Nancy Weingartner, LCSW, CADC, BCD

Nancy Weingartner completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana; and her Master’s in Social Work at Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois.  Upon graduation Nancy worked 3 years as a psychiatric social worker at Chicago Read Mental Health Center in Chicago, Illinois and continued her studies in a marital and family externship at the University of Illinois.  Nancy then joined the Air Force where she served for over 20 years in a variety of positions in  Family Advocacy, Substance Abuse, Mental Health, Critical Incident Stress Management, and Exceptional Family Member programs.  Additionally, she served as an interim base commander while she developed an integrated special needs family program for all military bases in Kaiserslautern, Germany.  She concluded her military career as the Mental Health Flight Commander at Moody Air Force Base.

Nancy is licensed clinical social worker in Georgia, Texas and Illinois; and is also a certified addictions counselor.  Nancy has served as an expert witness in multiple military and civilian judicial proceedings.  She has extensive expertise by training and experience in treatment of addictions, sexual trauma, domestic violence, special education laws, intervention, special needs and transition/reunification issues due to family separations. 

 

Nancy recently exchanged her role as the Unit Chair, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), South Georgia Unit, to now serve as the Vice President for the NASW state chapter.  Nancy also serves as an adjunct professor with Park University teaching psychology and sociology classes. 

 

Her awards are numerous to include Social Worker of the Year for Southeast Georgia for 2004; and Air Force Major Command Social Worker of the Year in 1997, 2002 and 2003.  Recently she was selected as the Mental Health Professional of the Year for 2010 for the Lowndes County Mental Health Association.

Mia Galioto, M.D.

Dr. Mia Galioto received her BS in Nutrition at the University of Arizona in 1982.  She completed her medical degree in 1986 through the University of Iowa College of Medicine.  She completed her residency in internal medicine with the Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois.  Later, she completed her adult psychiatry residency at Maine Medical Center and a child and adolescent psychiatry residency at the University of Missouri.  Dr. Galioto has worked at various inpatient and outpatient treatment centers for adults and children for over 16 years.  She presently has a private outpatient psychiatry practice for children and adults in Birmingham, Alabama.

Wandamaria Lopez, PhD

Dr. Wandamaria Lopez is a licensed (clinical) psychologist in the state of Georgia and has been in private practice continually since 1991.  She completed her Masters degree in 1986 and a Doctoral degree in 1990 from St. Louis University in Clinical Psychology.  She has served as an Air Force psychologist, consulting psychologist at Valdosta State Prison, and teaching staff at Valdosta State University.  In 2006, she took a position with the Veterans Health Administration to develop and execute a program to facilitate the readjustment and reintegration of returning combat veterans and their family members.

Dr. Lopez has extensive experience providing a full range of psychological services to children, adolescents and adults, including psychological testing, individual, marital, family and group psychotherapy, and consultation.  She developed the first batterer's intervention program in Valdosta, GA and subsequently developed and launched a highly successful juvenile detention diversion program for adolescents from violent homes in both Lowndes and Houston counties.

Dr. Lopez has been recognized as a "Woman of Achievement" by the Valdosta Chapter of Business and Professional Women.  She is a member of Who's Who in Executives and Professionals, a graduate of the 2007 class of Leadership Lowndes, and is in the matriculating class of the 2009 Competency Development for Leaders in the 21st Century with the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Connie Moore Spencer, MSEd., LPC

Connie was awarded her Baccalaureate in 1986, in Sociology from Auburn University at Montgomery, Alabama and a Master of Science in Counseling in 1990 from Old Dominion University at Norfolk, Virginia.  She gained experience working with both victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and survivors of sexual trauma while employed with the YWCA domestic violence intervention program.  Connie completed an 18-month residency at Psychotherapy Resources of Norfolk (PRN) in Norfolk, Virginia, providing therapy for trauma survivors.  While at PRN she established a secondary trauma support group for families of survivors.  Connie was licensed as a Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia in 1994.

Connie relocated to Valdosta in 1999 and was licensed as an LPC here that same year.  Connie has worked with individuals and families coping with incarceration adjustment, depression, anxiety, trauma disorders, severe mental illness and geriatric issues.  She joined the Better Mood Clinic staff in August of 2009. 

Lorenzo Williams, Sr., MSW, CART

Lorenzo Williams, Sr., is a 24-year United States Air Force retired veteran and an ordained minister.  He  completed an associate’s degree in management from the Community College of the Air Force, an undergraduate degree in Human Resource Management from Park University and a Masters in Social Work from Valdosta State University.  Lorenzo currently works as a resident therapist for the Better Mood Clinic, Valdosta GA.  Motivated in Christian, couples, group, play, cognitive and supportive therapies, to name a few.  Lorenzo is married with 7 children and 8 grandchildren.  Lorenzo loves the social work challenge and believes he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him (Philippians 4:13).

Lisa Spells, MSW, CART

Lisa Spells is a Master's in Social Work resident.  She received her training at Valdosta State University, both at the Bachelor’s and Master’s level.  She is currently completing requirements for the LCSW licensure.  She has worked with chronically ill patients for the past several years.  She has experience in addressing many topics with patients that include depression, anxiety, marital stress, living with uncertainty, sense of wellbeing, personal growth, positive changes and post traumatic growth, and through this process helped patients identify a new normal after the patient has been diagnosed with a chronic illness.  Lisa also has experience as a member of a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team, has facilitated Anger Management Groups and has served as the Resource Chair for the American Cancer Society and Partnership Cancer Fund.  Lisa is a certified as an Anger Resolution Therapist through the Center for Anger Resolution, Inc.  She has been a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) since 2005 and has worked with the NASW South Unit since 2009.  In 2010, she was awarded the “New Social Worker of Year” at the NASW Conference in Valdosta.

Jayne Hodges-Wade, LCSW

Jayne Hodges-Wade completed her Bachelor of Social Work at Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas; and her Master’s in Social Work at Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA.  She has worked as a Social Worker in the area of child advocacy and protection for over 15 years. 

 

Jayne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Georgia.  Jayne has testified in multiple judicial proceedings involving children and families.  She has extensive experience in child advocacy, interviewing, intervention, abuse and neglect, domestic violence and special needs.  Jayne has worked with individuals, families and children to address issues of abuse and neglect, guilt, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and conflict resolution.   

 

Jayne lives by the philosophy that you can’t go back and start a new beginning but you can start today building a new ending.

Holly Rogers Mink, MFT

Holly was born and raised in Valdosta.  She received BS in Psychology from VSU in December 2000.  She served as an AmeriCorp representative from August 2000 to August 2001 functioning as a VISTA volunteer working with children grades K-6 in the America Reads Program.  She worked at The Haven Battered Women’s Shelter from 2004-2009 as Family Advocate and Volunteer Coordinator/Rape Crisis Advocate with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.  She is a past member of Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault (GNESA), and Lowndes County Domestic Violence Task Force and Prevent Child Abuse Counsel.  She served as the Secretary for the Lowndes/Valdosta Mental Health Association from 2006-2010.  She is a Graduate Assistant at the College of Nursing at VSU and is currently conducting a Mental Health Needs Assessment for the State of Georgia.  She received an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) rom VSU in May 2011.

Bari S. Snipes, LMFT

Bari received her BA in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She received her MS from Valdosta State University (VSU) and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has worked as the clinical coordinator at Valdosta's local homeless shelter (LAMP), has taught as an adjunct instructor for VSU in the Marriage and Family Therapy program and has provided in-home therapy for individuals and families dealing with a wide variety of issues. Bari is currently a service coordinator for "Babies Can't Wait" where she assists children with special needs and their families.

 

Robin Bush, Office Manager

Robin has over 20 years of medical management experience in various medical settings including family practice, dental, chiropractic, and plastic surgery.  Robin is a graduate of St. Leo Catholic University with a Bachelors degree in Business Management and a minor degree in Human Resource Management.  She is a certified Human Resource Manager through continuing education at VSU.

Jessica L. Edenfield, Mental Health Technician

Jessica L. Edenfield is our resident Mental Health Technician. She has completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Valdosta State University. Jessica received her Associates in Psychology at Abraham Baldwin College in Tifton, GA. Her achievements and professional affiliations include Who’s Who among College and University Students, Association for Psychological Science and Psi Chi. Currently, Jessica presides as President of the Lowndes/Valdosta Mental Health Association representing the Better Mood Clinic. Jessica will be heading for her PhD in clinical psychology after she completes this part of her educational and professional journey. Jessica values this enriching experience of being a part of the Better Mood Clinic and working with and learning from so many pioneering, accomplished, focused and committed colleagues and leaders.

Latoya Montgomery, Insurance/Claims Billing Officer

Latoya is a 2000 Brooks County High School graduate and a 2004 graduate of Southwestern Christian College in Terrell, Texas where she received an associate's degree in Journalism.

 

Latoya has 5+ years experience in insurance verification and prior authorization. She also received her Customer Service Certification in 2007 through Home Town Health University Online. Latoya plans to further her education at Valdosta State University within the next year to receive a B.S. degree in Psychology.

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