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
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!
Jessica Shirley
Front Office Manager
Jessica Shirley
Jessica Shirley
Jessica has worked in healthcare administration since 1989. While attending DeKalb Community College, she discovered her passion for medical coding. After spending several years homeschooling her two children, she earned her Medical Coding certification in 2013, and returned to the workforce as a Medical Coding and Billing Specialist.
Her passion for helping people and deciphering the challenges presented by the healthcare system have come together to create the ideal fit as Front Office Manager with Sunny Days Therapeutics.
Lori Crosmer
LCSW Supervisor
Lori Crosmer
Lori Crosmer
LCSW Supervisor
Lori is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked in the social work field since 2005. Lori received her MSW in 2009 from The Ohio State University. Lori has a vast experience working with many populations, as her past work has included working with individuals with developmental disabilities, working as a high school school social worker, and as a medical social worker.
Lori enjoys spending time with her husband, daughters, and 2 dogs in her free time. Lori enjoys traveling and experiencing new adventures when time allows.
Lori is happy to be a part of Sunny Days Therapeutics and expanding her skillset as a LCSW supervisor to meet the needs of Sunny Days employees and clientele.
Cortney Fountain
Therapist
Cortney Fountain
Cortney Fountain
Therapist
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.
Suzy Huycke
Recreational Therapist
Suzy Huycke
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.
Jasey Jones
Therapist; Art Therapist
Jasey Jones
Jasey Jones
Jasey Jones LMSW, MFA is a professional artist with over 20 years experience in fine arts and arts education. In 2017, he decided to become a master social worker and began to work as a mental health provider. As a therapist, Jasey supports his clients in finding guidance from within through contemplative practices, inquiry, and creative expression.
Gabrielle McCord
Physical Therapist
Gabrielle McCord
Gabrielle McCord, PT, DPT
Dr. Gabbi was born and raised in the “Peach State,” Gabbi received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Georgia in 2013. She then attended Georgia State University where she graduated as a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2017. She moved to Athens in 2020 with her husband and is happy to be back in the “Classic City.” Gabbi chose to become a pediatric PT because she loves to help kids move better and play better! She is skilled in both pediatric sports medicine and neuro-developmental rehab and leads our Intensive Therapy Program. She enjoys traveling, decorating, Star Wars, and going to Georgia Football games. Go Dawgs!`
Amber Miller
Music Therapist
Amber Miller
Amber Miller
From a young age, Amber Miller has always enjoyed two things: singing and helping others. So naturally, her path has led her to become a music therapist! Having graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2014, she then began her career as an elementary music teacher. She sang, danced, and taught instruments and music notation, as she worked to connect the lessons in class to the music her students enjoyed outside of school. She wanted to spread the love of music that had been sparked by her own childhood music experiences to others. But there was still something missing- she wanted to show people how to use music to help themselves in daily life.
So in 2017, Amber moved to Athens to pursue her Bachelor’s Equivalency in Music Therapy at the University of Georgia, culminating in an internship at The George Center in Roswell, GA. Here, she was able to gain experience leading music therapy in groups and with individuals from many walks of life. She has worked with seniors in memory care, children with autism, adults in rehabilitation programs, and toddlers with Down’s Syndrome, to name a few. Additionally, she is trained in Neurologic Music Therapy and is a member of the Music Therapy Association of Georgia, as well as the American Music Therapy Association.
Some of Amber’s favorite experiences have been making music and building relationships with clients in the special needs community, and she is passionate about making music accessible to anyone, and in presuming competence in her clients. She is beyond excited to be able to provide music here at Sunny Days!
Payton Schaub
Life Skills Instructor
Payton Schaub
Payton Schaub
Life Skills Instructor
Payton Schaub has always prioritized mental and physical well-being. After high school, she played soccer at Illinois Central College for two years. Payton wanted to follow her passion for helping others, so in 2017 she moved to Tampa to study Psychology at the University of South Florida. While working toward her degree she interned with the Public Defender’s Office, leading therapy groups and providing guidance through local homeless shelters and as a result became certified in Milieu Therapy.
Payton graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, and she immediately went to work in the field: gaining experience in crisis management, substance abuse, quality assurance, performance improvement, and vocational rehabilitation.
Payton’s compassion and love for others is exhibited in everything she does.
Amy Simmons
Therapist- Telehealth
Amy Simmons
Amy Simmons
Therapist- Telehealth
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.
