MFP Addictions Counseling Advisory Council
Joy Kelly Phifer, PhD, NCC, ACS, LCMHC, EFT, CCTP - Chair
Dr. Joy Kelly Phifer holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in counseling and counselor education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). Her previous degrees include a Master of Science and Specialist in Education dual degree in couple and family counseling, a Bachelor of Science in business administration, and a Bachelor of Arts in dance studies, all from UNCG. Currently, she serves as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in North Carolina, treating individuals, couples, and families in an outpatient, private agency setting. Clinically, she maintains special training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) through the Carolina Center for EFT and trauma-specific training as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) through the International Association of Trauma Professionals and holds the Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) facilitated through the National Board for Certified Counselors. Currently, she serves as a full-time Assistant Professor on the Core Faculty at Concordia University Irvine in the Townsend Institute for Leadership and Counseling and practices as an outpatient counselor with Family Solutions, PLLC in Greensboro, North Carolina. She also serves as an Adjunct Instructor and Clinical Supervisor in the Department of Counseling and Educational Development at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and serves as a fellowship mentor with the NBCC Foundation.
As a counselor educator, Dr. Phifer maintains a special passion for the classroom in providing experiential and transformative experiences for her students, where she enjoys teaching classes in counseling skills, career counseling, sexuality counseling, family violence, and more. Also, Dr. Phifer holds a strong passion for the clinical supervision process in helping developing counselors hone their clinical skills, focusing on providing high-quality therapeutic services for clients. Her areas of research interest primarily relate to the prevention, treatment, and recovery experiences of victims and survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), alongside research implications in couple and family counseling practice—all of which reflect her spiritual calling to the field.
Dr. Phifer is passionate about the performing arts where she enjoys social dancing with her husband and attending live concerts. In her free time, Dr. Phifer enjoys traveling; watching movies full of suspense and drama; and spending time with her husband, James, and new daughter, Ahviana.
Juanita Barnett, PhD, NCC, LPC - Vice-Chair
Dr. Juanita Barnett is an assistant professor of counseling at Alabama State University. She is also the faculty advisor for the Counselor Education Student Association and Chi Sigma Iota for the ASU counselor education programs. She received her doctorate in counselor education and supervision from Auburn University; her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Alabama State University; and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Florida State University. Dr. Barnett is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Alabama and a National Certified Counselor with NBCC.
Dr. Barnett’s research interests include mental health–related issues within the Afro-Caribbean immigrant populations, global mental health, spirituality in counseling, and professional development amongst faculty and counselors-in-training. She has traveled to Haiti and Africa providing global mental health training. Through these trainings, she provided education regarding mental health and the impact of trauma on individuals. She worked with a team to help local natives identify community resources. Dr. Barnett is currently a member of the Haitian Research Task Force, a team developed to help influence policy through research and help eliminate disparities in services for this population.
Dr. Barnett has presented on topics impacting underserved, underrepresented, and marginalized populations at the local, state, regional, and national level. She is passionate about bridging the gap and eliminating the disparities in mental health services for underserved and underrepresented minority populations through research, advocacy, training, leadership, service, and outreach activities. Her hobbies include swimming, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Rommel Johnson, PhD, NCC, LPC, CAADC, CRC
Dr. Rommel Johnson is an Assistant Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Services and Counseling at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. Dr. Johnson holds a PhD in counselor education and supervision from Western Michigan University and a Master of Arts degree in community counseling and youth ministry from Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan. Dr. Johnson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Michigan and Texas, a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), and a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC). Dr. Johnson has over 15 years of clinical mental health and addiction counseling experience.
Dr. Johnson’s research interests include understanding issues of race, social justice, disability, addiction, and mental health within Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Latinx populations. Dr. Johnson has presented at many state, regional, and national conferences during the past 12 years, including the Michigan Association of Rehabilitation Organizations (MARO) state conference (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015), the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) regional conference (2011), the Great Lakes Counseling Psychology regional conference (2012), the American Counseling Association (ACA) national conference (2017, 2018), the ARHE/ARS/AAPG national conference (2022), the NAADAC Association for Addiction Professionals national conference (2022, 2023), and the NBCC Foundation Bridging the Gap Symposium (2023). Additionally, Dr. Johnson has presented many topics on mental health and addiction to community organizations, schools, churches, and small businesses. Dr. Johnson’s presentation style is lively, engaging, and infused with humor.
Shannon Kratky (she/they), MS, NCC, LPC, LCDC
Shannon Kratky (she/they) is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC, TX), Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC, TX), and National Certified Counselor (NCC). She is currently a PhD candidate in counselor education and supervision at Oregon State University. Their research interests include the experiences of internalized oppression and liberation for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse with LGBTQiA2S+ identities. Shannon received a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and addictive disorders and recovery studies from Texas Tech University.
Shannon co-owns and operates a private practice in San Antonio, Texas, Courageous Story Counseling, PLLC, with her chosen mom, where she specializes in the treatment of adults with complex histories of trauma, substance use (harm reduction), and LGBTQiA2+ needs. Shannon is an EMDR Certified Therapist through the EMDR International Association and uses this evidence-based, mind–body therapeutic modality to help clients experiencing anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and other “disturbances” in their lives.
During their master’s program at UTSA, Shannon was an NBCCF Minority Fellowship Program for Addictions Counseling Fellow, where they committed to providing services for underserved and never-served populations. Shannon currently serves on the NBCCF MFP Addictions Counseling Advisory Council and the NAADAC (The Association for Addiction Professionals) LGBTQiA2S+ Clinical Standards Committee. Additionally, Shannon serves as Treasurer of the Board of Directors for LBJ Behavioral Services, Inc., a nonprofit that provides quality, culturally responsive mental health care to underserved and never-served individuals in the Greater Orlando area of Florida.
Brittany Prioleau, PhD, NCC, ACS, LPC, CIMHP
Dr. Brittany Prioleau is an Assistant Professor at Mercer University and received her doctoral degree in counselor education and supervision from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is also the owner of a mental health and wellness practice, Cultivate & Bloom Wellness LLC. She has over a decade of experience and is committed to serving underserved populations by promoting mental health initiatives through an integrative holistic wellness approach. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Georgia, a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), and Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional (CIMHP).
Dr. Prioleau has clinical experience working with a variety of ages and populations. She also has experience as a K–12 bilingual school counselor in urban school settings. She currently serves as Director of the Multicultural Wellness Enhancement Research Lab at Mercer University. Her research focuses on mental health awareness, complementary therapeutic approaches, race-related stress effects on wellness, trauma-informed approaches in urban school settings, and multicultural approaches to wellness counseling. She also has specialized experience in psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Camila Pulgar, PhD, NCC, LCMHC
Dr. Camila Pulgar is a Chilean immigrant, research faculty at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), and owner of Salud Mental Health. Dr. Pulgar’s clinical passion and research are grounded in Latinx mental health and culturally relevant suicide prevention interventions. She is a native Spanish speaker and received her PhD in counseling education and supervision from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her extensive clinical involvement is with emerging adults and trauma-focused interventions, particularly involving Latinx Spanish-speaking clients. Her dissertation, “Examining the Moderating Effects of Religious Coping on the Relationship Between Acculturative Stress and Depression and Suicide Ideation Among Emerging Adult Latinx Immigrants,” serves as a foundation for her research on acculturative stress and other stress-related experiences, coping, and risk and protective factors that affect mental health among the Latinx community.
Dr. Pulgar is currently an Instructor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Her research experience includes qualitative and quantitative research studies focused on a variety of topics, such as assessing the needs of emerging adults, attrition from pediatric behavioral health programs, behavioral health prevention studies for the Latinx population, bilingual supervision, and training of bilingual counselors. She is a 2021 NBCCF Fellow and a former member of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention-NC Chapter (AFSPNC) and the National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA) boards.
Gus Raymond, MA, NCC, tLMHC, CADC
Gus Raymond is a dedicated professional speaker, Associate Licensed Mental Health Counselor (tLMHC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) based in Iowa, where he works as a private practice therapist and is a doctoral student in sociology at the University of Iowa. With a passion for justice, equity, and inclusion, Raymond has become a respected voice in mental health counseling, substance use disorder treatment, and LGBTQ+ advocacy. With extensive experience in clinical practice and education, Raymond excels in creating safe spaces for individuals and communities, fostering meaningful connections, and driving positive change through education and advocacy efforts.
In addition to his academic roles in K–12 and higher education, Raymond has provided professional development instruction in areas such as cultural navigation, restorative practices, and LGBTQ+ inclusivity in academic and clinical environments. He is a member of GLSEN’s Educators Advisory Council, contributing to shaping LGBTQ+ inclusion in school communities across the country, and a 2021 NBCCF MFP-AC Fellow. Additionally, he co-chairs the NAADAC standing committee for LBTQIA2S+, focusing on developing standards of care for the community, and serves as a member of the JEDI Committee. His advocacy work extends to legislative efforts with his roles on the boards of One Iowa Action and NALGAP, where he has actively participated in statewide legislative policy advocacy and national policy advocacy for LGBTQ+ inclusion in addiction treatment.
Cyril Scovens, MS, MAC, LCADC
Cyril M. Scovens is an Addictionologist and the Founder/President of CMS Institute of Addictionology, Inc. In this role, Scovens leads a team providing all aspects of addiction psychology including prevention, treatment, and recovery. Scovens is also the owner of Scovens & Associate, LLC, a private practice treating individuals with substance-related and process addictions, along with other addictions.
Scovens supports coordinating a synergistic approach to addiction treatment. He is a Licensed Clinical Alcohol Drug Counselor and Supervisor, holds a Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) certification from the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals, and received a master’s degree in addiction counseling from Coppin State University. He is attending the National University Doctorate School in substance-related and addictive disorders. Scovens is also a member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Maryland Chapter and is the current Board President of the Maryland Association of Addiction Professionals, Inc.
Samson Teklemariam, LPC, CPTM
Samson Teklemariam has demonstrated a great deal of versatility in his career, including working in direct practice and as a seasoned training expert and leader for some of the largest substance use disorders/behavioral health programs in the nation. As a direct practitioner, Teklemariam worked in prisons, private practice, community mental health, school systems, substance use disorder treatment programs, and behavioral health facilities. He is an in-demand executive clinical leader and talent development expert specializing in clinical initiatives and training on co-occurring conditions, clinical supervision, culturally responsive care, and leadership development. He worked as the Director of Training and Professional Development for NAADAC, where he launched clinical supervision initiatives nationwide, built a certificate training series for counselors who work with active duty military and veterans, collaborated with SAMHSA and HRSA on public policy and advocacy-focused workforce development initiatives, and founded NAADAC’s Critical Issues in the Black Community Committee, which has educated thousands of addiction professionals on culturally responsive services. In his current position as Vice President of Clinical Services for Behavioral Health Group, he has prioritized counseling within opioid treatment programs, ensuring patients in 22 states are receiving integrated dynamic clinical care. He also serves as the Southeast Regional Vice President for NAADAC.
