Who We Are

Our Mission

To support, empower and strengthen all ages and all ability individuals in our community through therapies and 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 and physically stronger for a better quality of life.

Our Values

  • Kindness and respect for our clients, our co-workers and our community.
  • Passion to advocate for and support individuals in our special needs community.
  • 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.  I began looking for programs, therapies and social skills opportunities for him, and 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 the pandemic has 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 these last 2 years, I think it’s 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 know we’re just getting started, but I’m extremely grateful to be on this journey and beyond excited to see how we can help everyone (neurotypical and neurodivergent) within our community.

My Purpose:

This is my son Vladek- he is my world. Vlad recently turned 19. 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 over the last 17 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!

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Michelle Edwards

Office Manager

Michelle Edwards

Michelle Edwards is the Office Manager of Sunny Days Therapeutics. She supports scheduling, insurance billing, communication with families, and much more to help our office run as smoothly as possible. She has been an integral part of administration teams since 1997- working in both the medical and mental health fields, and winning awards for her stellar customer service.

Michelle has always had a passion for working with people searching to improve their mental health, as well as those with special needs. She has a caring heart, and works hard to ensure a positive experience for everyone at Sunny Days!

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Vladek Filipek

Administration

Vladek Filipek

Vladek Filipek graduated from Apalachee High School in Winder, GA in 2021 with Honors. He has enjoyed volunteering at the Athens Humane Society, working for Java Joy, and is now very excited to also learn new administrative tasks at Sunny Days! 

Vladek is very social and enjoys spending time with his work friends, his friends from Hailey’s Healthy Hangout, and his friends from his ESP. In his spare time, he enjoys bowling, playing video games and spending time with his dog JilliBean, and his cat Rosie.

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Katie Cossette

Clinical Supervisor

Katie Cossette

Katie received her MSW from UGA in 2004. Since that time, most of her career has been spent in community mental health in a variety of settings.

She enjoys helping clinicians show clients that they have the resiliency and capacity to recover from life’s experiences. If there is an obstacle in their way, therapy can help by changing patterns and behaviors that are causing distress.

She offers a non-judgmental, supportive, and honest approach to clinical supervision.

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Phillip Burrell

Therapist

Phillip Burrell

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Cortney Fountain

Associate Licensed
Clinical Therapist

Cortney Fountain

Cortney Fountain is an Associate Licensed Clinical Therapist, who works collaboratively to help set others up for success. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minor in Child and Family Development from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. From there she went on to obtain her Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Brenau University in Gainesville. Her background consists of working with a wide variety of Clients in individual, couples, families and group settings from children, adolescent, teens, and emerging adults. 

Cortney has experience working with those who have difficulties including but not limited to life transition, anxiety, depression, trauma, anger management, self-harm, self-esteem, and LGBTQ+. 

Cortney’s clinical work focuses on growth and change through empowerment utilizing multi-faceted modalities. Themes consisting of TF-CBT, Play Therapy, DBT, and Person-Centered approaches to create an individualized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. 

In her free time, Cortney enjoys spending time with her family, her cat, kayaking, hiking, reading, and listening to live music.

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Suzy Huycke

Certified Therapeutic
Recreation Specialist

Suzy Huycke

Suzanne (Suzy) Huycke has been a nationally Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) since 2012. Her interest in Recreation Therapy began when she was in high school and had opportunities to teach individuals of varying abilities how to swim and to volunteer with a local hospital’s Animal Assisted Therapy program. She received her bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation with a minor in Psychology from Clemson University in 2012. She continued her education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she earned her Master of Science degree with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation in 2014.

During her time as a CTRS, Suzy has worked in a variety of settings with people of varying abilities, including an adaptive theater program, day centers, a behavioral health hospital, and skilled nursing/rehabilitation centers. Suzy’s passion is helping people of all ages and abilities improve their quality of life and achieve their physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual goals, using past, current, and even new leisure interests. The body heals with play, the mind heals with laughter, and the spirit heals with joy. 

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Alexia Johnson

Master of
Social Work

Alexia Johnson

Alexia Johnson, Master of Social Work (MSW), 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!

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Jasey Jones

Licensed Master
Social Worker

Jasey Jones

Jasey Jones is  a graduate of the University of Georgia’s School of Social Work (MSW, 2019) and Lamar Dodd School of Art (MFA, 2005). He completed a Bachelor’s of Studio Arts at the University of West Georgia in 2002.  

Before beginning  social work practice in 2019, Jasey engaged as a professional artist and arts educator, teaching ceramics and drawing to children and adults, exhibiting original artworks regionally, and competing for public art projects. 

 

Jasey offers talk, play-based, and art therapy modalities at Sunny Days Therapeutics.

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Tyler Lewis

Life Skills
Instructor

Tyler's Bio

Tyler Lewis is a current student at the University of Georgia studying Communications. Tyler has previous experience working as an After School Director for the YWCO, and has years of experience working with individuals with disabilities and neurodivergent individuals. 

Tyler is also currently working on a start up called Hailey’s Healthy Hangout: a company seeking to create a thriving social network for neurodivergent individuals to connect and socialize with other neurodivergent individuals. Inclusivity is huge for Tyler, and he strives to make sure all feel welcome and heard.

In his spare time, Tyler loves all things soccer and plays every weekend in an organized league. He also loves being outside and exercising.

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Amber Miller

Licensed Professional
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 Neurologic Music Therapy and Remo’s HealthRHYTHMS. 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. 

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Amy Simmons

Licensed Clinical
Social Worker

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.

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Kayla Snow

Master of
Social Work

Kayla Snow

Kayla Snow, MSW, began her career as a case manager for the local child welfare agency. Her goal in her career is to make a positive impact on the lives of children, families, and individuals in her community. In 2023, she achieved a milestone by earning her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Campbellsville University. Prior to this, she graduated from the University of Georgia with her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Science.

Kayla’s career has been marked by over three years of invaluable experience working with diverse populations in the field of social work. Her expertise spans a range of areas, including child welfare, international adoption, and supporting families during times of crisis. She has experience in supporting parents who are working to implement Trauma-Based Relational Interventions (TBRI) into their daily parenting strategies and routines as well as working with individuals who have experienced obstacles such as life transitions, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Her personal mission is to be a pillar of support for those facing challenging circumstances. 

With her academic achievements and professional experience, Kayla is a trusted ally for anyone seeking support or direction. In her downtime, she enjoys reading, hiking, and camping with friends.

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Coresa Thomas

Therapist
Master's in Psychology

Coresa Thomas

Coresa H. Thomas received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Psychology from the University of Arizona Global Campus. Coresa is currently pursuing her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. 

With over 10 years of experience, Coresa has gained skills and knowledge working in a wide array of institutions providing support to families, couples, and children. Coresa’s experience also includes working with communities as a functional family therapist, multi-systemic therapist, school-based child and adolescent counselor. She has also gained professional experience in a CSB (Crisis Stabilization Unit) providing mental health services and addictive diseases services. 

Coresa has a passion for the helping profession providing clients and families with strong support to ensure efficient and long term results. She has extensive experience in trauma recovery and certifications in Trauma Informed Care and Trauma-Focused CBT. Coresa is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and utilizes various treatment modalities including person-centered talk and expressive play-based modalities that best fit the needs of the clients. A major focus in her work has been anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, and helping clients develop healthy coping skills to reduce stress and burnout. Additionally, she enjoys working with clients with ASD.

Outside of the clinical setting, you will find her enjoying and connecting with nature and spending time with her family. She enjoys singing, cooking, gardening, studying theology, and traveling. Coresa gives back to her community by mentoring at-risk youth in underserved and marginalized communities.

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