Meet Our Clinical Staff

Job Title: Men’s Recovery Center Part-Time Counselor
Work History: Ashley worked in a cabinet shop for 12 years before to moving to Atlanta and starting his own business remodeling kitchens and baths in 1991. Ashley came to MARR’s Men’s Recovery Center as a client in September 2005. He left MRC as a resident in June 2006, but continued to stay plugged into MARR’s alumni community, both by attending groups and volunteering. Ashley lived onsite at the MRC residences and did random client checks on a volunteer-basis, prior to being officially hired by MARR as one of the first Residential Assistants in 2015. He was promoted to the role of Residential Manager in 2016. Ashley remained in that role full-time until the spring of 2022, when he stepped back to doing part-time counselor work. 

“MARR saved my life. And I keep trying to pay MARR back, but I feel like the bill just keeps getting higher. I keep receiving more than I give, no matter how hard I try to give to other people. What I love most about this place is the people here, and their commitment to helping others change their lives.”

Job Title: Men’s Recovery Center, Traditions Recovery Center for Women, and Professionals Program Part-Time Counselor
Credentials: CACII
Education Background: Doug graduated in 1976 from Western Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Park Administration. He obtained his CACI in 1995, and his CACII in 1996.
Work History: Doug began working as an Activity Therapist at Ridgeview Institute in 1977. He took at part-time role at MARR as a Residential Manager in 1978. Doug began working full-time at MARR in 1981. Since that time, he’s held the title of Director of Residential Services, MARR South Director, Traditions Recovery Center for Women Director, Director of Public Relations, CEO, and Men’s Recovery Center Director. Currently, Doug works as a part-time counselor at MRC, TRC and for MARR’s Professionals Program.

“I’ve never left MARR because spiritually it’s always been the right fit for me. The long-term model that we provide works, and I’ve loved spending my life watching our clients experience change and hope in their recovery.”

Job Title: Men’s Recovery Center Residential Manager
Credentials: Currently pursuing CACI
Education Background: Brian graduated with a degree in Computer Science from Mississippi Valley State University in 1995. 
Work History: Brian worked in management and logistics for over 18 years at UPS. In December 2020, Brian began his career at MARR as a Residential Assistant. He stepped into his current role as a Residential Manager in July 2023.

“When I was a client at MARR, I’ll never forget Doug asking me “can you accept grace?” and Ashley telling me to “be patient and trust the process.” I love MARR’s community-based therapy: being able to talk with others within the community on the patio, and listening to how their perspectives are starting to change while in treatment. I was told as a child that I could be a leader, but I never wanted that title. Working at MARR has allowed me to share some of my own experiences, give others hope and walk alongside them. And that is what leadership looks like to me.”

Job Title: Men’s Recovery Center Residential Manager
Credentials: MA, APC, NCC
Education Background: Matthew graduated from Pfeiffer University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and minors in both Sociology and Human Services. He graduated from The University of the Cumberlands with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2019, and a Master of Arts in Addiction Counseling in 2020.  
Work History: Prior to becoming a counselor, Matthew managed restaurants in Highlands, NC through the 1990s. He then became self-employed and entered into the field of home remodeling, where he owned and operated his own small business for two decades. After Matthew entered into recovery himself, he decided to return to school with the goal of working as an addiction counselor. Matthew began his career at MARR as a Men’s Recovery Center Primary Counselor Intern in 2019. He transitioned into his role of Residential Manager at MRC in March 2020.

“MARR offers residents the opportunity to identify and begin to address the clinical issues that sustained their addictions while learning and practicing recovery principles in a Therapeutic Community setting. Our clients develop practices that sustain both sobriety and self-esteem as they engage in relationships based on trust and integrity. MARR’s off-site housing model offers clients an opportunity to apply the knowledge they acquire in both treatment groups and 12-step meetings in real world situations. As community members engage in group activities both on and off site, they learn to engage others’ perspectives, consider others’ needs in conjunction with their own, and thus make decisions supportive of continued recovery. As both a clinician and a person in recovery, I am grateful and honored to serve our population as Residential Manager, and to accompany Community members in their processes of growth, healing and development.”