Marcia Smith, LPC, NCC
Program Director
Marcia graduated from Argosy University in 2007, earning her master’s degree in Professional Counseling. She is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Georgia (LPC) and a member of the National Board of Certified Counselors (NCC). Marcia became a Certified Professional Counseling Supervisor in October, 2018 and enjoys assisting new professionals in this field with obtaining the knowledge and skills they need to succeed and become fully licensed. She started her career in the field of addiction treatment while completing her internship at Café 458, where she serviced disabled homeless men and women dealing with mental health and chemical dependency issues. Soon after completing her internship, Marcia joined MARR’s Right Side Up program as an Employment Specialist and accepted position as Program Director in 2013.
LeAngie Talley
Therapeutic Childcare Coordinator, RSU DeKalb
LeAngie Talley has been with MARR’s Right Side Program for 11 years working in the Therapeutic Child Care Program at DeKalb Site. She started out as a Therapeutic Childcare Tech assisting with the needs of RSU children. After working 3 years in that position, she transitioned to TCC Case Manager where she began to work more one on one with helping provide the mothers’ with parenting tools and techniques to become better parents. In November 2016, she was promoted to Therapeutic Childcare Coordinator. Ms. Talley believes in providing the women and children that we service a safe and caring environment that allows our children an opportunity to experience a childhood by giving their mothers’ the knowledge and support they need to become active parents while remaining drug free. Ms. Talley received her credentials in Family Development to become an advocate that support children while they are rebuilding a bond with their parents.”
Preva Mitchell
Residential Manager, RSU Dekalb
Preva Mitchell has been employed by MARR, Inc. since 2006. She began her employment as a Resident Assistant. Preva has been a CNA since 1991 and has been instrumental in developing others on their journey to recovery and sobriety for over 20 years. Preva is RSU’s Residential Manager at our DeKalb site. As RM at the DeKalb site, Preva oversees a residential staff of 10 as well as oversees the residential development that houses a capacity of 30 women and their children. She is a Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist (CARES) as well as a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) in Behavioral Health who continue to advocate for long-term recovery & Mental Health.
Johna Banks, MSW
Therapeutic Child Care Case Manager, RSU DeKalb
I received my Bachelors of Education in 2012 from Georgia Southern University and worked as a teacher for five years. I transitioned into social services while working to obtain my Masters of Social Work in 2021 from Walden University. After obtaining my MSW, I have served as a mental health therapist, child protective services social service specialist, and harm reduction specialist. Being able to assist the clients with rebuilding their bonds with their children and finding their confidence as a parent, is what I love about working at RSU.
Jeanine Hinton
Residential Manager
Jeanine completed her undergraduate in Human Services with a minor in Sociology from Saint Leo University where she also obtained a Masters in Human Services Administration. Jeanine began her career working as an Administrative Specialist for Specialty Foster Care before completing her internship as office manager with Michael & Michael Counseling & Consulting. After completing her internship, Jeanine joined Paulding Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Center as a Substance Abuse Counselor. Jeanine is now joining the MARR team as a Residential Manager where experience with children, families, and the incarcerated population will help rebuild those in a road to recovery..
Stephanie Primrose
Residential Assistant Coordinator, RSU Fulton
Stephanie has been at RSU Fulton for two years. She received her CARES certification, making her a certified peer specialist. She started off as a Residential Assistant and has been recently promoted to Residential Assistant Coordinator. As a proud RSU alumni, she enjoys being a walking example of recovery. She enjoys working here because being able to see the change in these ladies really makes her feel great.
Dena Lee, LPC
Program Coordinator, RSU DeKalb
Dena Lee, is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling and a Master Addiction Counselor certification. Dena also has training in Moral Reconation Therapy. Dena started with MARR as a primary counselor in 2008. In 2013, she transitioned into her current position as the Program Coordinator for MARR’s Right Side Up DeKalb Site. Dena has a passion for her profession and for recovery. Dena works to ensure that the women and their children coming into residential care have an environment conducive to focusing on the whole person and overall lifestyle changes, not simply abstinence from drug use. One of her life motto is “It’s All about the Journey, Not the Destination.”
Alisa Sawyer
Therapeutic Childcare Coordinator, RSU Fulton
Alisa Sawyer is committed to fighting addiction from a holistic standpoint, understanding that planting seeds of hope in mothers facing addiction and their children is a major component on the road to success for these families. Alisa has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and has worked with children and families for over 25 years. Unwavering in her passion and diligence for helping others Alisa has worked vehemently with Right Side Up for over 17 years beginning her journey with Right Side Up as a Therapeutic Child Care (TCC) Case Manager until begin promoted in 2013 to the role of TCC Program Coordinator. What Alisa loves most about Right Side Up is working in an environment that promotes women in recovery interacting in a nurturing, constructive and healthy manner with their children, relearning or gaining new healthy parenting skills in sobriety.
Angel Devone, MS
Primary Counselor, RSU Dekalb
Angel Devone is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. A proud Mercer University “Bear” and alum, Angel graduated with a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2021. Angel was given the unique opportunity to serve as an RSU intern in 2020 to acquire additional experience. She officially joined the RSU team in 2021, continuing to build on her foundational skills as counselor. Angel enjoys helping women correct faulty beliefs that are leading to cycles of addiction. Her mission is to help women reclaim their true identity and overcome the traumatic experiences that threatened it in order to eliminate addiction for the generations to come.
Sharlyne Sobers
Therapeuptic Child Care Case Manager, RSU DeKalb
Sharlyne Sobers has been part of the Right Side Up therapeutic child care program since December 2017. She brings with her over 20 years of experience working with children in the education field as an educator and advocate. What she loves most about her role at RSU is giving hope to the recovering mothers, providing them with support and resources and educating and empowering the children that come through our doors.
Tyisha Harrison
Residential Manager, RSU Fulton
Tyisha Harrison graduated with a bachelors in clinical counseling and psychology from Middle Georgia State University. She is currently working on my dual Master’s degree in clinical mental health and school counseling with a specialization in addiction and trauma & crisis counseling. What she loves about working at Right Side Up is the family feel connection that exists among the staff. I also enjoy working with the ladies and seeing them come in a little broken but leaving feeling loved and renewed. RSU has a beautiful way of reaching these women.
Kelley Prewitt-Thomas, MSW
Residential Manager, RSU DeKalb
Kelley graduated from Georgia State University with a Masters in Social Work. Her passion for recovery and gratitude for Right Side Up has led her back to the very place that changed her life. Right Side Up gives me the opportunity to serve women who struggle with substance use disorder and assist with changing their paths. Witnessing their journey gives evidence that recovery is possible.
Cinnethea Springer, LAPC, NCC
Program Coordinator, RSU Fulton
Cinnethea had been a part of the Right Side Up team since 2015. She is an LAPC and a NCC, and she has been a counselor for eight years. Cinnethea is passionate about helping women find their “why” in life. She believes that everyone deserves a second chance and is grateful to be able to help them make the best possible decision for their future. She knows that everyone just needs someone to listen to them without judgement, and that is what she offers to clients. Cinnethea is dedicated to providing positivity so that our clients can grow in ways they never imagined possible.”
Gwendolyn Stafford, CACI
Primary Counselor, RSU DeKalb
I’ve worked in the field of Gender Specific Treatment for women since 1997. When I began working in this field, I learned that there was an astounding number of children that were being lost in the system, where they were being placed in Foster Care or with other family members. And that a large percentage of these cases were because the mothers had issues with substance abuse. Right Side Up offers the women the opportunity for reunification and understands that addiction affects the entire family. Right Side Up offers hope and we believe that families do recover.
Tametra Bell
Therapeutic Childcare Case Manager, RSU Fulton
Tametra Bell has 17 years of professional experience in Early Childhood Development as a Childcare Program Administrator, Licensed childcare learning center owner and certified Pre-K Director. Tametra holds a Bachelors in Business Management. Through her years of helping single parent households navigate through community resources, Tametra discovered a passion for single mothers and parenting. Right Side Up has been the perfect outlet for developing her gifts and supporting mothers with parenting resources.
Christine Gallagher, CADC II
Primary Counselor, RSU Fulton
Christine graduated from St. Leo University with a BA in criminal justice. She received CADC II in New Jersey. She has been in the field for 9 years. She is also certified as an anger management specialist and a grief specialist.
Christine loves working at Right Side Up and what she describes as “a fabulous team.” She finds it very rewarding to assist people in leading productive healthy lives.
Shanell Stevenson
Therapeutic Child Care Case Manager, RSU Fulton
Shanell a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Morgan State University. She has 10 years professional experience working with children, doctors’, and community enriching programs, such as Notre Dame Mission Volunteers: AmeriCorps, Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program, and Mayor Fenty’s District of Columbia summer youth program connecting youth with opportunities. What she loves most about Right Side Up is being a part of an environment with like minded women who have a passion for serving the community and putting the needs of others before their own.
Becky Ramsay, CACI
Clinical Assessment Counselor
Becky Ramsay is a certified addiction counselor who has been employed with MARR since April 2021. Becky started work with women and men in recovery as a volunteer in various treatment programs in Atlanta before founding and managing 2nd Step Ministries that served women transitioning from treatment in Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi for 8 years. She has also worked as a counselor in residential programs including Alpha Recovery in Atlanta, Hope Homes in Nashville, Dunwoody and Vinings as well as a residential substance abuse counselor for the past five years at Lee Arrendale State Prison. Becky started her career with Marr as a Residential Manager at Traditions in Lawrenceville and is currently working as a clinical assessment counselor in the Admissions Department.
Christopher Deaton, APC
Clinical Assessment Counselor
Christopher completed his undergraduate in psychology from Kennesaw State University and a Masters in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling from Georgia State University. Christopher began his career working with children in an acute care behavioral health facility before completing his internship as a counselor at Positive Impact, an outpatient facility focusing on addiction. After completing his internship, Christopher joined the MARR team as a Clinical Assessment Counselor. Christopher believes that everyone deserves a chance at a happy life in sobriety and is passionate about helping others take the first step to making the change.
