Slate of Nominees
2024 - 2025 Board of Directors
Keisha Pou-Buchanan, PhD, LPC, CPCS
President
Dr. Keisha Buchanan is a Georgia psychotherapist, speaker, trainer, and educator. She is the owner of Next Step Counseling, LLC, and founded Relif, Inc., a nonprofit organization providing mental health services to first responders. She has over 20 years of experience in counseling and is licensed in Georgia & South Carolina. In addition to her role as a counselor, she is a CPCS, Adjunct Professor, and a member of ACA, AMHCA, and LPCA. She enjoys traveling and spending quality time with herself and her family.
Tracey Pace, Th.D, MSA, M.Ed., LPC, CPCS, NCC, CFMHE, CFI
Running for President-Elect
Mrs. Pace has been in private practice since 1999, serving all populations. Before that, she worked as a certified school counselor. She previously served as the Director of Administration for the 117TCS Georgia Air National Guard. She is a Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluator (CFMHE), a Certified Child Custody Evaluator (CCCE), a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS), and a Certified Forensic Interviewer (CFI). She currently serves as chair of the Coastal Region of Georgia LPCA and enjoys mentoring new counselors, both APCs and LPCs.
Leslie "Les" Cole, D.Min, LPC, CPCS, CCTD, NCC
Running for Treasurer
Dr. Les Cole has over 45 years as a passionate practitioner in the field of mental health, spirituality and psychology. He has historically divided his time between organizational development, clinical practice, training, clinical supervision and consulting. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Licensed Professional Counselors Association in 2021. Les is the co-author, “The Ketamine Effect.” He earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech; Masters from Phillips University and Doctorate from Columbia Theological Seminary in conjunction with Emory University in psychology and theology. Les is the owner of Ethos Behavioral and works as special projects director for Attento Counseling and Director of Behavioral Health for Ascend Medical. Les and his wife Debi have 6 adult children, 4 granddaughters and live in Marietta, Georgia.
Goal: primary goal is to ensure the organization's financial well-being and long-term success.
Dr. William "Will" Carroll
Running for Ethics Chair
Dr. Will Carroll is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Georgia. He has a Ph.D. from Liberty University in Counselor Education and Supervision. He earned his Masters in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in 2012 and has been in private practice in Marietta, GA since that time. He enjoys outdoor activities including running and kayaking around the lakes and rivers of north Georgia. Originally from South Georgia, Dr. Carroll's area of expertise is in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder using varied techniques including innovative approaches such as Lego Therapy. His Ph.D. dissertation is on the unique qualities associated with women with Autism as seen from the perspective of their adult sisters.
Goals:
- To provide quality service to members of LPCA Georgia and the clients they service through the appropriate used of the ACA and AMHCA codes of ethics.
- To support the members of LPCA Georgia through the ethical decision-making process with both encouragement and advice founded in our codes of ethics.
- To encourage the growth and utilization of our association LPCA Georgia by all professional counselors and associates.
Dr. Ashley Weaver
Running for Ethics Chair
Dr. Ashley Weaver is a Behavioral Health Clinician in the county Drug Court system. She works with substance abuse, mental health, and veteran clients. She also has her own private practice where she focuses on individuals, couples, families, and LGBTQ+ clients. She has worked in the corporate structure as well as higher education. She has a wide variety of educational experience that includes a Master’s and Ph.D in Higher Education Administration. Dr. Weaver also has a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health. She is a National Certified Counselor through the National Board of Certified Counselors as well as a Moral Reconation Certified Therapist. She is also a S.Y.M.B.I.S (Save Your Marriage Before It Starts-faith based) certified counselor. Dr. Weaver has also worked with clients in a community-based setting, in inpatient and outpatient mental health hospitals.
Dr. Tonja Simmons Lee, Ed.D, LPC, CPCS
Running for Professional Development Chair
Dr. Simmons Lee, a licensed professional with more than 20 years of counseling, coaching, and leadership experience, is trained to help with reflection, support, and solutions.
Dr. Lee developed a counseling program for students and faculty. She directs the day-to-day operations of the college's critical office, the counseling center. Designed to support student, faculty, and staff well-being,
Counseling Services and its Counseling Resource Center provide counseling, assistance, and guidance in resolving personal, social, or psychological problems and difficulties.
The Georgia College Counseling Association recently named Tonja Simmons Lee, CGTC’s Counseling Services executive director, its 2020 College Counseling Director of the Year.
Goals:
1. Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for the professional development of LPCA-GA members, including identifying current trends and needs within the counseling profession.
2. Form and lead committees focused on specific projects, such as creating industry guides for professional counselors, to facilitate knowledge sharing and best practices.
3. Conduct surveys to gather insights into the professional development needs and preferences of LPCA-GA members. Use this data to tailor programs and initiatives accordingly.
Erlese Morea Caruth, LPC, NCC, CPCS, CCH
Running for Professional Development Chair
Erlese is the founder and Atlanta-based psychotherapist at A Place For Me Counseling. She has experience working with a diverse population of clients and in settings such as hospitals, community agencies, schools, and private practice. She works with clients seeking to resolve challenges around trauma, anxiety, depression, life adjustments, and relationship problems. Erlese specializes in Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), the gold standard for treating anxiety. In addition, she utilizes techniques in the practice of sex therapy, hypnotherapy, EMDR, polyvagal techniques, cognitive behavior therapy, narrative, and solution-focused therapies.
Erlese expanded her practice to include personal development coaching. She is passionate about helping professional women who feel stuck and overwhelmed in their personal and professional lives overcome their limiting beliefs, and shift their mindsets so they can live the life they want for themselves.
Early in my career, discovered a passion for training and developing clinicians, so I began working with interns and new counselors through the process of collaborative education, self-discovery, and clinical training. I believe that providing access to information, education, and training rather than giving the perception of being the only source of it prepares individuals with the opportunity to gain mastery over common growth challenges. I believe that my vision aligns with that of the board, and as such, I would like the opportunity to support the CEO and Executive Leadership team in maintaining the vision, goals, and policies of the board.
Louis Boynton, II, Ph.D, LPC, NCC, CPCS
Running for Supervision Chair
Over the last few years, Louis has been working in the profession of psychology as an educator, researcher, and practitioner. He has written grants and managed grant projects in disaster mental health, a new professional avenue. Currently, Louis is President of a nonprofit (managing a disaster mental health website gadisaster.info), with a private practice, and a mobile assessment counselor for Southern Crescent Pines Behavioral Health.
Goals:
- Create advanced supervision trainings that promote growth in clinical.
- Develop the best regional/national supervision program by reviewing what is successful in other states and programs.
- Introduce supervision models that informed by neuroscience.
- Create a standard for evaluating the quality of supervision and supervise experience.
Tracy Kissinger, MEd, MS, LPC, CPCS
Running for Supervision Chair
Tracy Kissinger, MEd, MS, LPC, CPCS is a former Special Education teacher and retired Adolescent and Family Therapist. She holds a Master of Education degree in Special Education and a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology. She is also board-certified in School Crisis Response with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and a board-certified Bereavement Facilitator with the American Academy of Bereavement. Before entering private practice, she worked as a family therapist, case manager, education therapist, and Substance Abuse Coordinator in the adolescent department at a private psychiatric hospital in Atlanta. After retiring from seeing patients in private practice, she has stayed active as a Clinical Professional Counselor Supervisor and an active volunteer with the LPCA-GA. She is passionate about the vital role of supervision in counseling.
My priorities for the upcoming year include establishing a Tele-Supervision Credential, helping with the newly revised CPCS recertification process, and establishing clear guidelines for the CPCS program.
Lisa Angert Morris, MS, LPC, CGP, CPCS
Running for Supervision Chair
Lisa Angert Morris, MS, LPC, CGP, CPCS is a psychotherapist, play therapist, clinical supervisor, trainer and nonprofit professional. Since 1996, she has been in private practice as a partner at Metropolitan Psychotherapy Associates (MPA), in Atlanta, and has been continuously involved in nonprofit mental health agencies. In addition to direct clinical practice, Lisa specializes in supervising post-graduate therapists working to attain professional licensure and has helped more than 100 clinicians achieve that goal through training, consultation and clinical supervision. She is passionate about training and mentoring the next generation of therapists and increasing access to mental health services. After completing her undergraduate degree at Emory University and her master’s degree at Georgia State University, she became a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia. She holds certifications as a Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP-National Certification) and a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS-GA). In addition to this supervisory designation, she is also qualified to provide Telemental Health Therapy and Supervision and is a Registered Telehealth Provider in Florida and South Carolina. From 2019-2022, she was appointed by the Governor, to the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists and served as the Chairperson for the last year of her tenure. More information is available at www.atlantapsychotherapy.com.
This is an exciting time to be a Professional Counselor and Supervisor. Through innovations in telehealth and telesupervision, preparation for the implementation of the Counseling Compact, and proposed rule changes by the Composite Board, there is a lot of information to keep up with during the next year.
There are three primary reasons why I would like to serve:
- I have been dedicated to the training, supervision, and mentoring of clinicians working toward licensure my entire career.
- From my experience of serving and chairing the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists, I have a thorough understanding of the challenges faced by supervisors and supervisees across the state. I would welcome the opportunity to use my perspective to provide supervisors with clarity about how to navigate the changes while developing their skills to help clinicians attain licensure.
- There are pockets of Georgia that have very few Professional Counselors and/or Supervisors and finding ways of staying connected and supported is vital to keeping experienced clinicians in the field.
LPCA is our Professional Organization and at the forefront of change in our profession. I would like to be a part of the LPCA Board, as Supervision Chair, to encourage clinicians to become supervisors, hear the challenges that arise in a wide range of workplace settings, and tailor future LPCA offerings to the needs of supervisors.
My goals are to:
- Listen to the requests of supervisors and respond with offerings that increase skill-building, proficiency, and confidence
- Provide timely, updated, accurate information about regulatory changes
- Support and strengthen LPCA through my experience in working with nonprofit organizations
Vicki Blount, LPC, CPCS, MAC
Running for Continuing Education Chair
Vicki is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor, and Master’s Addition Counselor. She is only licensed in Georgia at this time. Vicki currently works full-time at Traime Behavioral Health in Marietta, Georgia as the Team Lead for the Cobb Assertive Community Treatment (ACT ) Team. She provides individual, group, and family therapy to clients with serious mental health and life issues. In addition, Vicki provides clinical supervision to the clinicians on staff and counseling interns as scheduled. Vicki’s areas of expertise and focus continue to be Mental Health, Addiction, Trauma, and Family counseling.
It is an honor and a privilege to be part of an organization that deeply cares about their members and dedicated to the profession and the professionalism of counselors in Georgia. My desire is to continue to raise public awareness about mental health and the role of LPC’s, promote ethical and professional standards for practice and licensure and assist with providing training and networking opportunities for all of us. As a nominee for the LPCA Board of Directors, Continuing Education Chair, I would focus on the following goals for 2024-2025:
- Continue to be an active participant in spearheading and promoting LPC Week and LPC Day at the Georgia Capitol to advocate for the continued growth of our profession.
- To help bridge the gap between LPCA members and the district chairs and co-chairs by promoting and attending networking activities/events and providing complimentary CE hours.
- To create a video or a live presentation that outlines the CE application process to help streamline the submission process for new presenters.
Vicki Blount, LPC, CPCS, MAC
Suneetha Manyam, MA, LPC, CPCS
Running for Continuing Education Chair
Dr.Suneetha B Manyam is a tenured professor at Mercer University in the Department of Counseling. As a counselor educator, she has been training and supervising the future counselors for the past 16+years. She actively engages in scholarly research in the areas of counselor wellness, mindfulness techniques, microagressions, and multicultural advocacy. As a licensed clinician, Dr. Manyam is serving couples, families and clients from 5-75 years in the areas of anxiety, stress management, trauma, grief, acculturation issues for the last two decades.
I believe in lifelong learning and continuing education is a must for the counselors to keep abreast of the trends in serving clients from multiple cultures with unique needs. Moreover, I served on the board before and am passionate about LPCAGA’s mission and values.
What you might have for the three (3) goals for the coming year as an LPCA Board Member:
- To coordinate offering a variety of continuing education opportunities for the counselors, counselor educators and supervisors
- To design innovative continuing education tools using the recent technological advances
- To collaborate and create a series of workshop opportunities with experts in different areas regionally, nationally and internationally as appropriate.
Brittany Briscoe, LPC, NCC
Running for Communications Director Chair
Brittany received her Master's in Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling from Mercer University. She has spent the past three years seeing clients at a community private practice in the heart of Atlanta, GA. Brittany is passionate about people, play, human experience, advocacy, and justice. Her therapeutic modalities of choice include Play Therapy and Internal Family Systems because of her deep appreciation of the power of play and its many benefits and the theoretical ability to look at our human essence in delicate & essential parts. She works with children and adults and recently opened her small private practice in Buckhead, Atlanta. Her research interests include adult play therapy, somatic movement, neuroscience, mindfulness and meditation, epigenetics & the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) study. For fun, she enjoys trying new foods, traveling, attending festivals and conventions, and spending time with her family, friends, and small pup, Max.
I am passionate about serving as the Communications Chair on the board of LPCA-GA because I believe effective communication is the cornerstone of fostering collaboration, engagement, and growth within our profession. As a member of our counseling community, I have witnessed the transformative power of clear and intentional communication in connecting professionals, sharing valuable resources, and promoting our work.
In this role, I am committed to leveraging my experience in communication, digital creativity, and community engagement to elevate our organization's visibility, amplify our impact, and strengthen our connections with members and stakeholders. I am eager to collaborate with fellow board members to develop innovative communication initiatives that reflect the diverse needs and voices of our membership while advancing our shared mission of promoting mental health and well-being in Georgia. Together, I am confident that we can achieve great things and create lasting change for the betterment of our profession and the individuals and communities we support.
My goals for 2024-2025 include:
- Improve Communication Channels: Enhance existing communication channels (social media platforms) to ensure consistent and timely dissemination of information to members and stakeholders.
- Increase Member Engagement: Develop initiatives to increase member engagement and participation in organization activities.
- Facilitate Collaboration: Foster collaboration and partnerships with other professional organizations, educational institutions, and community groups to expand the organization's reach and impact.
- Promote Diversity and Inclusion: Ensure that communication materials and initiatives represent the organization's diverse membership and communities.
- Support Organizational Initiatives: Collaborate with other board members to achieve the organization's overall goals and objectives
By setting and working towards these goals, I aim to strengthen communication efforts, increase engagement, and advance the mission of the regional professional counseling organization.
COMMITTEES
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: District Representatives
LPCA of GA has seven Districts: Atlanta, Central Coastal, Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western.
RUNNING FOR ATLANTA:
Find your District Below:
Atlanta District: Clayton - Cobb- DeKalb - Douglas - Fayette - Fulton - Gwinnett - Henry - Newton – Rockdale
Lei P. Tun, LPC
Lei P. Tun, LPC in Atlanta, Georgia, and a dedicated member of LPCA of Georgia brings a wealth of experience to address the unique challenges, adaptations, and cultural conflicts faced by individuals with a diverse international background. As a native of Myanmar (Burma) and having lived in Myanmar, Singapore, and the United States, Lei offers an understanding of these complexities. She specializes in individual, couple, and group psychotherapy in private practice settings.
My goals for this role are as follows:
To ensure fidelity towards LPCA of GA’s mission of promoting the development of the counseling profession in Georgia.
To support LPCA of GA’s goal of working closely with other mental health organizations, state agencies, and legislative bodies to ensure that the needs of the counseling profession and the people it serves are being met.
To provide networking opportunities for members and advocate for the interests of licensed professional counselors and the client they serve.
To bring Coffee & Chats to every part of my district.
To help get the virtual LPC Roundtables program set up so members can “drop in” at lunchtime to talk about their concerns and solutions.
RUNNING FOR CENTRAL:
Central District: Baldwin - Bibb - Bleckley - Butts - Crawford - Crisp - Dodge - Dooly - Hancock - Houston - Jasper - Johnson - Jones - Lamar - Lauren - Macon - Monroe - Montgomery - Peach - Pike - Pulaski - Putnam - Schley - Spalding - Sumter - Taylor - Telfair - Treutlen - Twiggs - Upson - Washington - Wheeler - Wilcox – Wilkinson
Dottie Chambers, LPC, CPCS
Dottie Chambers has been a LPCA of GA member since January 2022 and currently serves on the board as the newly elected Central District Chair. She earned her BA degree in Psychology from Wesleyan College and her Masters in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University. Early in Dottie’s career, she worked as a Direct Care Staff with the Methodist Home and as a Social Worker with the Masonic Home. Upon completion of her Master’s degree in 2004, Dottie returned to the Methodist Home/Lighthouse for Families as a therapist. In 2017, she became the Clinical Director for Lighthouse for Families (the outpatient counseling program for the Methodist Home), providing oversight, management and supervision of therapeutic services. Dottie is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS), and a Certified Trauma Focused - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Supervisor and Therapist. She has specialized training in Reactive Attachment Disorder, Family Centered Practice, and the treatment of the Commercial Exploitation of Children (CSEC). Dottie is DBT informed, CPP trained, Triple P certified, EMDR trained, and SPARCS trained. On December 1, 2023, she received the Lighthouse for Families Staff of the Year Award as nominated/voted on by her team and peers. Dottie was recently awarded the Mary Jane Seacole Award as the Mental Health Advocate of the Year by Health for Healthcare Professionals Organization. She has over 20 years of experience in working with trauma, complex trauma, grief/loss, depression, as well as various other mental health challenges.
Three (3) goals for the coming year as an LPCA Board Member are as follows: to engage the LPCA members and non-members in meaningful connections within the Middle Georgia community; to provide at least two (2) CE events in the Middle Georgia community; and to collaborate with LPCA members to ensure their needs/questions/concerns are addressed and to engage non-members.
Jeannie Powell, MS, LPC, CPCS
Jeannie Powell has been an LPCA of GA member since January 2022 and serves on the board as the newly elected Central District Co-Chair. Jeannie obtained her B.S. in Psychology and Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from GSU. She has worked with The Methodist Home/Lighthouse for 23 years. In 2018, Jeannie accepted the Director of Community Services for Lighthouse for Families position, where she provides oversight, management, and supervision for DFCS and Superior Court visitation services and other therapeutic services. She is a Certified TF-CBT Therapist with specialized training in Reactive Attachment Disorder, Play Therapy, and Family Centered Practice. Jeannie is TAC trained, DBT informed, CPP trained, Triple P certified, and EMDR trained.
GOALS: To help connect LPC’s with each other in Central Georgia District by helping to organize a minimum of two events over the course of the year; To help communicate information from LPCA of GA to LPC’s in the Central Georgia District.
RUNNING FOR COASTAL:
Coastal District: Appling - Bacon - Brantley - Bryan - Bulloch - Camden - Candler - Charlton - Chatham - Effingham - Evans - Glynn - Jeff Davis - Liberty - Long - McIntosh - Pierce - Tattnall - Toombs - Ware – Wayne
Patricia Jackson Whalen, MA, LPC, NCC, CST
Licensed Professional Counselor, a National Certified Counselor, and a certified Christian Sex Therapist. Patricia established her private practice in August of 2021. Prior to that, I worked for a counseling center in Cartersville, GA, and a Nonprofit Center in Atlanta, GA, for several years. She was the director of Acworth Women’s Center, a crisis pregnancy center, and the Director of the Women’s Restoration Department at a non-denominational church for five years. Her primary therapeutic experience is working with individuals with complex trauma, infidelity, and dissociation. Her desire is to help individuals abused as children find healing. She became a Certified Sex Therapist through the Institute of Sexual Wholeness at Richmont Graduate School. Her desire is to help clients attain wholesome sexuality. Patricia earned her MA in Professional Counseling and an undergraduate degree in Christian counseling at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. She is bi-lingual (English/Spanish), was born in Mexico city, Mexico, and raised in Cleveland, OH. She understands the struggles of cultural diversity firsthand.
RUNNING FOR EASTERN:
Eastern District: Barrow - Burke - Clarke - Columbia - Elbert - Emanuel - Glascock - Greene - Jackson - Jefferson - Jenkins - Lincoln - Madison - McDuffie - Morgan - Oconee - Oglethorpe - Richmond - Screven - Taliaferro - Walton - Warren – Wilkes
Dr. Jihene Ayadi, Ph.D., LPC, CPCS, NCC, ACS
Dr. Ayadi is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling and the Clinical Coordinator at Troy University in Augusta, Georgia. She earned her Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Arkansas and her master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from Valdosta State University.
Dr. Ayadi is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Certified Supervisor in the State of Georgia (CPCS). She is also a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (NCS) with the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). She is also a Certified QPR Gatekeeper Trainer for Suicide Prevention and a Certified EMDR provider.
Dr. Ayadi has nearly 14 years of experience providing mental health services in outpatient settings to adults, military personnel, veterans, and their families. She has presented regionally, nationally, and internationally. She is actively working and collaborating with peers on conducting research for peer-reviewed publications.
Goals for 2024-2025: I aim to provide more opportunities for the Eastern District LPCs, LAPCs, and graduate students to voice their concerns and share their suggestions with the board to better serve our communities.
Sharon Renshaw, MA, LPC, CPCS
I have been a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) since 2010 and a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS) since 2018, both licensed in the State of Georgia. I received my Master’s Degree in Counseling at Liberty University (VA) in 1991 and a Bachelor’s Degree in English Education in 1989. My clinical experiences in the last 24 years include counseling/social work services for both adults and child/adolescent populations. I served in the role of Social Worker III at Augusta University Medical Center for 13 1/2 years in both behavioral health inpatient units of 9N (child and adolescent) and 3S (adult). I have also provided outpatient services for 9 years overall at Serenity Behavioral Health Systems, most recently in the role of Behavior Health Counselor for Adult Outpatient Services for the last 6 years. My primary clinical focus has been serving individuals experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, ADHD, anger management, and substance use. I enjoy distance running, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Three goals:
Increased membership applications by promoting LPCGA to professionals in my area in the Eastern District through direct communication, emails and sharing upcoming events.
Organize and support at least two LPCA-sponsored events in the district.
Organize and support events such as coffee and community forums on topics of interest to LPCA members in the district, which provide opportunities for socializing and networking.
I greatly enjoy serving in this role. I desire to continue to be involved with an organization that has given me much in the past and present, strengthening me in my profession and giving me invaluable resources. I would be honored to serve as the Eastern District Chair!
RUNNING FOR NORTHERN:
Northern District: Banks - Bartow - Catoosa - Chattooga - Cherokee - Dade - Dawson - Fannin - Floyd - Forsyth - Franklin - Gilmer - Gordon - Habersham - Hall - Hart - Lumpkin - Murray - Paulding - Pickens - Polk - Rabun - Stephens - Towns - Union - Walker - White – Whitfield
Skye McIntyre, MS, LPC, EMDR, CPCS
Skye McIntyre is proud to be the Northern District Co-Representative for LPCA. Skye also served on the LPCA Board of Directors as a University of North Georgia student representative. Skye is a trauma therapist who specializes in working with couples. She is also a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor, cultivating a community of counseling professionals at SkyeHelps Counseling & Wellness in Dahlonega, Georgia.
RUNNING FOR SOUTHERN:
Southern District: Atkinson - Baker - Ben Hill - Berrien - Brooks - Calhoun - Clinch - Coffee - Colquitt - Cook - Decatur - Dougherty - Early - Echols - Grady - Irwin -Lanier - Lee - Lowndes - Miller - Mitchell - Seminole - Terrell - Thomas - Tift - Turner – Worth
A.J. Ramirez, ED.D, LPC, CPCS
A.J. is the owner of L.E.A.F. Therapy Services in Valdosta, Georgia. L.E.A.F. Therapy Services is geared toward providing affordable, high-quality counseling services to the South Georgia area. In addition to running a private practice, Dr. Ramirez teaches full-time in the Department of Sociology and Women and Gender Studies at Valdosta State University and as an adjunct professor in the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality program at Florida State University. Her academic interests include sexism, gender discrimination, LGBTQ issues, and education reform by incorporating systemic approaches. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from the University of North Georgia, her Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and a Doctor of Education degree with a concentration in Sociology from Valdosta State University.
RUNNING FOR WESTERN:
Western District: Carroll - Chattahoochee - Clay - Coweta - Haralson - Harris - Heard - Marion - Meriwether - Muscogee - Quitman - Randolph - Stewart - Talbot - Troup - Webster
Olga Maxwell, MS, NCC, LPC, CPCS
Olga Maxwell is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of GA. She also holds Nationally Certified Counselor and Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor certifications. She is currently employed as the Area Director for AmericanWork, a community mental health provider in Columbus, GA. Additionally, Olga is a practicing clinician and a clinical supervisor. She graduated from Troy University in 2015 with a Master of Science Degree in Counseling and Psychology with a 4.0 GPA. She was recognized as a Student of the Year in 2015. She currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the Counseling and Psychology Program of Troy University in Phenix City, AL.
What you might have for three (3) goals for the coming year as an LPCA Board Member.
- To recruit at least 1 new LPCA member per month with a goal of recruiting at least 12 new members during my tenure on the board
- To create monthly opportunities for networking and self-care for the LPCA members in my district
- To support the Board members and be of service to the Board in any way possible.