Speakers Bureau
Building A Resilient Georgia.
Addiction Recovery
Leighton Gilling, LPC
CHRIS 180
Contact: Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
Fonta High, LPC, NCC, MAC, CPCS
CHRIS 180
Contact: Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
Shonali Saha, MD
Whole and Healthy You
Contact: info@whyaddictionmedicine.com
Peer Networks and Technology
Kim Jones
Executive Director, NAMI Georgia
Contact: executive@namiga.org
Chris Scoggins, MPH
Director of Educational Outreach, Rural Health Innovation Center, Mercer University School of Medicine
Contact: scoggins_ct@georgiaruralhealth.org
Marquita Johnson
Technology and Mental Health in Atlanta GA
Contact: marquita@millennialc3.com ph. (678) 865-4343
Community Connections
Daeisha Fowler, MSW
CHRIS 180
Contact Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
Tiffany Sawyer
Director of Prevention Services, Georgia Center for Child Advocacy
Contact: tiffanys@gacfca.org, ph. (770) 830-4023,
Shannon Terrell Gordon, EdD, LCSW, CFRE, CPS-P
Collaboration, Mental Health Services and Challenges in Monroe Co, Macon, Central GA, Fulton
Contact: sgordon@river-edge.org, ph. (478) 803-7646
Resiliency
Community Resiliency Model
Linda Grabbe, PhD, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Clinical Assistant Professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University 2
Contact: lgrabbe@emory.edu
Kim Loomer, EDD, MA
Associate Dean, Learner Well-being and Professor, Psychiatry & Health Behavior
Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University
Contact: KLOOMER@augusta.edu
Rachel Woford, PhD
Community Education, Early Identification and Intervention in Atlanta and Auburn
Contact: rwaford@mygbhp.com ph. (404) 969-5395,
Resiliency
Culturally Informed Resiliency and Mental Health
Rosalyn Campbell, PhD, LMSW
Associate Professor, University of Georgia School of Social Work with specialties in Black mental health and illness
Contact: rdcampb@uga.edu
Resiliency
Resources For English Learners
Fonta High, LPC, NCC, MAC, CPCS
CHRIS 180
Contact: Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
Darlene C. Lynch
Head of External Relations for CVT-Atlanta, The Center for Victims of Torture
Contact: Lynch@CVT.ORG
Bethany Verbrugge, LMSW
CHRIS 180
Contact: Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
Resiliency
Disaster Recovery and Resilience
Fatima Kasiah, MD
Assistant Professor, Psychiatry & Behavioral Science, Morehouse School of Medicine
Contact: fatima.kasiah@gmail.com
Monica McGannon, LCSW
Clinical Director, Fulton County Behavioral Health
Contact: Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
Resiliency
Education Innovation and Resiliency
Jason Byars
PBIS Program Manager- Office of School Safety and Climate, Georgia Department of Education
Contact: jbyars@doe.k12.ga.us
Garry W. McGiboney, Ph.D
Deputy Superintendent – Office of School Safety and Climate, Georgia Department of Education
Contact: gmcgiboney@doe.k12.ga.us
Kim Loomer, EDD, MA
Associate Dean, Learner Well-being and Professor, Psychiatry & Health Behavior
Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University
Contact: KLOOMER@augusta.edu
Lizann Roberts
Executive Director, Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition
Contact: director.cgic@gmail.com
Resiliency
Family Resiliency and Child Development
Jennifer Barkin, M.S, PhD
Associate Professor of Community Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mercer University School of Medicine 3
Contact: barkin_jl@mercer.edu
Elise Blasingame
Executive Director, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia
Contact: elise.blasingame@hmhbga.org
Jan Christiansen
Executive Director, Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Contact: jchristiansen@gcadv.org
Trasie A. Topple, PhD, LCSW
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist and Support Group Lead, Athens Early Learning Center, Head Start and Early Head Start programs
Contact: tatopple@uga.edu
Kathy Colbenson, LMFT
President and CEO, CHRIS 180
Contact: Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
Brenda Fitzgerald, MD Former CDC Director, Georgia Commissioner of Public Health and Georgia State Health Officer, currently Resilient Georgia Executive Board Chair, Resilient Georgia
Contact: bcf75@icloud.com
Veda Johnson, MD FAAP
Professor, General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Medical Director, Lindbergh and Women Health Clinic, Grady Memorial Hospital
Contact: vjohn01@emory.edu
Monica McGannon, LCSW
Clinical Director, Fulton County Behavioral Health
Contact: Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
Stephen Messner, MD
Child Abuse Pediatrician, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Contact: Stephen.Messner@choa.org
Michele Smith, Ph.D. LMFT*
Director of Collaborative Care, Wellstar, Adjunct faculty, Master of Family Therapy Program, Mercer University
Contact: Michele.Smith2@wellstar.org
Orion Mowbray, PhD, MSW
Associate Professor and Director of Research
Contact: omowbray@uga.edu
Stan Sonu, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor, Division of General Medicine & Geriatrics, Division of General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine, Associate Program Director, Emory J. Willis Hurst Internal Medicine Residency, Associate Program Director, Emory Preventive Medicine Program, Emory School of Medicine
Contact: stan.sonu@emory.edu
Andrea S. Meyer Stinson, Ph.D. LMFT
Associate Program Director, Master of Family Therapy Program (Macon), Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, GAMFT president 4
Contact: meyer_as@mercer.edu
Sarah Y. Vinson, M.D.
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Morehouse School of Medicine, Founder and Consultant Lorio Psych Group and Lorio Forensics, Treasurer, Georgia Psychiatric Physicians Association
Contact: DrVinson@LorioPsychGroup.com
Assaf Oshri, PhD
Associate Professor, Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia, Founding Director of the Youth Development Institute
Contact: oshri@uga.edu
Morais Cassell
De-escalation, Urban Youth, and Mental Health in Warner Robbins/Macon
Contact: moraiscassell@gmail.com
Lauren Joiner Paul, LMSW
In Athens, GA
Contact: laurenjoiner1@gmail.com, ph. (770) 225-0804 ext. 700
Rachel Woford, PhD
Early Identification and Intervention of Psychosis and Bipolar, in Atlanta and Auburn
Contact: rwaford@mygbhp.com, ph. (404) 969-5395
Reinette Arnold
Youth Serving Organizations and Mental Health in Atlanta
Contact: rarnold@ihrcorp.com, ph. (770) 318-1897
Neill Blake, MSIA
Lived Experience: Prefers to speak in Cobb, Cherokee, or Paulding Counties
Contact: nhblake@gmail.com, ph. (770) 757-0151
Don Benson, CPS-MH, CPS-P
Lived Experience: In Dallas, GA (Paulding Co)/ Rome GA
Contact: dbenson2nd60@gmail.com, (770) 289-5071
Resiliency
Parent Resiliency Skills
Orion Mowbray, PhD, MSW
Associate Professor and Director of Research
Contact: omowbray@uga.edu, ph. (706) 542-5441
Jody Baumstein, LCSW
Licensed Therapist with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life
Contact: jody.baumstein@choa.org
Diana Cortina, LMFT
CHRIS 180
Contact: Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
Yolanda Fountain, PhD, LPC, RPT-S, NCC, ACS
Owner, Play Wellness LLC, Founder, Child Loss Center Inc., Adjunct Faculty, Mercer University Part-Time Faculty, Georgia State University, Adjunct Faculty, Morehouse School of Medicine
Contact: Care@playwellness.net
Veda Johnson, MD FAAP
Professor, General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Medical Director, Lindbergh and Women Health Clinic, Grady Memorial Hospital
Contact: vjohn01@emory.edu
Andrea S. Meyer Stinson, Ph.D. LMFT
Associate Program Director, Master of Family Therapy Program (Macon), Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, GAMFT president 5
Contact: meyer_as@mercer.edu
Erin Harlow- Parker, APRN, PMHCNS-BC
Licensed Therapist with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life
Contact: Parker@choa.org
Carol Pitts, PhD, LPC, LMFT, CPCS
CHRIS 180
Contact: Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
Sue Smith Executive Director, Georgia Parent Support Network
Contact: sue.smith@gpsn.org
Stan Sonu, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor, Division of General Medicine & Geriatrics, Division of General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine, Associate Program Director, Emory J. Willis Hurst Internal Medicine Residency, Associate Program Director, Emory Preventive Medicine Program, Emory School of Medicine
Melissa Robinson Graves, LMFT
Director of School Based Mental Health Services, CHRIS 180
Contact: Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
Erin Harlow- Parker, APRN, PMHCNS-BC Erin.Harlow-
Licensed Therapist with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life
Contact: Parker@choa.org
Stephanie Walsh, MD
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life’s Medical Director
Contact: Stephanie.Walsh@choa.org
Resiliency
Teen and Adolescent Resiliency Skills
Jody Baumstein
LCSW, Licensed Therapist with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life
Contact: jody.baumstein@choa.org
Ashleigh Dennis-Silas, LPC, CPCS
CHRIS 180
Contact: Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
JD Dreiling, APC
CHRIS 180
Contact: Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
Ekom Essien, LPC,CFMHE,CPCS,RPT-S
Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Forensic Evaluator
Contact: mressien@veritycounseling.com
Yolanda Fountain, PhD, LPC, RPT-S, NCC, ACS
Owner, Play Wellness LLC, Founder, Child Loss Center Inc., Adjunct Faculty, Mercer University Part-Time Faculty, Georgia State University, Adjunct Faculty, Morehouse School of Medicine
Contact: Care@playwellness.net
Erin Harlow-Parker
APRN, PMHCNS-BC, Licensed Therapist with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life
Contact: Erin.Harlow-Parker@choa.org
Veda Johnson, MD FAAP
Professor, General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Medical Director, Lindbergh and Women Health Clinic, Grady Memorial Hospital
Contact: vjohn01@emory.edu
Fatima Kasiah, MD
Assistant Professor, Psychiatry & Behavioral Science, Morehouse School of Medicine, Brighter Day Psychiatric Services of Atlanta 6
Contact: fatima.kasiah@gmail.com
Dorian A. Lamis, PhD, ABPP
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine/Grady Health System
Contact: dalamis@gmail.com
Rita Mathis, LCSW
Director, CHRIS 180 Training Institute
Contact: Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
Anna Moore, PhD
Director of Student Support at The Westminster Schools, Clinical Psychologist
Contact: annamoore@westminster.net
Brittney Walters, LCSW
Clinical Director, Chris Counseling Center, Director, Transitionz and Drop in Center, CHRIS 180
Contact: Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
Resiliency
Sources of Strength
#sourcesofstrength
Garrett Liles
Club President, Sources of Strength Program at Lassiter High School
Contact: garrettliles20@gmail.com
Misty Hawk
Counselor, Sources of Strength Lead, Lassiter High School
Contact: Misty.Hawk@cobbk12.org
Resiliency
Lived Experience
Jamie Like
Lived Experience and Over 25 Years of Experience Working with Children and Families
Contact: jamielike2021@gmail.com, ph. (270) 823-3465
Managing Stress and Anxiety
Jody Baumstein, LCSW
Licensed Therapist with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life
Contact: jody.baumstein@choa.org
JD Dreiling, APC
CHRIS 180
Contact: Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
Ekom Essien, LPC,CFMHE,CPCS,RPT-S
Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Forensic Evaluator
Contact: mressien@veritycounseling.com
Dorian A. Lamis, PhD, ABPP
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine/Grady Health System
Contact: dalamis@gmail.com
Kim Loomer, EDD, MA
Associate Dean, Learner Well-being and Professor, Psychiatry & Health Behavior
Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University
Contact: KLOOMER@augusta.edu
Fatima Kasiah, MD
Assistant Professor, Psychiatry & Behavioral Science, Morehouse School of Medicine, Brighter Day Psychiatric Services of Atlanta
Contact: fatima.kasiah@gmail.com
Assaf Oshri, PhD
Associate Professor, Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia, Founding Director of the Youth Development Institute
Rita Mathis, LCSW
Director, CHRIS 180 Training Institute
Contact: Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
Jen Packard, LCSW – EMDR, TFCBT
ARC Trainer, CHRIS 180
Contact: Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
Erin Harlow- Parker, APRN, PMHCNS-BC
Licensed Therapist with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life
Contact: Erin.Harlow-Parker@choa.org
Michele Smith, Ph.D. LMFT*
Director of Collaborative Care, Wellstar, Adjunct faculty, Master of Family Therapy Program, Mercer University
Contact: Michele.Smith2@wellstar.org
Stephanie Walsh, MD
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life’s Medical Director
Contact: Stephanie.Walsh@choa.org
Tera Carter
In Gwinnett County
Contact: carterfamily116@gmail.com, ph. (404) 219-3910
Morais Cassell
Self-Care in Warner Robbins/Macon
Contact: moraiscassell@gmail.com
Mental Health First Aid: Parents and Youth
Jewell H Gooding MBA, MA, NCC
Executive Director, Silence The Shame, Inc.
Contact: jg@silencetheshame.com
Fatima Kasiah, MD
Assistant Professor, Psychiatry & Behavioral Science, Morehouse School of Medicine
Contact: fatima.kasiah@gmail.com
Chris Scoggins, MPH
Director of Educational Outreach, Rural Health Innovation Center, Mercer University School of Medicine
Contact: scoggins_ct@georgiaruralhealth.org
Mindfulness & Wellness
Mindful Awareness and Wellness
Mindy Belcher, RD
Registered Dietitian, Owner, MCFit Adventures
Contact: mindydietitian@gmail.com
Shanta Dube, PhD, MPH
Associate Professor, Population Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Georgia State University
Contact: sdube2@gsu.edu
Linda Grabbe, PhD, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Clinical Assistant Professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University
Contact: lgrabbe@emory.edu
Vira Salzburn, MSM
Program Director, Prevent Suicide Today, Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council, Inc.
Contact: virasalzburn@chlink.org
Yolanda Fountain, PhD, LPC, RPT-S, NCC, ACS
Owner, Play Wellness LLC, Founder, Child Loss Center Inc., Adjunct Faculty, Mercer University Part-Time Faculty, Georgia State University, Adjunct Faculty, Morehouse School of Medicine
Contact: Care@playwellness.net
Mark Dannenfelser, MA, MPS, LPC
Psychotherapy and mindfulness teaching as it relates to depression, anxiety, and/or addiction in Atlanta
Contact: mark@markdannenfelser.com
Mindfulness & Wellness
Finding Purpose in Uncertain Times
Kathy Colbenson, LMFT
President and CEO, CHRIS 180
Contact: Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
Shanta Dube, PhD, MPH
Associate Professor, Population Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Georgia State University
Contact: sdube2@gsu.edu
Carol Pitts, PhD, LPC, LMFT, CPCS
CHRIS 180
Contact: Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
Michele Smith, Ph.D. LMFT*
Director of Collaborative Care, Wellstar, Adjunct faculty, Master of Family Therapy Program, Mercer University
Contact: Michele.Smith2@wellstar.org
Sarah Y. Vinson, M.D.
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Morehouse School of Medicine, Founder and Consultant Lorio Psych Group and Lorio Forensics, Treasurer, Georgia Psychiatric Physicians Association
Contact: DrVinson@LorioPsychGroup.com
Strategies to Cope with Grief Loss & Trauma
Jody Baumstein LCSW
Licensed Therapist with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life
Contact: jody.baumstein@choa.org
Yolanda Fountain, PhD, LPC, RPT-S, NCC, ACS
Owner, Play Wellness LLC, Founder, Child Loss Center Inc., Adjunct Faculty, Mercer University Part-Time Faculty, Georgia State University, Adjunct Faculty, Morehouse School of Medicine
Contact: Care@playwellness.net
Erin Harlow-Parker APRN, PMHCNS-BC
Licensed Therapist with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life
Contact: Erin.Harlow-Parker@choa.org
Jack Rainer, PhD, ABPP
CHRIS 180
Contact: Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
Melissa Robinson Graves, LMFT
Director of School Based Mental Health Services, CHRIS 180
Contact: Kathy.Colbenson@chris180.org
Michele Smith, Ph.D. LMFT*
Director of Collaborative Care, WellStar, Adjunct faculty, Master of Family Therapy Program, Mercer University
Contact: Michele.Smith2@wellstar.org
Andrea S. Meyer Stinson, Ph.D. LMFT
Associate Program Director, Master of Family Therapy Program (Macon), Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, GAMFT president
Contact: meyer_as@mercer.edu, ph. (478) 301-4098
Dr. Jennifer Elkins, PhD
Associate Professor, University of Georgia School of Social Work with specialties in Trauma
Contact: jelkins@uga.edu
"I can be changed by what happens to me.
But I refuse to be reduced by it."
― Maya Angelou
Suicide Prevention
Dorian A. Lamis, PhD, ABPP
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine/Grady Health System
Contact: dalamis@gmail.com
Vira Salzburn, MSM
Program Director, Prevent Suicide Today, Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council, Inc.
Contact: virasalzburn@chlink.org