Staff Unity is Key to Addiction Treatment
The diverse experience of Second Chance’s staff is one of the key components to our successful addiction treatment and recovery program. Individualizing guest care is top priority and our team utilizes three different components to help individualize their care: mental, physical, and spiritual needs of recovery for each guest. We feel passionately that with these top priority components combined with family therapy and after rehab care programs, sets Second Chances apart from other treatment facilities.
From the first contact with our administrative staff to working with individual counselors, each guest’s path is uniquely developed with the singular goal of providing the highest quality addiction treatment program while maintaining a caring and compassionate environment.
Meet the Second Chances Team
Administration
Riley McEacharn
Facility Administrator
Riley McEacharn
Facility Administrator
Riley began working in substance abuse as a residential tech in 2016. She is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University
with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. In later 2016, Riley obtained a certification as a counselor-in-training and began the process of becoming a Registered Addiction Counselor through LA-ADRA. She worked as a counselor for the next three years and is now moving into management as the director of business development. Riley is also currently pursuing her masters in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling through Liberty University. Riley has experience in working with addicts with co-occurring psychological disorders through residential programs, intensive outpatient programs, and managing sober-living homes for women.
Riley’s preferred approach to counseling is using Gestalt Therapy to increase the individual’s awareness of personal responsibility and unhealthy belief systems that may be present. As this awareness increases, she is able to help the client set attainable goals for healing from past events and healthier coping skills for the future. She desires to see the individual achieve restoration through self, community and family growth as a whole. Riley began her own journey in spiritual and emotional recovery in January of 2014. This journey instilled a passion in her to help others find the same healing.
Krystine Poindexter
Assistant Administrator
Krystine Poindexter
Assistant Administrator
Krystine began working in this field in 2015 at a faith-based treatment program where she did fundraising/marketing, and mentored women. She then moved to a residential treatment program in 2017, since then she has worked as an intake and utilization review coordinator and a substance abuse counselor. She is a CIT and is working towards being a Registered Addiction Counselor through LA-ADRA. Krystine has experience working with addicts in long term treatment, residential treatment and managing sober living homes.
Krystine is passionate about helping others build a spiritual foundation and finding the same freedom she found in recovery. The thing she loves most about this field is watching the transformation take place in individuals and their families alike.
Medical
Dr. Mark Taylor
Medical Director
Dr. Mark Taylor
Medical Director
Dr. Taylor is a board certified general psychiatrist with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He is a board certified addiction medicine specialist (addictionologist) with the American Board of Preventive Medicine. He is also boarded in both specialties by The National Board of Physicians & Surgeons. In addition, he is a certified medical review Officer (MRO), a physician with speciality training in drug testing. He was trained by the Medical Review Officer Certification Counsel and the American College of Occupational & Environmental Medicine.
Dr Taylor completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Connecticut earning a bachelors degree in psychology. He then went on to earn his doctorate of medicine at the University of Saint Eustatius School of Medicine. After earning his medical degree, he went on to complete an internship in family medicine with ProMedica Health at Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio. He then completed his residency in psychiatry, at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine in Shreveport, LA.
After his residency training Dr. Taylor, stayed on as faculty at the school of medicine, as assistant professor of clinical psychiatry. Dr. Taylor then went on to work at the federal, state & municipal level. In addition to the private sector. Dr. Taylor is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, the American Association of Emergency Psychiatry, the American Association for Community Psychiatry, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, the American College of Occupational & Environmental Medicine and the American Association of Medical Review Officers.
He has a passion for helping those with primary psychiatric disorders and dual diagnosis patients. Dr. Taylor is a life long student and educator. When he is not seeing patients, he is studying for his PhD in psychology with an addiction specialization and preparing for his Addiction Counselor Licensing exam. In His free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and playing with his two dogs.
Kaissy Hammer-Key
Nurse Practitioner
Kaissy Hammer-Key
Nurse Practitioner
Kaissy Hammer-Key is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). She is also a board-certified family nurse practitioner with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). In addition, she is also board-certified pediatric primary care nurse practitioner with ANCC.
Kaissy completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Kaissy is a Gates Millennium Scholar and stayed at University of Louisiana at Lafayette and earned Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction with concentration in Health Promotion and Wellness. She then went on to earn her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from University of South Alabama in Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. After earning her MSN, she went to University Massachusetts earing a Post-Master’s certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner and Post-Master’s certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health NP at Northwestern State University of Louisiana.
Kaissy started her nursing career in well-baby nursery at Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Lafayette, La. She then worked at Lafayette Parish School Board as school nurse and assistant nursing supervisor. After getting certified as a nurse practitioner, she has worked at Lackland Airforce Base and Endocrine and Thyroid Specialists. She has a passion for helping others and is the owner Northeast Counseling LLC and House of NOLA with her husband, Terrance Key. Kaissy is a member of Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.,
When she is not seeing patients, she is an adjunct instructor at University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the Department of Kinesiology teaching Health Promotion and Wellness courses. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, trying new restaurants, shopping, and couponing.
Kelsey Littleton
Family Nurse Practitioner
Kelsey Littleton
Family Nurse Practitioner
Kelsey is from Monroe, LA and graduated from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette in 2017 with a Masters of Science in Nursing and is a AANP certified family nurse practitioner (FNP).
Kelsey’s been working in the field of addiction since 2018 where she started as an FNP.
When she’s not taking care of clients, she is caring for her two little ones at home.
Betsy Davis
Director of Nursing
Betsy Davis
Director of Nursing
Betsy is a board certified Registered Nurse with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. Betsy began her career as an LPN at an accredited drug and alcohol facility in 2000. Betsy later obtained her RN degree from Baptist Health School of Nursing in Little Rock, Arkansas in 2007. Psych nursing is her passion. Having worked in addiction nursing for 20 years, she brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to our facility. Betsy has an uncanny ability to help these patients navigate through this tough period in their lives. She enjoys assisting them in regaining the love, support, and trust of their families and loved ones.
Clinical
Glen Brown
Counselor
Glen Brown
Counselor
Glen Brown has extensive experience in drug and alcohol treatment. He received a diploma from the Louisiana Substance Abuse Counselors & Trainers Education Foundation Institute in 2017.
In 2014 until being hired by Second Chances in 2020, Mr. Brown worked as a counselor for drug court in the 5th Judicial District, State of Louisiana. During this time he helped reform hundreds of drug court participants to become productive members of society while also helping the court enforce policies and procedures.
Glen has a deep understanding and knowledge of the disease of addiction and is passionate about recovery. This unique perspective allows him to guide addicts and alcoholics to effectively interrupt thought and behavior patterns of the addiction cycle.
Mr. Brown’s philosophy in achieving long term sobriety is centered in treating the entire person (mind, body, and spirit). He is a graduate of the United States Marine Corps (1980), a church deacon, and a devoted family man. Glen knows the compassion and discipline necessary to defeat addiction and live a peaceful and productive life free from drugs and alcohol.
Mr. Brown is currently a Counselor in Training (CIT) and studying to become a Registered Addiction Counselor (RAC).
April Denova
Counselor
April Denova
Counselor
April began working in this field in 2019 at a faith based treatment program. She then moved to a residential treatment program in 2020. She is a CIT and is working towards being a Registered addiction counselor through LA-ADRA.
April has experience with working with addicts and their families in long term and residential treatment. April loves being able to offer hope and freedom to the broken. To April working in this field is not just a career but her passion in life and is thankful for the life God restored back to her.
Tanya Brandy
Counselor
Tanya Brandy
Counselor
Tanya began working as a substance abuse counselor in November 2014. She is a graduate of the University of Louisiana of Monroe with a Bachelor of Art degree. In 2011, she became a graduate of Grambling State University and obtained a Master of Social Work degree.
In 2019, she became a Certified Activity Therapy Facilitator through the Louisiana Association for Behavioral Health and began the process of becoming a Licensed Addiction Counselor through LA-ADRA in 2020. And, in 2021, she became a Certified Anger Management Specialist and a Certified Parent Instructor through The Diversion Center.
After graduation, Tanya began her career as a case manager at Saint Francis Medical Center for two years; as Child Welfare Specialist at the Department of Children and Family Services for three years; and for six and half years Tanya began working as a substance abuse counselor at Rayville Recovery.
Tanya just recently joined the Second Chances Team. She is also currently pursuing a Master Degree in Theology and Religious Studies from The H.O.P.E. Bible Institute. Tanya is one of the residential inpatient substance abuse counselors and she is also the intensive outpatient counselor. A great deal of Tanya’s experience involves working with clients who are diagnosed with addiction and co-occurring psychological disorders through the hospital, DCFS, residential programs, intensive outpatient programs, and through mental health agencies.
Tanya’s preferred approach to counseling is from a holistic psychotherapy perspective which incorporates the mind, body, and spirit which each human being possesses. As the individual becomes aware of this concept relapse prevention planning becomes more attainable and the correlation to the three stages of relapse: mental, emotional, and physical begins to make sense. Tanya is extremely passionate about assisting individuals to transition their lives from a place of unmanageability to a place of peace through guidance of mindfulness, desire, and humility.
Nancy Vincenzi
Counselor
Nancy Vincenzi
Counselor
Nancy has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Penn State University and a Master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. She is in recovery and prior to attending college she represented Gaudenzia through speaking engagements educating medical personnel and government officials on the needs of individuals upon reentry into the community.
Nancy began working in the field in 2014 working with youth and adults involved in the legal system and in 2015 began providing addiction and mental health services to the homeless population in Washington, DC. She is passionate about assisting people in changing the course of their lives.
Lisa Bradley
Discharge Coordinator
Lisa Bradley
Discharge Coordinator
Lisa began working in this field as residential tech in 2016. Over the years she spent time learning more about substance abuse and has become well-acquainted with how to deal with patients. Lisa’s experience allows her to get to know clients and learn what it is they need to excel in their recovery. Lisa enjoys helping and watching them grow and transform in their recovery journey.
Other Key Personnel
Terry Richardson
Intake Coordinator
Terry Richardson
Intake Coordinator
Terry has worked in the medical field for over 25 years. She is a certified CPT and Medical assistant and now works as an intake coordinator. Terry has worked in the addiction field for over 6 years now.
She enjoys helping people get back on track and living their best life.
Troy Hatfield
Residential Tech Manager
Troy Hatfield
Residential Tech Manager
Troy began his work with recovery in the community, providing support, encouragement, and transportation to treatment. He is a husband and a father and is celebrating his 11th year sober.
He began working as a Tech in 2008. He prides himself in helping anyone with life controlling issues by meeting them where they are. He shares his experience, strength and hope, so that anyone struggling with the grips of addiction can see that there is an abundant life after recovery.
Amanda Demere
Utilization Review Coordinator
Amanda Demere
Utilization Review Coordinator
Amanda first began her career in addiction recovery in 2017. She quickly learned that she loved the field and transitioned from a 9-year career in veterinary medicine to recovery nursing. Prior to addiction nursing, she had experience in hospital management and psychiatric nursing. She has been certified through the crisis prevention institute since 2016 and has a large amount of experience with co-occurring disorders. Amanda has been in nurse management since 2018 but has recently moved to utilization review where she uses her knowledge and experience directly with insurance companies to enable each individual seeking treatment at Second Chances to have the maximum amount of time in the residential setting.