Nathan began his passion for addiction treatment after entering long-term recovery in 2013. While working as a counselor and director in multiple treatment settings, Nathan acquired a bachelor’s in psychology, followed by a double master’s in clinical mental health (LPC) and healthcare administration (MHA). During this time, Nathan built a strong focus on quality clinical care, family systems, and patient safety. His long-time dream has been to bring addiction treatment home to the Lowcountry in Beaufort County. Nathan maintains a simple philosophy regarding addiction treatment, put the patient first!
Nathan is also a USCG licensed boat captain and was a mate and captain for ten years before moving to the addiction treatment field. He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys spending time in the kitchen.
Katerina has earned her Master’s in Social Work from Florida International University, and a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Savannah State University and has been a Licensed Social Worker in the state of Georgia since 2017. She is currently attending school for her PhD in Psychology. Katerina is excited to bring her passion and experience to the community.
Katerina has served as a clinical therapist working with adults and adolescents in recovery from drugs or alcohol addiction as well as co-occurring mental health diagnoses during all levels of care. (Detox, residential and outpatient treatment, and group/individual therapy sessions.) Katerina creates a courageous environment where everyone can truly embrace themselves without the fear of judgment and/or rejection. Katerina also enjoys self-care implementation and loves being a part of the change process.
Dr. John Emmel has been actively treating addiction since 1980. He’s a board certified physician in both Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine. Additionally, he serves as a Medical Director/Consultant to the SC State Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services. Dr. Emmel’s lifelong passion for helping people engage in active recovery is evident not only in his individual clinical work, but also in his teaching/training of other professionals in the field of addiction.
Chris holds a CACREP accredited Master of Arts in clinical mental health counseling from Webster University where he graduated with academic honors. Chris is a board-certified counselor through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NCC #1625101) and holds licensure as a licensed professional counselor associate (LPC-A #7990) and a licensed addiction counselor associate (LAC-A #820) in South Carolina.
Chris enjoys working with individuals who have been impacted by trauma, mental health challenges, addiction, and the obstacles of life. He works from a multidisciplinary and holistic approach with an eclectic therapeutic orientation based in a person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, motivational-interviewing, and trauma-informed philosophy.
Chris was born in Pueblo, CO and spent his childhood in Hilo, HI before graduating high school in Georgetown, SC and attending undergrad at the College of Charleston (Class of 2015). He is active in physical fitness, considers himself an adequate fantasy football player, and cheers for Louisiana State University—Geaux Tigers!
Scott S. Allen is an empathic and multicultural clinical mental health counselor who can help those struggling with substance abuse issues regain manageability over their lives and identify their powerlessness over drugs and alcohol. Scott is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC), National Certified Counselor (NCC) and trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). He has earned a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counselor Education from Georgia Southern University and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Studies from the University of Richmond. Scott is also fluent in Mandarin Chinese having attended Capitol Normal University in Beijing, Shanghai Jiaotong University, and Nanjing University while living in mainland China, Japan, and Vietnam for 16 years.
Scott has witnessed the powerful effect counseling can play in the lives of individuals firsthand and hopes to continue this tradition of empowering clients to become well. Scott feels uniquely qualified to help those struggling with substance abuse issues as he once was a client receiving counseling care at a treatment facility in Savannah, GA. Through individual, group, and art therapy he was able to recognize with the aid of counselors, whom themselves are recovering alcoholics and addicts, how to infuse creativity, cultural humility, and mindfulness meditation into his daily life. At this treatment facility, Scott was introduced to Twelve Step programs and began a process of working those spiritual principles for living a happier and freer lifestyle.
As it was made abundantly clear in his time in Asia and America, the social stigma surrounding addiction perpetuates the suffering of those inflicted with this disease and it is his personal goal to ameliorate this problem using cross-cultural communication, empathic and professional skills. Scott advocates for recovering addicts by volunteering and devoting time cooking meals for the homeless population of Savannah at the Emmaus House Soup Kitchen, establishing the Center of Addiction Recovery at Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Campus, and the Recovery Community Organization (RCO) in the Savannah/Chatham area.
Sadie is a dedicated college senior with over a year of experience in the field of sobriety, passionate about guiding and supporting individuals on their journey of recovery. She possesses a deep understanding of the challenges and complexities associated with addiction and is committed to providing compassionate and effective assistance to those in need. She has been personally impacted by the loss of loved ones due to substance abuse, therefore sparking her passion for working in this field. She is currently obtaining her bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies with a minor in psychology and health humanities at the University of South Carolina – Beaufort. After obtaining her bachelor’s, Sadie plans to get her master’s in social work and become an addiction counselor. Driven by a deep sense of purpose and a desire to make a positive impact, Sadie is committed to helping individuals overcome addiction and build fulfilling, substance-free lives through support and advocacy.
Originally from Atlanta, GA, Lindsay spent 13 years in the DC area where she specialized in operations and general management for independent restaurants. After seeking recovery for herself and being personally impacted by the loss of loved ones due to addiction, Lindsay pivoted into working in inpatient treatment before finally arriving here at Southern Sky Recovery where she serves as our Care Coordinator and Certified Peer Support Specialist.
Lindsay is a firm believer that recovery is not one-size-fits-all and she’s made it her personal and professional mission to provide those who still suffer with resources and encouragement to achieve their own individual recovery goals. In her spare time, Lindsay enjoys cooking, exploring restaurants, reading, biking around town, and being out in nature.
Michael Haven is a licensed Physician Assistant specializing in Addiction Medicine as well as Primary and Urgent Care. He graduated with honors from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2020 and from the College of Charleston Honors College in 2016 with a Major in History and a Minor in Spanish language. He grew up in Hilton Head Island and graduated in the top 10 of his class at Hilton Head Island High School in 2012. He is thrilled to have returned to his hometown to provide medical care to patients of all ages and give back to the psychiatry/addiction medicine field, which is his personal passion. In his free time, he enjoys playing in soccer and softball leagues and watching Liverpool Football Club.
Meet Leia, our English Cocker Spaniel, a trained therapy dog at Southern Sky Recovery. As our Senior Paws-on Therapist and Resident Treat Connoisseur, Leia brings a unique blend of comfort and joy to our team and clients.
With her soft, curly fur and soulful eyes, Leia excels in providing therapeutic cuddles, proven to reduce stress and bring smiles. Despite her young age, she balances her role as a professional therapist with her innate playfulness, often showcasing her impressive ‘play dead’ skills to the amusement of everyone around.
But Leia is more than just a therapy dog; she’s also a skilled upland hunter, demonstrating a different kind of prowess in the field. Her love for treats is well-known, distinguishing between ordinary biscuits and gourmet delights with a discerning palate. Leia’s presence in our center is not just comforting but also a constant reminder of the joy and healing that can come from our furry friends.
She may dream of chasing squirrels, but for now, she’s content bringing laughter and warmth to our facility, one wagging tail at a time. Leia’s unique blend of professional skills and playful antics makes her an invaluable member of our team, embodying the spirit of recovery and resilience we strive to foster in our community.
