ABCSW Board of Directors

 Officers

President
Tosha Ellis, Ph.D., LCSW, BCD, NBC-HWC

Dr. Tosha Ellis is a Mental Health and Wellness practitioner.  A diplomate of the American Board of Clinical Social Work, she has over 20 years of experience and has been a member since 2012. Dr. Ellis earned her Master of Social Work degree at Clark Atlanta University and holds a doctoral degree in public health. Having served in clinical leadership roles, behavioral health consultative and state public health, she has expertise in community health promotion and social determinants. Dr. Ellis has provided services to diverse clientele in Georgia and California.  She is owner of a private practice in Mental Health and Lifestyle Wellness. As a certified mindfulness professional, she incorporates it in the care of clients and everyday living. Dr. Ellis is passionate about advancing the human condition and operates from a bio-psycho-social-spiritual-cultural orientation. She is a proud Air Force Veteran and public servant in the federal sector.  Dr. Ellis is also a 2023 Alum of the President’s Management Council (PMC) Interagency Rotation Program having completed an assignment at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Vice President
Joel L. Carr, Ph.D., LCSW-S, BCD

Joel L. Carr is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Board Approved Clinical Supervisor endorsement in Texas. He has been an ABCSW Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work since 2001 and holds specialty certifications from the ABCSW in Clinical Supervision (2021), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (2023), Forensic and Correctional Social Work (2023), and in Clinical Assessment and Evaluation (2024). Dr. Carr has over 26 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker in mental health, forensic/correctional, and educational settings including active-duty service in the U.S. Navy, community behavioral health centers, county jails, forensic hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, private clinical practice, and in higher education. Dr. Carr is currently employed as an Associate Professor and Director of the D.S.W. program in Clinical Social Work at Angelo State University, located in San Angelo, Texas. Additionally, he works as a clinical consultant for MHMR Concho Valley and the City of San Angelo, both located in San Angelo, Texas. Dr. Carr’s areas of expertise include assessment, tests, and measures; forensic and correctional mental health; differential diagnosis and psychopathology; personality assessment, development, and disorders, and self and interpersonal functioning.

Treasurer
Michelle Dixon George, MSW, LCSW, BCD

Michelle Dixon George is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She is a Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work. She has over 30 years of experience in clinical practice. She currently sees clients at New Life Counseling Services where she specializes in CBT and works with individuals and couples, experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, with sensitivity to faith based practice.  She has over 20 years of teaching experience and is currently employed as an Associate Professor and serves as the Field Director for the Department of Social Work at Messiah University. She teaches second and fourth year social work field practice courses in micro, mezzo and macro contexts. She is also the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) Service Learning Faculty Fellow at Messiah University. She enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and especially riding her Harley and horses. Michelle is a former member of the Board of Directors for ABCSW and served as the secretary and treasurer on the Executive Committee. 

Secretary
Charu Stokes-Williams, Ph.D., LICSW, BCD

Dr. Charu Stokes-Williams is an active duty clinical social worker in the Department of the Air Force. Dr. Stokes-Williams has held positions in the Air Force to include Mental Health Flight Commander,  Behavioral Medicine Faculty, Director of Psychological Health and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program Manager. She is passionate about clinical research, integrative behavioral health, and mentoring new social workers. Prior to active duty, she was a  Save the Children Fellow, US Peace Corps volunteer, school social worker, and child welfare specialist. In her spare time, Dr. Stokes-Williams enjoys traveling to exotic places, yoga and hiking.

Past President
Bryan L. Pyle, MSW, LCSW, BCD

An ABCSW Board of Directors member since 2018, Bryan has worked 21 years as a practicing Licensed Clinical Social Worker to include 19 years of commissioned service in the United States Navy where he currently serves our military health system as Policy and Practice Officer for the U.S. Navy's Medical Service Corps, Falls Church, VA. A native of Lancaster, PA, he earned his undergraduate degree from the Pennsylvania State University and his Master of Social Work with concentration in mental health from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Bryan has held numerous positions of clinical care delivery, clinical supervision, and program and clinic management. Bryan’s specializations include trauma-informed evidenced based individual psychotherapies as well as alleviating stressors that impact Uniformed Service Members, Veterans, and their families.

Directors

Liquori L. Etheridge, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW, BCD

COL Liquori L. Etheridge is a distinguished social worker with a combined 27 years of experience in active military service and social work practice. Currently, he serves as a licensed and board-certified clinical social worker for the U.S. Army. Throughout his military career, Liquori has excelled in leadership positions across operational and clinical settings. Notably, he has dedicated over 17 years to the social work field, specializing in supporting military service members, families, and veterans. Liquori's expertise lies in providing evidence-based treatment for mood disorders and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He further bolstered his qualifications by completing a Child and Family Fellowship at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, earning an additional board certification in family and children's treatment. Driven by a passion for social work, Liquori strives to empower individuals and strengthen communities. His dedication extends to supporting and advancing the profession of social work, ultimately contributing to a better society.

 Jennifer Graydon, DSW, MA, LCSW-S, BCD

Dr. Jennifer Graydon is a Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Board Approved Clinical Supervisor endorsement in Texas and California. She has over 26 years of combined clinical, supervisory, administrative, and teaching experience within the mental health field. Her clinical experience encompasses private practice, medical social work, and inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings with a diverse and wide range of populations. These populations include veterans, at-risk youth identified with severe mental health disorders, licensed professionals in recovery, and adults with chronic and severe medical and mental health diagnoses.
Dr. Graydon earned her Master of Arts degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of California at Los Angeles. After many years of clinical practice and teaching in the field, Dr. Graydon continued her education and training, graduating with honors from the Angelo State University Doctor of Social Work (D.S.W.) in Clinical Social Work program in Texas.
Dr. Graydon previously taught graduate students at Antioch University and currently teaches at Angelo State University and Austin Community College in Texas. She is dedicated to giving back to the profession through speaking at national conferences and sharing her professional experience and knowledge with her students, supervisees, and other professionals. Her vast range of expertise include lifespan development, assessment, psychopathology, differential diagnosis, and clinical counseling with a specialization in evidence- and strengths-based positive psychology/psychotherapy methods and practices.

Shaneka V. Holmes, MSW, LCSW-S, BCD

Shaneka Holmes is a commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, serving as an active-duty Behavioral Health Provider dedicated to advancing mental health care through clinical excellence, leadership, and advocacy. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with supervisor endorsement, a board-approved certified diplomate, and a National Certified Anger Management Specialist. Shaneka holds a Master of Health Care Administration degree and is a proud graduate of Fayetteville State University.
With a diverse background spanning behavioral health, correctional healthcare, substance use disorder treatment, and mentoring, Shaneka has built a career focused on improving the well-being of individuals and communities. In her current role, she conducts comprehensive mental health evaluations, develops individualized treatment plans, and facilitates integrated care coordination to ensure patients receive holistic, person-centered support. She is committed to creating safe, compassionate spaces where individuals feel heard, valued, and empowered to achieve meaningful, lasting change.
Shaneka's expertise includes federal and VA healthcare systems, healthcare administration, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, leadership development, and process improvement. She is passionate about advancing the health sciences and strengthening healthcare delivery through evidence-based practices and collaborative leadership. Her dedication to mentoring emerging professionals reflects her belief in investing in the next generation of leaders and fostering a culture of growth and service.
Throughout her career, Shaneka has remained steadfast in her mission to serve with integrity, compassion, and excellence which is driven by the belief that effective leadership is measured by the ability to uplift and empower others.

Brett S. Bartruff, DSW, LCSW, BCD

Brett Bartruff is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work with more than 15 years of experience in behavioral health practice, leadership, and social work education. He serves as Clinical Director of Behavioral Health for a Native American tribal health organization in Utah, and as an Adjunct Professor in the Master of Social Work Program at the University of Utah. Dr. Bartruff earned a Bachelor of Social Work in 2013, a Master of Social Work in 2014, and a Doctor of Social Work in 2022. Throughout his career, Dr. Bartruff has held clinical, supervisory, and leadership positions in community mental health, integrated healthcare, and substance use treatment settings. His professional interests include culturally responsive behavioral healthcare, trauma-informed care, clinical supervision, workforce development, and the advancement of evidence-based behavioral health services. He is committed to strengthening the social work profession through leadership, education, mentorship, and service.

Alexia Blyther, DSW, LICSW, BCD

CDR Alexia Blyther is an accomplished Senior Clinical Social Worker with over two decades of experience in healthcare and public service, demonstrating a deep commitment to improving mental and behavioral health services for vulnerable communities. Currently, she serves as a Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) – Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Division of Health for Unaccompanied Children, on the Mental Health Team, where she evaluates mental and behavioral health-related ORR policies and provides clinical support and oversight to ORR field and program staff. CDR Blyther also advises ORR Leadership on changes that adhere to industry-standard best practices in mental and behavioral health services.
Prior to joining ORR, she worked at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), assisting in the development of community mental health systems within the Pacific Territories, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. She also previously served as a Mental Health Coordinator with the ICE Health Services Corps in Washington, DC, coordinating mental health services across more than 5,000 facilities nationwide.
CDR Blyther holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland and a Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Southern California. She has an independent clinical license in Social Work and has served as a Mental Health Clinician for over 20 years. She is the 2025 Chair of the Social Work Professional Advisory Group (SWPAG).
Throughout her career, she has received numerous awards for her contributions to the mental health field. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with her husband and two sons.