Lead Counseling Staff
Mary Anne Brookshire: Resident Girls Behavioral Counselor
Mary Anne has a Bachelors Degree in Special Education. She also has a Masters Degree in Education, and is a Certified Counselor in Emotional Disturbances. She obtained both degrees from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and is experienced in TMH, EMH, LD, ADHD, ADD, RAD, Depression, Sexual Addictions, and Autism Spectrum Disorders (Aspergers). Mary Anne is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, and is certified in the states of Georgia and South Carolina.
Mary Anne has 2 grown children, Geoff age 35, and Bonnie age 31. She taught Special Education in middle and high schools and counseled teens with emotional disturbance and mental issues for 16 years. During the next 12 year span she counseled, wrote grants and developed in-school and after school programs for troubled teens. Through federal, state and community grants, Mary Anne was awarded resources and financial support to create two Alternative Schools for grades 5-9. Mary Anne feels the past thirty plus years have been orchestrated by God. She feels honored to have been able to live out her passion and glorify the Lord by serving young people who struggle with various types of emotional and behavioral disorders. She marvels at the abundant supply of resiliency and elasticity in God’s storehouse, and that He so freely offers His gifts to those who love Him.
Mary Anne consults regularly with LSWs, MDs, PHDs, and Psychiatrists to address psychological treatment, and/or pharmaceutical needs of youth diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Adjustment Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Aspergers, Bi Polar Disorder, Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD),Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Personality Disorder, Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD & DTD), Trauma or Addiction – Problems with drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography, music, on-line gaming, etc.
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Jeremy Brown: Resident Boys Behavioral Counselor
Jeremy is now serving in his seventh year at Shepherd’s Hill Academy. He graduated from Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa Falls, GA with a Bachelor’s in Counseling Psychology, and graduated with honors from Capella University with his Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. He holds academic honors as an honorary member of Chi Sigma Iota, as well as serves on the Capella University Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy Program Advisory Council. Jeremy also holds a certification in Sexual Addictions from the American Association of Christian Counselors. He is certified in Handle With Care (CPI), and is trained in RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder) by Nancy Thomas. Jeremy is also trained, and previously certified in Wilderness First Responder, Lifeguard, and CPR.
Jeremy grew up in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina, where he spent much of his time outdoors. He enjoys fishing, hunting, camping, and hiking. He is married with three boys. He enjoys passing on his knowledge of the outdoors to his children, and sees this as one way to teach them about the Lord. He also enjoys playing sports with his children, and helps coach their teams.
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Cheryl Harris: Equine Program Counselor
Cheryl has been certified by Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association – (EAGALA) and O.K. Corral for Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. She worked for 7 years as the Director of the Franklin Youth Project, an organization that serves at-risk and probated youth with outdoor adventure therapy programs; she received training to be a Ropes Course Facilitator and facilitated these programs for the last 10 years. Cheryl and her husband Steve served as Certified Foster Parents for 15 years in the state of Georgia.
It’s Cheryl’s life-long dream to be able to combine her love for horses and her love for serving children. She has helped develop the lives of teens for 30 years. She has been lead by the Lord to work with teens through a unique Equine Assisted Ministry known as Reins of Life.
Cheryl loves her husband, two grown children, and her grandchildren. Besides spending time with her family, she enjoys quilting, sewing, reading, and traveling.
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Vikki Paese: Equine Program Counselor
Vikki has obtained a Bachelors Degree in English Professional Writing. She also holds a Masters degree in Christian Counseling from Philadelphia Biblical University. Vikki has been certified by Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association – (EAGALA) and O.K. Corral for Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.
She spent seven years working in various corporate, educational, and training positions. At the same time, she became involved with youth outreach programs. She feels God has given her a passion and boldness to develop relationships with the youth of our wayward culture. Throughout her years of working with youth and horses she has observed that the horse will give the teen an honest reaction to how they are being treated. This gives the teen the chance to be on the receiving end of his/her own behavior and realize how it affects others.
Vikki and her husband have two kids, and she enjoys working, training, riding and learning from horses.
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Denise Carter: Resident Staff Nurse
Denise has been an LPN for 29 years and received her license from Macon Technical School in Macon, GA.
She has worked as a nurse in hospitals on transitional units, OB-GYN, and on post-partum care units. Denise has also worked in personal care homes, family practices, and has worked as a camp nurse for children and youth as well as for senior citizens for the last 11 years. She has cared for the resident students of Shepherd’s Hill Academy for 4 years. She assists in the medical well being of the students, prepares and dispenses medications when necessary.
Denise has been happily married for 27 years and is the mother of 2 children and one grandchild. She also enjoys reading, spending time with family, working with children at church, and has a deep passion for assisting in the well-being of others.
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Dan Godfrey (not pictured) is a Senior Consultant to our Lead Counseling Staff
Dan holds a Masters of Education degree in Agency Counseling from Lynchburg College, Lynchburg, VA. He also has a Bachelors Degree in Interpersonal and Organizational Communications with a minor in Behavior Science and Counseling from Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa Falls, GA.
Dan was a volunteer youth minister for 10 years in Gainesville, GA. He became a teacher and youth worker as he pursued his degree at Toccoa Falls College. He was also a teacher and youth worker at Lynchburg, VA. Dan serves on the Board of Directors, and is the Senior Consultant for Shepherd’s Hill Academy.
Growing up, Dan lived without a father at home. Because of this, he is sensitive to the needs of young people as they seek for answers that will move them safely forward in life. As he parented his own children, he began noticing the frustrations and lack of skills most parents had in raising their children in an unhealthy culture. Dan is eager to teach and encourage our young people a healthier lifestyle. His goal is to work with Shepherd’s Hill Academy in equipping the youth of today with the tools necessary to become efficient change agents of the culture.
Dan and his wife live in Toccoa, GA. They have a daughter named Christy Miller. Dan and his wife lost a second daughter when she was the age of 26. Dan likes spending time with his family, learning the guitar, yard work, fishing, and camping.
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