Melinda Chaudron, MA, LPC-S. has worked in the mental health field since 2001.  She received her Bachelors degree in Psychology from Samford University in 1997 and her Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2001.  She is a Licensed Professional Counselor through Alabama Board of Counselors since 2008. She has worked as Child/Adolescent therapist, Woman’s substance abuse therapist and school based therapist.  She can provide counseling services for adults, children/adolescents, families and couples.  Melinda works in our Brewton office and accepts most insurances.

Sonja Jones, LICSW-PIP, has worked in the field of Social Work for the past 15 years. Sonja is a 1991 graduate of W.S Neal High School in Brewton, Alabama. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 2005 from the University of West Florida and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Florida State University in 2008. She is licensed through the Board of Social Work Examiners as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Private Independent Practitioner. She has worked for many years specializing in grief therapy and working with Veterans. Over the past several years, Sonja has facilitated Grief Support Groups, Veterans Support Groups, and Dementia Support Groups. She provides mental health services to adults, children/adolescents, families, and couples. Sonja currently provides therapy services in the Brewton and Andalusia offices. She accepts most insurances.

Jakiara Johnson is the Office Admin for Southern Counseling Group. Located at the Brewton Office.

Emma S Cosby has practiced in the mental health field since 1996 serving individuals of all ages, but specializing in work with adolescents and families. Dr. Cosby obtained a Doctor of Behavioral Health from Arizona State University in 2012, a Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama in 1996 and a Bachelors in Psychology from Birmingham-Southern College in 1994. Dr. Cosby is licensed through the Board of Social Work Examiners as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Private Independent Practitioner. Dr. Cosby has practiced in a variety of settings including intensive residential care for adolescents, outpatient mental health and therapeutic foster care. Specialty areas include patients with comorbid medical illness and mental health disorders as well as trauma and trauma related illness. Dr. Cosby has been trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as well as advanced training in couple’s therapy and blended family issues. Dr. Cosby serves individuals at Covington Pediatrics (for Covington Pediatric patients only) and at Cosby & Cosby at 109 Medical Park Drive. Dr. Cosby also sees patients once a month at the Brewton location. Dr. Cosby accepts most insurances.

Brent Cosby, M.S. is a graduate from Troy State University with a Master’s Degree in Psychology and Counseling. Mr. Cosby has practiced in a variety of settings over his 23 year career including: department of youth services residential, director of day habilitation for adults with intellectual disabilities, intensive residential treatment for adolescents, director of day treatment for child and adolescent, and vocational rehabilitation. Mr. Cosby is a renowned and highly recognized speaker for his expertise in developing and operating programs in the areas of child/family mental health, family planning, behavior modification, juvenile justice and child welfare. He is a certified parenting instructor and is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Mr. Cosby’s specialties include couple’s therapy, working with out of control teens and their respective families, and public speaking/training at local and wide scale professional forums.

 

Mavis Thomas has practiced in the mental health field since 2006 serving individuals of all ages. Ms. Thomas obtained a Master’s Degree in Psychology and Counseling in 2006, and a Bachelor’s Degree in 2003 from Troy University. She is licensed through the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling. Mavis Thomas’s history of counseling includes facilitating groups of individuals found guilty of domestic violence by the municipal court, facilitating a parenting group, and providing individual counseling to children who were victims of sexual or physical abuse. In addition, Mavis Thomas has been trained to and has conducted forensic interviews in cases of alleged sexual and physical abuse of children. Other mental health settings include outpatient mental health including “on call” duty at an emergency room. Specialty areas include teaching parents sound behavior management skills, working with individuals who manifest symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiance disorder, anxiety, and depression disorders. Ms. Thomas serves individuals at Covington Pediatrics (for Covington Pediatric patients only), and at Southern Counseling Group at 109 Medical Park Drive. Mavis Thomas accepts most insurances.

 

Rachel Pridgen began working in the mental health field in 2002 in the intensive residential treatment setting.  She obtained her Bachelors in Liberal Studies/Sociology from Arizona State University in 2012 and her Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama in 2015.  She is licensed through the Board of Social Work Examiners as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.  Her specialty areas include young adult mental health with a focus on college transitions and anxiety as well as childhood disorders including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders, developmental disorders including Autism Spectrum Disorders, and behavioral modification.  In the educational setting, she works closely with schools on IEPs and behavioral plans and has extensive experience within the homeschool community.  She also works with family reunification and childhood trauma.  Rachel Pridgen serves individuals at Southern Counseling Group at 109 Medical Park Drive and serves students on-site at Opp City Schools.  She accepts most insurances.

 

Sonja Jones, LICSW-PIP, has worked in the field of Social Work for the past 15 years. Sonja is a 1991 graduate of W.S Neal High School in Brewton, Alabama. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 2005 from the University of West Florida and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Florida State University in 2008. She is licensed through the Board of Social Work Examiners as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Private Independent Practitioner. She has worked for many years specializing in grief therapy and working with Veterans. Over the past several years, Sonja has facilitated Grief Support Groups, Veterans Support Groups, and Dementia Support Groups. She provides mental health services to adults, children/adolescents, families, and couples. Sonja currently provides therapy services in the Brewton and Andalusia offices. She accepts most insurances.

 

Dominique Spranger has been an employee of Southern Counseling Group since 2018. She is a graduate of Troy University (2018) with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and The University of Alabama (2020) with a Master’s in Social Work. Dominique is licensed through the Board of Social Work Examiners as a Licensed Master Social Worker. Her specialty area is working with families for reunification and behavior management problems. She works closely with the school system and is involved with establishing IEPs and behavioral plans. Dominique serves children and families at Cosby and Cosby Counseling at 109 Medical Park Drive and Covington Pediatrics (for Covington Pediatric patients only). She also serves students on-site in some of the local schools. Dominque is currently accepting Medicaid and private pay clients.

Riley Ham (SHE/HER) is a Troy University Alumni who worked for the University for 6 years with a top ranked peer education/advocacy group. While at Troy, she completed her Bachelor’s in Health and Human services with a double minor (Leadership Development and Spanish) and her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has assisted previous clients with a broad range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, anger management, hallucinations, delusions, and adjustment. Riley serves in Andalusia at our Medical Park Drive Office and at Covington Pediatrics (accessible to their clientele). She will be working alongside our local school systems for those that are clients of Southern Counseling Group. Riley is currently accepting Medicaid insurance for children and private pay patients of all ages.

Kayla Tisdale has been an employee is Southern Counseling Group since 2021. She is a graduate of Troy University (2021) with a Bachelor’s in Psychology. Her Specialty areas include working with families for reunification, behavior management for children, and teaching basic living skills. Kayla serves families in home, at DHR, or at Southern Counseling Group at 109 Medical Park Drive.

Heather Thompson has been an employee of Southern Counseling Group since 2020. She is a graduate of Troy University (2020) with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and is currently working on her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Her specialty areas include working with families for reunification, behavior management for children, teaching basic living skills, and working with autistic children. Heather serves families in home, at DHR, or at Southern Counseling Group at 109 Medical Park Drive.

Beverly Greer is the office manager and human resource director at Southern Counseling Group. She is located at the Covington Pediatric location.

Kylee Wilson is our Office Administrator for Southern Counseling Group. She is located at the Medical Park office.

Tracy Worley is the Office Administrative Assistant at Southern Counseling Group. Located at the Medical Park Office.