our office staff
Amanda Moss
- Amanda serves as our Director of Operations, bringing leadership, dedication, and heart to everything she does. A U.S. Army Veteran with two combat tours in Iraq, she continues her commitment to service as an Army spouse and active member of the military community.
- Amanda is deeply passionate about supporting and uplifting military families and is always finding ways to give back through outreach, advocacy, and behind-the-scenes leadership. Her work helps ensure that both clients and clinicians feel supported and cared for within the practice.
- Outside of work and volunteering, Amanda enjoys spending quality time with her family, unwinding with a good Netflix marathon, and diving into her latest crafting project.
Michelle Lee
- Michelle serves as our detail-oriented and steady Office Manager, keeping day-to-day operations running smoothly with care and precision. She is a proud mom to one amazing teenager and the second of four sisters, and she places a strong value on family and connection.
- Originally from Columbus, Georgia, Michelle has called Lowndes County home since 1997. Known for her laid-back, grounded nature, she finds joy in life’s simple moments—spending time with her child, connecting with her large extended family, and exploring her love of genealogy.
- Michelle has a deep interest in family history and believes that understanding where we come from helps shape who we become. Her curiosity, thoughtfulness, and appreciation for connection bring a unique and meaningful presence to our team and community.
Hope miller, CMHC Intern
- Hope earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Florida State University and is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Capella University. She has experience supporting children, adolescents, and families as they navigate neurodevelopmental differences, behavioral challenges, anxiety, and emotional regulation concerns.
- Hope is passionate about creating a warm, culturally responsive, and collaborative therapy space where clients feel supported, understood, and empowered. She strives to meet clients where they are and help them build confidence, resilience, and meaningful change at a pace that feels right for them.
- Her clinical interests include stress, anxiety, depression, family conflict, and life transitions, and she enjoys working alongside clients as they develop practical skills and greater self-awareness.
- Hope provides in-person and telehealth services in Georgia and is supervised by Dr. Rachel Padalino, LPC.
Joseph harrell, MFT Intern
- Before pursuing his education in marriage and family therapy, Joseph served six years in the Georgia Army National Guard. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Valdosta State University in 2023 and is currently pursuing his Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy at Valdosta State University.
- While completing his internship at the FamilyWorks Clinic, Joseph has worked with couples, individuals, and families, supporting clients as they navigate relationship challenges, life transitions, and personal concerns.
- Joseph is passionate about helping clients explore what meaningful change looks like for them while also creating a safe, supportive space where they feel comfortable sharing their experiences. He values collaboration and works alongside clients to better understand their concerns and move toward positive, sustainable change.
- Joseph provides in-person services in Georgia and is supervised by Sarah Cox, LMFT.
Deanna gill, LPC
- Deanna is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who graduated from East Tennessee State University. She comes from a proud military family, with both parents having served 20 years, and many of her closest family members and friends continuing to serve on active duty. This background gives her a deep appreciation for the unique experiences and challenges faced by military-connected individuals and families.
- While Deanna works with a wide range of concerns, her heart lies in supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community, individuals who have experienced sexual trauma, and parents navigating the emotional and physical challenges of the postpartum period. She provides compassionate, evidence-based care and strives to meet each client where they are in their healing journey.
- Deanna works with individuals, couples, and families, creating a supportive and affirming space where clients feel safe, understood, and empowered. Outside of the therapy room, she enjoys reading and spending time with her fur babies.
- Deanna provides in-person services in Georgia and telehealth services for clients in Georgia and Kentucky.
Rachel Padalino, PhD, LPCC-S, LPC, ACS
- Rachel works with adults and couples who are navigating mental health concerns and the stressors that come with life’s changes. She has experience supporting clients through infertility and pregnancy-related challenges, depression, anxiety, anger management, relationship concerns, and major life transitions.
- Her clinical interests include working with military members, veterans, and their families, as well as helping individuals and couples process grief, adjust to new phases of life, and strengthen their relationships. Rachel approaches therapy with warmth, collaboration, and a focus on practical tools that clients can use outside of sessions.
- Rachel has completed Level 1 Gottman Method Couples Therapy training and uses Gottman-informed, research-based tools to help couples improve communication, build emotional closeness, and navigate conflict in healthier, more supportive ways.
- She provides telehealth services in Georgia and Kentucky and is an approved counseling supervisor in both states.
Amanda Blair, LPC
- Amanda Blair is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Georgia and Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate (LPCA) in Kentucky who earned her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Maryland Global Campus in 2019 and completed her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. She is a Georgia native, a military spouse of 15 years to an active-duty Air Force member, and a mom of two.
- Amanda is passionate about working with military members and their families, supporting clients as they navigate life transitions, stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship or family conflict. She primarily uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to help clients develop practical coping skills and feel more confident managing daily challenges.
- Amanda also has training and experience treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a highly effective, evidence-based approach. She works collaboratively with clients to help them better understand OCD patterns and reduce the impact of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
- She offers individual and couples counseling, as well as spiritually integrated counseling upon request, and strives to create a supportive, respectful space for each client’s values and goals.
- Amanda provides telehealth services in Georgia and Kentucky. She is supervised by Dr. Rachel Padalino, LPCC.
Jenna Thomas, LCSW
- Jenna earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of South Carolina in 2020. She is a military wife and dog mom, and her professional background includes working with children in school settings as well as providing therapy to adults, couples, and families in clinical environments.
- Jenna provides therapy services to clients of all ages, including individuals, couples, and families, with a special focus on children, teens, and young adults. In her work with couples, Jenna helps partners improve communication, strengthen connection, and better understand one another during times of stress or transition.
- She is passionate about helping clients gain a deeper understanding of themselves while building on their strengths, skills, and self-expression. Jenna tailors her approach to each client, offering support that meets them where they are while encouraging growth and self-understanding.
- Jenna has extensive experience supporting clients with anxiety, ADHD, mood regulation challenges, trauma, grief, depression, teen-related concerns, and major life transitions.
- Jenna offers telehealth services in Georgia and Kentucky, including evening appointment availability to accommodate busy schedules.
Sarah Cox, LMFT
- Sarah is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who graduated from VSU in 2018. She works with individuals and couples who are navigating trauma, major life transitions, and relationship challenges. Sarah is especially passionate about supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community, military families, and those seeking an affirming and inclusive therapy space.
- Sarah approaches therapy from a systemic perspective, helping clients better understand how their experiences, relationships, and environments shape the challenges they face. She is committed to creating a safe, validating, and supportive space where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered to explore their experiences openly.
- Sarah has completed Level 1 Gottman Method Couples Therapy training and uses Gottman-informed, research-based tools to help couples strengthen communication, deepen emotional connection, and work through conflict in healthier ways.
- She provides in-person services in Georgia and telehealth services in Florida, Georgia, and Kentucky.
Sunny, Certified Therapy Dog
- Sunny is our resident therapy dog. When she's not napping or bouncing around the hallways, you can find her offering emotional comfort to clients during their session.
- Sunny has completed extensive training and evaluations toward her Therapy Dog title, including Canine Good Citizen, Advanced CGC, and Urban CGC awards and she is currently certified by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Amanda Lee-Degner, EdD, LPC, LPCC-S, ACS
- Serenity Counseling Group is owned and operated by Amanda Lee-Degner, a dedicated military spouse with over 15 years of experience in the mental health field. Amanda works with service members, couples, and individuals who are seeking meaningful change and an improved quality of life.
- Amanda is trained in trauma-informed care and uses well-researched approaches such as Written Exposure Therapy (WET), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) to help clients heal from the lasting effects of trauma. She provides a compassionate, supportive space where clients can process difficult experiences and move forward with greater confidence and emotional clarity.
- Amanda has completed Level 1 Gottman Method Couples Therapy training and incorporates Gottman-informed, research-based tools in her work with couples to strengthen communication, deepen connection, and navigate conflict in healthier ways.
- Her work is grounded in empathy, expertise, and a deep commitment to supporting the unique needs of the military community and those navigating life’s most difficult transitions.
- Amanda provides in-person services in Georgia and telehealth services in Florida, Georgia, and Kentucky. She is also an approved supervisor in Georgia (LPC) and Kentucky (LPCC).