Creative Solutions for Living
CLINICAL TEAM
Chuck Wint, LICSW
Chuck is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who received his Master’s degree in Social Work from The University of Alabama in 1988. He has worked in a variety of mental health and substance abuse settings over the past 40 years which has allowed him to form breadth of understanding around the wide variety of issues that impact people’s lives. He provides creative programs, counseling, and interventions for fraternities, athletes, and young adults. Chuck is a seasoned counselor who has worked extensively with individuals and couples to reclaim direction and purpose for their lives. Like all of the counselors at Lifeline, he is trained in EMDR....
Erin Hinz, LPC-S
Erin is a Licensed Professional Counselor who received her Master's degree in Counseling from The University of Alabama in 1999. She also is an approved Supervising Counselor trained to provide supervision to counselors seeking licensure. Erin has over 20 years of experience in mental health and addiction counseling and is experienced in working with individuals of all ages and family systems. She has extensive training in trauma, addictions, and eating disorders. Her passion for helping others is shown in her commitment and willingness to extend herself to individuals in times of crisis. She is trained in EMDR and Mindfulness and utilizes these....
Melanie Darling, LPC
Melanie is a Licensed Professional Counselor who received her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of Alabama in 2015 with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. Her experience includes helping people in the LGBTQ+ community navigate sexuality and gender identity as well as issues stemming from marginalization and interpersonal conflicts. She also has experience working closely with families and couples, especially those negatively impacted by addiction. She is trained in EMDR therapy and has worked extensively with people experiencing trauma-related concerns, including childhood...
Deb Walker, LICSW
Deb is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. She received her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama in 2009. She has 20 plus years experience working with adults, children and teens in various mental health settings. Her past work has included medical social work, clinical social work with children, adolescents and adults, as well as advocacy for severely mentally ill patients. Deb has also provided clinical social work in the field of addictions providing care in an intensive outpatient setting working with adults. She utilizes a Person-Centered therapy......
Haley Dueitt, LPC
Haley Dueitt is a Licensed Professional Counselor who received her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mississippi State University. She is a native Texan who has steadily made her way east until settling in Tuscaloosa. She has 6 years of experience working with adults in a variety of settings. She has experience in assisting individuals dealing with a variety of concerns and mental health and substance use issues. With the understanding that....
Sara Beth Lovelady, LICSW-S
Sara is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who received her master's degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama. She has a decade of experience in working with adults whose lives have been impacted by complex trauma, substance use, eating disorders, borderline personality disorder, ADHD, and infertility. She is fully trained in EMDR and is in the process of obtaining her EMDR Certification. In addition to EMDR, Sara frequently utilizes DBT, IFS, EFT Tapping, and Mindfulness techniques to treat clients whose lives and belief systems have been negatively impacted by trauma. Sara is a strong advocate and is committed....
Julie Arrington, LICSW
Julie is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who received her master's degree in social work from the University of Alabama. She has more than four years of experience working with adults in an outpatient mental health setting and has worked in medical and forensic social work. She believes everyone can make positive changes in their lives and is passionate about guiding and supporting individuals on their journey through the healing process. Julie has experience helping adults who are struggling with a variety of concerns including depression, anxiety, stress, substance use issues, lack of motivation, and shame as well as other ....
Darmecia (CJ) Cash, LPC
Darmecia is a Licensed Professional Counselor who received her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis in Addictions Counseling from the University of Alabama in 2015. Darmecia has five years of experiencing working with adolescents and adults, who are dealing with the ramifications of substance use. She has experience working in inpatient and intensive outpatient settings, being driven to help clients move towards a life of recovery. Darmecia has also worked with children in the school setting who struggle to deal with daily challenges of coping. As a part of her experience, she has also helped family members...
Cindy Gelb, LCSW
Cindy is a Licensed Master Social Worker, having earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Alabama where she worked with clients in the UA Athletics Department and Counseling Center. She also holds a BA in Psychology from Johns Hopkins University. Cindy has experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, bringing twenty years of experience in leadership development and career mentoring from the fashion industry. Cindy works from a strengths-based perspective, collaborating with clients to explore, develop and reach their goals, while providing the support, tools and techniques needed to live life with grace...
Maura E. Cain, LPC-S
Maura E. Cain, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Licensed Counselor Supervisor, earned her Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling 1992 and her Educational Specialist degree in Counselor Education in 1999, both from the University of Alabama. Maura has years of experience working in therapist and/or program coordinator roles with children, adolescents, and adults. Her background includes a variety of mental health settings, including outpatient, residential, and hospital, along with volunteer work, locally and nationally. Using an eclectic approach, Maura incorporates a variety...
Dana Farrar, LMSW, BCBA
Dana Farrar is a licensed master social worker who studied at The University of Alabama and is trained in providing EMDR. Dana was a special education teacher for teenagers and young adults with autism for a decade and is a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA). As a therapist, she is passionate about helping people flourish by letting go of trauma and finding their unique strengths. Dana has a keen understanding of how our scars and vulnerabilities can lead us to renewal and resilience. Her clinical interests include grief counseling, attachment issues, Jungian dream analysis and group circle discussion practices. She welcomes children, teens, adults, couples and families with an open heart and a strong...
Theresa Hickman, LICSW
Theresa is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who received her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama. She has over five years of experience working with individuals and families. Theresa serves members of all communities and backgrounds with a trauma-informed approach. Theresa believes that everyone deserves a safe space to share their thoughts and emotions that builds trust to navigate the healing process together. She believes in working collaboratively with her clients to figure out what is best and that no universal approach works for all. She believes....
Colette Peters, LICSW, PIP
Colette is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2005 along with her Master of Social Work in 2007 from The University of Alabama. She has worked in a variety of Mental Health settings over the past 16 years including inpatient and forensic settings. She has experience in utilizing CBT and mindfulness, with a client centered approach and is EMDR trained. She believes in meeting people where they are to assist in their healing journey. Colette also has experience working with people with a history of abusive relationships both physically and ...
Hannah Owens, LMSW
Hannah is a Licensed Master’s Social Worker who received her master’s degree from the University of Alabama. She has prior experience working with adolescents with substance abuse and behavioral problems, and advocating for children who were victims of abuse. She enjoys working with children, adolescents, and young adults. Hannah is passionate about helping individuals thrive in their environment by utilizing their own strengths. She hopes that anyone who comes into her office feels comfortable and safe. She uses a client-centered approach, focusing on individual needs, and is EMDR trained. In her free time she enjoys going to concerts, traveling, and reading.
Hilary Beatty, LMSW
Hilary Beatty is a Licensed Master Social Worker, who received her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama in 2003. She has more than 15 years of professional social work experience in a variety of settings, including mental health, substance abuse, medical care, and forensics. She exhibits a high degree of professionalism and draws upon a wealth of knowledge in providing high quality clinical care to those she serves. She has employed her skills in case management and individual and group therapeutic settings, and is particularly adept at helping clients identify strengths, needs, and determining the most appropriate resources....
Holly Prewitt, LICSW
Holly is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who received her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama in 2008. Holly has 19 years of experience in mental health counseling. She has experience working with late adolescents/young adults, and adults, in various mental health settings. Holly has worked in settings providing counseling to individuals experiencing adjustment to new situations and counseling for the unexpected situations that occur along our journey in life. Holly has experience and training in EMDR, and other therapeutic models that are used to meet the client where they are and....
Abbey Owenby
Abbey is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s student intern under the supervision of Erin Hinz. LPC-S, from The University of Alabama. She is a former Division I swimmer for Colorado State University where she graduated in 2022 earning a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, with a dual concentration in Intervention and Prevention and Early Childhood. She has experience working with the Student Disability Center at Colorado State University as an academic and support intern coach, and as a volunteer for The University of Alabama athletics behavioral medicine task force team. She plans to work with the athletic population and her passion comes from personal experiences in seeing the ever-growing need for clinical mental health programs for elite athletes, especially in regards to stressors that ....
Carmyn McDuffie
Carmyn is a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student intern from Liberty University. She is expected to graduate in 2024 with the goal of obtaining her LPC. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology while also double minoring in psychology and public health. She has prior experience working with children, adolescents and adults through various life courses as a Counseling Intern at Global Healthcare Systems in Baltimore, MD. Carmyn also has experience in working with children that have behavioral problems. She has worked as an Intern at Star Track Adolescent Health Program located in Baltimore, MD educating college students about health and wellness. She also has volunteer experience with a domestic violence and sexual assault Hotline. Carmyn wants to work with adolescents and those in early adulthood. She loves to travel, do fun activities with family and friends.
ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Kristen Wilburn
Kristen is a graduate of the University of Alabama. She has worked with Lifeline Solutions for years handling financials, account payables, development and implementation of policy and procedure, and general day-to-day operations. More importantly, she strives daily to ensure our mission of taking care of people is fulfilled. She enjoys spending time with friends and family and learning ASL.
Kelly Wiggins
Kelly is a graduate of the University of South Carolina. She handles our bookkeeping, accounts payables/receivables, client referrals and customer service. Kelly feels blessed to be a part of a team that continues to make a positive impact in our community. She enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with family.
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Takeshia Smith
Takeshia is a creative partner with a bachelor's degree in Marketing and many years of experience working in graphic design and photography. She is an independent contractor providing web design, marketing, and creative services to local small businesses. She has been working with Lifeline for several years and typically enjoys being behind the scenes, but very much considers herself...
Christine Jennings
Christine Jennings is a Leadership Consultant with Lifeline Solutions. As a certified Emergenetics Professional, her passion is working with individuals and groups to help drive innovation and change. She spent the first half of her career working with companies such as Schneider Electric and Cox Communications as an HR Director. A graduate of Wheaton College in Norton, MA, Chris lives in Tuscaloosa with her family.
Lesley Powell
Bio coming soon!
WELLNESS TEAM
Diane Frea
Diane Frea (pronounced "free") taught yoga at several locations in Tuscaloosa prior to moving to Hoover during the early days of the pandemic to be closer to her daughter's family. She moved to Alabama in 2018, following a career in Human Resources and non-profit management in Columbia, SC. After practicing yoga for many years, primarily for stress relief, Diane completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training through YogaFit, a vinyasa (flow) style designed to be accessible for all body types and experience levels. She has continued her yoga education through Yoga Alliance, Kripalu, Phoenix Rising Yoga....
Dianne Mancus
Yoga has been a major force in my personal development. Through yoga, I have learned to be grounded and happy. Yoga helps me know and remember who I really am. Like everyone else, I’ve had ups and downs, perceived failures and successes, life challenges and crises. Through yoga, no matter the external circumstances, I find stillness and peace. I teach yoga because I want to share that gift with others, beginners and more advanced yogis. No matter where you are on the yoga journey, there is a welcoming place for you in my classes and in my heart.
Dianne Sirna Mancus has practiced yoga since 1966 and became a certified yoga teacher in 2016 through...
Ashley Durant
In her classes, Ashley aims to bring students back home to their own bodies. Taking Pema Chodron’s concept of maitri, befriending the self, as inspiration, she encourages students to use yoga as a means to enter into a trusting relationship with themselves – which begins with simply showing up on the mat and tuning into what’s there. Students inquire within to see what’s needed, set intentions, and use those intentions to inform their movements and choices in class. Ashley comes from a trauma-informed yoga background, and diversity and inclusion are key aspects of her teaching style. All levels are welcomed, and all students are encouraged to think of yoga as one aspect of a grounded and abundant life.
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Gillian Shapiro
Gillian Shapiro (she/her/hers) is a Social Worker and owner of Beech Hills Wellness, a Tuscaloosa-based business focused on facilitating self-care and promoting wellness through mindfulness, herbal wisdom, Reiki (a Japanese healing art), yoga, breath, mindfulness, movement, and sound, using the gong. She has been teaching for over ten years and believes in holistic healing that gets to the root of symptoms and chronic issues. She specializes in working with those who are experiencing chronic stress, anxiety or grief, and provides a safe space to do that work. Her classes and sessions are infused with compassion, non-judgment and nurture. Gillian has a master's degree in social work from the University of Alabama and a master's in business administration from Rutgers University.
Jenny Shemwell
Jenny Shemwell is a seasoned practitioner of yoga discovering her love of this practice in the 90’s when she was right out of college. Many years and many moves, experiencing yoga in all the places she lived and visited, her decision to finally share her love of yoga came in 2019 when she completed her 200 hour Yoga Alliance certification at Asheville Yoga School. With an adventurous and open heart, Jenny’s exploration of yoga has led her to practice almost every form of yoga from aerial to ashtanga, yin to more restorative and meditative practices like Iyengar and Nidra. Yoga is a practice that grows and changes - it is always available and relevant. Practicing being present and accepting life as it is, with gratitude and an open heart is at the center of Jenny’s teaching. Her current practice focuses on synchronizing....
Brenna Sweetman
Brenna Sweetman started her yoga journey over 10 years ago at the Yoga Life Institute outside Philadelphia where she received her 200-hr Teacher Training Certificate. As a practitioner of many styles of yoga, Brenna has experience teaching beginner, advanced, vinyasa, restorative, and prenatal classes. She believes deeply in the benefits of mindful movement and breath to cultivate calm in body and mind. In her teaching, Brenna seeks to share the tools that yoga has provided her to support body, mind and spirit and is a firm believer in yoga for every “body.” She welcomes all levels of experience to join her on their mats.
Silke Steg
Silke is a German-born yoga teacher. In her years of traveling and living abroad first in Hungary and then in the USA she also found a yoga home at Lifeline. Now that she is back in Germany you can still find her teaching online on Lifeline´s schedule.
She describes her style of teaching as “Silke Yoga”. Over the years of her yoga journey, she explored a lot of different styles and in her classes now, she mixes them all to create classes for each student´s needs.
For Silke yoga is a way to live rather than bringing the nose a ....
Dr. Sarita Cox, ND, L.Ac.
Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, L.Ac., has practiced integrative medicine in both Alabama and Mississippi for the past 20 years. Some of Dr. Cox’s colleagues and beloveds call her “Sarita,” a name given to her by her first meditation teacher, and she believes names have power and energy. Sarita is Sanskrit for river, flow, and fluent (as in speech).
Dr Cox currently holds an active professional license in both Oregon as a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) and Mississippi as a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.). She received her BS in English literature from...
Steph Marker
Steph has been a practicing yogi for over 20 years. She attended her first intensive meditation retreat in 2009, where she fell in love with the yoga community and quiet contemplation. She became more serious about her yin practice in 2017 when her chronic illness became tougher to manage. In 2019, she earned her 200-hour YTT certification with HereNowYoga in Birmingham, Alabama.
Yoga has been a transformative experience for Steph and an integral...