Outpatient Services Staff

Shameka Harley Chambers, MSW, LCSW

Shameka received her Masters of Social Work degree from the University of South Carolina in May 2000. She is presently a North Carolina Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 19 years of experience serving children and families in various settings, including client homes, schools, Day Treatment, outpatient clinics, and a Child Advocacy Center.  

Shameka is a rostered clinician for Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), an evidenced-based intervention designed to help clients and their caregivers overcome the impact of traumatic events.  To further build on her trauma expertise, Shameka became certified in the group treatment modality Structured Psycho-education for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress (SPARCS).  She is also trained in Adoption Competency.

Shameka is passionate about the mental health field and fulfilling the role of “temporary co-pilot” in the lives of her clients.  Her ultimate goal as a clinician is to be part of the healing, change, and growth process of children and families.

Shelley Green, MSW, LCSW

Shelley Green received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology in 2009 from Brevard College and her Master’s in Social Work in 2013 from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.  While pursuing her education, Shelley worked in the elementary school setting, a psychiatric unit, and an intensive outpatient program for patients recently discharged from hospitalization.  She then pursued her NC licensure in clinical social work.  

Shelley has provided mental health services since 2014 and has experience with children and young adults, with particular focus on treating ADHD, ODD, PTSD, anxiety, and depression.  She also has experience with the Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled (I/DD) population and children and young adults on the Autism Spectrum.  

Shelley works from a trauma-informed perspective using Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and is working toward certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to facilitate healing of emotional distress resulting from traumatic life experiences.

Paul M. Powell, MA, LCMHC

Paul earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and minor in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and his Master’s Degree in School and Community Counseling from Lenoir Rhyne University. Paul is fully licensed by the NC Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, and is currently working toward his licensure as a Clinical Addictions Specialist. He is rostered by the NC Child Treatment Board in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). 

As an Intensive In-Home Team Lead, Paul learned the importance of collaborating with schools, DSS, Juvenile Justice, and various private organizations for the benefit of his clients.  He worked in this capacity until he came to Children’s Hope Alliance as an Outpatient Therapist in 2016.

In therapy sessions, Paul primarily utilizes TF-CBT, gestalt therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and behaviorism. His areas of focus include trauma assessments, positive learning, childhood deviance, parenting skills, and working with those with learning disabilities and Autism.

Max McIntosh, MS, EdS, LPC — Senior Trauma Clinician

Max graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Master of Arts and Education Specialist Degree in Marriage and Family/Community Counseling. She has provided therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and families with complex needs for nearly 20 years, in settings ranging from alternative schools to foster care, group homes, outpatient offices, and Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities.   This experience has led to the development of exceptional working relationships with Juvenile Justice, DSS, court systems, and other local agencies.

In 2002, Max began treating families affected by sexual abuse, including victims, non-offending parents, and children and adolescents with sexual behavior problems.  She became a clinical member of the North Carolina Association for the Management and Treatment of Sex Offenders in 2009. That same year, Max was the first Forsyth County clinician rostered in Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) with the North Carolina Child Treatment Program.

Max is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to address trauma.  She relies heavily on Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in her mission to help clients discover their hidden strengths so that children, adolescents, and adults with PTSD, dissociative disorders, anxiety, depression, and disruptive disorders can recover from disturbing life events and create futures full of possibility and promise.

David Miller, LCSW-A

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Master’s Degree in Social Work, David Miller is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate.

Prior to joining the CHA team in 2019, David worked with clients in various settings, including crisis centers, client homes, and schools.  Using a strengths-based approach, David uses primarily Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) to provide healing therapeutic services to children and families.

Alexandra Dow, LMFT – Director, Community Based Programs

Alex received her Bachelors Degree from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated from Pfeiffer University at Charlotte with a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.  She is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in NC and SC and a Licensed Professional Counselor in SC.

Alex’s areas of specialty include youth with problematic sexual behavior, parent-child conflict, youth delinquency, family structure, interpersonal functioning, healthy sexuality, marital conflict, domestic violence, and anxiety.  As a clinician, Alex primarily utilizes family-centered and systemic approaches. Her preferred therapeutic modalities include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), family systems therapy, structural family therapy and strategic family therapy.

With experience providing therapy in outpatient settings as well as school- and home-based interventions, Alex began her career at CHA as a clinician in the Treatment Alternatives for Sexualized Kids (TASK) Program. She later demonstrated her leadership abilities as the TASK Program Manager and is currently a Director of Community Based Programs. In this position, Alex provides clinical and administrative management of the TASK Program and Outpatient Services.

Katie McKenna, LCSWA — School Based Therapist

Katie McKenna attended Florida Southern College as an undergraduate, where she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Business Administration. She completed a Masters of Social Work at UNC Charlotte.

During her graduate school internship with Atrium, Katie helped create an integrated behavioral health program in a pediatric clinic.

Katie previously worked in enhanced services as a Family-Centered Treatment (FCT) therapist and is currently a School-Based Therapist serving Iredell-Statesville Schools for CHA. Her therapy interests include Trauma-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and the ACT theoretical model. Katie is passionate about exploring creative therapy practices that incorporate nature, mindfulness and outdoor adventure activities.

Shayla St. James, LCMHCA — School Based Therapist

Shayla St. James is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a B.S. in Psychology in 2013 and obtained a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Winthrop University in 2017.  Prior to joining the CHA family, Shayla served as a School-Based Clinician and Intensive In-Home Team Lead. At CHA, Shayla serves as a School-Based Clinician, providing outpatient therapy to students at elementary, middle, and high school levels within Iredell-Statesville Schools.

Shayla has a deep passion for children and social justice. It brings her great joy to witness children change, grow, develop their talents and character, as well as their own uniqueness and value, and to be a part of that awareness. Shayla takes a strengths-based, solution-focused approach to therapy, helping each individual identify their own goals and unique ways of coping with stress, negative emotions, and implementing healthy behaviors. Shayla’s intention for each student is to walk away feeling more hopeful, seen, heard, and understood.

Emily Riggs, MSW, LCSWA

Emily graduated from University of Central Florida in 2013 with a Bachelors Degree in Social Work and a minor in Psychology.  She earned her Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama in 2014. Emily is currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate pursuing full licensure in North Carolina.

Previously, Emily worked in Pennsylvania as a Behavioral Specialist Consultant/Mobile Therapist, where she provided services mainly to children on the Autism Spectrum. She also gained experience working with children dealing with ADHD, ODD, and trauma. Emily spent a year working with homeless Veterans at Rowan Helping Ministries in Salisbury before taking her current position at Children’s Hope Alliance.

Emily is a strengths-based therapist with a preference toward Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical-Behavioral Therapy techniques to help her clients in the Outpatient clinic understand their difficulties and succeed in life.

Matt Weisner, LCSW – Senior Clinician of School-Based Therapy

Matt is the Senior Clinician of School-Based Therapy Services for Children’s Hope Alliance. He has the privilege of leading a team of therapists who coordinate with Iredell-Statesville Schools Student Services to bring outpatient therapy to students at many of the schools across the district. This partnership with ISS was created to enhance opportunities for mental health services for students that may have challenges accessing them in a different setting.

Matt is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and his master’s degree in social work. Matt obtained his clinical social work license in 2015.

Matt has experience working with individuals and families in a variety of settings, including psychiatric hospitalization, child welfare, elementary, middle, and high schools. Over the years, Matt has specialized in community based therapy, supporting children and families through adverse experiences as a result of intense trauma. Matt has been trained in and facilitated Evidence-Based Programs (EPBs), including Triple P Parenting, Strengthening Families Program, and Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress.

As a parent of two school-age children, Matt appreciates and celebrates the unique strengths that all children possess. It is the strengths of the youth that he engages to enhance resilience through adverse periods. Using a variety of approaches from mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Matt supports clients with developing skills that match their strengths and values to promote their fulfillment. He has used these techniques to support children, youth, parents, and couples impacted by mood disorders, anxiety, hyperactivity, executive function disorders, defiance, conduct disorders, chronic stress, and trauma to enhance their well-being and relationships. He is thrilled to be involved in the process of supporting education and bringing opportunities to increase grit and resilience that is vital for youth to develop into successful adults!

Sheri Coarsey, MA/EdS, LCMHC, LSC, NCC – School-Based Therapist

Sheri attended ​Gardner Webb University and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Human Services. She stayed at Gardner Webb and received a Master of Arts in Education with a Specialty in Mental Health Counseling.  She has additional training in the areas of trauma-informed schools, expressive arts therapy, and autism.  Prior to joining the CHA team, Sheri practiced her craft as a School Counselor and Behavior Specialist in public schools. In addition to providing clinical services to students there, she provided training to staff regarding individualized, differentiated instruction strategies for special population students.

At CHA, Sheri serves as a school-based therapist for Iredell-Statesville Schools. Sheri believes it has always been her calling to help people, and she greets her clients with unconditional positive regard. It is her belief that all humans are worthy of unconditional love and acceptance, and they are capable of change. With extensive experience working with children and adolescents with dual diagnosis, Sheri incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), expressive arts therapy, trauma-sensitive yoga, mindfulness practice, and a wealth of other intervention strategies to cater to the needs of her clients. Sheri also has a therapy dog, Prissy, who enjoys sharing unconditional love and acceptance to all!

Christi Brunson MS, LCMHC

Christi Brunson is a passionate Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, practicing servant leadership. She is honored to lead a team of Children’s Hope Alliance licensed professionals, supporting their dedication to providing effective, evidence-based interventions.

Christi graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2010. She went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from North Carolina A&T University (in 2014). While in college, Christi worked with children in a number of different settings including elementary schools, a daycare center, and a Play Therapy center.

With a focus on Trauma, ADHD, ODD, and Anxiety/Depression, Christi is dedicated to continuous learning and improvement. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.

Prior to joining the team at Children’s Hope Alliance, she worked in a dual role, providing successful family and school-based therapy services.

Diamond James, MSW, LCSWA – School-Based Therapist

Diamond James is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, studying Sociology, Management and Society and minored in Social and Economic Justice. Diamond obtained a Masters of Social Work with a Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Prior to working at CHA, Diamond worked in an outpatient setting providing support to marginalized communities with reduced accessibility to mental health services.

She is now a school-based therapist serving Iredell-Statesville Schools. Diamond is passionate about helping to dismantle stigma connected to mental health and providing a safe space for children and teens to transform their ways of thinking. Diamond is interested in finding ways to make mental health services creative and include the arts into the support she provides.

Hannah St. John, MSW, LCSWA – School-Based Therapist

Hannah graduated with a Bachelors in Social Work in 2017 and a Masters in Social Work in 2020 from Appalachian State University. She is currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate and is working to obtain full licensure. Prior to working at Children’s Hope Alliance, Hannah worked at DSS to help children and families of abuse, neglect or dependency.

Hannah is a school-based therapist at Children’s Hope Alliance, primarily working with children in elementary and middle school. She utilizes a strengths-based approach when working with children and families, focusing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Hannah’s mission is to help children and families overcome their obstacles and find hope and healing in moving forward.

Janine Easley-Bowman, Ph.D.

Dr. Janine Bowman provides psychological assessments for outpatient clients and residents at Children’s Hope Alliance. Dr. Bowman completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Oregon State University and her Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees in Psychology at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. She is a North Carolina Licensed Psychologist and has been performing psychological assessments for children and adolescents since 1994.