Russell Rainey is the Administrative Director of Addiction Services at Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services, where he works with Pine Grove’s chemical addiction treatment programs including Pine Grove’s Next Step and Women’s Center programs. Rainey completed his Bachelor’s degree in Religion, Biblical Studies and Language before earning his Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Rainey holds a license in Professional Counseling and has nearly 20 years of experience in the addiction treatment field. Prior to his current role, Russell served in various capacities at Pine Grove including Director of the Legacy program as well as Clinical Director of Pine Grove’s Next Step treatment program for men. Rainey is nationally recognized for his lectures on spirituality and addiction treatment.

Dr. Leah Claire Bennett is a licensed psychologist with Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services, where she serves as the organization’s Clinical Operations Director. In this role, she provides clinical direction and supervision for Pine Grove’s addiction treatment programs including the Women’s Center, Gratitude, and Next Step. Dr. Bennett also oversees Pine Grove’s professional treatment programs, including the Professional Enhancement Program, known as PEP, and Pine Grove’s Professionals Recovery Track, which is designed for the organization’s addiction treatment patients who hold a professional license. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Baylor University in Waco, TX and her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Counseling Psychology from The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS. Dr. Bennett has worked with the Professional Enhancement Program since 2005 where the focus is working with professionals with vocational and relational issues, maladaptive personality problems, addiction, disruptive workplace behavior and sexual issues. Dr. Bennett’s primary focus is to help patients who have struggled in a variety of ways live their lives in a manner where they are able to engage at their highest potential.

Dr. Charles “Chaz” Richardson is a graduate of Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Blacksburg, VA and completed his psychiatry residency at The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS. Dr. Richardson completed his fellowship in Addiction Psychiatry at Emory University in Atlanta, GA and is a member of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, American Psychiatric Association, and Mississippi State Medical Association. Dr. Richardson joined the Pine Grove staff in 2018 and currently evaluates and treats adult patients for Pine Grove’s inpatient and residential treatment programs.

William Turner is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) board-certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). He earned both his Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing from The University of Southern Mississippi, graduating with honors, and receiving the National Collegiate Nursing Award. William is an associate member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), and provides treatment to patients within Pine Grove’s addiction treatment programs, including the Women’s Center, Next Step, and Gratitude programs.

Amanda Watts is a postdoctoral psychology fellow at Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services. Dr. Watts currently works in the Gratitude and Next Step Programs, and has also worked at Pine Grove’s Professional Enhancement Program, Professional’s Recovery Track, Evaluation Center, Employee Assistance Program, and Legacy Program. She has worked in a number of other areas including inpatient acute psychiatric care, integrated primary care, community mental health, substance abuse treatment with college students, and the comprehensive assessment and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Dr. Watts completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Florida Institute of Technology. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, with Master’s degrees in Applied Behavior Analysis (dual track in Organizational Behavior Management) and Psychology. Her professional interests include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, program development, and the assessment and treatment of addiction, trauma, and personality disorders.

Jessica Geiser received her undergraduate degree in Family Studies from Brigham Young University in Provo, UT before completing her graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at The University of Southern Mississippi, in Hattiesburg, MS. Geiser joined the Pine Grove staff in 2021 as Clinical Therapist after completing a year-long internship program.  Jessica practices experiential and humanistic therapy in her work, as well as systems and family-oriented approaches.

Shannon Runnels is a Clinical Therapist with Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from The University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY and Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from William Carey University in Hattiesburg, MS. Ms. Runnels completed her internship at Pine Grove and now serves as a Clinical Therapist for Pine Grove’s Next Step program. Runnels also has experience providing crisis response services to clients and their families.

Roland Johnson has worked for Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services since 1993. He currently serves as the Outreach Coordinator for Pine Grove’s REACH Program, which stands for Realistic Experiences and Challenging Horizons. REACH is an experiential therapy ropes course for Pine Grove’s residential patients. Each participant accomplishes key goals by pushing themselves past their personal comfort levels. This experience enhances the patients’ self confidence, communication skills, and self esteem while increasing their teamwork and trust building skills. After graduating from The University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Coaching and Sports Administration, Johnson completed his certification as a ropes course facilitator and trainer. In 2012, Johnson received the “We C.A.R.E. Award” presented by Forrest General Hospital. This award recognizes staff members who make a positive impact on the patient’s experience.

Ralph Carson, R.D. B.S., B.H.S., Ph.D., is a nationally recognized clinical nutritionist and exercise physiologist. Dr. Carson is a frequently requested speaker on a variety of nutritional topics for medical groups, pharmaceutical companies, universities, athletic training camps and corporations. He has a successful clinical practice as well as being a faculty member of The University of Alabama at Huntsville for over 20 years. Dr. Carson is also a nutritional advisor to numerous university athletic departments including The University of Tennessee National Basketball Champion Lady Volunteers. Dr. Carson received his B.S. from Duke University, his B.H.S. in pathology from Duke University Medical School, and his Ph.D. in nutrition from Auburn University.

David Sellers served as associate pastor at Parkway Heights from 2005 to 2011. He is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, a member of the Order of St. Luke and part of SDI (Spiritual Directors International). He has over 20 years of experience in ministry as a youth director, retreat leader, hospital chaplain and church pastor. He received his M.Div. from Emory University with emphasis in Spiritual Formation. David facilitates group and one-on-one spiritual direction across all programs at Pine Grove.

Joe Pack Arnold is the Spiritual Coordinator for Pine Grove’s addiction treatment track for older adults. Arnold earned his bachelor’s degree from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN, and completed his Master of Divinity degree at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA. Arnold was ordained by the Birmingham Presbytery Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), and completed his chaplain residency at South Carolina State Hospital in Columbia, SC. He’s held various pastor and counseling positions throughout the United States during his career. Arnold is also Pine Grove’s former Director of Spiritual Services.