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Staff Bios
 Elizabeth (Woods) Berrien
Director of Marketing & Development
Founder of Soul Widows
Grief Expert and Former Young Widow
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By the age of 27, Elizabeth had already experienced the loss of a child and life as a widow. The sudden and unexpected death of her late husband Brian occurred on August 14th, 2009. He was only thirty-one years old – a Special Forces soldier serving in Afghanistan. This brought her to create Soul Widows, a space for other women in a similar situation of heartache and upheaval.
Elizabeth's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Asheville in 2004 and attended graduate school at the University of Missouri at St. Louis for Community Counseling in 2008. After the unexpected stillbirth of her son in December 2008, her focus took a turn as she sought healing resources to cope with that first loss. Following the death of her late husband, she founded the non-profit Soul Widows in March of 2010. She continues to devote time to this organization, as well as working on the development of The Respite, which serves as a home for Soul Widows.
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 Mandy Eppley, M.A., LPC, NCC
Director of Services & Programs
Licensed Professional Counselor/Grief Therapist for The Respite
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Mandy Eppley, M.A., LPC is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice since 1993 devoting herself to helping individuals, couples and families struggling with the effects of depression, anxiety, grief, sexual abuse and trauma. She has led and co-led numerous groups, workshops, and classes around themes such as self-esteem, grief and loss, personal empowerment, sexual abuse, communication and intimacy, and career and life visions. Mandy was also regularly featured on 107.9 The Link's Matt & Ramona Show, as "Counselor Mandy." She has also worked with birth mothers, adoptive families, and foster families, in the adoptive processes and was involved for seven years in executive coaching and career consulting in the U.S and Europe. Since its beginning, Mandy has been the therapist for Soul Widows. Mandy feels it is her personal calling to help our culture understand what grief is, to create a new relationship with the necessary losses we must face, and to accept and deal with the tragic, unforeseen losses that can devastate our lives. She believes and teaches that if we try to alienate ourselves from our losses, from grieving, then we miss out on the treasure and blessings they bring from acknowledging what the loss meant to us. Mandy considers it a privilege to be a co-founder and the Director of Services & Programs for The Respite.
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 Cindy Ballaro
Director of Awareness and Outreach
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Cindy has worked in the non-profit industry since 1982 in the areas of marketing, development and administration. Through her work experience she has honed her skills in the areas of awareness building, strategic marketing, event planning, fundraising and working with a team for a common goal.
On her conscious journey for over 20 years now, Cindy has participated in numerous self-development workshops, groups and retreats, evolving more with each experience. She lives from her heart and is an eternal optimist, a manifester of ideas, and a seeker of meaning and purpose. She holds facilitation certificates from the Institute of Life-Leadership and Coaching, and in SoulCollage®. She is being led to bring hope to the broken-hearted and is especially passionate about empowering women across the globe.
Cindy enjoys singing, dancing, camping, biking, and laughing!
 Lyndall Hare, BSW, PhD Gerontologist
Midlife Transitions & Aging Specialist for The Respite
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Gerontologist Dr. Lyndall Hare has expertise in the transitions facing those in midlife:
- eldercare
- menopause
- moving into elder-hood
She conducts workshops and groups at The Respite on menopause, caring for elder relatives, and the spiritual aspects of eldering using a “growth” model rather than a “decline” model of aging.
As an Eldercare Coach, Lyndall helps those navigating the tricky landscape of elder-caring and aging services.
Lyndall holds a social work degree and a Ph.D. in Gerontological Studies. She has worked in the field of aging for twenty-five years, both in Charlotte, and in South Africa.
Prior to becoming a coach and consultant on issues related to aging, Dr. Hare established and was director of Central Piedmont Community College’s Lifetime Learning Institute for the boomer population. Before that she was the founder of and program chair for the gerontology degree from at CPCC.
Lyndall has authored various training manuals & professional journal articles, as well as a book: In the Belly of the Beast: South African Women’s Lives of Activism, Exile, and Aging, CPCC Press, 2003.
 Toni Branner M.A.
Exercise Physiologist, Professional Speaker, Wellness Consultant & Author
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Former Professor: UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine
Director of Fitness Concepts: Providing health-related keynotes, seminars and workshops for 22 years Fitness Director: Mecklenburg Aquatic Club, Charlotte, North Carolina
Author: The Safe Exercise Handbook, Wilby's Fitness Book for children, and just published - The Care and Feeding of a Dancer, The Care and Feeding of an Athlete and The Care and Feeding of a Soccer Player.
 Alisha Cooper, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
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Alisha earned a master’s degree in Early Intervention for Children with Special Needs, as well as, a master’s in Deaf Education from the University of Pittsburgh which started her 18 year career in the human service field. These experiences have ranged from teaching children with exceptionalities and those desiring to become teachers in the community college setting to professional counseling.
The culmination of these experiences has set the foundation of her ability to assist others in seeing their best selves. Alisha’s treatment focus is largely on how to cultivate the life that you desire after the experience trauma or grief and loss of any kind. Alisha is a Licensed Professional Counselor certified both by the North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and the National Board for Certified Counselors.
 Victoria Gailey, CPT-NSCA, NASM
Personal Training/Body Strengthening
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Victoria trained at the National Personal Training Institute in Colorado Springs, CO and is a National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) certified personal trainer. Her passion is to help people who struggle with some of the same issues she, herself, has dealt with. Victoria understands the power and importance of exercise from personal experience.
There was a time in her life when she struggled with low self esteem and negative body image - the loss of her Mother at age 19 led to some unhealthy attachments to food and lack of exercise. Then at age 26, as she was going through a divorce, she realized this way of coping with loss and sadness was damaging her health.
She hired a personal trainer to help get her motivated and on track to a more healthy lifestyle and found a therapist who then nurtured her mind with tools for coping. In 2007 she became Full Coaching Circle member with the Institute for Life Leadership in and Coaching where she continues her persistent thirst for spiritual guidance.
Victoria believes in the mind/body/spirit connection as a way of healing and strives to incorporate this into her sessions with her clients.
 Jes McFadden, LPC, NCC, M.A
Adolescent Therapist
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Jes is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of North Carolina. She received her Masters Degree in Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in May of 2006. She currently works as a school counselor at Union County Early College High School in Monroe, NC. Her professional background includes seven years of experience as a school counselor working with all ages of children and parents from diverse backgrounds. She also was a high school counselor for five years working with students individually and in a group setting, on a diverse array of issues including: depression, anxiety, grief and loss, body image, self-esteem, social skills, suicide, cutting, and academic performance. Her graduate education, continuing education, and work experience have prepared her to counsel children, adolescence, and adults in both an individual and group setting. She has been formally trained in play therapy and group therapy and has received training in the areas of multiculturalism, grief and loss, careers, and spirituality.
While she works in the school setting, her true passion is individual counseling with children and adolescents - helping them find their voice – as well as working with families through many of life’s common challenges. Being a counselor is a calling for Jes, and she is constantly reminded how sacred and meaningful this work can be.
 Tina Marie Mendieta MS, RD/LDN
Individual, Family & Pediatric Dietitian, Professional Speaker
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Former Personal Trainer and Co-director of Group Fitness
Instructor Certification: YMCA of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Health Promotion Department
Private Consultant: Providing inspiring nutrition-related presentations to groups as well as individual lifestyle assessment and advice for adults, children and families for the past 19 years.
Two-time Recipient of Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Nutrition
 Mary Powers, E-RYT®, IAYT, KYTA
Ashtanga 200 hr / Kripalu 500 hr / Restorative / Nidra
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Mary is a lover of the earth and Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher. She brings over 15 years of practice and leading Meditation, Kripalu Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction to The Respite.
Come and experience techniques to sustain and boost your immune system, enhance sleep and help recover concentration. All are taught with the intention of facilitating a natural wholeness and supporting the unfolding process of each individual. Private sessions and/or group sessions are available.
 Chris Saâde
Teacher/Consultant
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Chris is the co-director of The Olive Branch Center with his wife, Jessie Thompson, where he teaches courses on engaged spirituality and the mysticism of inclusion. (www.TheOliveBranchCenter.net)
Also, along with internationally known author, teacher and lecturer, Andrew Harvey, Saade is the founder and co-teacher of The International Academy of Sacred Leadership. He recently taught a week long training on sacred leadership with Andrew Harvey. Chris also spearheads the Institute for Life-Leadership and Coaching, and is the senior trainer for the ILC’s heart-centered psychological and spiritual-leadership programs leading over 200 psychological and spiritual retreats for the ILC and some for the OBC. (www.theilc.org) In addition, he is a practicing Coach for individuals and couples, and has lead & taught more than 170 psychological and spiritual retreats. Chris was born into a Christian family in Lebanon where he held leadership positions in non-profit organizations working for non-violence, peace and humanitarian relief. He experienced the devastation of the Lebanese war for 7 years and continued his peacemaking work during those very difficult years.
Chris lived in France before coming to the US, his country of adoption, where he has resided since 1978. He worked 12 years as a business director and later 11 years as a private practice psychotherapist specializing in depression and life transitions. He has a master’s in Human Development and Counseling and completed five additional years of graduate school in economics, theology and history. He has trained in Jungian and existential psychology (including the logotherapy of Viktor Frankl).
His experiences with the suffering born out of war led him to develop a passionate respect for diversity. His professional journey into psychology and spirituality, his research of peacemakers like Gandhi and Martin Luther King, and his study of mystics from different religions have resulted in his development of the copyrighted Model of Integra (6 Essential Keys for heart-centered living and spiritual life-leadership).
Chris has written training manuals on Intentional and Heart-Centered Living which have been published in-house for the ILC. He is currently writing a series of books on the spirituality of the heart. Chris is also putting together a book of quotes on engaged spirituality and mysticism.
 Barry Sherman, MSW, LCSW
Youth Program Consultant
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In addition to his full-time employment as a school social worker, over the past two decades, Barry has worked as a Trainer and Senior Coach with the nonprofit Institute for Life-leadership & Coaching (ILC, www.TheILC.org). He is currently at work on developing INTEGRA for KIDS, a program that artistically adapts the Six Keys of Chris Saade's original Integra model for use with children (www.INTEGRAforKIDS.org).
In part, INTEGRA for KIDS is about guiding children toward acquiring tools and life skills that allow them to grieve in a healthy, fruitful and creative way. His staff participation with The Respite, which incorporates the INTEGRA for KIDS program, thus focuses on helping kids learn how to befriend their grief.
Barry is an "octopus artist" employing a multi-tentacled creative reach that includes guitar, singing, songwriting, saxophone, flute, poetry, video production and performance artistry. He is from Michigan and completed his undergraduate degree in Music Education at Western Michigan University. His Master's degree is in social work from the University of South Carolina. He lives in Charlotte with his beloved marital partner, Lyndall Hare, and their academically gifted dog, Miska.
Copies of Barry's CDs can be purchased at: www.BarrySherman.net
 Frances. J. Smith, M.Ed, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
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Frances has both a M.Ed. in counseling and a LCSW in clinical social work. She has worked for over 12 years as a clinical therapist or professional counselor. Her clinical and counseling experiences have been in a variety of settings to include private practice, mental health agencies, foster care and community outreach. She has had the opportunity to work with children ages 6+, teens and adults.
Frances strongly believes in the power of the therapy process. She has witnessed throughout her career that therapy has the ability to promote hope, growth and change. She has a passion to help others experience their personal journey of healing - helping clients find purpose and true meaning in their lives is her ultimate goal. Her authentic approach to therapy provides clients with an atmosphere of warmth, support and compassion. Her open style of communication and genuine concern encourages clients to share their personal thoughts and feelings freely.
Areas of experience include: depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, grief/loss, life transitions, healing childhood wounds and relationship issues both past and present. She takes an eclectic therapeutic approach utilizing cognitive behavioral, solution focused, insight oriented, reality and interpersonal therapy.
 Tammy Starling, M.Ed., LPC, NCC
Grief Specialist, Teacher
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Tammy is a licensed psychotherapist in NC and TN whose primary expertise is grief & loss. Over the years, Tammy has helped hundreds of individuals, couples and families pursue their core desires and befriend their deep struggles around tragic loss, abuse, life transitions, infidelity, relationship issues, depression, and anxiety. Her great passion lies in helping people seek personal empowerment and mine creative potential through real and intentional grieving processes. Tammy also specializes in issues of relationship breakthrough, negotiation and dialogue.
A widow and single-mother for many years, Tammy's journey is built on great commitment to foster awareness, acknowledgement and understanding of the treasures found in the human paradox of grief and celebration. Tammy has taught, facilitated and co-led numerous workshops, classes and consultations on grief/loss issues, trauma/tragedy debriefing, self-esteem, anger management and work/life balance. She provided corporate consulting and executive coaching in the US and England for ten years and taught psychology classes for Wingate University.
Formerly in private practice in Charlotte with business partner and beautiful best-friend, Mandy Eppley, from 1996-2011, Tammy will soon move to Nashville, TN to live closer to her family and pursue her passions there. She will remain a grief specialist, teacher, Board member, and huge supporter for The Respite and Soul Widows.
 Aimee Joy Taylor LMBT NC# 7632
Grief Massage Therapist
A very personal grief journey inspired Aimee Joy Taylor to dedicate herself to providing Grief Massage services. Aimee survived two major tragedies in her twenties - the loss of her brother to drunk driving in 2005 and her mother's suicide three years later.
Recovering and healing from these experiences has long been at the center of her life and work. For Aimee, recovering from great loss has been a mind-body-soul endeavor and, especially in the early stages of grief and loss, Grief Massage offered a profoundly healing and stabilizing benefit. She is passionate about sharing the benefits of Grief Massage because of the positive impact on her own life.
Aimee trained in massage at The Therapeutic Massage Training Institute in Dilworth, has been licensed since 2007 and began providing massage (Grief Massage and traditional Swedish massage) in January 2008. In addition to offering Grief Massage at The Respite, she provides Grief Massage at Massage Envy South Park and operates Charlotte's 1st Mobile Grief Massage service. In 2010, to raise awareness of the benefits of Grief Massage, Aimee created The National Grief Massage Organization and is currently developing free and low-cost online Grief Massage training programs.
Aimee continues to learn about and pursue healing modalities for grief. She will graduate from The Reiki Education and Research Institute's year-long Reiki 3 (Master level) program in August 2012 and holds a vision is to one day offer Reiki for Grief as a follow up to Grief Massage for clients who feel drawn to Reiki healing. Read more about Aimee's work at www.griefmassage.org
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