Therapists
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Amy Wells, LCSW
Amy earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 1996 and her Master of Social Work in 1998, both from Valdosta State University. She became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2001 and has been in private practice for over 24 years.
She began her career working with individuals experiencing serious and persistent mental illness in day treatment, outpatient, and inpatient psychiatric settings. Amy has also worked extensively with the geriatric population in various environments, including nursing homes. Throughout her career, she has developed a strong passion for supporting children and adolescents navigating the challenges of divorce, including teaching effective co-parenting skills. She has been appointed by courts in both Georgia and Florida as a Parent Coordinator, assisting families through high-conflict divorce situations.
Amy provides therapy for a wide range of concerns, including perfectionism, grief, generalized anxiety, sports and academic performance anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship and family issues, and stress management. She also has extensive experience helping individuals recover from trauma related to automobile accidents.
As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and trained Brainspotting practitioner, Amy utilizes effective, evidence-based approaches to treat trauma, anxiety, and performance blocks. She is also a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP) and a member of both the International Association of Trauma Professionals and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). Amy values integrating faith into the therapeutic process when it aligns with a client’s beliefs, recognizing its importance in healing and personal growth.
In addition to her professional experience, Amy has been married to a first responder for over 28 years, providing her with a unique and meaningful perspective in supporting first responders and their families as they navigate trauma, stress, and the demands of their roles.
Amy is passionate about mentoring and provides supervision to therapists working toward licensure. She offers individual, family, premarital, and marital counseling and is a founding owner of Oakwood Counseling Center, LLC.
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Christa Crawford, LCSW
With 20+ years of experience providing clinical services and contributing to the development of community resources, Christa enjoys providing individual and family therapy for children, teenagers, and adults. In efforts to develop expertise in “service gap” areas, she discovered a love of working with two different populations- military issues and autism spectrum. Christa specializes in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Insomnia, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. She has a current clinical trauma professional (CCTP) certification. Christa is on the STAR provider registry after receiving 65+ hours of specialized training with the Center of Deployment Psychology for military stressors with particular focus on combat-related PTSD, Insomnia, Depression, and TBI. She is experienced in treating Oppositional Defiant Disorders, Anxiety (including Separation Anxiety Disorder,) and teaching parenting skills.
Christa attended Valdosta State University and obtained Social Work licensure in 2001. She has studied the impact of culture shock and culture adjustment, in addition to participating in a social work program in Veracruz, Mexico. Christa was contracted at Moody AFB to start Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy services in 2008. She enjoys providing clinical supervision for licensure and consultation to other therapists.
Christa is an owner of Oakwood Counseling Center, LLC. She seeks opportunities to use her education, experience, and idealism to promote health and happiness in the lives of others, while continuously learning from everyone she meets.
Blakely Harper, LCSW
Blakely is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with nearly 25 years of experience and has provided clinical services to children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of mental health and medical settings. She graduated with her Bachelor of Social Work from University of Georgia in 2001, earned her Master of Social Work in 2003 from Valdosta State University, and became licensed in 2004. Blakely has been a part-time instructor through Valdosta State University's Master of Social Work Program.
She specializes in treating depression, anxiety, and has a special focus in treating trauma in teens and adults. Blakely is trained and experienced in BSP/Brainspotting, a trauma reprocessing modality designed to more effectively resolve symptoms in individuals impacted by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Blakely is also a Certified Advanced Bilateral Assessment and Stimulation Treatment (BLAST) Practitioner. She views this as a rapid, versatile, kind and intuitive treatment for both simple and complex traumas.
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She also provides counseling related to the management of stress and relationship issues and works with clients to foster more mindfulness, coping skills, and increased insight. Her hope is to help her clients connect and correct the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that could be acting as barriers to the life they want to lead. Blakely has Connected Child training and can positively enhance parenting by helping parents identify and incentivize behaviors they want to see continue within themselves and their children. She also has extensive experience assisting those who are adapting to a physical illness as well as moving through grief/loss, along with other life transitions. Blakely is an owner of Oakwood Counseling Center, LLC.
Mark Webb, LMFT
Mark has been helping individuals and couples since 1986. He worked for 19 years in a psychiatric hospital where he specialized in treating adults who struggled with depression and anxiety, anger and conflict type issues. He has been in private practice since 1996 in which he works with adults, individually and with couples. His approach is solutions oriented and directive. Mark prides himself in teaching individuals and couples how to get the results they are looking for. He enjoys seeing his clients get their lives back on track and teaching them how to keep their lives on track.
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Mark is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He is a Clinical Member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and has been since 1995. His Bachelor’s degree is in Psychology and his Master’s degree is in Family Sociology. He has a great understanding of the dynamics of both individual and couples therapy. He completed his Post-Graduate studies in Marriage and Family Therapy in 1995.
Mark has written two books, How To Be A Great Partner and How To Argueproof Your Relationship. He has another book, How To Get Through The Tough Times In Your Relationship which is soon to be published. He is a featured columnist in the Valdosta Scene magazine and regularly offers seminars on related topics.
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Mark and his wife, Dorraine, have been happily married for over 25 years with three grown children. They enjoy spending time with their family, their three dogs and traveling together. Mark is a Sixth Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and a 17 time World Champion in Taekwondo.
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Mark specializes in working with adults, individuals and with couples in therapy.
Jason Griner, LCSW
Jason is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who obtained his MSW from Valdosta State University. He has over 30 years of experience in the field of human services and has spent almost 20 years treating people suffering from complex trauma, anxiety, psychosis, personality disorders, severe dissociation, and addiction, at the inpatient, partial hospitalization and outpatient levels of care. Jason has a strong passion for helping men, women and children who have suffered from trauma. He has been trained extensively and has much experience in working with PTSD, having spent 5 years working exclusively with women in an intensive inpatient trauma program. “Anxiety, trauma and PTSD do not have to be a life sentence of suffering. “You can truly heal from past trauma and have a higher quality of life.” This is his belief.
Jason is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional II, Certified Advanced Bilateral Assessment and Stimulation Treatment (BLAST®) Practitioner, Certified Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (CPNLP), Certified Hypnotherapy Practitioner, a Registered Hypnotherapist (GHR) and is Certified in Sports Performance Mind Coaching. He is skilled in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), as well as Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. In addition, Jason has a vast knowledge and understanding of addiction and recovery and the role the 12 Steps plays in this process. Jason is one of five BLAST® Technique Trainers in the World and,currently, the only Trainer in the United States.
He has been a Field Instructor and Adjunct Faculty Member of the Valdosta State University School of Social Work, having twice been recognized as Field Instructor of the Year. He also works closely with the State of Georgia Office of Public Safety Support, providing support to First Responders, including Law Enforcement, Corrections, Emergency Medical Technicians and Firefighters. He is an avid outdoorsman, hiker, and wrestling coach. For over 22 years, Jason has worked with student athletes at every age level, providing support and guidance to help them see their potential, capitalize on it, overcome obstacles, and achieve their goals.
Ellen Joiner-Woodard, LCSW
Ellen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of professional social work experience. She graduated from Valdosta State University with a Bachelor degree in Sociology in 1994 and later her Master of Social Work degree in 1998. She began her career with Department of Family and Children Services and later moving into clinical social work in health care setting where she worked with individuals and families experiencing life changes due to changing health and medical crisis. She has extensive experience working with people with cancer, helping the navigate life during and after treatment. She also treats people grieving the loss of a loved one, providing a safe and supportive space to process the deep pain of loss.
Ellen treats adults experiencing depression, anxiety, panic, grief/loss, trauma, medical trauma, life transitions, and stress. She believes it is important to find peace and joy in the midst of difficult life transitions. No issue is too small to seek support from a therapist. Ellen’s approach depends on the needs of the individual. She likes to help clients in cultivating healthier thought patterns and behaviors by incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as well as mindfulness-based interventions to help cope with emotions and thoughts.
Ellen has completed the 200 hour yoga teacher training. She has found this helpful to teach clients some of the benefits of yoga to support the therapeutic process. Ellen has also completed the Advanced BLAST practitioner program.
Nicole Nimmo, LPC
Nicole is a Licensed Professional Counselor with nearly 10 years of experience in the mental health field and has provided services to individuals and their families in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She has worked with children, adolescents, and adults navigating depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, substance use, stress management, family conflict, and other life challenges. She has worked extensively with individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental illness and has provided crisis intervention in community settings when needed. She most recently has worked in leadership in a community organization.
Nicole is dedicated to meeting clients where they are and providing a safe space where they can feel understood and supported. She frequently utilizes evidenced-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, though she believes in using a person-centered approach and tailoring treatment based on client needs and goals. She is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy.
Nicole holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Valdosta State University and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counseling from Thomas University.
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Anissa Bowers, LMFT
Anissa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist dedicated to helping clients create meaningful and lasting change in their lives. She believes that clients are the experts of their own experiences and works collaboratively with each individual to establish and achieve personalized therapeutic goals. Anissa is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel empowered to express themselves openly.
Understanding that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all process, Anissa takes a holistic approach to treatment. She frequently incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and modify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, enhancing overall well-being. In addition, she integrates other evidence-based modalities—including Adlerian therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Rogerian approaches—to tailor treatment plans to each client’s unique needs.
Anissa holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, a Master of Science in Management, and a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy. Her professional background includes service in the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as experience working with individuals with co-occurring disorders in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Her clinical expertise includes working with adults experiencing generalized anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, relationship challenges, stress, substance use disorders, and trauma. She has a particular passion for supporting military members and individuals navigating grief, substance use, and trauma.
Anissa is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and the Georgia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (GAMFT).
Outside of her clinical work, Anissa values time spent with family, traveling, and serving others in her community.
She is currently accepting new clients.
Staff
Katherine Purvis, Office Coordinator
Katie is a native of South Georgia, being born and raised in Cook County. She is incredibly kind and patient, and is exceptional at making our clients feel welcome. Katie has a genuine caring spirit for others as evidenced by her warm demeanor. She has also proven to be a great problem solver, which is an asset when dealing with all things that intersect within our office. Katie is a master of all things related to insurance and billing claims.
Outside of her dedication at work, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, reading mystery novels, volunteering in her community, and scrapbooking. She also loves a great nature scene and anytime she can break away, she enjoys traveling to the beach or the mountains.
Emily Morton, Receptionist
Emily is a warm and welcoming presence who likes to bring kindness and positivity anywhere she goes. Known for being determined and compassionate, and wanting to help others, she is currently using these traits to major in Psychology at VSU. She wants to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives and hopes to accomplish this by one day becoming a therapist.
Outside of work and school, Emily loves spending time at the gym, riding horses, and embracing her western style with confidence and charm. One of her greatest joys is her English Cocker Spaniel, Conway, who keeps her smiling and makes every day a little sweeter. With her caring nature and strong determination, she hopes to continue growing both personally and professionally while inspiring others.