Advisory Board

We at the AAFP use a professional  advisory board to ensure we provide the best training and education possible.

Our Commitment to Training and Education to Ensure Justice

Welcome to the Advisory Board of the American Association of Forensic Professionals, Inc., a distinguished nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the field of forensic education. Our board is composed of leading experts committed to training and educating both professionals and the public on effective strategies for identifying abusers and providing comprehensive support to victims and children in legal settings. Through our collective expertise and dedication, we strive to enhance the effectiveness of court matters and ensure justice and support for those impacted.

 

Our Advisors

 

Andrea Liverman, LPC, RPT-S

Andrea Liverman brings over a decade of expertise in mental health, with a significant focus on victim support and child therapy through play. Transitioning from community-based agencies to private practice, she specializes in using play therapy to aid children and adolescents, fostering a supportive and healing environment.

Adrienne Browning, J.D., Esq.

Adrienne Browning combines her legal prowess, focused on criminal defense, with a commitment to public service and personal development. A graduate of the University of Georgia and Florida Coastal School of Law, she co-founded Tucker and Browning Law PC, where she draws on her experience as a former prosecutor and her frequent defense of indigent defendants in Federal Court. Recognized for her superior trial skills, Adrienne is dedicated to continuous learning and sharing her expertise, including lecturing on courtroom testimony for police officers.

Robert "Matt" McDaniel, M.A., LPC

Robert "Matt" McDaniel has a diverse background in clinical mental health, extending support to individuals grappling with a wide range of challenges from PTSD to relationship issues. Leveraging his comprehensive education and a hands-on approach developed through various settings, including group homes and in-home therapy, Matt excels in applying a multifaceted counseling technique tailored to each client's unique needs. An expert in reunification therapy, co-parenting and family dynamics, Matt is also a committed veteran, enriching his practice with insights from his military service and current role in Air Force Special Operations Command, Navarre, Florida.

Julianna McConnell

Julianna McConnell stands at the helm of The Preston Group, Inc. as President and CEO, where her extensive 25-year career as a registered lobbyist in Georgia underscores her dedication to key social issues, including combating domestic minor sex trafficking and advocating for mental health and developmental disabilities. A distinguished voice in legislative circles, Julianna has notably influenced policy through her work with Street GRACE and maintains a pivotal role in the Georgia Commission on Women. She has dedicated ten years to advocating for nursing issues, particularly focusing on removing professional barriers for advanced practice nurses and representing the interests of nursing school deans and directors. In addition to this work, she has been actively involved in community service, demonstrated by their election to the City Council in Suwanee. Her academic background in Accounting/Finance and an MBA from the University of West Georgia fortifies her leadership, evidenced by her long-standing contributions to the community, her church, and her cherished time spent with family.

Anna S. Wall

Anna S. Wall has more than 23 years of experience in social work, which includes counseling sex offenders, helping children in the foster care system to find permanent homes, conducting adoption studies, serving as a guardian ad litem for the superior courts, and making child support services safer for clients experiencing domestic violence. Anna works collaboratively with federal, state, and local agencies, non-governmental service providers, and community stakeholders to ensure that individuals, families, and children are safe and healthy.

Jionel E. Pierre, SJD

Jionel E. Pierre, originally from Brooklyn with Haitian roots, has dedicated his life to education and advocacy, especially for individuals with disabilities. His career began in Palm Beach County, Florida, where he progressed from a language facilitator to a Special Education Coordinator. Later, as an Assistant Professor at Kennesaw State University, he founded an advocacy firm to protect the rights of disabled students. Dr. Pierre is a multi-degreed scholar with credentials in special education, educational administration, business administration, and law, culminating in a Doctor of Philosophy in Education and a Doctor of Judicial Science. He is recognized for his contributions to educational and legal journals and is an established mediator and soon-to-be member of the Alabama and Georgia Bar Associations. Based in Atlanta, Dr. Pierre takes pride in his community involvement and, above all, in being a devoted father.

Keisha Pou-Buchanan, PhD, LPC, CPCS

Keisha Pou-Buchanan is a Georgia psychotherapist, speaker, trainer, and educator. She owns Next Step Counseling, LLC, a group private practice, and founded Relif, Inc, a nonprofit organization providing mental health services to first responders. She has over 20 years of experience in counseling. Dr. Buchanan is a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and TF-CBT Certified. Her clinical experience includes various settings working with adults and children. Dr. Buchanan is a wife and a mother of three active boys. She enjoys traveling, attending sporting events, primarily when her children compete, and spending quality time with herself, her family, and her friends.

Angie Boles (Rink), LPC,

Angie Boles (Rink) excels in a holistic therapy approach, integrating mind, body, and spirit to promote balance and wellness, with a specialization in trauma and stress management. She employs tailored therapeutic techniques informed by her extensive training in child abuse, trauma therapy, and domestic violence, focusing on individual client needs for optimal well-being. Angie's academic foundation includes a minor in criminal justice, providing a unique perspective on legal implications in her practice. Her expertise is further validated by certifications as a Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluator (CFMHE) and a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS), underscoring her comprehensive approach to mental health care. These qualifications enhance her ability to navigate complex psychological issues with a deep understanding of their legal and systemic dimensions.

Janis Ellington, CAC II, RPS,

Janis Ellington is a seasoned Addiction Counselor and the Director of Education & Event Strategies at Summit BHC.  Janis’s 28 year career in substance use disorder treatment has fostered a working knowledge of an extensive network of treatment connections nationwide for all ages and demographics.   Summit BHC provides a comprehensive array of mental health and addiction treatment services across the U.S. including acute, inpatient, residential, outpatient, extended care, and aftercare/alumni services for adolescents, adults, and senior adults. Her deep compassion and creative approach to treatment enable her to tailor recovery paths to meet the unique needs of those seeking help, embodying Summit BHC’s commitment to blending innovative and traditional treatment methods to fit the needs of clients ultimately fulling the mission of “Improving the Lives We Touch.”

Catherine Fliszar, LMHC, LPC, LCMHC, LCPC,

Catherine Fliszar is a distinguished mental health professional with nearly two decades of extensive experience across various settings. Holding advanced degrees in both psychology and criminal justice, Catherine has cultivated a profound interest in the nexus between behavioral health and legal systems. Her career spans a broad spectrum of mental health services, including intensive outpatient programs for children, partial hospitalization, inpatient care, and outpatient child and family counseling. Catherine's exceptional expertise became evident during her tenure in corrections, where she honed her skills in addressing the complex needs of forensic populations. As the proprietor of her own practice, she now offers specialized evaluations for immigration proceedings and delivers expert counseling for adults grappling with anxiety, ADHD, and mood disorders. Additionally, as a trained family law mediator with a keen interest in collaborative divorce, Catherine is actively pursuing certification as a parenting coordinator, further demonstrating her commitment to supporting families through transitions with empathy and professionalism.

Cynthia Lee, LPC, RPT, CPCS, PC,

Cynthia Lee stands as the esteemed Owner and Clinical Director at Fresh Start Counseling, bringing forth a robust commitment to child welfare and therapeutic healing. With nearly two decades of experience, she has significantly contributed to the judicial system as a Guardian Ad Litem, expert witness, consultant, and educator, alongside a prior role with the Department of Family and Children Services. Her specialization includes handling high-conflict family situations, such as divorce and coercive control, underscored by her certification as a Parent Coordinator. Cynthia's profound dedication to child advocacy is acknowledged by notable institutions, including the American Academy of Pediatrics Georgia Chapter, reflecting her pivotal role in advancing the well-being of children and adults alike.

Sean A. Santos Sr., Chief of Police for The U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department

Sean A. Santos Sr. is a seasoned law enforcement professional with over two decades of Law Enforcement experience in protecting and serving his community. With a strong commitment to upholding justice and ensuring public safety, Sean has ascended through the ranks to lead the police department with integrity and dedication.

Throughout his career, Sean has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of law enforcement practices. his hands-on experience in various roles within the department, from patrol officer to SWAT Operator, and Educator has equipped him with a comprehensive perspective on the challenges and opportunities in modern policing.

Chief Santos is known for his strong work ethic, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and the community. Sean’s implementation of innovative crime prevention strategies, promoted diversity and inclusion within the department, and led successful initiatives to address pressing issues such as drug enforcement, gang violence, and community policing.

As a visionary leader, Chief Santos continues to inspire and empower his team to uphold the highest standards of ethics and excellence in law enforcement. His dedication to continuous learning and improvement, coupled with a genuine compassion for the well-being of others, sets them apart as respected and trusted leader in the field of policing.

Carol Staben-Burroughs, LCPC

Carol Staben-Burroughs is a counselor in private practice in Bozeman, MT. She has been in practice since 1988. Carol has been on the Montana Board of Behavioral Health, appointed by two governors, since 2013. She is a trainer for the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and is past president of the American Mental Health Counselor’s Association, Montana Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor’s Assn., and the MT CISM Network. Carol is a retired professor in Montana State University’s Dept. of Education, Health and Human Development. She frequently works with public safety professionals and has extensive experience with law enforcement/first responder stress, including line of duty death response. Carol has trained hundreds of mental health and public safety personnel in Critical Incident Stress Management in Montana and other states. She lectures on a wide variety of subjects and has an interactive, humorous and high energy training style. Carol is married to Grand, has a daughter and granddaughter and is involved in her church and other community organizations.