Brenau University

Julie V. Battle, Ph.D.

Department Chair
Professor of Psychology
jbattle@brenau.edu

Dr. Battle serves as the Psychology Department Chair and is a Professor with credentials from the University of Houston and the University of Southern Mississippi. Her areas of expertise include Forensic Interviewing, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Severe Mental Illness, Victimization, Sexual Abuse, Parenting, and Child Abuse Prevention. Dr. Battle is also a licensed psychologist who works with law enforcement and DFCS in sexual abuse cases. Her role is to conduct forensic interviews with children who have made allegations of sexual abuse and to serve as an expert witness in court when these cases are prosecuted. She also has several publications and has been a part of the Brenau family for over 20 years.

Bonnie Kin, Ph.D.

Director, M.S. Applied Gerontology
Professor of Psychology
bkin@brenau.edu

Dr. Kin is the Director of the M. S. in Applied Gerontology program and a Professor of Psychology. She received her Ph.D. from the California School of Professional Psychology and her M.A. and B.A. in psychology from California State University Dominguez Hills. Dr. Kin’s areas of expertise are Geropsychology, Gerontology, Alzheimer’s disease, Health Psychology, Attachment, and Eating Disorders. Dr. Kin is also a practicing psychologist.

Gary Bauman, Ph.D., L.P.C.

Graduate Coordinator, Clinical Counseling Psychology
Professor of Psychology
gbauman@brenau.edu

Dr. Bauman is a Professor of Psychology and the Clinical Counseling Psychology Program Coordinator. Dr. Bauman began teaching at Brenau University in 2004. He obtained a B.S. in Psychology at Berry College (1988), an M.S. in Community Counseling at Georgia State University (1990), and a Ph.D. in Counseling at Georgia State University (2000). Dr. Bauman has been a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Georgia since 1994 and has worked in a variety of in-patient and out-patient settings, including private practice. His areas of instructional focus are: Theories of Personality, Theories of Psychotherapy, Counseling and Therapy, Group Counseling, and The Helping Relationship. Dr. Bauman is a member and frequent presenter of the North American Society for Adlerian Psychology (NASAP).

Perry Daughtry, Ph.D.

Coordinator, Undergraduate Program
Assistant Professor of Psychology
pdaughtry@brenau.edu

Prof. Daughtry is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and the Undergraduate Coordinator for the Psychology Department. He has a B.S. in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina, an M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of North Texas, and a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Northcentral University. With diverse experience in management, data analysis, test battery interpretation, psychological consulting, and organizational effectiveness, Mr. Daughtry offers great intellectual challenge and critical thinking to students at Brenau.

Kristen Green, Ph.D., ABPP

Board Certified in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology
Clinic Director, BCCPS-Gainesville
Associate Professor of Psychology
Assessment Coordinator
kgreen3@brenau.edu

Dr. Green is the Director of the Brenau Center for Counseling and Psychological Services-Gainesville, Assessment Coordinator for the M.S. in Clinical Counseling Psychology program at Brenau, as well as an Associate Professor of Psychology. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Case Western Reserve University. Her M.A. in School Psychology and B.A. in Psychology were earned at Trinity University. Dr. Green’s areas of expertise are Child and Adolescent psychology and therapy, Differential Diagnosis, and Assessment. Dr. Green is also a practicing psychologist.

Josh Hall, Ph.D.

Clinic Director, BCCPS-North Atlanta
Assistant Professor
jhall3@brenau.edu

Dr. Hall is the Director of the Brenau Center for Counseling and Psychological Services – North Atlanta and teaches courses in cognitive and personality assessment and neurological bases of behavior. His graduate studies and post-doctoral training were completed at the University of Georgia in Athens and the Medical College of Georgia.  Areas of specialization include neuropsychological aspects of cognitive and behavioral functioning, especially within child, adolescent, and young adult populations. Dr. Hall’s areas of research interest include neurodevelopmental disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dyslexia, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), seizures and Tourette’s Syndrome, as well as the manifestation of these disorders on personality functioning. He also works within many school settings facilitating the identification and treatment of students who are experiencing disorders requiring Special Education, or other specialized services.

Maria Zayas, Ed.D.

Associate Professor of Psychology
mzayas@brenau.edu

Dr. Zayas received a B.A. in French and Education from Barnard College, Columbia University. Additionally, she earned an M.A. in Adult Education and an Ed.D. in Counseling Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. A psychologist for over twenty years, Dr. Zayas is currently licensed in California, North Carolina, and Georgia and a member of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Zayas is experienced in both teaching and clinical aspects of psychology in a variety of multicultural settings. She is also active in the community, bringing her experience of psychology to bear on community issues, such as sustainable development. Her special areas of interest include holistic health, stress management, relationships, sustainable living and cultural diversity.

Blaine Schultz, M.S., L.P.C.

Assistant Professor of Psychology
bschultz@brenau.edu

Prof. Schultz is a licensed counselor in Georgia and Florida. She earned her M.S. in Community Counseling at Georgia State University and B.A. in Philosophy from Furman University. As Assistant Professor, she teaches at the undergraduate and graduate level. Ms. Schultz has worked as a psychotherapist in private group practices with focus on anxiety, depressive, and adjustment disorders, chronic pain management, and brain injury rehabilitation with adult outpatient populations. In addition, she worked in Counseling and Career Services at Dalton State College and with the Adult Learning Center at Florida State University. Ms. Schultz is a member of the American Counseling Association, the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia, the Georgia Career Development Association, and the Georgia College Counselors Association.

Margie Gill, M.S., L.P.C.

Assistant Clinic Director, BCCPS-Gainesville and North Atlanta
Instructor of Psychology
Community Relations Coordinator
mgill1@brenau.edu

Prof. Gill is the Assistant Clinic Director for the Brenau Center for Counseling and Psychological Services in both Gainesville and North Atlanta and the Community Relations Coordinator for the Psychology Department while also serving as an Instructor of Psychology. She graduated cum laude from Georgia Gwinnett College in 2008 with a B.S. in Psychology and received her master’s degree from Brenau’s Clinical Counseling Psychology program in 2010 where she received the Ali McNichols Outstanding Graduate Student Award.

John Christopher, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Psychology
jchristopher@brenau.edu

Dr. Christopher, trained in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, has twenty years of experience focused on human resource practices that foster psychologically healthy workplaces. He has served in roles from psychology faculty to principle investigator to consultant and has extensive experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods. He also has direct experience as a consultant and research manager in the energy, telecommunications, and public health industries. Dr. Christopher teaches research methods, statistics, industrial-organizational psychology, organizational behavior, and human resources management. He holds Bachelor of Science (University of Maryland), Masters of Arts (Wayne State University), and Doctorate of Philosophy (Wayne State University) degrees in Industrial Organizational Psychology.

Lucinda Grapenthin, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Psychology
lgrapenthin@brenau.edu

Dr. Grapenthin received her Ph.D. in School and Clinical Child Psychology from Indiana State University. Her clinical experience consists of working in inpatient settings for children with severe mental illness and providing psychological support in schools including conducting psychological assessments and individual and group therapy. Additionally, she conducted developmental assessments for the 0-3-year-old population for the Babies Can’t Wait Program in Fulton County, GA.  Dr. Grapenthin is a Licensed Psychologist, National Certified School Psychologist, and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor. She specializes in play and expressive therapy techniques. Areas of interest include Attachment, Trauma, Anxiety, Mind-Body Connection, and ADHD.  She is a member of the GPA, APA, and GAPT.  Her professional background encompasses working in California, Illinois, and South Carolina. Dr. Grapenthin maintains a clinical practice providing psychotherapy and clinical supervision to other professionals and professional workshops.

Melanie Covert, Ph.D., L.P.C.

Assistant Professor of Psychology
mcovert1@brenau.edu

Dr. Covert received a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in history from Kennesaw State University. She earned her Master’s in Clinical Counseling Psychology from Brenau University and went on to receive a Ph.D. in Sociology with a focus on Race and Mental Health from Georgia State University. Dr. Covert has been practicing as a Professional Counselor since 2011. She is licensed with the State of Georgia as a Professional Counselor and is a member of the Licensed Professional Counselor’s Association of Georgia. Dr. Covert has a diverse background in teaching and practice. Her areas of interest include mental health disparities in minority communities, acculturative stress, Romani Americans, and life transitions in young adults. She is actively involved in many community organizations and actively engages in mentoring future members of the mental health field.

Kathy G. Little

Office Manager
klittle1@brenau.edu

Kathy Little graduated from the University of Georgia’s Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism majoring in Public Relations and minoring in Psychology and English. From 1992 through 2009 she worked as the administrative assistant at the Children’s Center for Hope & Healing (formerly the Family Relations Program, Inc.) in Gainesville, a nonprofit agency serving sexually abused children, sexually-reactive children and teens, and adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Kathy joined the Psychology Department as office manager in February, 2010.

Margaret Prickett

Office Manager, North Atlanta
mprickett@brenau.edu

Margaret Prickett serves as office manager at the North Atlanta Campus and the Brenau Center for Counseling & Psychological Services – North Atlanta.  She worked in nonprofit volunteer management for fourteen years before joining the Psychology Department in September 2017.  She holds a BS in Government from Auburn University at Montgomery and a JD from the University of Texas at Austin.

Tori Gillespie

Office Manager, BCCPS-Gainesville
tgillespie1@brenau.edu

Tori Gillespie serves as the office manager at Brenau Center for Counseling and Psychological Services – Gainesville Campus. She has an A.S. in Chemistry from Young Harris College, a B.S. with a major in Psychology and minor in Public Health from the University of Georgia. Ms. Gillespie is currently working on her M.B.A. with a focus in Management at Brenau University.

Anjana Freeman, M.S., L.P.C.

Clinical Adjunct
afreeman1@brenau.edu

Angie Smith, L.P.C.

Clinical Adjunct
asmith26@brenau.edu

Philip Elrod, Ed.D., L.P.C.S

Clinical Adjunct
pelrod@brenau.edu

Dr. Elrod is a Counselor Supervisor (L.P.C.S.), school counselor, clinical hypnotherapist and a certified DUI Risk Reduction Instructor. He is a community advocate and has collaborated with many agencies in the Hall County/Gainesville area to promote early literacy and a healthy local culture. He has worked in Gainesville City and Hall County schools since 2008 as a counselor while owning and maintaining Awakenings Therapies, a private counseling practice, for 25 years. He specializes in personal growth, family therapy, spiritual-therapy-education integration, behavior modification, integrative medicine, acculturation, career counseling, human development, UCLA systems of learning supports and hypnotherapy. He serves as a counselor, educator and consultant to a variety of public and private institutions. His educational accomplishments include a B.S. in Psychology/Family Services from Western Carolina University, an M.Ed. in Clinical and School Counseling from Clemson University and an Ed.S. and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Liberty University.

Christine Ball, L.P.C.

Clinical Adjunct
cshaheen1@brenau.edu