James (Jeff) Bickers, LMFT
James (Jeff) Bickers, LMFT is a licensed Marriage and Family therapist. He joined Valdosta Psychiatric Associates in March, 2000. Previously, he worked with children and adolescents at Greenleaf Center in Valdosta and Charter Augusta in Augusta, GA. Jeff specializes with children and adolescents, adults, families and married couples. He works with clients who are dealing with depression, anxiety, panic, abuse issues, PTSD, parenting issues and family and marital issues. Jeff is also the facilitator of an Impaired Professionals Group.
Mary Fulp-Pye, LCSW
Mary Fulp-Pye, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked in a variety of areas in mental health for over 40 years. Mary received her Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia in 1975 and her Masters degree in Social Work from UGA in 1977. Mary's experience includes Director of Intermediate Psychiatric Facility, Director of hospital social work, discharge planning, hospice and home health, geriatric mental health in the outpatient setting, neonatal and pediatric crisis, grief work at the third largest hospital in the United States. She has provided consulting services for Head Start, area school systems, psychiatric hospitals, 12 skilled nursing facilities, adoption agencies, mental retardation facilities, home health agencies, rehabilitation hospitals, and dialysis centers. She has served as an Adjunct Professor at Barry College in Miami, Florida, the University of Miami, University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, and Alabama State College in Montgomery, AL. She served on the Alabama Social work licensing committee, and was a consultant for the Southeastern Hospital Association on discharge planning and social work. Mary is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. She has been a licensed Clinical Social Worker since 1980. She served many years supervising social workers obtaining their LCSW. Mary has served as field instructor for Florida State University, Valdosta State University, University of Georgia, Troy State University, University of Miami, Barry College, and the University of Alabama. In addition, Mary was on the committee that stringently worked and established the Master's of Social Work Program at Valdosta State University. Mary joined Valdosta Psychiatric Associates in July 2003. She has over 12 years experience in the private practice setting. Mary specializes in working with those who have experienced grief and trauma, as well as those with marital and family issues. She enjoys working with all ages.
Rex Crawford, LMFT
Rex Crawford, LMFT earned his Master's degree in Family Sociology from Valdosta State University in 1993 and his Post-Master Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy in 1997. Rex is a license Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of Georgia. In 2006, Rex earned his Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner, which prepared him to assist individuals to recover from illnesses such as Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder. Rex has worked in the community mental health clinics, nursing home setting, and more recently in psychiatric rehabilitation day programs. Rex joined Valdosta Psychiatric Associates in 1999. Rex began one of the first nursing home ethics committees in the area and currently sits on the ethics committee for the local community mental health program. He also serves on SGMC's bioethics committee. He specializes in assisting patients coping with depression, anxiety, panic disorders, and bipolar disorder. His training in family issues makes him well prepared to assist couples with difficult marital issues or conduct family therapy to address issues among family members.
Diane K. McPipkin, LMFT
Diane K. McPipkin, LMFT, received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1992, her Master’s degree in Sociology in 1995, and her Post Master’s Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy in 1999 from Valdosta State University. Diane joined Valdosta Psychiatric Associates in July 2001 as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Diane has extensive experience working with military personnel and their families, addressing issues of deployment and PTSD. Diane specializes in individual, family, couple, marriage and post-divorce counseling. She counsels those suffering from depression, anxiety, sexual and emotional abuse, communication issues, marital conflict, grief and loss, bipolar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. Diane is a member of the Georgia Association of Marriage and Family therapy.
Barbara Frier, LCSW
Barbara Frier, LCSW, joined Valdosta Psychiatric Associates in 2007. A long-time resident of Valdosta, Barbara graduated from the Valdosta school system and obtained a BS in Sociology in 1999, a Master’s of Sociology in 2001, and Post Master’s Certificate in Social Work in 2003 from Valdosta State University. Barbara has a long history of working with children, adolescence, individuals and families. Her work experiences include: The Department of Family and Children Services, Valdosta City School System in Special Education Services and team member of a Developmental Disabilities Mobile Crisis Team. Barbara has experience working with children on the Autism spectrum, with particular focus on improving social skills and decreasing anxiety. Barbara provides counseling for individuals who may experience depression, emotional, physical and sexual abuse, marital conflict, attention deficit disorder and bipolar disorder. Barbara enjoys working with parents on increasing their parenting skills to assist them in parenting children who face the daily challenges in the world that we live in. Barbara is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.
Jenny Kenyon, LCSW
Jenny Kenyon, LCSW. As a licensed clinical social worker, Jenny works with individuals (adults/adolescents/children), families and groups to foster a safe and warm environment to discuss sensitive life issues. Jenny’s goal is to facilitate positive change in people’s lives that encourages self-reflection and personal growth. Areas of focus includes but are not limited to: substance use disorders, co-dependency, anxiety, depression, grief/loss, trauma, anger issues, family and marital conflict. Jenny uses a range of therapies such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused, Person-Centered, Acceptance Commitment, Mindfulness, Substance Abuse Counseling, as well as Behavioral Therapy to assist clients achieve their goals in a private practice setting.
Rebecca (Becky) Morris, LMFT
Rebecca (Becky) Morris, LMFT joined VPA in 2013. She attended Valdosta State University and received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2004 and her Master’s degree in 2006. She worked for Behavioral Health Services of South Georgia for 8 years where she learned to address complex cases. Becky’s training has prepared her to work with the family unit in a variety of forms - individually, as a couple, etc. She enjoys assisting her clients in coping with depression, anxiety, PTSD, stress management, marital issues and other concerns by helping them identify their strengths. Becky is a member of the AAMFT.
Robert Woodward, LMFT
Robert Woodward, LMFT left a successful career in business in the early 2000s because "I wanted to make a difference more than making a dollar." In 2006 he got his Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and began working in the public sector. He became manager of Lowndes County Behavioral Health Services overseeing nearly 60 employees ranging from board certified Psychiatrists to support staff where he supervised clinics in Adult MH, Child and Adolescent along with Adult Substance Abuse. He was a member of BHS Leadership Board. Robert also is a current member of Valdosta State University Marriage and Family Graduate School Advisory Board.
Robert began private practice part time in 2011 transitioning to full time in 2015 at South Georgia Psychiatric and Counseling Center. He joined Valdosta Psychiatric Associates in January 2020. Robert works with all ages and most issues whether those issues are individual, couples or families. However, he specializes in dealing with anxiety disorders related to trauma, abuse, and betrayal along with PTSD. Robert is EMDRIA trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing but uses a variety of other modalities from CBT, DBT, Narrative and Rational Emotive. He believes laughter is the best medicine "most people come to therapy for painful reasons your sessions shouldn't be painful too."