OUR STAFF

Robert Smith, MA, LPC-S

Robert Smith, MA, LPC-S serves as Executive Director for The Amelia Center, a comprehensive grief counseling center of Children's of Alabama. Mr. Smith is responsible for short and long-range planning and management of The Amelia Center. Other duties include family and individual counseling, development of sound fiscal, program and support policies and teaching educational programs sponsored by The Amelia Center. Mr. Smith is also a Supervising Counselor.

Mr. Smith has served as an Adjunct Professor in the Graduate School of UAB where he taught Death and Dying and has been a guest lecturer on the topics of Death and Dying, Grief, and Hope at the University of Montevallo and Samford University and has been a presenter at the 8th and 9th National Symposium on Children's Grief Support. Mr. Smith has worked in over 40 schools involved in crisis and is experienced in crisis intervention and suicide prevention through his work with The Crisis Center of Birmingham.

Mr. Smith received his Master of Art in Community Agency Counseling in June of 2000 and Bachelors degree in Psychology in June of 1995 from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In February of 2001 he received advanced training in Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, and in October of 2001 received training in Psychotraumatology, both from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation in Baltimore, Maryland. Robert is married to his wife, Rhonda. They have two sons, Landon and Brennen.

Matthew Bunt, M.Ed., LPC-S

Matthew Bunt, M.Ed., LPC-S serves as Outreach Coordinator for The Amelia Center. Mr. Bunt received his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Samford University.  He received his Masters of Education in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Montevallo. Mr. Bunt volunteered from 2001 until 2005 assisting with the children's support groups and completed internship from 2007 to 2008 at the Amelia Center.  He has served full-time at the Amelia Center since 2010.

Mr. Bunt's other experience includes working with Alabama Youth Homes as a counselor for adolescent males, volunteering with Mustard Seed Society facilitating and assisting with Equine Assisted Psychotherapy groups, instructing horseback riding lessons as a registered PATH, International Instructor with Special Equestrians, Inc.,  and serving as clinical supervisor to Associate Licensed Counselors in the community at various agencies. 

He has presented to numerous school systems in the area of crisis intervention after the death of a student or faculty member. He has also presented at many conferences including the National Alliance for Grieving Children's national symposium.  He serves as an Adjunct Professor for Samford University's department of Human Development and Family Science.

Valeri Cowart, MA, LPC

Valeri Cowart, MA, LPC serves as the Group Counseling Coordinator for the Amelia Center. In addition to providing individual and family counseling, she is also responsible for developing, coordinating, and facilitating supportive groups to assist our clients as they progress through the grief process.

Ms. Cowart received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and her Master of Arts degree in Community Counseling from the University of Alabama-Birmingham. She feels strongly about her commitment to serving those who are experiencing challenging life situations and began her career in the helping profession as a programming and volunteer manager for First Light, a local homeless shelter for women and children. Her initial interest in grief counseling was sparked by her involvement with hospice patients and their families as a Volunteer Coordinator and Program Liaison for Alacare Home Health and Hospice. As she worked alongside patients and families, she developed a deep respect and sensitivity for those facing the death of a loved one and decided to further her education in the counseling field. While completing her master's degree, Ms. Cowart worked as a substance abuse counselor and met requirements for becoming a Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Professional. She is the proud mom of two daughters and considers it a special privilege to give hope to the grieving children who come through our doors.

Emily Lloyd Green, MA, LPC

Emily Lloyd Green, MA, LPC serves as Training and Education Coordinator for the Amelia Center. Mrs. Greene completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Alabama in 2011 and a Master of Arts in Counseling at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2015.

During her graduate studies Mrs. Green worked as an intern at The Amelia Center and immediately appreciated the value of the services that were provided to grieving families. After graduation she worked in various agencies focusing on substance abuse and mental illness. Mrs. Green feels honored to be able to return to The Amelia Center and assist clients as they work through the grief process.

.

Dusty Sivley, MA, LPC

Dusty Sivley, MA, LPC serves as a Internship Coordinator for The Amelia Center. Her duties include family and individual counseling for grieving children, teens, and adults. She also coordinates the internship program and supervises graduate-level interns from UAB and the University of Montevallo.

Mrs. Sivley received her Master of Art in Community Agency Counseling in December of 2007 and Bachelors degree in Psychology in May of 2005 from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Mrs. Sivley originally came to The Amelia Center as a counseling intern and immediately fell in love with the center and the services it provides for grieving families throughout Alabama. She enjoys assisting the clients of The Amelia Center as they work through the grieving process.

Yvonne Jackson

Yvonne Jackson is the Receptionist/Intake Assistant for The Amelia Center. Mrs. Jackson's duties include greeting clients as they arrive at the Center, scheduling appointments, interviewing clients for their initial intake, and other clerical duties. She comes to this job with a wealth of experience working for Children's Health System.

Leisa Bailey

Leisa Bailey is the Office Manager for The Amelia Center. Ms. Bailey holds a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in communication management.  Ms. Bailey's duties include managing the day to day operations of the Center and assisting the Executive Director. Ms. Bailey comes to The Amelia Center with over 20 years of experience.