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