Western Region: WTAADAC
WTAADAC is the Western Regional Affilliate of The Tennessee Association for Addiction Professionals (TAADAC). We are your local connection to The National Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC). As a non-profit organization, we are dedicated to education, and advocacy for our members.
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If you are a professional or peer supporter in West Tennessee working or volunteering in the field of substance-use treatment we invite you to connect with our organization. We are committed to serving the needs of our members as they strive to provide the best treatment, therapy, and support for individuals and families struggling with substance-use disorders and other co-occurring behavioral health challenges.
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WTAADAC Regional President:
2025 Conference Presenters
Joe Birch
Senior News Anchor, WMC Action News 5 – Memphis, TN
Community Advocate | Emmy Award-Winning Journalist | Civic Leader
Joe Birch is a Memphis icon and one of the most trusted voices in local journalism. As Senior News Anchor at WMC Action News 5, Joe has served the Mid-South for over four decades with integrity, warmth, and unwavering commitment to the truth. Since joining the station in 1978, he has chronicled the city’s most pivotal moments—always with a deep sense of compassion and civic duty.
Beyond the news desk, Joe is a passionate supporter of countless Memphis-area nonprofits, including youth empowerment programs, recovery organizations, and faith-based initiatives. His volunteerism, mentoring, and community engagement have earned him recognition as not just a broadcaster, but a builder of hope and trust across the city. A man of strong faith, Joe continues to uplift others by embodying the values of humility, perseverance, and service.
Karen L. Morgan, MA, P-LPC, LADAC II, QCS, MAC, SAP, is a Tennessee temporary
licensed professional counselor, a licensed addictions counselor, and a qualified clinical
supervisor. She holds national certifications as a Master Counselor through NAADAC and as
a Substance Abuse Professional.
Karen specializes in working with individuals facing substance use disorders and co-occurring
mental health conditions, with a particular focus on trauma, depression, anxiety, and grief/loss.
She employs a holistic, multifaceted therapeutic approach to help clients achieve their
personal, professional, and therapeutic goals.
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Todd Hickman, LCSW-Private Practice Clinician
Todd Hickman is a licensed Clinical Social Worker with nearly three decades of experience in the mental health field. Based in Franklin, Tennessee, Todd has been in private practice since 1988, working with individuals, couples, and families to support emotional well-being, personal growth, and healing. Todd continues to provide compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to each client's unique story and challenges. IN addition to his clinical work, Todd serves on the board of the Community Enrichment Program (CEP), a nonprofit dedicated to empowering adults with disabilities or those who thrive outside traditional definitions of success. His work with CEP reflects his deep commitment to inclusion, dignity, and helping people discover their purpose.
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Charles Winton LPC, EMDR II
Charles Winton is a licensed Professional Counselor and EMDR Level ii practitioner with over two decades of experience in trauma recovery, addiction treatment, and mental health advocacy. Known for his calm, grounded presence and clinical insight, Charles specializes in helping individuals heal from complex trauma through evidence-based modalities, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness practices. He is passionate about equipping both clients and clinicians with tools for sustainable emotional wellness and recovery. Charles continues to be a sought-after speaker and trainer across the Southeast, bringing clarity, compassion, and clinical excellence to every space he serves.
Dr. Tanjala Gibson - Pediatric neurologist at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, I am director of the Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Clinic at the Boling Center for Disabilities and director of the TSC-Associated Neuropsychiatric Disorders Clinic at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. My patient care emphases include tuberous sclerosis complex, adults and children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and behavioral concerns and disruptive behaviors such as aggression and self-injury.
Behavioral Health Specialist, Summit BHC
William Drury is a seasoned behavioral health leader specializing in addiction recovery program development and clinical staff training. With extensive experience in integrated care settings, William brings a strategic, outcomes-driven approach to behavioral health services. His work focuses on building cohesive recovery systems that align clinical excellence with compassionate care. William is passionate about staff development, ethical practice, and advancing models that foster long-term healing and stability for individuals and families navigating substance use and co-occurring disorders.
Bishop Fredrick Gillam Jr., LPC-MHSP, LMFT
Bishop Fredrick Gillam Jr. is a respected mental helth professional, marriage advocate and ministry leader wth over a decade of clinical experience. He is dually licensed as a LPC-MHSP in Tennessee and Mississippi and as an LMFT in Tennesseess. As a seasoned AAFT Aproved Supervisor, he provides training and mentorshio for clinicians and faith leaders alike.
Stacy Dodd is a nationally recognized addiction interventionist, mentor, author, and nonprofit leader. He currently serves as the NAADAC Nationally Certified Addiction Interventionist and North Mississippi Territory Manager for Woodland Recovery Center (formerly Turning Point Recovery). With a career spanning a decade, Mr. Dodd has held roles from Peer Support Specialist to Area Vice President, earning numerous accolades including Nonprofit Leader of the Year (2023) and Man of the Year (2022) in Southaven.
He is the founder and CEO of The Hope Center of North Mississippi, a Silver-Level Affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies Foundation that supports and mentors at-risk youth. Stacy was named Mentoring Advocate of the Year in 2023 and continues to be a transformational voice in youth development, community engagement, and addiction recovery.
A prolific author and speaker, Mr. Dodd has published four books and actively serves on the Southaven Chamber of Commerce Board and Government Relations Committee. He lives in DeSoto County with his wife Stephanie and enjoys time with their children and grandchildren.
Dr. Orisha Bowers
Executive Director
Orixa Healing Art, Wellness and Spiritual Centre
Orisha A. Bowers holds a BFA, MA, MEd, PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies, a Graduate certificate in Women and Gender Studies and a Certificate in Complementary Alternative Medicine. Orisha has more than 22 years of
experience in social services, nonprofit leadership, grants management, program design, and civic leadership.
Orisha’s life work is centered on an intentional merging of women’s studies, education, interdisciplinarity and
creativity, spirituality, healing, wellness, and movement. She uses scholarship and vocation to do healing work in
communities of color in reproductive health, women’s issues, and communities of faith. Orisha, an ordained minister through the Universal Life Church. She combines a spiritual focus with the therapeutic disciplines of mindfulness dancing to offer the dynamic Dancing Mindfulness and other healing practices across the U.S. Orisha currently serves as the Executive Director of Orixa Healing Arts Wellness and Spiritual Centre and an Independent Consultant.
Tommy Corman is a Peer Recovery Specialist who's personal through addiction and recovery fuels his commitment to supporting others inn similar battles. With a passion for peer-led support. Tommy brings authenticity, empathy, and lived experience this work in the recovery community, He is known for his ability to connect deeply with individuals navigated trauma, substance use, and reentry offering.
Scot Brewer
Scot has been in the SUD/MH field for over 15 years. He has held positions from Behavioral Health Tech to SUD Counselor. Scot pursued education to broaden his scope in his chosen field. He is now a Master's Level Clinician, who works in the field attempting to find placement for anyone with SUD/MH issues he encounters.
Maurice Clifton Sr.
Chaplain | Recovery Advocate | Transformational Leader
Maurice Clifton Sr. is a dedicated prison chaplain, recovery mentor, and spiritual leader with over 15 years of experience working with incarcerated individuals battling addiction. Drawing from his own journey through the justice system, Maurice brings a profound understanding of the emotional, psychological, and spiritual struggles faced behind bars. As a certified peer recovery specialist and ordained minister, he has developed and led trauma-informed, faith-based programs that offer hope, healing, and accountability to men seeking transformation while incarcerated. Maurice is known for his ability to meet people where they are—with truth, compassion, and unwavering belief in their potential to recover and rebuild. His work emphasizes the power of spiritual connection, emotional honesty, and community as essential tools in breaking the cycles of addiction and incarceration.
Doug Smith , BS, CADC II-Founder & Developer: Innovative Realities, has a BS in Psychology from Eastern Oregon University and is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Level II. Doug has innovated many modern approaches to treatment services, including a developing new patient-centered treatment model. He developed the Emotional Attachment Behavioral Therapy (EABT) model and speaks nationally to professionals in the field about its positive outcomes. Doug is the recipient of the Oregon Association of Addiction Professional of the Year Community Service Award. He is a member of the Oregon NAADAC board, serves on the NAADAC- LGBTQIA2+ committee, and is also a NAADAC approved education provider.
David Fuller has worked in the field of substance abuse treatment and/or prevention for almost 15 years. Most of those years have been in outpatient substance abuse programs, including intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) and Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) programs, both in Memphis, TN, and Alabama. David has been in his current role as a Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist (ROPS) with the Memphis Area Prevention Coalition (MAPC) for 3 in a half years.
Chad Hampton-Senior Treatment Placement Specialist | Acadia Healthcare – Midsouth
Chad is a Senior Treatment Placement Specialist with Acadia Healthcare serving Arkansas, West Tennessee, and North Mississippi. A Memphis native with over 15 years in ministry, Chad connects individuals facing addiction and mental health challenges to the right treatment—regardless of financial or insurance barriers.
He is Vice President of the Spiritual Care Network, working to bridge gaps between mental health, community services, and faith. Chad also serves on the Memphis Alcohol Commission, advocating for public health and safety.
Faith-Based Community Coordinator | Region 7, Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services
Arsania Wright is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and the Faith-Based Community Coordinator for Region 7 (Shelby County) with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. She supports the development of recovery-oriented, faith-based partnerships that bridge spirituality, behavioral health, and community support.
With lived experience and a deep commitment to service, Arsania empowers individuals, congregations, and recovery communities to create safe, healing-centered spaces for transformation. She is a trusted advocate and connector, strengthening recovery ecosystems through faith and compassion.
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Lincoln Coffman is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Certified Recovery Coach, and QPR Suicide Prevention Trainer. As Lifeline Regional Director at Memphis Area Prevention Coalition and a longtime team member at Church Health Center, he provides education, advocacy, and referral support across Shelby County. Lincoln focuses on harm reduction, stigma dismantling, suicide prevention, and trauma-informed peer support.
Amy Barnette Coleman, BS, MBA, CPRS, serves as a Business Development Representative and Community Liaison for Lakeside Behavioral Health System. With over a decade of experience in mental health and addiction recovery, she is a passionate advocate and peer leader. A trauma survivor and person in long-term recovery, Amy uses her lived experience to guide others toward hope and healing. She holds degrees from Bethel University and is active on the Region 6 Planning and Policy Council. She also serves as Secretary for the TDMHSAS Consumer Advisory Board and was honored as Advocate of the Year in 2022. Amy is dedicated to breaking stigma, supporting recovery, and uplifting her community.
Violet Newborn, CPRS is the founder of The Newborn Method™, a trauma-informed, art-based healing model rooted in emotional literacy and restorative expression. A Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and recipient of the Lionel Aldridge Award, she partners with TDMHSAS, TAMHO, the Tennessee Department of Correction, and Shelby County Juvenile Court to advance survivor-centered recovery practices. Through her nonprofit, Color Your Story Onto Mine (CYSOM), she empowers communities to transform trauma into purpose. Her curriculum has gained national attention, with school districts in Georgia and New York City exploring adoption—affirming its value across educational, clinical, and justice systems.​