Join the Conversation: Become a Speaker

As a leading professional in the mental health field and continuing education, Dr. LaNail R. Plummer and her team of 30 all Black/women of color, are committed to improving the lifestyles of others through the aspects of mental health and character development. A proud Howard University Graduate and active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., United States Military Veteran and the CEO of Onyx Therapy Group -- an organization she founded in 2013 -- Dr. Plummer has 18 years of experience working with a multitude of clients, and specializing in the care of young women; the Black community; and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Her work and expertise has been featured in everything from Essence, NBC, Forbes, The Washingtonian and Time Magazine (among others), and has spoken at conferences during Essence Fest, for Mental Health America, NYU, and the US Black Chambers of Commerce.   To learn more about Dr. Plummer and Onyx Therapy Group, visit www.onyxtherapygroup.com 

Janie boasts a multifaceted career as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, educator, and consultant. With expertise ranging from emotional regulation to supporting caregivers and understanding cultural disparities in healthcare, Janie excels in group work, psychotherapy, and collaboration. Her passion for social-emotional learning shines through her work with school-aged clients and their families, as well as her dedication to inspiring wellness-focused leadership. She strongly believes in the value of social-emotional learning and continuing education and aims to share her experiences to inspire others to prioritize the wellness of those they lead. 

Olivia L. Baylor holds multiple credentials including LCPC, NCC, BC-TMH, and many others, and runs Life Revisions Counseling LLC in Catonsville, Maryland. She is licensed in six states and holds degrees in Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Mental Health Therapy. With comprehensive training in areas like Perinatal Mood Disorders and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Olivia specializes in various therapeutic modalities. Her specializations span from anxiety and LGBTQ+ counseling to therapy for police and military personnel. Additionally, Olivia offers speaking engagements on a range of topics for continuing education. 

Sharla Calloway is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing therapy with a strong focus on female health. As an integrative practitioner, she addresses the whole person, body, and mind while using evidenced-based modalities such as CBT, EMDR, and Mindfulness.  She is a student of Bastyr University’s Master of Integrative Nutrition Degree program to marry a lifelong interest in nutrition with her training in mental health.  Sharla is also a national board certified Health and Wellness Coach and a Coach with Clarity program graduate. 

As a Social Worker for over 20 years, graduating from Florida State University, Sharla practiced in hospital settings in medical and mental health.  She worked with the military and in charity organizations while raising three kids. She volunteered extensively with a variety of community organizations.  She worked with executive teams in Atlanta corporations to teach about mental health and community involvement.  Currently, she has a private practice in Pensacola, Florida and one of our amazing speakers with Cultivated Mental Health.

Maggie Malone, LCSW, is a dedicated social worker with a strong specialization in dual diagnosis, effectively addressing substance abuse alongside other mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and relational trauma. She is especially passionate about women's issues, continuing education, guiding her clients in developing self-esteem, assertiveness, and self-compassion, particularly when dealing with stress or trauma, whether systemic or individual.

Maggie earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from Smith College School for Social Work, a program renowned for its emphasis on social justice. She is a staunch advocate for social justice-informed services, always considering the client within the context of the multifaceted systems they live in. Her approach to therapy is person-centered and trauma-informed, ensuring that each client receives care that acknowledges their unique experiences and challenges.

Her professional training is extensive, including two nine-month internships while at Smith—one in community crisis response counseling and another with the Atlanta Veterans Affairs' Trauma Recovery Program. These internships, coupled with her post-graduate experience in various therapeutic settings, have honed her ability to assist clients with a broad range of issues, from substance abuse and trauma to severe mental illness, always with compassion and competence.

Diane Bigler is a highly experienced Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas with a distinguished career spanning over 20 years. Her journey began in criminal justice, where she served as a Criminal Investigator for the Robertson County District Attorney’s Office in Tennessee. Specializing in Crimes Against Minors, Diane tackled complex cases including child abuse, human trafficking, and homicide. Her dedication to criminal justice led her to complete two field internships at the prestigious FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Diane's academic accomplishments are noteworthy. She holds Associate and Bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice and a Master’s degree in Social Work from The University of Kansas, focusing on Children & Families and Mental Health. As an Adjunct Professor at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare for a decade, Diane imparted her knowledge in various clinical subjects. She has been honored with the Adjunct Professor of the Year award in 2017 and the Margo Award for Excellence in Field Instruction in 2020.

In her clinical practice, Diane has extensive experience working in psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, and providing in-home and community-based therapy. Her leadership roles are varied and include positions as a mental health consultant, clinical supervisor, and program coordinator. She has also mentored over 50 social workers towards achieving their clinical licenses.

A renowned trainer, Diane has facilitated numerous training sessions across the country, targeting a diverse audience from mental health professionals to local government officials. Her workshops are known for being informative, engaging, and skill-enhancing.

Most recently, Diane served as the Performance Solutions Director at New Directions Behavioral Health in Kansas City, MO. In this role, she developed and led corporate training programs on various topics, including emotional intelligence and team management, and provided executive coaching to leaders and CEOs.

Diane Bigler's career is a testament to her commitment to social work, mental health, and continuing education, making her a valuable asset in any professional setting.

Shelden Banks is a compassionate and dedicated social worker with a Master of Social Work from Kennesaw State University. 

Currently, Shelden is making a meaningful impact as an MSW Counseling Intern at the Kennesaw State University Counseling Center. There, she provides supportive and empathetic counseling to students, addressing a variety of concerns such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. She uses an integrative approach, drawing on CBT, DBT, ACT, and Narrative Therapy to help her clients navigate their challenges and find their strengths.

In addition to her work with students, Shelden has a heart for serving vulnerable populations. During her time as an MSW Case Management Intern at Lost-N-Found Youth, she supported LGBT youth experiencing homelessness. Shelden provided not only case management but also a safe space for these young people to explore their identities and aspirations. She developed essential tools, such as a Dating Safety Planning guide, to help clients navigate relationships safely.

Shelden's commitment to social work extends beyond direct practice; she is also involved in impactful research with the SKYE Research Team, where she contributes to projects aimed at enhancing home safety education. Her work in both clinical and research settings reflects her deep dedication to making a difference in the lives of others.

Through all her roles, Shelden is known for her warm, approachable nature and her unwavering commitment to advocating for those in need. She continues to be an active member of the social work community, striving to create inclusive and supportive environments for all.

Mark Navarre-Jones is a licensed clinical social worker at Decatur Mindfulness and Psychotherapy. 

He is an ordained minister and a former healthcare chaplain who has worked in both hospital and hospice settings. His practice is affirming of sexual- and relationship-minority clients. Mark comes from a background in virtue ethics and believes in uplifting and utilizing his client's values and virtues within the therapeutic process. 

When not at work, he enjoys various tabletop games, and spending time with friends. 

Heather Tidwell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and also holds a Pupil Personnel Services Credential; Child Welfare and Attendance Credential; and is TIC Practitioner certified. As a clinical social worker, she regularly works with individuals and families who may be experiencing challenges due to previous trauma/negative experiences, excessive worries that affect a person's quality of life, and difficulty managing everyday stressors that can affect interpersonal relationships and work performance. Heather's goal as a continuing education speaker and therapist is to encourage individuals to make positive life changes through collaboration and to empower them to become self-aware and make healthy choices in their lives. 

Kim Peery, an esteemed clinical social worker and founder of Help You Thrive, LLC, specializes in aiding adults grappling with trauma, anxiety, and unforeseen life shifts. Drawing from a background encompassing corporate expertise, school counseling, and parenting consultancy, Kim seamlessly merges Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with emotional intelligence. With a focus on resilience, Kim employs evidence-based techniques including CBT, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and Gottman Emotion-Focused Parenting to her continuing education classes and clients.

Aprina McCutcheon embodies the essence of mental health advocacy and leadership. With a strong foundation in crisis management and an MSW from Clark Atlanta University, Aprina brings a wealth of experience from their current role at Kaiser Permanente and as one of our speakers at Cultivated Mental Health. Their proficiency in LGBTQ+ and Child and Adolescent therapy is complemented by specialized skills in CME and parenting training. Aprina's commitment to clinical excellence is evident through their role as a Transgender Assessor and their dedication to training new therapists. They are detail-oriented, with a knack for generating innovative solutions and resolving complex challenges. They are recognized for their leadership skills, often serving as a team lead and CME coordinator, underscoring their capability to nurture and guide both clients and professionals towards positive outcomes. 

Leesa Burriss is a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of Utah and is also trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy, Gottman Therapy for Couples, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, and Lifespan Integration. Leesa is passionate about continuing education and helping her clients connect with themselves and others. She believes in the power of healing that a safe attuned relationship can bring. She uses attachment based approaches and experiential therapy to deepen emotion and to help her clients to not only have symptom relief but an awakening to their life.  

Kathy Woerner’s repertoire is distinguished by assisting individuals through personal trials, career changes, and life transitions, with a dedicated focus on aiding clinicians to mitigate burnout. Beyond her clinical practice, Kathy is the entrepreneurial force behind DownStreamFirst and the visionary owner of Cultivated Mental Health, where she champions mental health continuing education.

As an innovator, Kathy curates peer consultation experiences, offering a monthly forum for clinical social workers to enhance their skills. Her commitment to community service is evident through her financial behavior change program, which has significantly benefited homeless families in North Fulton. Kathy's memberships in esteemed associations like the National Association of Social Workers reflect her unwavering dedication to her craft and community outreach, as she continues to volunteer her expertise within various local organizations.

Tai Dyer is a mental health professional with extensive experience providing counseling and therapy services. They are Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and have completed training in Trauma Incident Reduction therapy. 

Tai has worked as a Therapist at Southern Live Oak Wellness and The Renewal Group, where they provided individual counseling and developed treatment plans for clients with emotional and mental health barriers. At Peachford Hospital, they led psychoeducational groups to expand awareness of mental health symptoms and coping skills. Tai has also worked as a Mental Health Intern at The Trauma Resolution Center, where they provided trauma-informed therapy utilizing Trauma Incident Reduction therapy. 

They have experience conducting biopsychosocial assessments, crisis interventions, and skills building with clients. As one of our amazing speakers, Tai is passionate about helping clients improve their mental health and overcome personal, social, and behavioral problems.

Kim Feeney is a Clinical Social Worker licensed in the state of Iowa , a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and a licensed Clinical Social Worker for Illinois, along with a BA in Psychology and Social Work from the University of Iowa. 

Kim is trained in Theraplay levels I & II and is an AutPlay certified therapist. She is a registered clinician with the Association for Treatment of Trauma and Attachment in Children. Along with the credentials above, she is an advanced certified in Adlerian play therapy, a certified EMDR therapist, an Internationally credentialed sand therapist, a certified Synergetic Play Therapist (graduation May 2022), a registered clinician with the Association for Training on Trauma and Attachment in Children, and a Former National Association of Social Workers Iowa Board member and Southeast Branch Chair. Kim currently owns Butterfly Beginnings Counseling and Learning Center, LLC where she works privately with children and families

Kim attended the University of Iowa and earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Social Work in 2001 which also began her career. For many years Kim has worked with children in their home settings, providing direct care while also mentoring parents. Kim has also worked in a therapeutic capacity in schools and office settings to find alternative ways to meet social and behavioral needs.

Kim aims to empower the individual and support interpersonal connections. As one of our awesome speakers, she believes that connection is the most important need of individuals and gives this primary importance to her clients and families.