2024 Hope and Help for the Holidays Speaker Bios:

Kenneth Doka, PhD (Senior Vice President of Grief Programs at Hospice Foundation of America)

Dr. Doka is a Professor Emeritus at the Graduate School of The College of New Rochelle and Senior Consultant to the Hospice Foundation of America. He is a licensed Mental Health Counselor, Fellow in Thanatology (ADEC), and a Certified Grief Counselor (ADEC). He is one of the authors of the text, Dying & Death: Life & Living, and is a prolific author. In addition to his books, he has published over 100 articles and book chapters dedicated to grief studies. Dr. Doka has keynoted conferences throughout North America as well as Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Laurie Forrest, LISW-CP (Clinic Director & Therapist at Ellie Mental Health, Greenville)

Laurie utilizes gentle assertiveness, deep engagement and humor in her work. Her goal is always to provide a safe space where others feel valued and validated. Laurie is particularly passionate about working with children and teens, though she also finds great joy in working with adults. She is well versed in attachment theory, family systems, foster care/adoptions, trauma, grief, anxiety/depression, self-esteem, life transitions. Laurie offers person centered care through a creative and holistic approach, unique to each individual.

Daniela Hatter, LPC (Therapist at Ellie Mental Health, Greenville)

Dani works with children as young as four and is trained in Adlerian Play Therapy. She enjoys working with children, teens, and young adults, particularly those who struggle with just “not fitting in” and those who experience symptoms of neurodivergence such as ADHD or ASD. Dani has experience working with behavioral issues, parenting, trauma, grief and LGBTQ+-specific issues. She prioritizes creating a space where her clients feel like they can be their true, authentic selves.

Rebecca S. Smith, M.D., FAAFP, CPE (Family Physician at Prisma Health and the Taylors Free Medical Clinic)

Dr. Rebecca Smith has been a practicing family physician since 2001 at Prisma Health and the Taylors Free Medical Clinic. She has walked beside hundreds of patients and families through roads of grief and learned more from those patients than textbooks. She has a special interest in diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders as well as addiction.

Lucy Henry, LPC, CEAP-MDiv and EdS in MFT (Vice President of Business Development, First Sun EAP)

Lucy Henry is the Vice President of Business Development for First Sun EAP. Lucy has worked in Employee Assistance since 1992 and with First Sun EAP since 2000. In her role Lucy seeks to build relationships with the business community and entice others to see the value Employee Assistance brings to the Workplace. Lucy is passionate about the workplace and enabling individuals to reach their potential.  She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in SC. She graduated with a BA from Meredith College, a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Converse College with an Education Specialist (EdS) in Marriage and Family Therapy.  In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors hiking, cycling, and kayaking. She is mom to a 13-year-old Basset and a 6-year-old Aussie Doodle.

Dennis Gillan (Executive Director of Half a Sorrow Foundation)

Dennis Gillan is a nationally known speaker on mental health and suicide prevention based on his recovery from the losses of two brothers to suicide. He is an author, podcaster, and TEDx speaker, as well as the Executive Director of the Half a Sorrow Foundation, which aims to improve mental health by promoting real conversations. Dennis maintains three websites: www.dennisgillan.com, www.halfasorrow.org, and www.camohatclub.com, all designed to further the mission of helping others with their mental health.

Reverend James King, BDiv (Unity Church of Greenville)

Rev James King is an ordained Unity Minister of Inclusion who embraces interfaith and practical spiritual principles. He enjoys making a difference in the world by sharing peaceful methods to assist people in reducing and healing their inner conflicts. 

Rev James King is an author, singer-songwriter, seminar presenter, retreat leader, and minister at Unity of Greenville with over 40 years of experience in the ministry. He holds a Bachelor of Divinity and is committed to helping others on their spiritual journey.

James Lyon, JD (Associate Attorney, Heritage Law)

James is an associate attorney with Heritage Law in Greenville, South Carolina. His practice focuses on revocable trusts, wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, and probate and trust administration. He earned a bachelors and master's degree in history from Winthrop University and his juris doctor from the Charleston School of Law.

When he is not practicing law, James enjoys cooking, golf, and spending time with his wife, their daughter, and their dog, Minnie.

Tiffeny Davidson-Parker (NAMI Executive Director)