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Who We Are

Our Mission

To support, empower and strengthen all ages and all ability individuals in our community through therapies and life skills classes provided by our integrative care team.

Our Vision 

Through the use of various therapies, groups and life skills classes, our patients will build confidence, self-esteem, personal awareness, and independent living skills while becoming mentally stronger for a better quality of life.

Our Values

We prioritize kindness and respect for our clients, our co-workers and our community.

We offer loving encouragement for every individual to achieve their goals and improve their overall quality of life.

How It All Began

2021 was a busy year for me and my son Vladek.  He graduated from high school in May and then he turned 18 in July.  In looking for programs, therapies, and social skills opportunities for him, I quickly realized there was a lack of resources in our community for those 18 and up with special needs.

The more I began to research, I learned that those in our special needs community under 18 have been on wait lists for 6 months to a year or even more for therapy services like PT, OT and Speech. 

Flashback to 2020 and then continuing into 2021, these years taught me a lot during the pandemic. We all know too well how difficult life had been- filled with personal loss and heartache. Add to that the loss of human contact where smiles and hugs were replaced with masks and waves from 6′ apart. But through all the difficulties of that time, I think it has also allowed us to see how precious time is, how important it is to find joy, how lucky we are to have those in our circle, and how loved our family and friends truly are.

In October of 2021, still reflecting on finding joy and helping those with special needs find the therapies they need to live their best life (including Vlad), I was determined to make major life changes!  I sold my home, left an executive job with a company that I had been with for several years, and formed Sunny Days Therapeutics! 

I knew life was short and I knew my new mission was finding joy in helping others.  Selling my home gave me the startup funds that were necessary to get Sunny Days off the ground, and leaving my job gave me the time to find my joy and network within the community to help others learn about Sunny Days. 

I am extremely grateful to be on this journey and beyond excited to see how we can help those of all neurotypes within our community.

My Purpose:

This is my son Vladek- he is my world. He graduated from high school in May of 2021, works for JavaJoy, volunteers at Athens Humane Society, and is on the Autism spectrum. I adopted Vlad from Poland in 2005 when he was 2. The minute I met Vlad, I knew there were “problems” but had no idea what challenges we would be facing to get him the services he would need.

I can tell you that through the years, Vlad has received a variety of therapies that have shaped him into the wonderful young man he is today.

My passion has always been helping others. After seeing first-hand the amazing progress that Vlad has made throughout the years, I’m beyond excited to bring some of these wonderful therapies to the individuals in our Athens and surrounding communities.

Meet Our Team

Amber Buchanan

Practice Admin; Owner

Amber Buchanan

Amber Buchanan, founder and CEO at Sunny Days, has had a passion for helping others since she was a child.  She began volunteering at the age of 13 as a candy striper for the local hospital where she lived in WV.  She went on to volunteer at a teen suicide hotline, the animal shelter and at various locations with her youth group throughout her teen years.  

Even though Amber obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business from a small private college in WV, she continued with her passion of helping others in her spare time during her business career, but it didn’t feel like enough.  During the pandemic, Amber realized that she wanted to focus all of her time on helping others.  She left her full time Executive role and formed Sunny Days in January of 2022.  

Amber cannot wait to see the great things the Sunny Days will do for Athens and the surrounding area!

Amber's Bio
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Amy Simmons

Clinical Director

Amy Simmons

Amy Simmons is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who has a passion for serving and genuinely loves helping other people. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Concord University in Athens, West Virginia in 2013 and Master’s Degree in Social Work from West Virginia University in 2015. She completed internships in both out-patient and in-patient settings. Her background includes working with adult and adolescent patients. She most often conducts individual therapy sessions but also has experience with couples and groups.

Amy has experience working with individuals with special needs and issues including but not limited to depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, low self-esteem, LGBTQ+, gender identity and sexual orientation. She has experience is using a variety of treatment modalities and is excited to schedule an appointment to conduct an initial assessment and develop a person-centered treatment plan, that will help you meet your mental health goals. At this time, therapy sessions will be conducted via telehealth.

When not working, Amy enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter and family. She enjoys spending time outdoors, trying new things and going on adventures.

Amy's Bio
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Beth Segars

LCSW Supervisor

Beth Segars

Beth Segars is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a passion for helping others.  She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Piedmont College in 2012, and her master’s degree from the University of Georgia in 2016.  

Beth has a wide range of experience including work with DFCS, a sexual assault center, community based therapy, and medical social work with hospice.  She enjoys helping people work through issues including trauma, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, self esteem, PTSD, and recently reunited families.  She has experience with a variety of modalities, as well.

Beth is also the LCSW Supervisor. She oversees school-based therapists, DFCS requests, and provides supervision to therapists with provisional licenses.  

When not working, Beth enjoys time with her husband, Klint, her three grown children, and her precious granddaughter.  She enjoys spending time with friends and family, and experiencing new adventures.


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Jennifer Smith

Administration

Jennifer Smith

Jennifer currently lives in the Athens area, where she enjoys spending time with her three children and three fur babies. She enjoys keeping active with outdoor activities such as swimming, kayaking, and tubing. She also enjoys refurbishing old wooden furniture- considering it a personal form of therapy. 

Jennifer has worked in medical administration for many years, and she loves her career and helping others!

Jennifer's Bio
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Alexia Johnson

LMSW
Therapist

Alexia Johnson

Alexia Johnson, Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), received her education in her home state of Wisconsin. Through over nine years of experience, she has worked with children and families in the child welfare system and adults with disabilities.  Other demographics she has served are survivors of abuse and human trafficking. 

Alexia has a passion for serving her community and vulnerable populations. In addition to her degree, she is also certified in trauma-informed care, and in various trauma modalities. Alexia has served as an intern for both an inpatient substance abuse clinic and a domestic violence shelter. 

Outside of clinical settings, she enjoys reading the Bible, books, spending time with her family and friends, listening to music, and working as an esthetician. Her personal favorite is naps!

Alexia's Bio
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Amber Miller

LPMT
Music Therapist

Amber Miller

Amber began her career as an elementary school music teacher in 2014 after graduating Georgia Southern University. She continued teaching until 2017, when she moved to Athens to pursue her Bachelor’s Equivalency in Music Therapy at the University of Georgia. This culminated in an internship at The George Center in Roswell, GA. 

Amber has experience leading music therapy in groups and with individuals from many walks of life. She has worked with seniors in memory care, children and young adults with Autism, preschool-aged children, and more. Additionally, she is trained in Remo’s HealthRHYTHMS program. She is passionate about making music accessible to anyone, and in presuming competence in her clients.

When not making music, Amber enjoys snuggling her pugs, geocaching, and playing D&D with her friends.

Amber's Bio
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Ana Maria Alviz

MSW
Therapist

Ana Maria Alvis

Ana Maria's Bio
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Cecile Robinson

MSW

Therapist

Cecile Robinson

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Krystal Kenneth

MSW
Child Therapist

Krystal Kenneth

Krystal Kenneth obtained her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Boston University in 2023, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree from The University of Georgia in 2020. While at Boston University, Krystal pursued the clinical track of her program and specialized in Children, Youth, and Families.

Krystal has experience working in a domestic violence shelter, a high school, a teen center, and an LGBTQ+ mental health clinic. Through her work and educational experiences, she has learned how to engage with clients in a trauma-informed and age-appropriate manner. Through a combination of treatment modalities like CBT, DBT, TF-CBT, play and art therapy, social emotional learning, and more, Krystal is prepared to guide clients to their goals.

When she’s able to spend time outdoors, Krystal enjoys gardening flowers and vegetables, hiking, skateboarding, roller-blading, and taking on DIY projects. When she’s hanging out indoors she enjoys cooking, baking, rock tumbling, and spending time with her cats and family.

Krystal's Bio
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Rachel Parker

LMSW

Therapist

Rachel Parker

Rachel Parker is a neurodivergent therapist who enjoys working with individuals 7 and older who have Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, anxiety, issues with healthy communication, or those who just need someone to talk to about the stresses of life. 

She enjoys incorporating art and play into her sessions with children, and uses an eclectic approach combining principles of CBT, motivational interviewing, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in her work with adults. 

In her free time, she enjoys hiking, playing video games, and baking.

Rachel's Bio
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Tamara Smith

LMSW

School-Based Therapist

Tamara Smith

Tamara Smith, Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), received her education in her home town of Fayetteville NC. She has been in GA for 9 years. Throughout 15  years of experience, she has worked with children and families in the child welfare system as well as adults with disabilities through the Dept. of Family and Children Services.  Other demographics she has served include foster care and at-risk youth, nursing homes, private mental health, hospitals and school setting populations. Tamara has a passion for serving her community and vulnerable populations. In addition to her degree, Tamara has served as a volunteer advocate for victims of abuse. 

Outside of clinical settings, she enjoys spending time with her kids which includes sports activities, exercising, traveling, watching movies, and working on writing a book. 

Tamara's Bio
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