Julie C. Medlin, Ph.D. Director

Dr. Medlin is the Director of Medlin Treatment Center. She is a licensed psychologist who has expertise in treating sexual offenders and sexual abuse victims. Dr. Medlin provides therapy to children, adolescents, and adults with sexual issues or general psychological issues. She also conducts forensic evaluations in cases of alleged sexual abuse in children.

Dr. Medlin obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Harvard University, and her master's and doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from the University of Florida. She completed her internship in a joint program at the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, North Carolina and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Medlin also serves as the Director of Medlin Training Institute (MTI), which specializes in training other professionals in the area of sexual abuse and sexual deviancy. Through MTI, Dr. Medlin published Responsible Living, an 8-volume sex offender treatment manual, along with a CD-ROM entitled Breaking Through Denial.
Dr. Medlin has provided trainings for residential treatment facilities, psychiatric hospitals, mental health centers, different states’ Departments of Correction, as well as at numerous academic conferences. Dr. Medlin has also testified as an expert in court over 100 times. Dr. Medlin is Past President of the Georgia Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers. She also served on the Georgia Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Advisory Council and on the Georgia Sex Offender Registration Review Board. In addition, Dr. Medlin has appeared as an expert on national televisions programs for CNN and Discovery Health, as well as several nationally syndicated programs.

Randi Stephens, LMFT, Assistant Director

Ms. Randi Stephens, MA, LMFT is licensed by the state of Georgia as a Marriage and Family Therapist. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. She later obtained her Master's degree from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. She is the Assistant Director of Medlin Treatment Center's Sexual Deviancy Program and has been working for Medlin Treatment Center since February 2000. Since 1997, Ms. Stephens' primary focus has been in the field of addictions and sexual deviancy. She provides supervision and training to all therapists in the Sexual Deviancy Program, administers psychosexual evaluations, and the Penile Plythesmograph. Ms. Stephens also provides outpatient individual and group psychotherapy to adolescent and adult male and female sexual offenders. Ms. Stephens serves on the Board of Directors, chairs the Community Awareness Committee, and is a member of the Public Policy Committee for the Georgia Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers. She sits on the Advisory Council for "Stop it Now!" Georgia. Ms. Stephens is also a clinical member of the following associations: Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers, Georgia Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, and American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. She has presented on a variety of topics related to sexual deviancy at the following; Center for Disease Control (CDC) Georgia Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers, Prevent Child Abuse Georgia and to the Georgia Department of Corrections.

Tammy Coots, Psy.D.

Dr. Coots graduated from Georgia State University in Psychology. She received a Psy.D. degree from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology (now named Argosy University) and is a licensed psychologist in the state of Georgia. Dr. Coots currently serves as a Psychologist at Medlin Treatment Center, specializing in treating children who are sexual abuse victims and children who have sexual behavior problems. Dr. Coots also has a specialty in evaluating and treating infants. In addition, Dr. Coots is an Adjunct Instructor for Tulane University Medical Center. Dr. Coots completed two postdoctoral fellowships: one for Tulane University Medical Center as the Program Manager and Primary Clinician for Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority Infant Team, and, secondly, for Louisiana State University Medical Center providing psychotherapy with children and families who were victims or witnesses of violence. Dr. Coots completed her internship with Louisiana State University Medical Center in the following settings: Charity Hospital Psychiatric Unit's adult inpatient, Ames Elementary School, New Orleans Adolescent Hospital, Grace House New Orleans (an adult womens' substance abuse residential treatment center), Louisiana State University Infant, Child and Adolescent Outpatient Clinic, and Louisiana State University Adult Outpatient Clinic. Dr. Coots completed a therapy practicum with Cobb Douglas Community Mental Health Center and a diagnostic practicum with Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital. Dr. Coots is a member of the American Psychological Association and Louisiana Infant Mental Health Association.

R. Scott Davis, Psy.D.

Dr. Davis graduated from Emory University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. He received his M.S., as well as his Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, from Yeshiva University. Dr. Davis completed his post-doctoral fellowship in Medlin Treatment Center's Sexual Deviancy Program and interned with the VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System, Montrose Campus. He has worked as a test administrator at the Educational Records Bureau in NY, NY. He has completed externships with Fordham Counseling Center in Bronx, NY, and St. Barnabas Hospital, Bronx, NY. He has also worked as a residential counselor at Vitam Center, Norwalk, CT, and a mental health technician at the Devereux Center of Georgia, Atlanta, GA. Dr. Davis is a member of the American Psychological Association and a clinical member of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers.

Kathleen Grimes, Ph.D.

Dr. Grimes graduated from the University of Virginia Cum Laude with a Bachelor's Degree. She received her MA, as well as her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, from the Emory Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Grimes interned at Cambridge Hospital through the Harvard Medical School. She has worked as a therapist and evaluator for the Emory University Psychological Center in Atlanta, and at the Southern Crescent Psychiatry and Counseling Center, Inc. in Newnan, Georgia. She has worked as a neuropsychological examiner at the Emory University School of Medicine, the Emory Clinic Department of Neurology, the Wesley Woods Geriatric Hospital in Atlanta, and the Emory University Psychological Center. Dr. Grimes is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Georgia Psychological Association. She has published research articles on schizophrenia in The Journal of Abnormal Psychology, The Journal of Abnormal Psychiatry, and Clinical Advances in the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders.

Steven Knauts, Ph.D.

Dr. Knauts graduated from the University of Utah Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Psychology. He received his Master’s Degree and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Florida. Dr. Knauts has done clinical work at a number of forensic facilities, including North Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center in Gainesville, Florida; and Florida State Hospital, where he interned for a year. At Medlin Treatment Center, Dr. Knauts has worked as a program therapist and evaluator for several years. He has provided group and individual therapy and has conducted psychological, psychosexual, and parenting evaluations. Dr. Knauts is an engaging public speaker and has conducted several workshops and trainings for other mental health professionals, foster parents, and the community. He has given presentations for such organizations as Prevent Child Abuse Georgia, Georgia CASA, the Georgia Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers, and the National Organization for Victim Assistance. Dr. Knauts is currently licensed in the state of Georgia as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Clinical Psychologist.

Melvina Norwood, Ph.D.

Dr. Melvina Norwood is a licensed psychologist who specializes in the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents. At Medlin Treatment Center, Dr. Norwood conducts psychological evaluations. Dr. Norwood earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Spelman College, and master’s and doctoral degrees in Clinical/Counseling/School Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
She completed her internship training in child clinical psychology at a joint program at Lucille Packard’s Children’s Hospital at Stanford University and the Children’s Health Council.

Dr. Norwood has experience providing individual, family and group therapy as well as psychoeducational assessments in inpatient, outpatient and school settings. At Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Dr. Norwood specialized in individual therapy in the areas of depression, anxiety and suicide prevention. Dr. Norwood provided training for psychology interns and presented continuing education workshops at professional conferences for educators and psychologists.

Madinah I. Ralston, Ph.D.

Dr. Ralston graduated from the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Brockport with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.  She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Kent State University in Ohio.  Dr. Ralston interned at the Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, NY.  She has worked in the Child and Adolescent Department at the DeKalb Community Service Board conducting assessments and providing therapy.  She has also conducted psychological assessments in private practice for several years since that time.  Dr. Ralston has clinical experience in the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults.  At Medlin Treatment Center, Dr. Ralston sees children and adolescents with both sexual and general psychology issues.  In addition, she is an Adjunct Instructor at Argosy University.  Dr. Ralston is a member of the Georgia Psychological Association. 

Mary Hebblewhite, Ph.D.

Dr. Hebblewhite earned her Bachelor's degree from Duke University and her Ph.D. in psychology at Georgia State University, concentrating in adult psychodynamic psychotherapy. She completed her psychology internship at the Atlanta VA Medical Center, and her postdoctoral internship in Child and Family Psychology at the Georgia Mental Health Institute. Dr. Hebblewhite then began an independent private practice providing therapy to children, teens, and families.  She also conducted groups for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. She often worked with adult abuse survivors in a hospital setting as well, including in  Ridgeview's specialty unit for treatment of dissociative disorders. Dr. Hebblewhite and four other psychology and psychiatry colleagues formed Dissociative Disorders Consultants of Atlanta,  developing principles and procedures for careful and conservative work with the problems of dissociation, trauma, and abuse.  Dr. Hebblewhite also worked at the Hamilton Clinic in Dalton GA, focusing on foster children with abuse histories as well as with attention and behavior problems. As part of that work, she taught parents behavior modification techniques that could help their children.  Dr. Hebblewhite obtained an Advanced Certification in Cognitive Therapy to enhance her coaching regarding thought/feeling/behavior patterns. She integrates work on thought patterns into her work with couples, families and adults.  In 2006, Dr. Hebblewhite began providing services at MTC in the Stockbridge and Marietta offices. At MTC, she works with foster and intact families, with children and teens and adults as individuals, and offers parent coaching. She has a particular interest in adoption and step-parenting.

Elizabeth C. Guenther, Ed. S., M. Ed., Evaluator

Mrs. Guenther received her Ed. S.and M. Ed. in the field of School Psychology from Georgia Southern University, with undergraduate major work in psychology completed at Wesleyan College, Macon, Georgia.  She served her yearlong field-based internship in the Glynn County, Georgia school district.  She worked with Dr. David Patterson of St. Simons Island, Georgia, in his private clinical practice, providing comprehensive psychological evaluations and emotional status assessments.  She has also held professional positions as a school psychologist with the Thomasville City Schools, Georgia, along with providing a wide range of school psychology services to Hoover City Schools, Jefferson County Schools, and Shelby County Schools in Alabama.  Through her association with Glenwood, Inc. and the Alabama State Department of Education, Mrs. Guether was instrumental in developing a site-based consultation service for Autism Spectrum Disorders (PREP) and also performed many diagnostic evaluations for children suspected of having some form of autism.  Mrs. Guenther also served as Certification Officer for the Birmingham-Southern College Division of Education and as a judge for the Birmingham City Schools Teacher Recognition Program in 2002. She is a member of the Georgia Association of School Psychologists and for many years has provided a wide range of services such as comprehensive assessments for learning problems, mental disability, and developmental delay, consultation and training on classroom design, educational program development and eligibility determination, and implementing behavioral plans in the school setting. She has frequently chaired and participated in multidisciplinary teams. Prior experience was also gained as a child protective services DFACS caseworker in Muscogee County, Georgia, and on the Ft. Benning army post, specializing in the area of sexual abuse and incest.  She also gained experience working with adult alcohol-drug abuse recovery programs in Big Spring, Texas.  Her current work with Medlin Treatment Center will include psychosexual evaluations of children and teens.  Mrs. Guenther also has insight and interest in issues surrounding healthy parenting, divorce recovery and step-parenting, partly due to her own personal experiences as a mother of five.      

Sarai Padilla, Psy.D., Psychologist

Dr. Padilla joined the Medlin Treatment Center to provide individual and group treatment to children, adolescents, and adults in general psychology and those experiencing distress from trauma and depression.  She also has expertise in bereavement, life transitions, academic issues, and parenting.  Dr. Padilla’s professional background includes work as a therapist, evaluator, supervisor, administrator, consultant, and adjunct professor within schools, hospitals, psychiatry, universities, as well as a therapeutic residence for the developmentally delayed.   A staunch advocate for children, she implemented a prevention program for children of substance abusers, established a community pediatric AIDS project, reviewed psychological evaluations for special education placement of students, was a member of two hospital Child Protection committees, ran a newly opened school-based mental health program, and trained foreign providers on the treatment of children infected and affected with HIV & AIDS.  She obtained a doctorate in psychology from Pace University in New York where she graduated summa cum laude.  Her doctoral internship in clinical psychology included a rotation within New York University-Bellevue Hospital Center’s inpatient psychiatry.   Dr. Padilla is a member of the American Psychological Association, its Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, and the International AIDS Society.  She is fluent in Spanish. 

Amy Buesing, Psy.D. , Psychologist

Dr. Buesing is a licensed psychologist who specializes in the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents. At Medlin Treatment Center, Dr. Buesing provides therapy to children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Buesing received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Montclair State University in New Jersey, and a doctorate in psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles. As a doctoral student, she completed an internship with the Counseling Center of Santa Monica, providing group and individual therapy with at-risk adolescents. She also completed an internship with the Wright Institute Los Angeles, an Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship training site. Dr. Buesing finished her post-doctoral training with a full-time residency at the Family Stress Center, specializing in child abuse, trauma, and early intervention. She led groups for foster caregivers, provided individual and group supervision to psychology trainees, and administered forensic sexual abuse evaluations (A.S.K.). She is currently a member of the American Psychological Association and the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation.

Asia Gifford, Psy.D., Psychologist

Dr. Gifford is a licensed child psychologist who specializes in play therapy. Dr. Gifford graduated from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology.  She earned her Doctorate of Psychology degree from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University with an emphasis in child and family studies.  She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Casa Pacifica where she provided clinical services to foster children and adolescents who were removed from their homes.  She conducted individual and family therapy and also co-led psychoeducational Aggression Replacement Therapy groups. Dr. Gifford completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Pathways Transition Programs where she worked with children and adolescents with psychological issues such as sexual and physical abuse, grief, neglect, behavioral disorders and mood disorders.  Dr. Gifford has experience in Play Therapy and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  Additionally, Dr. Gifford is member of the American Psychological Association and the Association of Play Therapy. At the Medlin Treatment Center, she provides individual and family therapy for children and adolescents between the ages of 3 and 18 years old with general psychological and sexual trauma issues, as well as sexual acting out behaviors. She also conducts psychosexual, sexual trauma, and general psychological evaluations.

Ashley Loyd, Psy.D., Psychologist

 Dr. Loyd graduated from Georgia State University with a B.S. in Psychology and Sociology. She received her M.A. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology.  She completed her pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the Clayton County Community Mental Health Center. Her clinical interests include working with children ages 4-11 with attachment difficulties, trauma histories, selective mutism, and in foster care placements. Within the adolescent population, she is interested in working with clients who are involved in the legal system displaying severe behavioral and emotional struggles. Dr. Loyd has provided individual, family and group therapy with a play and art therapy component, as well as conducted psychological and psychosexual evaluations. She has experience working in both residential and community mental health facilities with diverse, disadvantaged and underserved populations. She also has experience collaborating with juvenile courts, Department of Juvenile Justice, and Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS). She is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Association of Play Therapy.

Candace D. Allen-Staten, Psy.D., Psychologist

Dr. Allen-Staten earned a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Dayton (UD) in 2002. At UD, she received training in providing individual and group therapy to children and adolescents with Serious Emotional Disturbances and in conducting empirical research. Dr. Allen-Staten earned her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Wright State University, School of Professional Psychology (WSU-SOPP) in 2007. At WSU-SOPP, Dr. Allen-Staten was trained in providing individual, group, and family therapy to adolescent and adult clients with a wide range of diagnoses, including trauma and grief. In 2007, Dr. Allen-Staten completed a Pre-Doctoral Psychology Internship at the University of California, Davis Children’s Hospital CAARE (Child and Adolescent Abuse, Resource, Evaluation Diagnostic and Treatment) Center in Sacramento, California. At the CAARE Center, Dr. Allen-Staten received specialized training in providing Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, and individual, group, and family therapy with children and adolescents with histories child physical abuse, child sexual abuse, and neglect. Also at the CAARE Center, Dr. Allen-Staten was trained in completing Child Welfare Evaluations and Full Battery Psychological Evaluations. During her Post-Doctoral training/employment, Dr. Allen-Staten completed Disability Evaluations in California for persons of all ages and Full Battery Psychological Evaluations and Parent Fitness Evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults in Georgia.

At Medlin Treatment Center, Dr. Allen-Staten is conducting both psychosexual evaluations and general psychological evaluations and providing individual and family therapy services to pre-adolescent, adolescent, and adult clients with histories of physical and sexual abuse as well as general psychological issues. Dr. Allen-Staten’s areas of expertise include:  child physical abuse, child sexual abuse, women with trauma histories (i.e., child sexual abuse, child physical abuse, and domestic violence), family therapy, grief, full battery psychological evaluations, and psychosexual evaluations. Dr. Allen-Staten also integrates spirituality in therapy when requested by clients.

Elizabeth Gould, LCSW, Therapist

Elizabeth Gould obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Boston University and her Master’s Degree in Social work at the University of Southern California.  She has experience providing individual, group, family and multi-family therapy to several populations including at risk youth, offenders and victims of abuse.  Elizabeth worked extensively with gang members and juvenile offenders in Los Angeles prior to returning to Atlanta several years ago.  Since returning to Atlanta, she has worked as a Clinical Director of a Residential Treatment Center and has worked with victims of physical and sexual abuse using Animal Assisted Therapy.

Erica Walker, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Walker graduated from Spelman College Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She received her MA, as well as her Ph.D. in Clinical-Community Psychology, from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign. Dr. Walker completed her internship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in the following settings: LaBonheur Children’s Hospital, Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities, Memphis City Schools, and the Center for Children and Parents.  She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Marcus Institute through the Emory University School of Medicine, specializing in the assessment and treatment of children prenatally exposed to alcohol, drugs and other toxins. At Medlin Treatment Center, Dr. Walker provides therapy to children and adolescents with general psychology issues and those experiencing distress from sexual abuse.  She also conducts psychological evaluations with children and adolescents. Dr. Walker is a member of the American Psychological Association.

LaShanna Newton, Ed.D., CRC, NCC, Evaluator

Dr. Newton earned her B.S. in Biology and her M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling from Fort Valley State University.  Since 2000, she has worked in a variety of fields including Rehabilitation Counseling, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse.  In addition, she has been an adjunct psychology professor for various colleges.  In 2004, she went back to school to attain her Ed.D. in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University which she completed in 2007.  Her certifications include CRC (Certified Rehabilitation Counselor) and NCC (National Certified Counselor).  Dr. Newton currently conducts psychological, psychosexual, and sexual trauma evaluations at Medlin Treatment Center.

Amanda Carter, MA, LPC, Program Therapist
 
Amanda Carter provides individual and group therapy in the Adult Sexual Deviancy Program at Medlin Treatment Center.  She is a licensed professional counselor.  Mrs. Carter obtained her bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in psychology from Lambuth University, and her master's degree in Professional Counseling with a specialization in Christian Sex Therapy from Richmont Graduate University.  She completed her internship at the Behavioral Medicine Institute of Atlanta, Peachford Behavioral Health Systems, and the Hope Counseling Center.  Mrs. Carter also led a program in Atlanta entitled, "Sex and Young America," for young adolescent females.  In 2009, she gave a 2 hour presentation to the Trauma and Abuse Class at Richmont regarding her work with sex offenders. 

Rebecca Krenz-Roe, LAMFT, Program Therapist

Ms. Rebecca Krenz-Roe, MA, LAMFT obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  She later obtained her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.  Ms. Krenz-Roe has experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families in residential treatment centers, outdoor therapeutic programs, schools, and most recently, a public health teen center.  Ms. Krenz-Roe currently provides outpatient psychotherapy to adult male and female sexual offenders at Medlin Treatment Center, as well as general clients of all ages.  Ms. Krenz-Roe is a clinical associate member of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers, and serves as a student/associate liaison for the Metro Atlanta chapter of the Georgia Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.