Clinical Consultant
Marcia Mayfield, LCSW, Ed. D, PIP

Dr. Mayfield has over 30 years of experience as a Clinician in the mental health field.  She has conducted parenting training classes to help parents better understand their child’s diagnosis and to empower them in their ability to meet their child’s needs. During her career, she has worked in schools, hospitals, and outpatient clinics with children and adolescents diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, developmental delays, and autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Mayfield works closely with physicians, speech therapists, occupational therapists and physical therapists to understand and treat underlying behavioral issues. She has served as a Clinical Consultant for research projects conducted by major universities.  She has developed and supervised programs designed to work with children and adolescents with behavioral issues, ADD/ADHD, and autism.

Director of Clinical Operations
Jaime K. Parker, PhD, LPC, NCC

Dr. Parker is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor in the state of Mississippi. She is pursuing certification as a Registered Play Therapist. She is currently the Director of Clinical Operations for the Mississippi Center for Autism and Related Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Parker is a graduate of William Carey University, Traditions with a Master of Science degree in Organizational Counseling and the University of New Orleans with a doctorate in Counselor Education. Dr. Parker received training at the LSU-HSC Play Therapy clinic where she provided parenting workshops and individual play therapy to children. Furthermore, Dr. Parker worked with the New Hope Program providing behavior modification to children with emotional disabilities in a school setting. Dr. Parker’s counseling is focused in play therapy with children and adolescents who are seeking counseling services with regard to abuse, depression, anxiety/fearfulness, post-traumatic stress, aggression, ADHD, impulsivity, low self-esteem, and social withdrawal.  Her experience includes work with children and/or adolescents who are experiencing divorce, death, relocation, hospitalization, chronic illness, physical/sexual abuse, domestic violence, and natural disasters.  Additionally, Dr. Parker serves as an adjunct instructor at William Carey University- Tradition Campus.

Speech/Language Pathologist
Susanna Arnold Utz, M.S., CCC-SLP, CALT

Susie is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Certified Academic Language Therapist. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS. She offers speech therapy to children with autism and related developmental disabilities, including dyslexia. Speech therapy focuses on development of expressive and receptive language skills, articulation, fluency, dyslexia, and social skills.

Susie worked at the DuBard School for 11 years providing services to non-verbal children, children with autism, expressive-receptive language impairment, speech impairment, including apraxia, disorders of written language, including dyslexia and dysgraphia, hearing impairment, and auditory processing disorders. Susie served as the supervisor and co-developer of the LEAP program. This was an after-school initiative designed for students age 5-10 with challenges in reading, spelling and written language.

 

Behavioral Therapist
Summer Kinsey, M.S.

Summer is the behavior therapist for the MS Center for Autism and Related Developmental Disabilities. She holds a Master of Science degree in Applied Psychology with an emphasis on Applied Analysis from the Jacksonville State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Alabama State University. She is currently pursuing her certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Summer has experience in developing skill acquisition and behavior reduction programs, implementing discrete trial training, assisting parents, developing data collection methods and materials, graphing and analyzing data, and reviewing current literature on ABA treatment. She is responsible for designing and implementing interventions for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Interventions target behaviors such as social skills, response latency, aggression, pre-learning skills, and basic language.

 

Executive Director
Terra Dickey

Terra Dickey has served as Executive Director for the center since 2010. She is employed at Digestive Health Center and is active in community outreach projects. She is the administrative assistant for Missisisppi Coast Physicians and serves as treasurer of The Gulf Coast Wellness Foundation. She is an active member of The Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in D’Iberville where Kenneth M. Davis is the pastor.

 

Receptionists

Patrice Bivens-

Patrice was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi on November 6, 1984.Her mother is Mechell Bivens. She is the youngest of three. Patrice has an eight year old daughter names Aaleiyah Bivens. She attends Bethal Christian Academy in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Patrice attended Moss Point High School where she graduated in 2003. She now attends USM on the Gulf Coast. Her major is Elementary Education.
Patrice is a receptionist at the Digestive Health Center and at the Mississippi Center for Autism & Related Developmental Disabilities. She is a member of Good Hope Baptist Church located in Moss Point, Mississippi. Her pastor is Rev. Robert E. Coker. In Patrice’s spare time she loves to play softball and tennis. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is glad that she was chosen to be a part of the team at DHC and MCARDD. Patrice says she is honored to be able to help others and put smiles on people’s faces.

 

Emma Smith

Emma is a native of Biloxi, MS. She is the second oldest of eight children. Emma is the mother of four children: Marlo, Richardo R., Sanovia, and Jeremiah. She is the grandmother of four: Ricardo A., Ramani, Symphony, and Skylar. Emma is a receptionist at the MS Center for Autism and Related Developmental Disabilities. She has 20 years of experiences in early childhood education and she loves working with children. Emma is an active member of St. John Baptist Church in Gulfport, MS.

 

Ashlyne Prince

Ashlyne was born in Biloxi, MS. She is an only child and has a daughter, A’Ryne. She attends Tabernacle M.B. Church where she enjoys singing. Ashlyne is a graduate of Biloxi High School. She is still searching for the right career, but loves working for the Mississippi Center for Autism and Related Developmental Disabilities! She is honored to have the opportunity and learning experience because she truly believes all children are a blessing from God.

Volunteer

Irma McNair-

Mrs. Irma W. McNair is the daughter of the late Walter and Laura Mae Williams. She is the mother of three children, Dr. Alfred E. McNair, Jr., Attorney Wilton A. McNair and Mrs. Mary J. McNair Smith, Certified Public Accountant. She completed her high school education in Pascagoula, MS. Mrs. McNair received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Alcorn A&M College in Lorman, MS and Master of Science Degree in School Administration, Reading and Elementary Principalship from William Carey College. During her 37 ½ years teaching career, she had been coordinator for Chapter One in Covington, MS for 10 years. She has been honored as Teacher of the year along with many other honors.

 

 

 

 

Insurance Coordinator
Lisa Johnson