LifeCare

09/29/2026

This group is still open and available.
Please contact the office at 843-667-4949 for more information

08/31/2026

You still have time to sign up for this support group if you are interested.

Please contact the office as soon as possible.

08/24/2026

Madison Shaw, MS, LPC

I grew up in Florence, SC, spending much of my childhood here as well as time with my grandparents in nearby Coward, SC. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology and my Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Francis Marion University. I am currently a Psy.D candidate at Francis Marion University in Health Psychology and completing my doctoral internship here at LifeCare! My husband, Justin, and I live here in Florence with our four dogs, Wrigley, Opal, Violet, and Bogey. Outside of work, I love going to concerts, traveling, camping, and spending time outdoors any chance I get.

What Is Working With Mrs. Shaw Like?
I approach therapy primarily through a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy lens, incorporating elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help clients build a healthier relationship with difficult thoughts and feelings rather than simply trying to eliminate them. I also draw on my background in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy when working with families, particularly around strengthening connection and managing behavioral challenges. I believe therapy works best as a collaborative process. My patients are the experts on their own lives, and my role is to bring clinical knowledge and an outside perspective so that together we can find a path forward that actually works. My job is to help patients see what they’re already capable of and work alongside them as they get there.

08/19/2026

Gayle Polston, MA, LPC

I am a product of the P*e Dee where I have lived most of my life. I’m proud to say on January 2, 2006, I became a retired State Employee of the great state of South Carolina with 27.5 years of service. Twenty-four of those years, I was an employee of the Medical University of South Carolina, College of Nursing at the Francis Marion Site as Director of Student Services. I have a master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University and undergraduate degree from Oral Roberts University. Upon retirement from FMU, in December of 2005, I began working at LifeCare Psychology Group as a Licensed Professional Counselor. I am also a National Certified Counselor (NCC). In January 2013, I opened my own private practice Life Changing Solutions, LLC, which works closely with LifeCare to provide psychological services. One of my passions as a clinician is working with those 55 and over. I am the mother of two adult children and the grandmother of three. My son and daughter-in-law are successful business owners in NC and my daughter is a recent graduate of UNCG Graduate School with a degree in Gerontology with a very promising career in the world of Gerontology. I cherish the time I have with my family and friends, am an avid lover of books and music, really enjoy being outdoors, and love movies on a Friday afternoon. One of the most precious things to me – is my quiet time with the Lord.

What Is Working With Ms. Polston Like?
I approach therapy from an Integrative or Holistic perspective. Often using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Transgenerational Therapy along with psychoeducational teaching approaches. For those who desire Biblically based counseling interwoven with the above approaches, I am a firm believer in this concept. I often refer to myself as being one who is called “to walk along beside those who are wounded from the everyday struggles of life.”

08/18/2026

Charis O'Neal, MS, LPC

I was born in Darlington, SC, and moved with my family at the age of 5 to the mission field in South Africa. After a year, we returned to Darlington where I resided until I left to complete my high school education at St. Mary’s School in Raleigh, NC. Afterward, I attended the College of Charleston but decided that my focus was elsewhere. I spent the next few years exploring my life’s goals and my relationship with the Lord until I knew that living my life fully engaged in His will was my only place of true joy. I re-entered the mission field in 2002, this time as a young adult engaging in my love for culture, humanity, and the Lord. I traveled with a small group to Russia and Mongolia, working in schools, rehabilitation facilities, and orphanages. In 2003, I attended a YWAM (Youth With A Mission) school in Brazil which focused on dance, drama, and circus outreach. In 2005, I looked at my first-born child and realized that I wanted to be an example for her by pursuing my dream of becoming a therapist. The next 15 years consisted of obtaining my Master of Science in Psychology from California Southern University, acquiring my status as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and adding 2 more precious children to our growing family. I have worked previously at The CAREHouse of the P*e Dee, focusing on therapeutic services for traumatized children and adolescents, and I am now proud to call LifeCare my home.

What Is Working With Mrs. O'Neal Like?
I was trained in CBT and PCIT. While working at the CAREHouse, I was able to focus on working with children and family who were experiencing trauma. As a result, I have a very empathetic approach to therapy and focus on building a rapport with my patients through emotional processing. When the time is right, I push and challenge my patient's to change, even though I know that can be hard and scary to do.

08/17/2026

08/17/2026

Stephanie Gibson, MS, LPC-S

I grew up on a to***co farm outside of Hemingway, SC. After graduating from high school, I moved to Cleveland, TN, where I graduated with a BA in Intercultural Studies from Lee University; married Brandon Gibson and later earned a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, also from Lee University. In 2007, I returned to SC, taking a job with Waccamaw Center for Mental Health in Georgetown before joining the practice at LifeCare Psychology Group in 2014. Since my return home, I have acquired a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and obtained ordination with the Church of God.

Brandon and I have been married for over 29 years. We enjoy time together, with our pets and with family and friends. We also seek to serve the Lord in our community, home and church any way that we can.

I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approaches integrated with Christian principles and Interpersonal Therapy techniques. I attempt to make all the patients I work with feel cared for and valued. Change is hard to accomplish and takes time to do so, but if a person is willing to make new choices in his or her life, then change will happen. I believe that spirituality is an important part of everyone's overall well-being and I strive to explore spirituality with my patients if that is something they want to discuss.

08/14/2026

Brittany Rainwater, Psy.D

I was born and raised in Oklahoma City and I moved to South Carolina in 2013. I earned my master’s and doctoral degrees at Regent University and completed my residency training within Veteran’s Affairs. I was trained as a generalist, but with specific focus in Integrated Behavioral Health and behavioral management of chronic pain. Before starting at LifeCare, I worked for McLeod Health, training physicians in their Family Medicine Residency and doing psychotherapy. My husband, Seth, and I have been married for over 18 years and have a wonderful son, Coy. I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and gardening - or doing whatever gets me out doors.

My approach is rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This means that I focus on helping people learn new ways of responding to difficult thoughts and emotions so they can spend more energy building a meaningful life that is aligned with what matters most to them. I also place a strong emphasis on relationships, exploring how past and present patterns of connecting with others shape our experiences and influence our well-being. Together, we will work to help you feel less stuck, deepen your understanding of yourself, and move toward the life and relationships you want.

08/13/2026

Dr. Seth Rainwater

I moved to Florence, SC at 5-years-old and I am proud to call myself a South Carolinian. Before starting at LifeCare, I earned my master's and doctoral degree at Regent University. While doing this, I planned on eventually returning to work in the community in which I grew up. I have been working in private practice for several years and I serve as the managing partner for LifeCare Psychology Group, LLC. In the past, I worked as an adjunct professor at Regent University and Florence Darlington Technical College. My wife, Brittany (who works as a clinical psychologist at McLeod Regional Medical Center) and I have been married for over 15 happy years and we are the proud parents of our son, Coy. I enjoy spending time with wife, son, family, and friends while playing board games, watching movies, or working on woodworking projects. I am active in my local church, often playing in the praise band and or helping lead groups.

What Is Working With Dr. Rainwater Like?
I approach therapy from a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy approach. This means I focus a lot on how people think, act, and relate to others. While the goal of therapy is often to reduce the amount of emotional pain a person is experiencing, I believe the way we feel about things is often the last thing to change. We must first change the way we act, the way we think about things, and the way we react to others before our emotions can change for the better. I am a very straight-forward individual, but I strive to speak the truth in love and kindness. While I am the expert on psychology, my patients are the experts on their lives. Therapy works best when my patients and I get to share what we know with each other.

08/12/2026

Dr. Avie Rainwater

I grew up in Florence and have been in practice in the P*e Dee since 1989. My wife and I have been married for since 1978 and we have three adult children; Chelsea is a hematologist/oncologist, Seth is a clinical psychologist and my partner here at LifeCare, and Joshua owns Transmission Restaurant in Columbia, SC. I hold a bachelor’s degree in general psychology, two masters’ degrees (e.g., counseling psychology and clinical psychology) as well as a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Oklahoma State University. I also have specialized training in psychophysiology and biofeedback. I have served on several boards including the national board of directors of the American Academy of Clinical Psychology, the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, our state’s licensing board, the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology, as well as the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Psychological Association. I have served on the emeritus staff at McLeod Regional Medical Center for more than 30 years, serving on the Leadership Committee and the Physician Health Committee. I enjoy living out in the country (Darlington County), playing guitar, reading, and sh***un sports.