LICSW
Geoff Cushner, LICSW is the Managing Director and Clinician at Revidas, a mental health and wellness group practice, located in Worcester, Massachusetts. Revidas has been open since 2016 serving hundreds of people, as young as age 3 and up with a staff of 14 experienced professionals with a variety of skills and expertise primarily providing TeleTherapy allowing individuals to safely work with a trained, licensed clinician in the comfort of their homes from the other side of their computer or phone. Geoff successfully uses a number of clinical modalities, including TF-CBT to address trauma and CBT in working with individuals, including youth and college athletes.
He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and Master of Social Work degree from Boston College Graduate School of Social Work and previously spent 17 years in child welfare. Geoff is also a member of the Springfield College Department of Social Work as both a member of the Advisory Board and as Adjunct Professor.
SSW
LaShea Davis-Williams is an experienced Social Work practitioner with an extensive background working with diverse populations including children, families, college students, communities and retired professional athletes. She has more than 10 years experience working in higher education as an educator, field supervisor and field liaison. LaShea has designed, developed and delivered undergraduate and graduate courses in Social Work practice and Career Transition. She is well versed in leadership, strategic planning and program development.
As a working woman, who is also a mother, wife and serves her community, LaShea is also an Integrative Life Coach who specializes in helping women achieve their personal and professional goals. Through her coaching and consulting business she offers a wide range of programs services – from individual coaching to business coaching and public speaking.
Ph.D.
Prior to joining the Kings as the VP of Kings Academy and Professional Development, Galen Duncan spent 10 years as Sr Director of Player Development with the National Football League’s Detroit Lions, where he advised players regarding housing options, financial education tools, counseling connections and career opportunities.
Duncan assisted Football Ops with character evaluations for draft eligible players and oversaw rookie transition/social media/etiquette training programs while also serving as the liaison between the League Office and NFLPA as well as serving as a member of the PD Steering Committee. Duncan also spent six seasons as a treating clinician for the NFL’s Program for Substance Abuse, providing one-on-one and group therapy for football players. He worked part-time as a consultant with National Basketball Association and the NBA Players Association providing education and life skills training to future and current professional athletes. Additionally, Galen worked several years as Consulting Therapist for the University of Detroit Mercy and Wayne State University Athletics.
In his role with Sacramento, Duncan is responsible for implementation of the Kings Academy program, a developmental, player-centric curriculum aligning multi-faceted organizational philosophies and ideals to help athletes mature into well- rounded professionals. Under Duncan’s oversight, Kings Academy will augment on-court progress with access to practical material and experiences that help balance on-court priorities and personal responsibilities with opportunities to become impactful contributors in the community.
A Ph.D. in health psychology and retired United States Army Reserves officer, the Southfield, Michigan native and Lake Superior State alumnus (’94) played collegiate basketball before securing his master’s degree in Social Work from Wayne State University (’97) and Ph.D. in Health Psychology from Walden University in 2006.
MSW, LCSW
MarQuisha Dunston, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, earned her Bachelors in Psychology and her Master’s of Social Work Degree from Widener University. With over ten years of professional experience in the mental and behavioral health field, Marquisha has practiced clinical therapy with individuals, groups, and families. She has worked with a diverse population ranging in different ages in various settings such as school- based, in-home, in-patient, and community based services.
Being a former collegiate student-athlete, Marquisha understands the importance of how physical and mental health go hand in hand. As a result, she has focused her work around the two. In turn, that experience allowed her to understand that life is all about balance. Fittingly, she offers a blend of therapeutic modalities and physical health interventions to help clients overcome adversity and stressors.
Marquisha has served on the board of National Association of Black Social Workers on a school and local level and is actively involved in community service programs. Through advocacy, research, and education, she hopes to combat the stigmas of mental health and become a change agent in the field.
As a clinical therapist, she specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma- informed and solution focused therapy. In addition, she provides an eclectic range of strength based and crisis management interventions. Her primary goal as a therapist is to always meet the clients where they are at. This includes helping them recognize their strengths, implement their problem solving skills, and finally maximize their resiliency. She strives to empower her clients to realize and utilize their rights to self-determination by providing a safe supportive space to heal, while building a therapeutic “toolbox” for managing healthy choices for the future.
Ph.D., MSW, LMSW
Emmett Gill, Ph.D., MSW, LMSW is the founder of AthleteTalk, LLC and the Chief Visionary Officer for Athletes and Advocates for Social Justice in Sports. Dr. Gill served as the Director of Student-Athlete Wellness and Personal Development at the University of Texas at Austin where he provided clinical services for college athletes and created signature programming including initiatives for injured athletes and substance use.
Following his tenure at the University of Texas, where he was also a clinical professor in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work, Dr. Gill served as a professional sports crisis and wellness program manager – working on mental health initiatives for the NFL and NBA – including the NFL Lifeline.
Dr. Gill is the past president and founder of the Alliance of Social Workers in Sports, a 225-plus member organization that promotes the social work profession in athletics.
Emmett’s scholarship focuses’ sports scandals, the intersection between social work, sports and mental health, social justice in sports and Black male athletes.
LPC, LCAS-A, NCC, BC-TMH
Brad Hambric is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider, School Counselor and a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist – Associate within the states of North Carolina and Georgia.
Brad attended Wingate University as a student-athlete, lettering in Football while earning his bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Thereafter, Brad received his Master of Arts in Education, with a concentration in Counseling, at North Carolina Central University.
Currently, Brad works as a Clinical Counselor at the University of Georgia within athletics where he has been blessed with the opportunity to cultivate his passions of sports and helping individuals. Brad also owns and operates his private practice, BellaVie Counseling and Life Wellness Services based in tele-mental health. Brad is also currently in pursuit of receiving his Doctorate of Education in Sports and Performance Psychology.
Brad actively works to stay current on evidence-based, peer-reviewed best practices in the field of psychotherapy. He maintains a variety of professional affiliations including the National Alliance of Social Workers in Sports, American School Counselor Association and the National Board for Certified Counselors.
LCSW-S, LCDC
Ashley Harmon, LCSW-S, LCDC is the Assistant Director of Clinical Behavioral Health at The University of Texas at Austin, in athletics. She was hired five years ago in an effort to build an adequate mental health program for the athletes. She provides clinical services to student athletes, as well as, oversees all clinical treatment of student athletes. She is responsible for triaging with other medical staff, community partners and contracted therapists/psychiatrists.
She received both her Bachelor of Social Work and Masters of Science in Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin. She currently is also teaching a clinical course, “Treatment of Athlete Needs,” for the Alliance of Social Workers in Sports Certification Program.
Before entering the realm of sport social work, she provided clinical services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault at a community crisis center along with medical social work services. In addition, she has a part time private practice specializing primarily in mental health, trauma, and eating disorders.
PhD, LMSW
Dr. Jones is a New Orleans native, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication from Dillard University in her hometown, an MSW degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia, and a PhD degree in social work from Howard University in Washington, DC.
Dr. Jones, an extensively trained research methodologist, currently teaches as a clinical assistant professor at Tulane University School of Social Work (TSSW) in the research sequence of the Master’s program. Her research agenda centers primarily on mental health in special and vulnerable populations. She has conducted research on high collision athletes who are at high risk of developing dementia-related illnesses from repeated traumatic head injuries, namely concussions.
Dr. Jones is a member of CCSSWI and North American Christians in Social Work; she is the founder of CiL Research Consulting Group; and she is a proud Make-A-Wish volunteer.
MSW
James Lopez is a social worker and southern California native. James’ passion for sport and social work has brought him to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF), the official charity of the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he serves as Manager of Strategy and Impact. At LADF, James works to develop a robust program measurement and evaluation strategy for all programs and fundraising efforts, as well as contributing to research and fund development of the organization. By using a social work lens and skill set, James brings a unique perspective to LADF and is passionate about propelling the organization forward to best serve the most vulnerable communities in Los Angeles.
James’ professional journey began in 2009 after earning his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Education from the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB). After serving as a Recreation Supervisor for UCSB’s intramural and club sports department for two years, James spent all of 2011 living in Shaoxing, China. James served as an English teacher for one year before returning to Southern California in 2012. Before beginning his graduate studies in 2014, James worked as a recreation/sports coordinator for a residential treatment facility for young men in the foster care system. There he implemented new recreational programming which included inter-facility sports leagues, music lessons, and fitness programs. During this time, he developed a passion for social work and sports-based youth development. James earned his Master of Social Work in the spring of 2016 at the University of Southern California with a concentration on Community Organizing, Planning & Administration. James’ first full-time season at LADF came in June 2016, after serving at the organization as a graduate intern.
James currently lives with his wife Reylena (a fellow social worker) in Diamond Bar, CA, and enjoys recreational sports like golf, running, softball, and basketball. Go Dodgers!
LLMSW
Jevon Moore is a clinical social worker working at the University of Michigan as a Health Educator within the University Health Services department whose sole focus is to foster and promote health and wellbeing for the campus community.
He focuses on holistic approaches to wellness as well as team dynamics, interpersonal effectiveness, and leadership. In his role as a Health Educator, Jevon works within Wolverine Wellness to ensure students, faculty and staff at the University are aware of the resources and options available to them to live a fulfilling life. Jevon is particularly interested in helping individuals embrace their autonomy and authenticity through mindfulness, positive self-talk and respect for self and others. As a former athlete, he harps on the benefits of teamwork and support networks to increase accountability and challenge our fears of the unknown.
Originally from North Carolina, Jevon played football at North Carolina State University in Raleigh and still cheers on his Wolfpack from afar. As an undergraduate student he majored in Industrial Engineering focusing on systems management, quality improvement and cost reduction practices. As a family man, he spends his time hiking in the woods, building Legos and dressing up like ninjas with his boys all while perfecting his dad humor. Knock, knock…. :).
MA, CRFC, CLC, CEI
Life changes and transitions will happen. This can include major life events such as job loss, relationship changes, children leaving home, retirement, career shifts, life after athletics or any significant period of adjustment. I will provide support, tools, and strategies to help you navigate these transitions with resilience and a sense of purpose. As a Life Transition Coach & Motivational Speaker, I offer coaching for your personal and professional development. Additionally, I work with businesses to consult on and offer wellness programs, workshops/seminars, webinars, and keynote presentations. My experience/training:
I look forward to partnering with you on your journey to wellness.
Ed.D., MSW
Dr. Charles Small, who spent four years (2014-18) in various administrative roles in student-athlete services at the University of Arkansas, was named Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student Services at Iowa State in 2018. Small oversees the Academic Services, Student-Athlete & Letterwinner Engagement, Sports Medicine and Strength & Conditioning at Iowa State. He serves as sports administrator for men’s basketball and wrestling. Small is a member of the department’s senior staff and is a Deputy Title IX coordinator for the university. Small has served as an adjunct faculty member in the School of Social Work at the University of Arkansas and University of Pittsburgh.
Small is currently a member of the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A) and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and also a graduate of the Sports Management Institute (2014) and the NCAA Leadership Institute (2012 and 2013). Small earned all three of his degrees from Pittsburgh: a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, Master of Social Work and a Doctor of Education. Currently, Small serves on two board of directors groups for nonprofit organizations in the Ames, Iowa. He serves on the foundation board of trustees for Youth, Teen, Family, Mental and Behavioral Health Services (YSS) and the Assault Care Center Extending Shelter & Support (ACCESS) board of directors. The Detroit native was a three-year letterwinner on the University of Pittsburgh men’s basketball team (2003-06). The Panthers appeared in four NCAA Tournaments and won two Big East Championships. Small and his wife, Celeste, have two sons, Dominic and Aiden.
