Meet the Staff:
Josie Barry, CEO works with kids and adults from all different types of backgrounds. She currently has an educational Doctorate in Community and Care Counseling, a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy and a BA in Christian Counseling. Her specialties include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, depression and personality disorders.
Josie loves to bike ride, read books and spend time learning about new counseling techniques. She especially enjoys being with her hubby, and two doggies just hanging out at home.
Josie is also an LPC supervisor. If you are an intern looking to complete your Master’s degrees in counseling, please give us a call to discuss possible internships in Delta Junction.
Jason Goldsmith has been practicing here in Alaska for almost a year now and is truly enjoying himself here learning about his new home. He is a Clinical Mental Health Therapist with an eclectic approach to counseling. What this means for his clients is that he will join them in their struggle on their terms and apply his knowledge to fit their needs.
His counseling is client-oriented, and solution-focused to work with a variety of conditions and situations. He has worked with court-mandated individuals to meet requirements of Substance Abuse, Domestic Violence, and other issues. He works with couples to improve communication and parenting skills. He has several areas of interest and specific study which include
PTSD, Intimate Partner Violence, Depression, Anxiety, and how they manifest with other issues. His hope is to help clients become the strongest version of themselves that they can be.
Patricia Gilson is a Counselor Intern and has a Master’s in Cognitive Psychology. She also has a Bachelors in Cognitive Psychology with a minor in child development.
Her specialties are bipolar disorder, narcissistic emotional abuse, traumatic brain injury, ADHD, autism, and post-traumatic stress. Patricia spends her time learning more about the culture of Alaska and helping within her community.
Trish enjoys long walks with her fur baby, Zoe, when she is not working and is highly interested in nutrition. She is always learning new ways to stay healthy and loves exercising, which is a very therapeutic way for her to enjoy life. Trish is also apart of a Jeep community where they do community events and raise money for awareness for certain children’s hospitals.
“You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.” — Dan Millman
Victor Downing is working remotely out of Kodiak, but has consulted throughout Asia, North America, and Western Europe. He brings a broad and deep understanding of “what makes us tick” and how to change things for the better.
Vic specializes in addiction, recovery, conflict resolution, and stress management. He loves helping people learn how to overcoming “impossible” barriers. Vic enjoys learning about and applying theories and research to his practice.
Debra Hoffmann started out her professional career working as a substance abuse counselor back in her home state of New York. She got her BS from Empire State College, NY and her MSW from Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College, NY, where she graduated with honors. Her thes
is was on the bond humans have with animals and how they enrich our lives via the internet.
She’s worked as a Substance Abuse Counselor, Therapist, Crisis Counselor, and Intensive Case Manager. When not working, she and her husband are avid animal rescuers. Debra is proud to live in a small town in
Alabama where she writes books that always have cats in them.
Elena Powers has a special love for Alaska that’s enticed her to make it her home since 2009. She has served the State of Alaska as a Public Health Nurse for 10 years. She is now semi-retired from nursing and serving as Hats of Wisdom’s Client Care Coordinator. With HOW’s addition of Caring Hearts, Elena also works to coordinate care for our local seniors and disabled community members.
In her free time, Elena enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking. Making and appreciating art, baking bread, reading are all examples of things you might find Elena doing when she’s not out enjoying nature and the travel opportunities she’s found to love about Alaska. She marvels at the beauty and people she meets during her travels throughout the state. She says that the beauty of the state and people within it are what makes Alaska such a wonderful place to live.
“My faith is my foundation so it is a privilege to work as Client Care Coordinator for Hats of Wisdom and volunteer with the developing Caring Hearts program.” – Elena
Amanda Whittemore born and raised in Delta Junction, Alaska. Amanda is Hats of Wisdom’s Admin Assistant. She loves her community and those that keep it going so she can raise her growing family. Her family means the world to her and comes with great pride. She has an associates degree in General Education from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. While in collage she was the Secretary for English Major Undergraduate, Emu and the Dr. Who club. She founded the Murder Mystery club her Senior year.
This was only that start of her passion for learning and caring for others. She has worked at the Senior Center at Raven’s Landing Fairbanks, Alaska and Interior Alaska Pharmacy in Delta Junction, Alaska. She now loves her job at H.O.W scheduling clients and planning events. Amanda said, “The environment is welcoming and excepting of all. You are valued here as a human being. I love to read inspirational quotes on a daily; here is one that keeps me going. ‘Nothing is permanent in this wicked world – not even our troubles.’ by Charlie Chaplin. When I was at my worst my best friend said this to me. Now I live day to day and it is never easy. However, you are worthy and loved.”
Amanda’s hobbies include crocheting at the knitting Circle, volunteering with community clean up, gaming, board games, Role playing games and reading fantasy, romance or non-fiction books. The library knows her very well because she donates her crochet projects to the Basket Auction fundraiser and all the books she reads. Her son is involved in the Community through Soft ball, library events, and school programs. Her current season of life is living sustainably and making smarter life choices; yoga, more produce, cooking at home and eco friendly home products.
Bryanna Wimberly found herself drawn to work with HOW due to her love for serving the community and helping others. She is a full time student at the American College of Healthcare Sciences, on track to graduate with a BS in Integrative Health, with dual specializations in Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy.
She spends much of her time studying Holistic Health & Wellness and Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) practices, to include Traditional Chinese Medicine, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Ayurveda, Iridology, and Reflexology. She is a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and will continue her education beyond the Bachelor’s level.
Bry prides herself in remaining extremely active in the community by volunteering her time to serve as a DCC board member, Fire & EMS Explorer Post Advisor, and Firefighter with RDVFD. She loves to teach and learn, and is also a Basic Life Support Instructor through the American Heart Association, aligned with IREMSC.
Bry is grateful to further assist the community by supporting their mental health needs at Hats of Wisdom.