Meet the Staff
The team at Harmony Oaks Recovery Center is composed of incredible individuals, each with a unique skill set and a passion for humanity. Our team members were hand-selected based on a combination of their compassion, aptitude and master competency.
We come from a variety of diverse backgrounds and education levels with the singular message that recovery is possible. Many of the members of our team have first-hand experience facing addiction and mental health disorders themselves or with a loved one, which helps us to relate to our patient’s individual needs.
Dahlia Reyes, LPC
Executive Director
Dahlia is originally from the Dominican Republic and was raised in New York City. She attended Brooklyn College and earned a bachelor’s in psychology, and master’s in mental health counseling. Her previous roles include Clinical Director at The Baptiste Group, Senior Clinician at CADAS and Senior Clinician at Montefiore Hospital.
“I really enjoy seeing the growth in the clinical team and watch it translate to the clients. I consider it a privilege to be a part of the individual’s journeys.”
In her spare time, Dahlia enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Amber Lowe
Clinical Supervisor
Amber is originally from Fort Oglethorpe, GA and attended college at Dalton State College. There, she earned an masters in social work. After graduating, Amber joined the professional field of Mental Health Treatment with The Mental Health Cooperative, where she served as CTT and CCFT Case Manager. From there, she went to the Division of Family and Children Services where she was a Foster Care Case Manager. Before joining the team at HORC, Amber became a Substance Abuse Counselor at Crossroads Treatment Center. Her dedication and commitment to watching as her clients break through barriers that, at one point, they didn’t believe they could overcome is most rewarding for Amber. She loves spending time with her husband and children, going on vacation to the beach.
Brittany Thurston
BHT Supervisor
Brittany was born here in Chattnooga and continues to reside close by. She is currently attending Chatt State pursuing her associates degree in Criminal Justice but, her true passion is Social Work which she plans to obtain a bachelors degree in. Brittany previously worked at a co-occurring adolescent treatment facility as a behavioral health technician. Brittany “Loves to help adults find recovery” it is a passion and calling of hers to help others recover. In her free time Brittany enjoys spending time with her family.
Amy Risinger
Primary Therapist
Amy is originally from Chattanooga, TN and attended college at Southern Adventist University. There, she earned her Bachelorette in Psychology and Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Amy has studied abroad while specializing in multicultural relations. After graduating, Amy worked in-patient at Parkridge Valley Hospital serving clients with both acute and subacute mental health needs as well as addiction recovery. She left there to pursue work with children and families and was contracted with FamilyMenders LLC, Division of Family and Children Services, and Department of Juvenile Justice. Before joining the team at HORC, Amy was working with both individuals and families through the process of family reunification, trauma therapies, and substance addiction recovery. She practices from a humanistic approach that posits that all clients are worthy and deserving of recovery with compassion and dignity. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, learning new languages and spending time with her family.
Andre James
Lead Therapist
Andre “A.J.” is a proud Texan, born and raised! He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Waylon Baptist University in Business Management. In 2021 he completed his Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. He is certified in Trauma Focused CBT. While working on his Master’s degree he spent the past few years working with at risk youth. He has a strong passion for helping individuals reach their full potential, regardless of the obstacles in their way. He is proud family man who enjoys music, networking and cooking.
Paula Taylor
EMDR Therapist
Paula received her Master’s of Science degree in Clinical Counseling 2012 and completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology in 2000. Paula has provided client services in a variety of settings: inpatient psychiatric facilities, group mental health practices, corporate positions, and university settings. Serving clients as a patient care services coordinator, resident director, independent living coordinator, residential case manager, university counselor, and adjunct professor. Paula has extensive experience in trauma-informed care practices and advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. She has advanced training in complex trauma, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), and is a Prepare and Enrich facilitator. Paula utilizes evidenced-based trauma-informed care practices, neuro-science, family systems approaches, interpersonal techniques, and somatic interventions. She engages clients to explore their strengths and internal resources while developing collaborative treatment goals to overcome long-standing patterns which leave clients feeling stuck in life and repeating toxic patterns. Paula is passionate to see clients overcome limiting mindsets, and previous trauma, and live more fulfilling lives.
Collier Brown
EMDR Therapist
Collier, originally from Birmingham, Alabama, comes to HORC with a strong background in Human Services. After graduating College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree, she moved on to Boston University to obtain a Master in Clinical Social Work degree. Upon entering the field, Collier served as Clinical Intern at The Next Door Chattanooga, Graduate Research Assistant with Boston University’s School of Social Work and Senior Analyst at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. When asked about her favorite part of her job, Collier’s response was, “I enjoy being able to provide a consistent space for clients to discuss and explore their experiences, feelings, and intentions for their own lives. I believe that each of us benefit from a supportive and nonjudgmental outlet to become more aware of our values and to practice being intentional in how we move through life. I respect the trust and vulnerability that this work requires of our clients and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be there alongside them through their growth. In her free time, Collier enjoys spending time being active outside, walking or camping with her dog and her partner, and some time relaxing on the couch with a book or a good Netflix series. She also likes to spend time with friends over a good meal. She loves to listen and sing along (loudly) to almost all music, from folk music to musical theater – and uses it as her go-to emotional outlet.
Cassandra Mondragon
Primary Therapist
Cassandra is from Toronto, Ontario Canada. Prior to her current role with us, she worked at a substance abuse residential treatment facility for adolescents, as a therapist. She also worked as a behavioral therapist doing play therapy at an outpatient center for children. Cassandra is very passionate about connecting with clients and enjoys watching them achieve their therapeutic goals. In her spare time Cassandra enjoys being with family and friends.
April Howell
Primary Therapist
April is a Chattanooga local, born and raised! She attended University of Tennessee, Chattanooga where she earned a bachelor’s in psychology and then went on to earn a Master in Social Work with an emphasis in trauma and emergency management at Southern Adventist University. Within the past few years, April has worked at the McNabb center serving individuals with severe and persistent mental health disorders as Director of Supportive Housing and Intensive Long-term care. She then went to work for Unified as the Director of Programs where she advocated for the inclusion of trauma-informed support for elementary students in local public schools. Finally, before coming to HORC, April worked with Southern Adventist University teaching a university accredited course for students who needed support with life skills, mood regulation, and time management. What she enjoys most about her current role is that “I get to teach and inspire my clients to address their current needs. My ultimate goal is for every client to feel confident to implement the skills we explore in their daily lives.” During the weekends, April spends her time getting messy with paints and with her dog, Prince Rodger!
Brent Crass
Group Facilitator
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Kim Stephens
Group Facilitator
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Carolyne Kelley
Group Facilitator
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Anamaria Mafnas
Group Facilitator
Anamaria is originally from Madrid, Spain and upon arriving in the United States, lived in Orlando, FL. Her previous roles include Senior Clinician at The Baptiste Group, Mental Health Counselor at Cempa Community Cares, Social Service Representative at Parkridge Valley Hospital, and Family Intervention Specialist at Youth Villages. Anamaria loves being able to connect with and learn about clients. She has a passion for watching clients heal and then launch into their new life. She graduated with Bachelor of Social Work from Southern Adventist University in 2009 and then a Master of Social Work from the University of Central Florida in 2010. In her free time, Anamaria hosts friends and family at her home many nights per week. She enjoys spending time with friends, talking about enneagrams, playing volleyball, painting, watching movies, playing board games, and cooking. She is also kept very busy with her toddler son, who she spends most of her time with chasing around.
Abigail Bobe
Intake Coordinator
Abigail began her journey graduating from Lee University with a bachelors in psychology. Throughout college she worked at a local Boys and Girls Club and was able to gain a position as a greater future coordinator. This position was the spark that started her passion to help people who needed her most. She was assisting juvenile delinquents to give them options for a greater future. Every job that she took from then on she knew that she wanted to be passionate about. After officially graduating from Lee University, she began working for the City of Chattanooga HeadStart program as a family service advocate. This program helped her to learn resources that help low-income families within the Chattanooga area. I started a new position three years later as an investigator with the Department of Children Services and which was one of the greatest experiences that she gained by learning so much of people from all realms of life. After three years working with the department, she started as a case manager at the Baptiste Group. She has continued her journey with Harmony Oaks in pursuit of being a therapist one day.
Tiffany Howard
Case Manager
Tiffany currently resides in Cleveland Tn. She has been employed with Harmony Oaks since March 2020. She is currently working on her Bachelor of Social Work through Walden University. She loves helping people get back on the right track. Her goal is to set people up for success and she will do what she can to get each client where they need to be. In her personal time, she likes spending time with her children, two cats, and family.
Jeanie Van Akkeren
Nurse Practitioner
Jeanie Van Akkeren went to Meridian Community College where she played softball and won a national championship. She obtained her Associate in Arts at Meridian; then, graduated with honors to transfer to Mississippi University for Women in Columbus MS. Here where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She worked in many areas of nursing including ER, L&D, NICU, among many others. She traveled the country as a travel nurse.
In 2012, She obtained her Masters of Science in Nursing in Family Practice at the University of South Alabama. She has been practicing in primary and urgent care clinics as well as working with patients who suffer from mental health or addiction. She has been in the medical field for over 24 years and could never see herself doing anything but nursing. She enjoys helping others and seeing someone who is wanting to better their lives, and helping them along in their process, and seeing them get better.
MeeMee Johnson
Medical Assistant
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Alysia Harden
Registered Nurse
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Most Insurance Accepted
As a member of the Harmony Recovery Group family of treatment programs, we are able to work with many private insurance plans.
Harmony Oaks Recovery Center
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