ESE Mental Health Specialist
Wendy Pearson, President-CEO – Prior to her position at MWCofGA, ESE Telehealth and ESE Mental Health. Mrs. Pearson received a Master of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing BSN, Master of Science Marriage and Family Therapy and a Bachelor of Arts Sociology Valdosta State University. Licensed FNP-C in state of Georgia and Florida. LMFT in state of Georgia.
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certificate Board. Mrs. Pearson worked in Healthcare since April 2005 as Youthcare/Therapist for Berrien County. In 2007 she became Clinical Director of Mental Health for Berrien County. In 2009 she Opened up her own clinic Positive Solutions Counseling Services LLC where she was a therapist until 2011. Since 2016 she has practiced as a FNP and LMFT. She will continue her role as a Nurse Practitioner for the MWC of GA, ESE Telehealth and continue to treat clients per ESE Mental Health.
Erin Ray, Mental Health Coordinator and Lead Therapist – Prior to working at ESE Mental Health, Mrs. Ray received her master’s degree in Social Work from Valdosta State University. Mrs. Ray has over 20 years of experience working in the Mental Health field. In 2001 she worked as the Social Services Case Manager for the Lowndes County Department of Family and Children Services. She then began working as a Therapist in Berrien County where she provided child and adolescent Mental Health services which included individual and family therapy. Leading groups on self-esteem, feelings, communication, relationships, expression, and social skills. In 2005 she was the Director of South Georgia Counseling where she supervised a staff of 30. In 2007 she became co-owner of Pinnacle Counseling Services, LLC. This includes in-home intensive services, crisis intervention, training foster parents, and completing Comprehensive Child and Family Assessments. In 2009, she was the Adjunct Professor at Valdosta State University for the division of Social Work. In February 2013 she used her LCSW to work as an Adoption Therapist. She then became the program Director where she remained for 3 years. Since 2021 she has worked as a Therapist for innovate Telepsychiatry. Mrs. Ray will continue to serve as a Licensed Therapist to the students, staff and surrounding communities we serve.
Sarah Smith, LCSW, Behavioral Health Specialist – Sarah began her professional career in 2006 after graduating from The University of Georgia with her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work. She worked for over 10 years in child welfare, assessing and managing the safety and wellbeing needs of families and children in the community. She worked in both rural areas as well as in metro Atlanta during those years and also served as a supervisor. Sarah obtained her LCSW/Clinical Licensure 2016 before transitioning into community healthcare/mental health. Prior to ESE Mental Health, Sarah worked with Mercy Care Atlanta for almost 5 years as a Behavioral Health Specialist providing direct mental health services including diagnostic psychosocial assessments and individual therapy to child and adolescent patients as well as adults. She additionally provided safety planning, treatment planning and worked closely with the psychiatrists and pediatricians at Mercy Care to improve the health and functioning of their patients. When the COVID pandemic began in 2020, Sarah was able to seamlessly transition to providing telehealth services as needed to her patients. Sarah is nationally certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and has additional training in military family sensitivity as a Star Behavioral Health Provider. Sarah will continue to serve as a Licensed Therapist to the students, staff and surrounding communities we serve through ESE Mental Health.
Octavia Faulk
“I have been working in the field of social work for over 17 years. Throughout the years, I have practiced as a therapist and a school social worker.
I enjoy working in this field because it allows me the opportunity to be a beacon of hope to people going through difficult circumstances in life. I’m a firm believer that there is no curriculum brilliant enough to educate hungry or hurting children. School social workers are needed to help alleviate those various types of hurt (physically, emotionally, socially, mentally, etc.) so that all students can get a quality education. My favorite part of the job is when I see students overcome difficult circumstances and start thriving in life. This is more than a career for me; it’s a calling.”
Benjamin Gatliff
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 22 years’ experience with mental health/substance abuse treatment. I attended Georgia College and State University for my bachelor’s degree in psychology. Then I attended Fort Valley State University to complete my master’s degree in mental health counseling. I have worked in community mental health centers, prisons, jails, and mental hospitals. I have also volunteered with counseling, hospice, Salvation Army, and food banks. I create a safe and non-judgmental environment to facilitate personal change, insight, and healing.
My theoretical approach in treatment is influenced by Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Reality Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing (MI). I assist clients to explore the results of thoughts, feelings, and actions on the environment and sensation of personal safety and fulfillment. I help to empower clients to direct their process of personal change. I employ an approachable, humorous, and open-minded style of therapy based on learning and meeting client needs for treatment. I do not judge. I am willing to explore the client’s needs as stated by the client. I believe that all individuals are of significant worth and need to be valued in the therapeutic process of healing and change for emotional issues. My clinical specialties include depression, anger management, anxiety, dysfunctional relationships, trauma reaction/PTSD, substance abuse, dual diagnosis, psychosis, LGBTQ+ issues, men’s issues, aging, life purpose, and stress management plus many other issues.
Nicole Del Risco
Nicole is a licensed professional counselor. She attended The Ohio State University for her BA and completed her M.Ed (Community Mental Health) and Ed.S (School Counseling) programs at The University of Georgia. Nicole has extensive experience working in PK-16 settings in Georgia over the past 25 years. She is published and has developed several innovations in her field of study. Nicole plans to use this experience to serve the students, staff, and surrounding communities partnered with ESE Mental Health. “My entire career has been centered on helping students in educational settings in the public and private sectors. I have a deep interest in cross-cultural counseling and educational equity. My passion is to help clients achieve their goals.”
Dorothy M. Brown
I’m Dorothy and I’m excited to serve you! I love working with children, teens, adults, and elderly in an effort to find their passion in life. I enjoy helping them remove barriers that are keeping them from being their most awesome and to live life and to become productive or live their dream. I have been practicing for over 15 years.
I hold a doctorate degree in psychology and master’s in psychology as well as an MBA from University Empresarial de CR . Completed her Project management PMP course for certification and completed the Agile Scrum Master Certification training. I practice therapy in a beautiful comfortable office in Florida and by telehealth in several states. I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, Master’s Level Addictions Professional, Certified Mental Health Professional, Employment Specialist for People with Disabilities and ex-offenders, Certified in Case Management, Nationally Registered Medical Assistant , and have Behavioral Analyst training.
I have worked with children, teens, adults, and elderly in the area of depression, anxiety and those who overcome substance abuse. I use a variety of techniques, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, stress management, increasing self-worth, inner child work, incorporation of meditation, 12 Steps, assertiveness training, mood management, anxiety /reduction. empowerment and work /life balance. I also accept and work EAP referrals.
I am also a Qualified Supervisor in mental health counseling for licensure. I am available to clinically supervise recent graduates. Supervision includes consultation, ethics, counseling practices.
Other ESE Staff:
Tanner Stone, COO: Prior to his role at the Medical Wellness Center of Georgia, Mr. Stone served as the Client Communication Manager for ESE Holdings and ESE Networks FL in their respective Mass Media/Distance Learning businesses. Mr. Stone earned his Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from Louisiana State University and his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science (Kinesiology) from Georgia Southern University. Mr. Stone serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the Medical Wellness Center of Georgia. In his role, he directs and supports the day-to-day operational policies, implements operational activities and programs to ensure the direction of the business plans, and he ensures each location maintains an effective operating environment of all services in response to patients, physicians, and staff needs.
Blake Coty, Executive VP Education – Prior to joining ESE, Blake Coty served as an admissions director for student recruiting at two universities. Mr. Coty earned his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science (Kinesiology) from Kennesaw State University. Mr. Coty Joined ESE Holding’s in 2013 as Director of Mass Media. Mr. Coty has been responsible for managing and overseeing the Georgia Audio and Video Film/Technical (AVF/T) grant program for ESE Holdings and ESE Networks FL. His responsibilities within the grant program include recruiting school districts to apply for grants under the program, helping guide the schools through the application process, helping review applications, planning and coordination deliveries, overseeing equipment installation, and training. He is responsible for grant reporting and creating and building strong working relations within school districts. Mr. Coty’s role expands to assist in the management of the school telehealth program for ESE Telehealth. His responsibilities include, sales, program management, marketing, strategic planning, working with school districts to develop a detailed implementation plan, scheduling equipment installations and trainings.
Randy Brightman, Executive Director IT – Prior to ESE Mr. Brightman Filmed and Edited TV shows for National Broadcast as well as managed programming and infrastructure for team and vendors. Mr. Brightman received graduated from Valdosta State University with a BFA in Mass Media. Served as the Chief Technology Officer of ESE Holdings since 2012. Through his role, he has developed and maintained telehealth packages, and live event encoders and editing systems. Additionally, Randy has been responsible for overseeing the technology utilized for the mass media/Distance learning, telehealth and teletherapy, broadband businesses, which include researching, planning, and selecting the technologies and training the support team.
John Manget, Vice President, Operations – Prior to ESE, Mr. Manget worked as a Production Assistant at TNT, Turner Broadcasting. Mr. Manget was responsible for the Monthly Production Grid which was vital to get content to air on time. Produced the Monthly Highlight Reel for Ad Sales and conducted Interviews at Live Events such as the Emmys, Billboard Music Awards and NBA Western Conference Finals. He received his degree from Georgia College and State University (2009-2012); BA Mass Communication; Concentrations PR and Broadcast; GPA: 3.5. Five Years’ Experience in Healthcare. Mr. Manget joined ESE in 2016 as a Support Specialist for the AVF/T Program. Responsible for Implementation, Training and support. In 2018 Mr. Manget assisted with the development of the Telehealth Program. In charge of Implementation, Training on equipment and EHR Database as well as ongoing technical Support. He became highly involved with the day-to-day duties for school-based telehealth. I.e. Registration, scheduling appointments, checking insurance, collecting Co-Pays and Deductibles. He began working in TeleTherapy in 2019. Manget worked with team members to build a school based TeleTherapy or Mental Health program. Separate from our Telehealth Acute Care Model. He assisted with Workflow development and was responsible for registration and monthly reports. Originally partnered with a Third Party, in December of 2021, we decided it would be more feasible to hire our own Therapist. Since January 2021, Manget has been working on awareness of their updated TeleTherapy Model. Mr. Manget worked with team members to create new registration and new workflow. He will continue to focus on fine tuning the ESE Mental Health process, implementation, and improving communications and awareness with existing schools and our patients.
Brian Delk, Vice President of Technology – Prior to joining ESE, Mr. Delk was employed as a Network Administrator for Chaparral Boats in Nashville, GA. Responsibilities included but were not limited to maintaining the integrity of several plant networks and multiple servers, as well as the implementation of new hardware and software throughout the multibuilding facility. Attending Wiregrass Technical College 2003-2005 exiting with 3.7 GPA in Visual Basic and C programming languages. Joined ESE Holdings LLC in March of 2008 as the company’s current need for a Network Administrator, later branching into Live Streaming in Audio Video requirements that were needed at the public school and state level. Now taking on multiple roles in ESE Telehealth, ESE Mental Health, and ESE Business Telehealth as Assistant of Technology, helping with integration as needed, technical troubleshooting, registering new patients, scheduling established patients, verification of insurance, helping patients, school nurses, parents, practitioners, and Mental Health therapist alike. Also, a multirange of abilities helping coworkers as needed. “I believe in what we are doing for the betterment of our children and each individual alike. Providing affordable Healthcare and Mental Healthcare for efficiency and a nominal fee.”