Ms. Mary E. Rice is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 14 years of clinical experience servicing youth and their families in the Lynchburg, VA and surrounding areas. Ms. Rice is especially skilled in providing Intensive In-home services, family therapy, parenting education and Outpatient Counseling to Children, Adolescents and adults with a wide array of mental health needs including substance abuse issues.

Ms. Rice received her Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Liberty University in Psychology (1996) and went on to graduate with a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling (1999) from Liberty University with a strong focus in Marriage and Family Therapy. While completing her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree, Ms. Rice began to work in the field and gained experience that led her to eventually start her own business. Her self proclaimed mission is to serve children and families in this community by meeting them on their level while providing ethically and clinically sound therapeutic services. This commitment and diligence to her clientele distinguish Ms. Rice and Rice Counseling and Associates, Inc. from other providers.

LasChae Dickerson, MA, QMHP

LasChae Dickerson is currently a Mental Health Therapist at Rice Counseling & Associates.  She received a Bachelor Degree in Human Development & Learning with emphasis on Elementary Education from Lynchburg College.  She continued her education at Liberty University and obtained a Master’s Degree in Counseling.  She has also begun completing courses towards a Doctorate with Capella University.  Throughout her studies, LasChae became familiar with some of the post modern approaches to therapy that has aided her with counseling individuals with various types of disabilities. 
LasChae has years of experience working with various populations.  In addition to counseling, LasChae provides training, independent living skills, and community integration to individuals in a Group Home setting.  LasChae has experience in areas such as; mental retardation, dual diagnose of mental illnesses, Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Prader-Willis, and a host of other DSM-IV diagnoses.  In addition to various trainings, LasChae has built a foundation for her motivation and success in counseling.  Through various studies and research, she believes that the counseling process involves a therapist that is willing to grow with their client’s, and having the willingness to build a healthy client/counselor relationship.  The therapeutic process must involve the counselor examining self and bringing to the relationship qualities such as compassion, empathy and knowledge. In her leisure, she enjoys traveling, biblical readings, attending theatrical shows and community ministry. 

Tifani Skinner, BS, QMHP

Tifani obtained her BS in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Social Work & Psychology from Radford University in June 2003. 

Tifani’s interest in working with and serving others began in high school working with at risk youth during basketball season as a Mentor for Project Double Team (program provided by Lynchburg City Schools).  While in high school, Tifani completed a course in the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA), and later became a teacher's assistant.  By the way, this was her first job working with youth at a Daycare Center, she worked there about 2 years.  Other areas of interest and experience, Tifani completed an internship at the Domestic Violence Shelter for women and children during college.
Worked as Behavioral Specialist interacting directly with the severally emotionally disturbed children & adolescents within the structure of Day Treatment as well in the school systems. Residential Facility Healthcare Worker and Group Home Service Provider providing direct care to the mental retardation population,  
Case Manager provided case management services for individuals with mental health illness and/or co-occurring disorders.  Substitute Teacher (job placement includes elementary, middle, and high schools).  

Robin L. Ferguson, ACBSW, QMHP

Robin has a history of assisting, working and serving all. She prides herself on having an outgoing personality and is able to relate to many different situations. Robin is able to communicate with all cohorts and teach fundamental life skills. She is able to maintain professionalism while encouraging individuals to create positive outcomes.

Robin has a BA in Social Sciences from Virginia Union University.
She has obtained her certification. ACBSW, through the National
Association of Social Workers and her QMHP status from Medicaid of
Virginia. Robin has worked with many agencies in the Lynchburg
Community. She has over 25 years experience.

Robin affirms daily and believes in taking care of oneself.

We are all gifted. That is our inheritance.' — Ethel Waters

Sandra Haythe ("San")
Therapeutic Mentor

San currently works full time for the Department of Emergency Services where she has served for the past 13 years as a Tele-communicator and works part time as a Mentor for the agency. San began to have an interest in working with troubled youth several years ago, as she became aware of the many youth who are in crisis during her full time duties. Part of her responsibility has afforded her an opportunity to talk to youth in crisis situations where she has been successful with stabilizing and or getting them to safety. As a result, San feels she wants to give back in a positive way and hopefully help as many youth as she can through her experience and training.

Vincent Walter Jones, M.Ed., QMHP
Ut Prosim (That I May Serve!)

Vincent is a Mental Health Therapist with over thirteen years of experience in the Human Services Field specializing in the areas of the preservation of families and mental health counseling. His work related background specifically includes supervision in the areas of Foster Care and Adoption Services, Intensive In-Home Counseling, Parenting training/instruction, direct care! supervisor in a Residential Treatment Facility, mentor/behavioral specialist, and Outpatient therapist. Vincent has a strong training background in the area of skills development for professional and personal growth as well as staff development.

Vincent is a proud graduate of Virginia Tech where he received his Master of Arts in Education, Counseling, Education and a Bachelor’s degree in English.

Michael Pinn, BS, QMHP

"Lifting as We Climb"
Michael received his Bachelor's degree of Psychology at Radford University in 2008. Michael has three years of experience working as an Intensive In-Home Counselor for at-risk youth ages 5 – 18 years old.
Michael is an active member of the community and assists local community groups. Michael believes that "the quality of life is determined by the quality of your thoughts." Michael is familiar with the needs of the youth and factors that sometimes cause difficulties for youth as they mature into adults. Michael feels he has a calling for this type of work and values his ability to quickly build rapport with clients. Michael meets clients at their level and seeks first, to understand and then be understood.
Michael is currently serving as a Therapeutic Mentor, Intensive In-Home Counselor, and a Mental Health and Supports Professional.

Veronica Spinner, BA, QMHP

Veronica graduated with her Bachelor’s of Sociology from Virginia State University in 1994.  Since that time, Veronica has been active in obtaining group home, residential, day treatment and an extensive amount of In-home counseling experience.  Veronica comes with over ten years of In-home Counseling experience where she focuses on a variety of mental illnesses and providing parenting education services to this high demand population. 

Veronica aspires to focus on independent living skills as well as services to target the teenage population.  She also has experience providing mental health support services to youth and adults. 

Veronica is a Lynchburg resident who is well versed in community resources and makes the best use possible of these services to best meet the client and families needs. 

Gregory Haythe (“Champ”)
Mentor

Champ currently works full-time at a Juvenile Detention facility as a Youth Care Worker and works as a Mentor for the agency part-time.  Champ has always had a desire to “give back” to the community.  As a youth, Champ realized the benefits of having a “father figure” or “mentor” from a positive role model within the community and vowed, when he grew up he would in return “mentor” youth and give back in a meaningful way.  Champ credits his mentors with, “shaping the man he is today”!

Champ brings a decade of experience in working with youth and families.  He feels by serving youth in the community and on his job as a positive role model he is able to help strengthen families and assist in conflict resolution with positive outcomes.  Champ challenges the youth he serves and encourages them to strive to reach their goals and to be successful.  All in all, Champ loves being able to reach out a hand to his fellow man.

Karen Dillard, Mentor

Karen is a graduate of Brookville High School, graduating with Honors, and she attended CVCC for 2 1/2 years. While there, Karen studied Childcare and Bookkeeping.
Karen has obtained approximately 26 years of experience in working with at risk youth in two separate fields.

Karen has a strong desire and enthusiasm to mentor and feels, “in my experience it has blessed me to see the positive results of those individuals I have served”.  “It begins with reaching out, building that relationship, assuring the individuals you care about them and their needs.”  Karen presents herself as a "Role Model", without the position of quoting, "I am a therapeutic mentor". Instead, Karen’s goal in which she conveys to each client is,   "I am here to support you, to help you reach your full potential, and feel secure about doing it. You can do anything you want to, but it starts with a vision.” 

For Karen, it begins with "Reaching Out." Karen feels she is an asset to individuals and families she serves.  By doing so she sees that it allows personal growth and strength within. “It is a plus when you can grow both mentally and socially in our society today by just being there for others.”

Mary Jackson-Brown Office Manager

Mary has approximately 20 years experience working in the Business Administration area. This includes, Human Resources, Foster Care/Adoption, Behavioral Health Case Management and Medicaid Specialist.