.
In addition to her partnership at Aspire Behavioral Health, Dr. Slay owns a practice focusing on infant and early childhood mental health. Dr. Slay has experience in reuniting and achieving permanency for young children aged 0-5 with their families within the foster care system. Additionally, she brings expertise in evidenced-based therapy training, including, Integration of the Working Model of the Child into Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (IoWA PCIT). Dr. Slay also provides comprehensive psychological assessments for children ages 0-18. Beyond clinical work, she actively engages with the community through partnerships with organizations like Youth Ambassadors and Big Brothers Big Sisters. She maintains involvement in education, serving as an adjunct assistant professor at Kansas City University. Dr. Slay also provides supervision for doctoral psychology students.
""The good life is a process, not a state of being."