Our Leader
Vernell Mackie: Operations Executive CPSS, COAPS, CDVS, CCTS, CPLC, CART, CPTP
Inspiring People to Thrive
"Mental health matters and recovery is possible"(c) Mackie, 2023
"Mental health and substance use is a very important topic to me. It all started roughly four decades ago. I watched loved ones struggle with mental illness and subtance use. I lost my only son to drug overdose in the year 2022. Family members that attempted suicide and one that was sucessful in his attempt. This program is very dear and near to my heart. Due to all my experiences over the course of my life Expert of Lived Experience was birth. This program was created in the honor of my son William Mark Brown Jr. Traveling along my journey hasn't always been easy for me yet rewarding. I had the privilege to help many familes and individuals over the course my life and helped them navigate through the mental health system and watched many thrive and blossom.
I truly believes mental health matters and recovery is possible".
"I dedicated my life in helping others grow past their pain and propel towards their purpose". The scripture that is promising to me and one that I live by is Jeremiah 29;11 ( For I know the plans I have for you).
Vernell was born and raised in the heart of the Big Apple, New York City and is the youngest of five children from her mother. She has two children. Vernell has three beautiful grand daughters and a fur baby name Snowy. She has a heart for working with children, adolescents, teenagers, at-risk families and domestic violence victims. Vernell has worked closely with the department of social services, attorneys, caregivers, school officials, and the department of juvenile justice.
She is driven by her passion for mental health, substance abuse and has a vast amount of experience working with at-risk families, and individuals that have been affected by domestic violence, mental illness, substance use and trauma. She knows first-hand of being inflicted with trauma at a very early age. She has dedicated her life in working with individuals and families in moving towards recovery in mental health and substance use. She believes recovery is possible with proper interventions. She is an international published author and also participated in a few anthologies. She is internationally recognized for serving children and families. She has been featured in the North Carolina Families United (Celebrating Mental Health Awareness), Exposure magazine, enlightenment TV show with Dr. Honeycutt on her Health & Wellness show and ACHI Magazine. She is the 2023 award winner for Woman of the Year.
Vernell is a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, suicidal ideations and homelessness. Her passion was birthed from her pain which became her purpose. She has worked in human services and mental health for over three decades. She has a criminal justice , paralegal law, mental health and substance use background She has worked with many adolescents involved with the Department of Juvenile justice and Social services. She has also worked as a mental health professional in the state of south carolina and provided one on one psychotherapy for individuals, families ,completed biopsycho-social, diagnostic assessements and individual plan of care (IPOC). Vernell has implemented a solid crisis intervention team as well as linked individuals with substance use background to community resources. Her background consists of working with several modalities such as CBT, Solution Focused , Client-Centered, Talk , Motivational Interveiwing and holistic therapy. She also uses a multidisciplinary approach. She believes in using her skills to reach and teach. She creates therapeutic journals for children, adults and adolescents.
Her background is extensive with working with families and teenagers that exhibits emotional, behavioral challenges ,trauma, abuse and neglect. Vernell spear-headed a suicide prevention program within a faith based organization. She knows the importance of being a spiritual leader to many and believes in meeting people where they are at in their life. Within the faith based organization she used holistic counseling for individuals that requested biblical counseling. She has held positions in the following areas: clinical director, mental health professional( MHP), behavioral health clinician(SC), Qualified Professional(QP), administrative assistance, supervisor for domestic violence shelter, Guardian Ad Litem, residential counselor, nurses Aide, teacher assistance, corporate compliance officer, human resource trainer, supervisor for peer support specialists, life coach, mentor. residential counselor and trainer.Vernell has provided her skills and consultant work to behavioral health agencies as well as provided consultant work for programs to become and/or remain accredited. The accreditation she has become familiar with in aiding others is Council on Quality and Leadership that provides accreditation to human service organizations and systems that share their vision of dignity, opportunity and community for all people known as (CQL) and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities known as (CARF).
Vernell was featured in the Richmond County Newspaper for being elected for President for Human Services. She was also interviewed and featured on the Charlotte Local News to speak about teens and bullying. Vernell has provided her expertise in mental health and suicide prevention to the Chloe-Olivia’s Chat -N-Chew TV (An anti-bullying platform). She has traveled all the way to the Bahamas with Chloe-Olivia's Chat-N-Chew to speak with young adolsescents and their parents about mental health and suicide. (She has worked side by side and assisted youths of all ages with a background of being bullied, low self esteem, depression and suicide ideations. She has also worked one on one and spoken collectively at events to youths who has dealt with personal issues. She was elected and chosen to be ambassador throughout her educational academic journey. Due to her academic performance she had the privilege to be on the Honor’s List . In 1993 she received a plaque for her dedication in rendering services to children and families in New York City. She has been recognized for her continuous work across the Globe by Ambassador Dr. Lenora. Peterson-Maclin (Ph.D.) the official certified Ambassador for the former 44th President of the United States of America President Barack Hussein Obama. She holds an honoary doctorate for Humanitarian and she holds a doctorate in christian counseling. Her work does not go unnoticed. She has served as the Delegate Chairperson for New York Head Start Policy Council. She is a honorary member of Chi Sigma Iota ( Counseling honors society) . She holds the following certifications/license in the following : certified anger resolution therapist, certified domestic violence specialist, certified clinical trauma specialist, certified peer support specialist, certified older adult peer specialist, certified professional life coach: (emphasis mental health), child family treatment team trainer, licensed and ordained minister, certified parenting teen practitioner, QPR suicide prevention instructor, thinking for a change facilitator, trainer, emotional Intelligence practitioner and much more. She lives by her favorite quote “you’re not alone we are in this together”. Certifications/ License BLS Instructor Certified Anger Management Provider ( Nationally Recognized Certified Domestic Violence Specialist:Certified Peer Support SpecialistCertified Older Adult SpecialistCertified Clinical Trauma Specialist_Family Child Family Treatment Team Trainer & Facilitator Cognitive Therapy Practitoner Best Practice Transitonal Planning for Youth Train the trainer eCPR PractitonerEFT&TFT Tapping Practitoner Internationally Recognized as Certified Youth Coach with emphasis of parent coaching. Licensed & Ordained MinisterThinking for A Change Facilitator Trainer & Trainer the TrainerQPR Suicide Prevention Instructor Yoga Teacher ages 2-17 years oldProfessional Certified Life Coach
Membership:Professional Woman NetworkAssociation of Traumatic Stress SpecialistsTrauma Institute InternationalACHI Women Supporting Women Association,National Organization for Human Services,Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.(Former Member) of Sisters Overcoming Abusive Relationships (SOARS) sponsored by the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence NCCADVInternational Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP)Chi Sigma Iota ( Counseling & Honor Society)
Her background is extensive with working with families and teenagers that exhibits emotional, behavioral challenges ,trauma, abuse and neglect. Vernell spear-headed a suicide prevention program within a faith based organization. She knows the importance of being a spiritual leader to many and believes in meeting people where they are at in their life. Within the faith based organization she used holistic counseling for individuals that requested biblical counseling. She has held positions in the following areas: clinical director, mental health professional( MHP), behavioral health clinician(SC), Qualified Professional(QP), administrative assistance, supervisor for domestic violence shelter, Guardian Ad Litem, residential counselor, nurses Aide, teacher assistance, corporate compliance officer, human resource trainer, supervisor for peer support specialists, life coach, mentor. residential counselor and trainer.Vernell has provided her skills and consultant work to behavioral health agencies as well as provided consultant work for programs to become and/or remain accredited. The accreditation she has become familiar with in aiding others is Council on Quality and Leadership that provides accreditation to human service organizations and systems that share their vision of dignity, opportunity and community for all people known as (CQL) and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities known as (CARF).
Vernell was featured in the Richmond County Newspaper for being elected for President for Human Services. She was also interviewed and featured on the Charlotte Local News to speak about teens and bullying. Vernell has provided her expertise in mental health and suicide prevention to the Chloe-Olivia’s Chat -N-Chew TV (An anti-bullying platform). She has traveled all the way to the Bahamas with Chloe-Olivia's Chat-N-Chew to speak with young adolsescents and their parents about mental health and suicide. (She has worked side by side and assisted youths of all ages with a background of being bullied, low self esteem, depression and suicide ideations. She has also worked one on one and spoken collectively at events to youths who has dealt with personal issues. She was elected and chosen to be ambassador throughout her educational academic journey. Due to her academic performance she had the privilege to be on the Honor’s List . In 1993 she received a plaque for her dedication in rendering services to children and families in New York City. She has been recognized for her continuous work across the Globe by Ambassador Dr. Lenora. Peterson-Maclin (Ph.D.) the official certified Ambassador for the former 44th President of the United States of America President Barack Hussein Obama. She holds an honoary doctorate for Humanitarian and she holds a doctorate in christian counseling. Her work does not go unnoticed. She has served as the Delegate Chairperson for New York Head Start Policy Council. She is a honorary member of Chi Sigma Iota ( Counseling honors society) . She holds the following certifications/license in the following : certified anger resolution therapist, certified domestic violence specialist, certified clinical trauma specialist, certified peer support specialist, certified older adult peer specialist, certified professional life coach: (emphasis mental health), child family treatment team trainer, licensed and ordained minister, certified parenting teen practitioner, QPR suicide prevention instructor, thinking for a change facilitator, trainer, emotional Intelligence practitioner and much more. She lives by her favorite quote “you’re not alone we are in this together”. Certifications/ License BLS Instructor Certified Anger Management Provider ( Nationally Recognized Certified Domestic Violence Specialist:Certified Peer Support SpecialistCertified Older Adult SpecialistCertified Clinical Trauma Specialist_Family Child Family Treatment Team Trainer & Facilitator Cognitive Therapy Practitoner Best Practice Transitonal Planning for Youth Train the trainer eCPR PractitonerEFT&TFT Tapping Practitoner Internationally Recognized as Certified Youth Coach with emphasis of parent coaching. Licensed & Ordained MinisterThinking for A Change Facilitator Trainer & Trainer the TrainerQPR Suicide Prevention Instructor Yoga Teacher ages 2-17 years oldProfessional Certified Life Coach
Membership:Professional Woman NetworkAssociation of Traumatic Stress SpecialistsTrauma Institute InternationalACHI Women Supporting Women Association,National Organization for Human Services,Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.(Former Member) of Sisters Overcoming Abusive Relationships (SOARS) sponsored by the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence NCCADVInternational Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP)Chi Sigma Iota ( Counseling & Honor Society)
In Loving Memory: William Mark Brown Jr June 26, 1991-July 30 2022
In the Honor of William M. Brown Jr. (William Mark Brown recovery is possible scholarship) William Brown recovery is possible scholarship has been created to help others pursue their education in addiction. The scholarship will go towards a person currently enrolled in a substance abuse course at a local college in the state of North Carolina or a person working towards to obtain certification in drug addiction course whether it be licensed clinical addiction specialist or certified alcohol drug counselor. The recipient of the scholarship will have to show cause of hardship and provide three professional references along with grades if enrolled in school and provide a 500-word essay to how the scholarship will help them to achieve their goal in obtaining a certification or degree in substance abuse. The scholarship offer will not exceed the amount of $2000 and the minimum will be $500. The deadline of the scholarship will be posted after the program has reached the capacity of written essays and determined by the owner and family members of William Mark Brown Jr .
Upon approval the selected person must recognize the program on all social platforms and inform others about the scholarship. Be willing to sign a written agreement.
• Additional fees will be paid for the student however it's contingent upon available funds. Interested in applying for the scholarship please send all essays to drmackie54@gmail.com
Philosophy of Care
Expert of Lived Experience provides a continuum of services to help children, adults and families reach their emotional, mental and physical well-being through a continuum of care. We focus in the areas of total restoration. We believe each person deserves supportive, respectful, integrated care that is person-centered and trauma-informed. We tailor services to meet individual needs and achieve recovery.
Mission
To provide priemier mental health services and tear down barriers and stigma of mental health. To provide education and resources to individuals and families that struggles with mental illness and provide a clear path to recovery.
Our Vision
To become the leading organization within the mental health field and promote prevention, recovery and wellness.
Increase your wellness and create a better you
"The tools you needs to tighten your life lies deep within" Dr. Mackie(c) 2016