2026-2027 Board of Directors
President-Elect
(Three year Term: President Elect, President, Immediate Past President)
Suneetha Manyam, PhD, LPC, CPCS, CRC, NCC
Over the several years Dr. Manyam has volunteered in different positions on the board, proving continuing education training for the organization and currently as the Continuing Education Co-Chair. Suneetha is a professor at Mercer University Atlanta Campus with 13 years of teaching, and 11 years of clinical and 12 years of research experience in the counseling field. She is considered an expert at qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies and as the statistician of the department. Her love of the profession, those licensed and those with that goal have earned her the reputation of being someone who can be counted on and one who will work to find solutions. As an international Keynote speaker she spreads the word about the work and value of LPCA and professional counselors.
GOALS
- To involve (through LPCA mentor and many other LPCA programs) more counselors and students for their active engagement in our organization thus raising the visibility and capacity of the profession.
- To enhance cross-state collaborations with respective LPC organizations and foster strategic partnerships with ensuring that every dollar spent directly furthers LPCA mission of providing you as counselors the support and respect deserved.
- To work rigorously on the COMPACT, Insurance reimbursements, financial sustainability, and influence public policy to enable our LPCs are able to provide the services we are all educated and trained to provide.
Clinical Supervisor Chair
Marc Prevette, LPC, NCC, CST-S, CPCS, ATS
I currently serve on the Supervisor Committee, a consultation mentor, attend the supervisors’ roundtables and for my supervisee, I have driven to the licensing board in Macon to try and find answers to help with the licensing process. I will work to provide access, resources, and assistance to my fellow supervisors.
GOALS
- Continuing to improve education and clarity of supervision for professional counseling
- Improve access for supervisors with unique skills or specializations to provide consultation or access to supervisees seeking those skills.
- Advocate for supervision training and tool standardization to provide consistent and reliable training to maintain quality and ethical requirements for Professional Counseling.
Communications Director
Kimberly Shawn Witt, LPC, CPCS
Shawn is trained in EMDR techniques and utilizes this in her private practice, with offices in Marietta, Sandy Springs and Savannah, GA. Shawn often lectures throughout Georgia on trauma and recovery and introduces others to an innovative approach to trauma therapy with a unique connection to community, found in her book, Healing Trauma Through the 12 Steps. Such experiences motivated her to found TraumAnon, a peer-led, 12-step trauma support group, hosting (28) weekly groups throughout the US. Originating in 2019, TraumAnon’s over 10,000 members. Shawn was recently featured on Straight Forward, an NBC feature, also publishes a Spotify podcast, has been quoted in The Washington Post, and has been used as a source for Politico, regarding trauma and the effects on survivors.
GOALS
- Position the LPCA as the primary go-to for clinical mental health matters in the state of Georgia.
- Build a unified professional identity for LPC's in the state of Georgia with a shared message for LPC's that could be used for advocacy, public speaking, media or even testimony, if needed.
Ethics Chair
Joanna Kester, LPC, CPCS, NCC
Joanna Kester, LPC, CPCS, NCC very active on the LPCA Board of Directors, serving in 2022 and again 2025 as the Atlanta District creating workshops and working on including LPCA in events hosted by others, including the Youth Summit which LPCA received awards for its service. Currently I works for Family Services and have a private practice in Alpharetta, GA. Joanna is trained and experienced in a variety of interventions including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), Brainspotting, CBT and ACT. She also serves on the Boy Scouts of America Youth Protection Committee. This committee plans an annual seminar tailored to the leaders of youth serving organizations and is focused on protecting our youth, supported by many Georgia Lawmakers. Joanna has participated in many community panels at events focused on mental health and wellness. She has also presented for large corporations like Delta, and many smaller companies.
GOALS
- Improve the ethical practices of counseling and psychotherapy among professionals in Georgia.
- Provide quality and confidential ethical consultations to counselors in Georgia.
- Respond to ethical inquiries within 24 hours.
Professional Development Chair
Dr. Kelly Veal, PhD, LPC, CPCS
Dr. Veal recently join Antioch University as a full-time teaching faculty in the fall of 2025. Kelly J. Veal earned her PhD in Counselor Education from Auburn University in 2015. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a Certified EMDR Therapist, and a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS). Dr. Veal served as the Program Coordinator for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at LaGrange College for almost 10 years, where she was awarded tenure. Dr. Veal has also served as an adjunct faculty member at Auburn University. Dr. Veal was most recently elected as the Professional Development Chair for the Licensed Professional Counselors Association Board of Directors in Georgia.
Continuing Education Chair
Brittany Briscoe, LPC
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.
District Representatives
ATLANTA
Clayton - Cobb- DeKalb - Douglas - Fayette - Fulton - Gwinnett - Henry - Newton – Rockdale
Janesta Nairn, PhD, LPC, CPCS
Dr. Nairn is currently serving as the CCALP Trustee and has volunteered on the Board of Directors in various positions, including the Continuing Education Co-Chair. She has over 20 years of experience in the juvenile justice sector and 10 years in counseling. Dr. Nairn holds the Court Support Manager's position at Cobb County Juvenile Court in GA and is an adjunct professor at Rasmussen University. Her past experiences include residential and CORE agencies. My work with LPCA will be as the primary "champion" or go-to partner for specific district issues.
GOALS
- Expending the bridge between the community and decision-makers to provide more services to members
- Work advocating for our local needs, especially since the Atlanta district is populated and diversified.
- Work with the whole LPCA Board on strengthening the profession’s recognition, and removing obstacles to allow professional counselors to use their education and training to provide excellent services to the community.
CENTRAL
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, LPC, CPCS, earned her BA degree in Psychology from Wesleyan College and her Masters in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University. She has worked as a therapist at the Methodist Home/Lighthouse for Families for the past 20 years. In 2017, Dottie became the Clinical Director for Lighthouse for Families, providing oversight, management, and supervision of the outpatient therapeutic services. She is a Certified TF-CBT Supervisor and Therapist and has specialized training in Reactive Attachment Disorder, Family Centered Practice, and the treatment of the CSEC population. Dottie is DBT informed, CPP trained, Triple P certified, EMDR trained, and SPARCS trained.
COASTAL
Appling - Bacon - Brantley - Bryan - Bulloch - Camden - Candler - Charlton - Chatham - Effingham - Evans - Glynn - Jeff Davis - Liberty Long - McIntosh - Pierce - Tattnall - Toombs - Ware – Wayne
Leslie Lunney, LPC
Current Co-Chair, Leslie has been a member of LPCA since 1992 and has served LPCA in many capacities including Newsletter Editor and Southern District Rep. Leslie has provided testimony at lawmakers study committees in support of LPCs and LPCA. Leslie lives in Savannah and works at Recovery Place treating individuals with substance use disorders using the most current evidence-based practices and treating persons with trauma using EMDR. She has 5 substance use certifications and is also a CPCS. Her private practice focuses on Clinical Evaluations. Leslie serves on the Planning and Zoning Committee for the Thunderbolt Town Council and is active in her church and cross fit. She is a proud Army Rander mom!
GOALS
- Quarterly CE in-person Workshops
- Teach/educate LPCs the importance of being politically active and how to do advocate (connecting and meeting in person as a group with local legislators)
- Increasing proficiency for LPCs on treating clients with substance use disorders and their families; it’s a family issue too!
NORTHERN
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
Elections coming soon for Northern District
GOALS
EASTERN
Barrow - Burke - Clarke - Columbia - Elbert - Emanuel - Glascock - Greene - Jackson - Jefferson - Jenkins - Lincoln - Madison - McDuffie Morgan - Oconee - Oglethorpe - Richmond - Screven - Taliaferro - Walton - Warren – Wilkes
Connor Barnes Thornton-Typhair, LPC
Connor Thornton is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia who has been practicing since 2023. She has a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Augusta University. Connor best supports her clients’ wellbeing by building strong relationships. These relationships foster a supportive and safe space for clients to process their emotions and understand themselves more fully. Through the therapeutic relationship, Connor and the clients are able to explore their needs and best practices to support their growth.
GOALS
- Increase connections for those in the Eastern District
- Increase networking in my region for members
WESTERN
Carroll - Chattahoochee - Clay - Coweta - Haralson - Harris - Heard - Marion - Meriwether - Muscogee - Quitman - Randolph - Stewart Talbot - Troup - Webster
Jaime Allred, LAPC, NCC
As an APC committed to supporting my peers and advocating for the profession. I have been a member of LPCA since I was a graduate student and realized all the support LPCA offers. I am eager to serve the Western district members of LPCA. I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve my district to the best of my abilities.
GOALS
- Raising awareness of LPCA and its benefits to APCs and LPCs through outreach, education, and engagement initiatives
- Organizing accessible workshops, CE events, and networking opportunities to foster engagement and support counselors at all career stages
- Strengthening our district community by encouraging collaboration and by promoting participation in advocacy efforts to advance the counseling profession in Georgia.
SOUTHERN
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
Loriann Merritt, LAPC INCUMBENT serving 2nd Term
Loriann Graduated from Valdosta State University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and again in 2023 with a Master of Counselor Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Loriann currently holds her associate license in professional counseling. Loriann has experience in the college counseling setting, as well as in community mental health. Loriann is under the direct and clinical supervision of Dr. Ramirez; she is the Southern District Rep and wants to make sure everyone in her district connects with the LPCA.
GOALS:
LPCAGA-PAC
The LPCAGA-PAC is bipartisan and supports candidates for public office who understand and support the issues most critical to the continued growth and success of our Licensed Professional Counselors and their communities. The LPCAGA-PAC helps us to educate policy leaders on issues that are important to our Profession.
We promote candidates who support LPCs.
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Dr. Johnnie L Jenkins, III Ph.D., LPC, CPCS, ACS, RPT-S
Dr. Jenkins is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and Certified Professional Clinical Supervisor in Georgia with more than 20 years of experience. Dr. Jenkins’ private practice experience includes working with families. He holds memberships in the American Counseling Association, the Association for Play Therapy, the Licensed Professional Counselor Association of Georgia, and the Georgia Association for Play Therapy. He holds the following degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Mercer University in Macon, GA, and a Master of Arts Degree in Psychology from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Jenkins was an adjunct at Argosy University Atlanta, teaching classes in Play therapy, Child and Adolescent Counseling, Family and Couples Counseling, and Practicum and Supervision. He was also Chair of the Human Services Department. Dr. Jenkins received a Ph.D. in Public Policy from Walden University.
LPCA Journal of Professional Counseling
The Clinical Certification Association of Licensed Professionals processes certifications such as CPCS, the Certificate Professional Counselor Supervisor for LPCA of GA.
Gregory K. Moffatt, PhD, LPC, CPCS
Dr. Moffatt has been a professor of Counseling Psychology for almost three decades and currently serves as Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Point University. Previously, he was a part-time instructor at Georgia State University. Dr. Moffatt has extensive experience on the subject of violent behavior. He was a regular instructor at the FBI National Academy and consulted numerous Corporations, law enforcement agencies, and schools. He remains a regular consultant and profiler with the Atlanta Cold Case Squad.
CCALP Board of Trustees
The Clinical Certification Association of Licensed Professionals processes certifications such as CPCS, the Certificate Professional Counselor Supervisor for LPCA of GA.
CHAIR
Postion Open.
