Women's Center Staff
At Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services, our treatment staff are known for their leadership and expertise in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of addictive diseases and psychological disorders. Learn more about the background and experience of each Women’s Center staff member by clicking on their image below:

Stephanie Smith, LCSW, CSAT, CAADC
Dr. Stephanie Smith is the Clinical Director of the Women’s Center treatment program at Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services in Hattiesburg, MS. Dr. Smith earned her Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Clinical Practice and Leadership from The University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She is a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of Mississippi since 2009. Dr. Smith has specialized training in TF-CBT, child-parent psychotherapy, integrative treatment for complex trauma and forensic interviewing. Her areas of expertise include treating substance use disorders with co-occurring eating disorders, sex and love addiction, emerging adult depression, adult and child complex trauma, child welfare, mothers with borderline personality disorder, and couples engaged in high conflict divorce.

Russell C. Rainey, MS, LPC
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.

Leah Claire Bennett, Ph.D.
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.

Chaz Richardson, DO
Dr. Charles “Chaz” Richardson is a graduate of The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS where he also completed his psychiatry residency. 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, PMHNP-BC
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.

Jessica Burris, LMFTA
Jessica Burris is a Licensed Clinical Therapist at Pine Grove Women’s Center. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS where she researched the family system and the factors that prevent individuals from seeking mental health treatment. Jessica works with women who struggle with addiction to help them find a strong sense of self and self-compassion to empower themselves throughout recovery. Her interests include working with women with eating disorders, addiction, and personality disorders.

Olivia Miller, MS, P-LPC
Olivia Miller is a Clinical Therapist for Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL and then completed her Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi, in Hattiesburg, MS. Olivia completed a summer internship with Pine Grove before joining as therapist for both Pine Grove’s Next Step and Legacy programs.

Jennifer Whitley, LMSW
Jennifer Whitley is a Clinical Therapist for the Women’s Center at Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker who completed both her Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Social Work at The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS. Jennifer is the Family Therapist at Pine Grove Women’s Center, where she provides support and education to increase family functioning. She also provides individual and group trauma therapy to patients at Pine Grove Women’s Center.

Stephen Alfonso MT-BC
Stephen Alfonso MT-BC, is a board certified Music Therapist. Alfonso earned his degree from Loyola University in New Orleans and he has worked with clients who have experienced sexual trauma, sexual compulsivity, eating disorders, and other addictions since 1995. Alfonso is experienced with using non-verbal, expressive modalities. He has conducted psychodrama groups with sexual trauma clients, those with sexual compulsion, and clients with eating disorders since 1997. During the last five years, Alfonso has also worked with male eating disorder clients. Alfonso is classically trained in voice and he is a professional drummer and band leader with a popular band in the New Orleans area. He has also presented several lectures on the use of Expressive Therapy with survivors of trauma, eating disorders and sexual compulsion. Additionally, Alfonso uses his musical talents during drumming workshops to promote community and healing.

Mimi Leeds, MS, ADTR
Mimi Leeds holds a Bachelor of Arts in both psychology and dance from Sarah Lawrence College and a Master’s Degree from Hunter College. Currently, living in Houston, Texas, she works as a certified Life and Wellness coach in private practice. She also has an established Skype therapy practice focusing on addiction, trauma resolution, lifestyle coaching and as a facilitator of her individualized healthy weight, and balanced life program. Her past experience includes working as a department head and therapist for River Oaks Psychiatric hospital in New Orleans for seventeen years. She has also been a group leader for onsite workshops in Nashville TN, and as a group therapist for Arizona Family Therapy Intensives. She has been a national speaker and created workshops focusing on the use of creative arts therapy in the treatment for adult survivors of trauma as well as self-care, compassion and nurturance as a means to healing and growth.

Roland Johnson
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.
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.

Brooke Helton, Dietitian
Brooke Helton works as a Registered Dietitian and has been a part of Pine Grove’s team since 2007. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Mississippi State University where she also completed her dietetic internship. Brooke works primarily with the dual diagnosis patients in meeting their nutrition goals and challenging their eating disorders.

David Sellers, M.Div.
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, M.Div.
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.