Jeff R. Brooks DMIN, MHA, LAC ACRPS, CHE

Roles:

• Program Director
• Relapse Prevention Specialist
• Spiritual Formation Counselor
• Addiction Therapist

Jeff Brooks has over 26 years of experience as an effective behavioral health care leader, entrepreneur, addictions treatment clinician, trainer and consultant. He has designed and developed a variety of programming service models across multiple modalities, populations, funding sources and business structures. This includes both public and private sector, for profit and 501©3 non- profit entities. Jeff is highly dedicated to creating high quality, sustainable, compassionate and effective services and programs to meet the needs of people who are suffering from the despair, indignity and hopelessness that untreated addiction and behavioral health challenges impose upon the community, families, neighbors and friends.

Jeff holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from Limestone College, a graduate degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of South Carolina and a Doctorate in Preaching, Theology and Leadership from Asbury Theological Seminary. He has an extensive background in the treatment of mental health and substance abuse disorders, serving children, adolescents and adults and their families over a 26 year career. He holds multi-state licensure as a Clinical Addiction Specialist & Clinical Supervisor (North Carolina, Colorado, South Carolina), an Advanced Certification in Relapse Prevention from the renowned CENAPS Corporation (Gorski), a national certification as a Master Addiction Counselor (NAADAC) and is Board Certified in Healthcare Management through the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).

Jeff’s most recent project involved designing an elite, behavioral health, wellness and recovery, 77 bed residential program for a private equity firm in Vail, Colorado. He and his business partner and spouse, Robin Brooks, also designed, implemented and operated, a highly successful, behavioral healthcare business (October Road Inc.) that served mental health and substance abuse clients over a 23-county catchment area in Western North Carolina. The organization achieved wide recognition and commendation from accrediting (CARF), licensing and community stakeholders for its high degree of effectiveness, efficiency and customer satisfaction. Utilizing an Integrated care model and strategies that targeted the holistic needs of their clients, the company enjoyed exponential growth and success over a 6-year period before it was sold to a private equity firm. The company continues to operate as a reputable partner and provider within the Western North Carolina community.

Jeff is also a licensed pastor and writer (published Holding on for Life-Credo Publishing-2014) and a life-long student, living in Charleston, South Carolina with his wife and best friend of 28 years. They maintain an active lifestyle with outdoor adventures, live for college football season and enjoy visiting with their adult children and their families.

Download Jeff Brook’s Dissertation:
PREACHING THE GOSPEL TO TRAUMA SURVIVORS:
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS, METHODS, AND TECHNIQUES

Roles:

• Admissions & Medical Services Director
• Massage Therapist
• Trauma Touch Therapist

Melissa (Robin) Brooks has over 25 years of experience as a medical and behavioral healthcare leader, manager and service provider. This includes work in both public and private sector, for profit and 501©3 non- profit entities.

Robin has extensive medical experience in the primary and tertiary health care system. This practical experience includes integrated primary care, as well as complex care within cardiac and post-surgical hospital units. Her ability to manage both processes and multi-disciplinary care teams helped her earn a reputation for service excellence within multiple care settings.

Robin is also the co-founder of 3 Days Rising Inc-a non profit ministry that operates in multiple states, providing comfort, encouragement and hope for those searching for spiritual solutions. She is also an entrepreneur, owning and operating a highly successful bed and breakfast in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina.

With an extensive background in the behavioral health sector, Robin has pursued her passion for excellence and compassion through working with complex clients in the both the public and private sector delivery system. Her entry into the public sector began in 1998 as a charge nurse in the methadone maintenance program in Charleston, South Carolina. Later in her career, this vocation evolved into working in an outreach program serving clients with addictive and co-occurring mental health disorders in a rural community. In 2006, she managed the medical services system for October Road Inc-a privatized behavioral healthcare company that she also co-founded in western North Carolina, serving over 1,000 un-replicated clients per year. Emphasis on quality care, wellness and rehabilitation allowed her to build collaborative and effective integrated care partnerships and systems within the geographical region.

During this time, Robin acquired certification as an Equine Therapy Therapist and utilized this intervention within a residential substance abuse\mental health treatment program. Her skills in gaining trust, through communicating authentically and compassionately with those suffering from addiction and trauma, helped numerous clients engage effectively in this experiential model. She has invested hundreds of hours facilitating group and experiential therapies with these clients.

Robin holds degrees in nursing and in massage\body work therapy. She has acquired additional certification in Trauma Touch Therapy , Esalen Massage Therapy, as well as cranio-sacral therapy. She adheres to a holistic approach to rehabilitation and lifestyle change.

Robin is married to Jeff Brooks-her best friend of 28 years. She is the mother of two adult children who live in Asheville, NC and Northampton, Massachusetts. Her hobbies include knitting, cooking, yoga, interior design and long walks on the battery and beaches of Charleston, South Carolina.

Kristen McDonald joins our Team as a Registered Yoga Teacher.  She has studied yoga for over 7 years and participated in a 200-hour teacher training in 2016 at Charleston Power Yoga.  Kristen teaches yoga to private groups and has prior studio experience at a local facility.  She has studied Yin yoga and meditation, and has attended specialized trainings in anatomy and kid’s yoga. Connecting with students and offering essential elements of yoga are the foundations of Kristen’s classes, and her experience as a member of Alanon give her a valuable perspective working with people in recovery. In fact, her father was an alcohol counselor in the US Coast Guard, so she grew up with the philosophy of recovery a prominent fixture in her home. Prior to studying yoga, Kristen worked as a paralegal in the Charleston area, lending her a keen understanding of the stressors of the professional world.  Kristen incorporates her core values of love, compassion, gratitude, service and faith into all her teaching.

When not teaching, Kristen is a caretaker for several family members.  She considers helping others her greatest blessing.  In her free time, Kristen enjoys fitness, pretending to garden, and taking trips with her husband Jay.  Kristen is excited to bring her unique life experience and perspective to Magnolia Center.

Dr. W. Howard Buddin Jr. lives in Charleston, SC, with his wife Jennifer and two boys, William and James. Dr. Buddin is the owner of SC Neuro, LLC, with clinics in West Ashley and Summerville, where he practices neuropsychology, forensic neuropsychology, and clinical psychology. He earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Neuropsychology, from Nova Southeastern University. He completed his internship at the South Florida Internship Consortium in Fort Lauderdale, FL, where he provided services for children and adolescents with developmental and behavioral disorders. Following internship, he completed a two-year fellowship in Neuropsychology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine – Wichita. Dr. Buddin has also pursued a variety of research experiences, including authoring or co-authoring five peer-reviewed publications, two book chapters, 22 regionally and a multiple nationally presented posters. He also writes and curates Neuropsych Now, a Web site that he co-founded in 2013 as the world’s first independent, centralized, community-driven neuropsychology resource. Dr. Buddin is also a bass player, an Eagle Scout, a card-carrying audiophile, a little-league T-Ball and Baseball coach, and enjoys building world-class, screen accurate replicas of lightsabers.

Larry resides in Asheville, NC with his wife Linda. He is the Director of Education of Mindfulness Travels, an educational organization that provides mindfulness-based training to health professionals in various locations throughout the world.

He received his doctorate from the California School of Professional Psychology and completed his clinical internship at the National Naval Medical Center in 1983. Larry’s been a practicing psychologist for over 30 years, and has held several clinical directorship positions during his career.

Larry is a published author who was designated as an Author-Expert by IDEA for his writing, teaching, and service in the field of mind-body health, fitness, and wellness. He has a strong commitment to educating health professionals and the general public about the healing potentials of mindfulness meditation and mindful movement.

He is an instructor of the ancient Chinese meditative and martial arts of Qigong and Tajiquan (Tai Chi), and has received advanced training in these practices in the US and China. When he’s not writing, teaching, and consulting with clients, Larry can often be found running and hiking the Blue Ridge Mountain trails of Western North Carolina.

Linda is a Registered Nurse and Registered Yoga Teacher. She’s the founder of the educational organization Mindfulness Travels. Linda has extensive experience in healthcare management and in preventive medicine education, with a specialty in natural sleep recovery. Linda is an instructor of mindfulness meditation, yoga, and qigong. Her teaching experience spans over 30 years in healthcare, integrating traditional and complementary health practices. Linda is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance. She completed a comprehensive 3-year certification program in Energy Medicine. National women’s health conferences, private industry, yoga teacher training programs, as well as several medical programs have utilized Linda’s wellness programs. Her DVD, Support and Strengthen Your Immune System, was published by IDEA. Linda is also a professional singer-songwriter and recording artist.

Dr. Ben McInnes serves with the Magnolia Center Team as the Chief Medical Officer. His extensive and successful background in the medical field and experience in the addiction-recovery arena spans over 30 years.

Dr. McInnes is a graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina, holds Board Certification in Urology, and is a Fellow with the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Ben is a published author, an avid researcher and highly respected practitioner in his field.

Ben has also served as a staunch advocate for recovering professionals in the community for over 30 years. Through his professional practice and volunteer efforts, Dr. McInnis has demonstrated a compassionate approach, combined with a rigorous, scientific knowledge to assist addicted patents, colleagues and their families in discovering the freedom that comes with a practical, integrated recovery program.

A military veteran, husband, proud father and grandfather, Ben enjoys spending his time with family and friends. Ben’s love for the outdoors was propagated during his youth with the Boy Scouts of America, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout with Silver Palm. Ben is also a certified open water scuba diver and holds a coast guard pilots license. He can often be found sailing upon the beautiful South Carolina waters, where he has long called home.

Ashley DelGiacco joins our Team as the Business Office Manager. Prior to her time with Magnolia Center she managed a Clinical Neurophysiology Department and administered qEEG guided neurofeedback training to children and adults with neurological disorders as well as emotional, learning, and stress related disorders. She attained her Bachelor’s degree with a focus in Behavioral Science. While her background primarily focuses on working with children with disabilities, she has worked closely with families to help them reach their goals by using a strength based approach. People are her passion. Empowering individuals to live healthy and enriched lives is a goal she strives for both personally and professionally.

In an attempt to make the most of life, Ashley likes to incorporate something that brings her joy each and every day. She loves exploring, reading, being outdoors, and spending time with her loved ones.  Ashley is excited and eager to bring her experience and positivity to Magnolia Center.