At The Adoption Support Center, we believe our services are only as good as the people we employ. That's why we choose people who are truly committed to helping families who have been touched by adoption. See the employee bios below for detailed information about work experience and specific interests.

 

Executive Director of Agape the lead agency for the Adoption Support Center

 

David Jordan, MSSW

Executive Director

David Jordan is the Executive Director of AGAPE Child and Family Services in Memphis & Jackson, TN, a position he has held since August 1995.  He received a Master of Science degree in Social Work Administration and Planning from the University of Tennessee.  Over the course of his career, David, has worked as a counselor, family therapist, supervisor, program administrator, and agency director in the human services field.  Specializing in services to children and families, he has worked extensively in the public and private sectors and in both government and faith-based agencies.  

 

Director of the Adoption Support Center  

 

Michael McDonald, LCSW

Director of the Adoption Support Center

Michael McDonald is the Director of The Adoption Support Center. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. He went on later to obtain a Master’s in Clinical Social Work from the University of Tennessee College of Social Work. Michael has years of clinical and adoption social work experience, allowing him to better understand adoption and the special needs that adoptive families may have.

He served as an intern at Pinnacle Point Hospital and was an Alcohol and Drug Treatment technician at Southeast Community Treatment Center. He also worked in the Domestic Violence program and parenting program at Exchange Club/AmeriCorps Program. He facilitated group, individual, and family therapy at Compass Intervention. In addition, he worked as a medical social worker for LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center, dealing with abuse and bereavement issues. Michael also provided special needs adoption case management, counseling and support as the Coordinator for the adoption and maternity services program at AGAPE Child and Family Services, Inc.

 

Clinical Supervisors 

Karen Ratliff, LMSW 

Clinical Supervisor of the Adoption Support Center, Memphis

 

Alisha Worthey, MS

Clinical Supervisor of the Adoption Support Center, Jackson

Alisha Worthey joined Agape Child and Family Services, Inc. in January 2008. She is employed full-time in the Jackson, TN office in the ASAP program as a Family Therapist. Alisha earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Social Work from Freed-Hardeman University in 1994. She later returned to FHU to complete a Master’s of Science degree in Counseling, graduating in 2005. Alisha was employed as a Vocational Assessment Evaluator for five years at Madison-Haywood Developmental Services and for nine years at The STAR Center in Jackson, Tennessee. As a vocational evaluator, Alisha assisted individuals with emotional, physical, and mental disabilities to explore work and/or training options that would lead them to successful vocational placements. Alisha has completed a practicum at The Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse and at The STAR Center in the Art Therapy Program.

 

Family Advocate

Anna Dempsey, BA

Family Advocate

Anna was born and raised in Memphis, TN. She just graduated from Harding University in May with a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish. She is currently applying to medical schools and hopes to one day be a pediatrician or family physician. Anna works as a Family Advocate and as the IATI Specialist for the Adoption Support Center.

 

Family Therapists

George Kolhbacher, MA

Family Therapist

George Kohlbacher III, joined the Adoption Support Center this July as a family therapist. He has worked for Agape Child and Family Services since May of 2004. Formerly, he worked as a family therapist in the family preservation program at Agape. George received his Master's in Counseling from Harding Graduate School after receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Buffalo. George is excited to be working with families that have been touched by adoption. George and his wife, Debbie are the adoptive parents of two young boys themselves. George enjoys traveling with his family, reading, and collecting Superman memorabilia.

 

Hannah Coffman, MS

Family Therapist

Hannah Coffman, M.S. joined AGAPE Child and Family Services in November 2008 with the Adoption Support and Preservation program (ASAP). She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Counseling. Hannah currently provides therapy and support to adoptive families in West Tennessee who have adopted youth formerly in the state foster care system. Hannah's former experience includes interning with Youth Villages as a family therapist, the STAR Center as a vocational evaluator and at West TN Children’s Home as a group and individual therapist for teenagers placed in state’s custody. Prior to joining Agape she was a counselor for the students of the Tennessee Technology Center in Jackson advising students along their educational and vocational path. Hannah resides in Henderson along with her husband and two Pomeranians. She thanks God for the opportunity to work for a Christian organization and for her co-workers that exemplify His vision.

Jayna Butler, MS

Family Therapist

Jayna Butler, M.S. joined the Agape Child & Family Services team, July 2010 as a Family Therapist for the ASAP Program in Memphis.  She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and a Masters degree in Counseling from Capella University in Minneapolis, MN.  Her former experience consists of Case Management at Park CenterNashville and Career Counseling at Tennessee Community Services Agency’s Employment Solutions Program.  Her interests include, client-centered therapy and enhancing career and academic development for adolescents in crisis.  She is a member of the Upper Room ChurchMemphis, TN, where her father (Elder Marshall Butler) pastors and a proud mother of a beautiful daughter. 

Julie Hill, MS

Family Therapist

Julie Hill MS joined the Agape Child and Family services team in July of 2010 as a Family Therapist in the ASAP program in Memphis TN. She graduated from Freed Hardeman University in 2004 where she received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. She then obtained her Masters degree in counseling from Freed Hardeman University in 2007. Julie has previously worked for over six years providing direct care services as well as group, family, and individual therapy within various programs for Youth Villages.  She began at their Deer Valley residential treatment facility in Linden TN in 2004.  Here she focused on providing treatment for juveniles with emotional and behavioral problems.  She also worked with the Transitional Living program for youth who were transitioning out of state’s custody and were learning to live independently in the community and with the Community Based Program where she provided treatment for youth in a group home setting who were working to reintegrate back into the community.

 

Mallory Morris, MSSW

Family Therapist

Mallory Morris MSW joined the Agape Child and Family services team in June of 2010 as a Family Therapist in the ASAP program in Jackson TN. She attended Freed Hardeman University where she received her undergraduate degree in social work (BSW) in 2008. she then attended Union University where she obtained her Masters in social work (MSW) in 2010. Mallory has completed a practicum at Jackson Madison county General Hospital with medical social work, as well as practicums at the Washington Douglass Head Start and Pathways Mental Health Center. She has worked as a contract social worker for Professional Health Services and an in home Intercept family counselor for youth villages. Mallory is a native of Doniphan, MO but currently lives in Jackson, TN with her husband. She is excited about working with children and families who are effected by adoption as well as working for a Christian organization.

 

 

Nini Harrell, LMSW 

Family Therapist

Bio coming soon

 

 

Tawanna Ballard, LMSW

 

Family Therapist

 

Tawanna Ballard, LMSW joined Agape in June 2010 as a family therapist in the ASAP program. She works full-time in the Jackson Tennessee office. Tawanna received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Tennessee Martin and a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee.  She was employed from 2006-2009 with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services as a Permanency Specialist. Tawanna worked to identify families for children who were legally free for adoption in the foster care system. She is also a veteran of the U.S. Army where she served four years on active duty. Tawanna enjoys mentoring young women and teaching them biblical principles of everyday life.

 

Willie Holcomb, LCSW

Family Therapist/HART/HMHF

Willie graduated from University of Tennessee with a Masters in Social Work in 1993.  He has been working with AGAPE Child and Family Services, Inc. for over 10 years.  He has been married for over 35 years and has two grown children.  Willie works with the Adoption Support Center in the areas of training couples/families in communications and assessments for DCS in adoption cases. In addition to that he has a part time private practice in general counseling.  He specializes in family relationships, communication and anger management. He enjoys traveling and movies.