Our Staff
Niki Angelaki, MSW, LCSW, LCAC, ICOGS
Vice President of Treatment Services, and Executive Director of Emberwood Center
Niki received her Master’s in Social Work from University of Southern Indiana after studying social work in her native country of Greece. Niki became fascinated with addiction recovery as an intern and has been dedicated in offering best treatment practices for people seeking recovery since 2002. Niki has also worked with schools, substance use prevention, children with developmental needs, adolescents with behavioral issues, and community education in Greece, England, and Peru. Niki is inspired by the resiliency of survivors and the people’s ability to thrive despite terrible adversities. Niki has received extensive training on various clinical models to treat trauma, substance use, and gambling, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor, and Certified International Co-Occurring Gambling Specialist.
Dr. Nicole Taylor, PhD
Supervising Clinical Psychologist (HSPP)
Dr. Nicole Taylor is the supervising clinical psychologist (HSPP) for Emberwood Center since 2011. Dr. Taylor received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Toledo in 1999, and is a professor in the School of Psychological Sciences at the University of Indianapolis where she started her employment in 2000. Dr. Taylor’s clinical and research interests include topics such as substance use, coping with illness, training and supervision issues in graduate clinical psychology, women’s issues, psychology and primary care, factors related to medical compliance and non-compliance, behavioral health and prevention, psychoeducational assessment, ADHD assessment, and psychotherapy treatment outcome in psychology training clinics. Dr. Taylor teaches at both the graduate and undergraduate level, and covers such courses as Life Span Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Tests and Measurements, Theories of Counseling, Foundation Skills of Psychotherapy, Supervision and Management, Ethics, Professional and Legal Issues, and Clinical Assessment.
Jasmine S. Hunter, MA, LMHC, CSAYC
Director of Clinical Operations and Training
Jasmine is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over ten years of experience in the mental health field. Jasmine graduated from Purdue University (West Lafayette) with a major in Psychological Science and minors in both Forensic Science and Sociology. She went on to complete a Master of Arts Degree in Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a concentration in Sex Offender Treatment.
Jasmine has received specialized training in treatment approaches such as Family Centered Treatment (FCT), Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Teaching Family Model (TFM), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Family Conflict and Divorce Mediation (certified in Illinois) and advocacy training for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. She is a Credentialed Sexually Abusive Youth Clinician (CSAYC) and pursuing certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy.
Jasmine believes that life is a journey that may be filled with adverse experiences, relationships, and many lessons along the way. She is passionate about working collaboratively with others to explore their journey, build upon their strengths and help them achieve their desired growth. She utilizes a trauma informed care approach that requires empathy, validation, and teamwork. Jasmine is a strong advocate for promoting youth and family wellness, working to end sexual violence and educating others on the impact of cultural stress, especially for Black Americans.
Amanda Adhami, LCSW, ICOGS
Therapist
Amanda is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with adults and adolescents that struggle with issues of mental health and substance use. She received her Master’s in social work from IUPUI School of Social Work, with a concentration in Mental Health and Addictions, and her bachelor’s in social work from Indiana University Bloomington (IUB). She began working in the addiction field as an intern and has over 5 years of experience working with adults and adolescents from diverse backgrounds. Amanda has experience working as a school counselor, and she continues to work as an adjunct instructor at IUB teaching substance use and diversity courses at the Bachelor and Master level.
Amanda received extensive training in treating gambling addictions and is a Certified International Co-Occurring Gambling Specialist. She holds certificates in Dialectal Behavioral Therapy and utilizes this as well as other evidence-based practices (including Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to help individuals achieve their goals and live healthier lives.
Amanda is passionate about community service, social justice, building interfaith connections, and serving at her Mosque.
Shana M. Pierson, MA, LMHCA
Therapist
Shana is has an associate license in Mental Health Counseling and works mainly with clients addressing Substance Use issues in Emberwood’s Franklin location. She received her Master’s in Counseling from Ball State University with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health. Shana completed her clinical internship providing individual and family counseling to cancer patients where she was given the opportunity to explore her passion for working with older adults. Before pursuing an education and career in counseling, Shana served in the U.S. Army as a paralegal.
Shana looks forward to working with a diverse population of clients and help them achieve fulfillment and wellness; she believes that wellness is best obtained through a holistic approach. Shana strives to implement integrative approaches to therapeutic interventions that best meet the client where they are in their journey. Client strengths and the principles of positive psychology are incorporated along with other evidence-based therapeutic approaches in a safe environment that allows clients to process and explore.
Samantha (Sam) Froh, MA, LMHCA, ATR-P
Therapist
Sam (she/her/hers) received her Master’s degree in Art Therapy from George Washington University in Washington, D.C, and her Bachelor’s degree in Pre-Art Therapy with a minor in Sociology from the University of Indianapolis. Sam’s graduate school program allowed her to receive additional training in working with trauma. She has experience in a variety of community-based settings working with culturally and neuro-diverse children, adolescents, and adults. Sam approaches therapy from an intersectional, trauma informed, harm-reduction, strengths-based lens while utilizing creativity to support those she works with in finding their own path to change. She believes that the client and the therapist are partners in the journey, and as such, brings her whole authentic self to the relationship.
Sam also finds joy in connecting with the world through time spent in nature and exploring her community on her bike. She is an avid reader, music listener, and artist.
Ashtyn Taylor, MSW, LSW
Therapist
Andrew Saunders MSW, LSW, CADAC I
Therapist
Andrew is a lifelong Indiana resident with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work from Indiana University with a concentration in Mental Health and Addictions. Andrew is a Licensed Social Worker and person in long term recovery who has worked in addiction services for over 5 years. His other professional experience includes recovery coaching, advocacy for the recovery community at the state and local level, and consulting with physicians who treat addiction and mental health issues. Andrew found his passion to help others through his own journey in addiction recovery.
Jennifer Bellah, CAPRC I
Recovery Support Specialist
Jennifer is a Certified Addiction Peer Recovery Coach I (CAPRC I) through ICAADA. Jennifer’s personal recovery journey provides clients the perspective of lived experience. After having gone through her own 8-year battle with addiction and getting her life back together, she has devoted herself to giving others that same chance. She understands that asking for help is the hardest first step some will ever make. She also knows the struggle that lies ahead when you begin recovery and support one needs in multiple life areas. She provides that safe place that those in recovery need in order to talk about their struggles and fears, then helps them create a plan based on their needs and goals. Having experienced similar struggles, she is able to relate to what our clients are going through and provide valuable insights. Jennifer’s passion lies in giving everyone suffering from addiction the help and support they need to move toward change.
Haley Hammonds, BS
Client Advocate
Haley graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a major in Psychology, a concentration in Clinical and Counseling Studies, and a minor in Child and Youth Programs. She spent seven months interning for Emberwood Center before accepting a full-time position as a client advocate. Haley is happy to work with you on skills training, referrals to other resources, as well as providing emotional and recovery support. Haley is also working in the community, at our partner agencies’ locations, providing groups that teach various skills (e.g. trauma response, emotional regulation, stress coping skills). Haley understands that reaching out for help can be a difficult thing to do, and she hopes to provide a safe space that allows everyone to feel comfortable enough to receive the treatment they deserve.
Haley hopes to continue her journey in the mental health field by furthering her education in order to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). In the meantime, she is excited to work with you and help guide you through Emberwood Center’s advocacy services.
Barbara Cook, BA
Intake Coordinator and Client Relations
Barbara Cook is part of the administrative team at Emberwood Center. She serves as the first point of contact for Emberwood Center and coordinates our clients’ intakes. She provides customer service working closely with the director, therapists, and clients providing assistance in many different areas within the agency. Barbara holds a BA in English from IUPUI and has over 20 years of customer service experience. She has a passion for working with individuals suffering from the disease of addiction and making a difference. Barbara joined the Emberwood Center team in 2021.
Leslie Bell
Data Entry and Quality Assurance Specialist
Leslie Bell is the Data Entry and Quality Assurance Specialist at Emberwood Center. Leslie has an eye for detail and takes pride in being thorough in her work. She enters data regarding our services into specific data bases and audits our chart files for accuracy, thoroughness, and compliance with all our accreditation bodies and contracts. Leslie’s previous work experience ranges from Corporate Law and Corrections to a variety of non-profit agencies. She has recently retired from Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana which she enjoyed thoroughly as she has a heart for helping those in need.
Olivia Brown, MSW, LSW
Therapist
Your light will continue to shine upon us
Olivia is a therapist at Emberwood Center specializing in childhood trauma and mental health issues. Olivia is a Licensed Social Worker and she obtained her Masters in social work with a concentration in counseling and psychological services from Indiana Wesleyan University. Her bachelors degree in social work was obtained at Ball State University with a minor in applied behavioral analysis.
She utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT), Trauma- Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI) modalities. She has experience providing in-home services to families and children working through adoption and fostering processes. She has primarily worked with children on behavior regulation and emotion management.
Olivia is passionate in providing an empathetic, safe, and strength-based environment for individuals to thrive, focusing on healing the root of trauma. She believes healthy transformation is possible within all individuals.
Outside of clinical practice she enjoys spending time with friends, being active, and listening to music.