BMC Staff

Nancy Weingartner, LCSW

Nancy Weingartner completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana; and her Master’s in Social Work at Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois. Upon graduation Nancy worked 3 years as a psychiatric social worker at Chicago Read Mental Health Center in Chicago, Illinois and continued her studies in a marital and family externship at the University of Illinois. Nancy then joined the Air Force where she served for over 20 years in a variety of positions in Family Advocacy, Substance Abuse, Mental Health, Critical Incident Stress Management, and Exceptional Family Member programs. Additionally, she served as an interim base commander while she developed an integrated special needs family program for all military bases in Kaiserslautern, Germany. She concluded her military career as the Mental Health Flight Commander at Moody Air Force Base.

Nancy is licensed clinical social worker in Georgia, Texas and Illinois; and is also a certified addictions counselor. Nancy has served as an expert witness in multiple military and civilian judicial proceedings. She has extensive expertise by training and experience in treatment of addictions, sexual trauma, domestic violence, special education laws, intervention, special needs and transition/reunification issues due to family separations.

Nancy recently exchanged her role as the Unit Chair, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), South Georgia Unit, to now serve as the Vice President for the NASW state chapter. Nancy also serves as an adjunct professor with Park University teaching psychology and sociology classes.

Her awards are numerous to include Social Worker of the Year for Southeast Georgia for 2004; and Air Force Major Command Social Worker of the Year in 1997, 2002 and 2003. Recently she was selected as the Mental Health Professional of the Year for 2010 for the Lowndes County Mental Health Association.

Wandamaria Lopez, PhD

Wandamaria Lopez

Dr. Wandamaria Lopez is a licensed (clinical) psychologist in the state of Georgia and has been in private practice continually since 1991. She completed her Masters degree in 1986 and a Doctoral degree in 1990 from St. Louis University in Clinical Psychology. She has served as an Air Force psychologist, consulting psychologist at Valdosta State Prison, and teaching staff at Valdosta State University. In 2006, she took a position with the Veterans Health Administration to develop and execute a program to facilitate the readjustment and reintegration of returning combat veterans and their family members.
Dr. Lopez has extensive experience providing a full range of psychological services to children, adolescents and adults, including psychological testing, individual, marital, family and group psychotherapy, and consultation. She developed the first batterer's intervention program in Valdosta, GA and subsequently developed and launched a highly successful juvenile detention diversion program for adolescents from violent homes in both Lowndes and Houston counties.

Dr. Lopez has been recognized as a "Woman of Achievement" by the Valdosta Chapter of Business and Professional Women. She is a member of Who's Who in Executives and Professionals, a graduate of the 2007 class of Leadership Lowndes, and is in the matriculating class of the 2009 Competency Development for Leaders in the 21st Century with the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Michelle L. Smith, PhD

Michelle L. Smith, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Georgia and Florida; and is credentialed as a National Register of Health Service Psychologist. She received her Bachelor's degree from the University fo North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Psychology and African/Afro-American Studies (double major); and her Master's degree in Psychology (majoring in Counseling) from Fayetteville State University. In 2013, Dr. Smith completed her pre-doctoral internship at the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System and received her Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology form Jackson State University. She has worked at the North Florida/South Georgia Veteran's Health System as a staff psychologist with a specialization in Primary Care Behavioral Health for the past 3 years. Dr. Smith joined the Better Clinic, LLC staff in 2015.

Dr. Smith has experience providing a full range of psychological services to children, adolescents, and adults, including psychological testing, consultation, and individual, marital, and group psychotherapy. She has particular interest in health and behavioral medicine interventions to treat psychological symptoms and co-morbid medical conditions. Her clinical interest includes: chronic pain management, tobacco cessation, disease management (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer), depression, anxiety, grief therapy, stress management, caregiver support, and medical/mental health treatment adherence. Her primary research interests include the study of minority health disparities and barriers to physical and mental healthcare utilization.

Pat Wittenborn, LCSW

Pat Wittenborn completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development and Family Relations in 1975, through East Carolina University, NC. She completed her Masters in Counseling, in 2000, through Liberty University, VA. Later, she completed her Masters of Social Work in 2011 through Valdosta State University, GA. She joined the BMC staff in March 2014 and became licensed as Clinical Social Worker in December 2014.

Experience: Therapist, Greenleaf Center (GLC), since June 2011; Intern, GLC and GLCC from September 2009 - April 2011; Licensed Professional Counselor (Texas) from October 2002 - August 2005.

Specialty Training: Master Resilience Training (MRT), Active Military Life and Resiliency Skills Training, and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).

Pat has an extensive military background as the child of an Army member, retired Army spouse, and DoD civilian employee (Army and Air Force systems).

Dana Hudson, LMFT

Dana Hudson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. In May of 2010, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Georgia Southwestern State University. Dana received her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Valdosta State University in July of 2013. She received her license in 2017. She is a member of Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology and the Golden Key International Honor Society. Dana is also a member of AAMFT and GAMFT.

While attending VSU, Dana assisted with a support group for brain injury survivors and their families (BIAS) and a support group for veterans (V2V). She gained clinical experience as an intern at FamilyWorks and joined the BMC family as an intern in April of 2013. Dana has experience with children, anxiety, depression, marital distress, trauma, and a variety of other mental health issues. Dana works with individuals, couples, and families.

Christy Vrandopulo

Christy Vrandopulo is a master’s level Marriage and Family Therapist Resident. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology in August 2008 and her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in August 2016 from Valdosta State University. Christy joined the Better Mood Clinic team in August 2018 and is currently working towards her licensure.

Christy has served Lowndes County and the surrounding communities as an advocate for domestic violence victims, case manager and now as a therapist. She has experience working with youth, minorities and our LGBTQ+ community. Christy is passionate about helping people recognize their strengths, so they are better equipped to deal with life’s stressors. She works with individuals, couples and families; all ranging in age, ethnicity, and gender identity. Christy has experience with domestic violence, anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, PTSD and a variety of other mental health concerns.

Jerry Register, LCSW

Jerry received a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice from Valdosta State University in 2012, and a Master's in Social Work from Valdosta State University in 2017. While in the social work program, Jerry completed a one year internship with a local agency working exclusively with children and adolescents, and a one year internship at the Better Mood Clinic before becoming an LCSW at the Better Mood Clinic. Jerry has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, seniors, couples, and families with a broad range of issues, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, ADHD, adjustment, trauma, and marital issues. Jerry uses a variety of treatment modalities, working from a strengths-based perspective.

Lashawn Pittman, MSW Resident

Lashawn D. Pittman is a Baltimore, Maryland native. She received a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Anthropology at Valdosta State University in 2018 and a Master's in Social Work from Valdosta State University in 2021. During her collegiate and post-collegiate career, Lashawn has served the Lowndes, Tift, Cook, and Lanier counties as a case manager, an advocate for domestic violence victims, and now a therapist. Lashawn became a resident therapist at The Better Mood Clinic in May 2022 and is working towards her full licensure.

Lashawn has experience with at-risk youth, minorities, geriatric stabilization, developmental disabilities, trauma, and our LBGTQ+ community. Other experiences include domestic violence, depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, adjustment and marital issues. She works with individual, couples, and families; all raging in age, ethnicity, and gender identity.

Christin Jones

Christin is our billing manager. She is a graduate of Lowndes High School. She has over seven years’ experience in the mental health industry to include transcription, billing, and reception. Additionally, Christin has taught 3 year olds in a preschool setting.

Christin is originally from Atlanta, GA. Christin is extremely hard working and gives 110% in all that she does. Christin has two children, Scotty who is 7 years old and Molly, who is 2 years old. Christin is very active with her church and enjoys teaching Sunday school. She also enjoys baking, watching football and enjoying her down time with her family.

Lacey Johnson

Lacey Johnson is our Front Desk Manager. She was born in Tennessee but raised in South Georgia and has lived in the area most of her life. Lacey is graduate of Worth County High School and is attending Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College. She is majoring in Biology and Nursing After with a minor in Psychology. Lacey hopes to one day work as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

Lacey is your average southern lady. She loves working with children and helping others. Lacey loves spending time with her friends and family. She is a hard worker and does not mind getting her hands dirty when needed. When she is not working, she loves cooking, reading, shopping, collecting squish mallows, and spending time with her boyfriend.

Adrain Jacobs

Adrain Jacobs is our Office Manager. She is currently attending classes at Valdosta State University for a master’s degree in Library and Information Technology. Adrain hopes to pursue a career as a Children’s librarian and to be a Director someday. She has a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology with a concentration in Digital Forensics. Adrain was born and raised in Vienna, Georgia most of her life.

She enjoys helping others and volunteering when she can especially with Relay for Life. Adrain takes pride in doing everything to the best of her ability. She is a beach goer during the summer and can always be found next to the water. Adrain likes to relax with a good book at the end of a long day. She enjoys cooking/baking, fishing, and spending time with family in her free time.