Let’s talk about your family.
Too many families today are facing a perfect storm of despair. According to the CDC, nearly one in five children in the U.S. has a mental, emotional or behavioral disorder, driven in part by the COVID pandemic, social pressures and other factors. Yet for various reasons, only 20% of them receive the care they need.
The situation is particularly dire in Tennessee, which ranks 40th out of 51 for the highest prevalence of youth mental illness and lowest access to care.
This is truly a national emergency. If unchecked, our children are more likely to drop out of school, abuse drugs, go to jail and even take their own lives.
But there is hope.
At HopeNation, we’re on a mission to change this narrative. Using high-touch telemental health, our expert therapists support parents and caregivers by providing convenient, results-driven care for children, teens and young adults suffering from depression, anxiety and other mental health issues.
We’re more than a practice or a consortium of therapists. HopeNation is a movement.
Our experienced founders put clients first.
“It takes a village.” That’s the approach that built HopeNation. Our founders have experience successfully treating children, teens and young adults. Plus they understand how to create a business that puts the client first to ensure their satisfaction.
Eric Strickland
Founder, Chairman
Gina Drobnick
Chief Executive Officer
Daniel Williams, PsyD, HSP
Chief Clinical Officer
Steven Shampain, MA, LPC-MHSP
Executive Director, Group Practice
Casey Merrill, LPC-MHSP
Executive Director, Campus Practice
Eric Strickland
Founder, Chairman
“I have always been aware of the pressures females face in our society, but I have a new appreciation for these pressures since becoming a dad. I watch as our two girls battle the pressures of how they look, how they achieve in school and how they perform at sports. But even as I struggle to balance protecting them with allowing them their independence, they continue to amaze me with their ability to stand strong. I’m passionate about developing strength, character and leadership in young people, and this extends to my activities outside work through coaching and helping to lead a Scouts BSA troop.”
Eric is President & CEO of 3LS, Inc., an organization focused on strengthening families and communities 3LS, Inc. is the parent of the Omni Family of Services, which includes Omni Visions, Omni Community Health and 3LS Properties. He also founded Omni’s charitable foundation, The Omni Family Foundation. Before joining Omni Visions in 2005, he was with the National Children’s Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
Gina Drobnick
Chief Executive Officer
“As a mother of two teenage boys, I struggle with teaching them how to balance responsibility with fun, how to be mature but cherish childhood, and how to rise to every occasion. And like all parents, we face challenges around screen time, disappointments, friend conflicts and respecting elders. Leading HopeNation is a perfect way to build my parenting muscle. With an amazing and talented group of clinicians who are specialized in treating children, teens and young adults, we are changing the landscape of care.”
Gina has more than 25 years of experience as an operations executive with a variety of public and private organizations. Her specialty is in building organizations where employees thrive and clients feel connected to the mission.
Daniel Williams, PsyD, HSP
Chief Clinical Officer
“When dealing with life, there are moments when the stakes are very high, like when a child is wrestling with suicidal behaviors, or the stakes feel extremely high, like when a child fails to obtain a desired score on a college entrance exam. In both situations, the parent’s response can be critical to a successful outcome, and yet this response is often driven by emotions that can betray our best intentions as parents. Through my own experiences as a father, I have learned to approach my clients without judgment to foster connection, promote collaboration and empower others to achieve their desired outcomes.”
Dan is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, a certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist also trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy and conducts psychological testing including learning disabilities, trauma, parenting capacity and alcohol & drug assessments. He has been Chief Clinical Officer at Omni Community Health and has worked with children and families at a wide variety of behavioral health organizations in Tennessee and in the Northeast.
Steven Shampain, MA, LPC-MHSP
Executive Director, Group Practice
“Over the years that I have been in practice as a therapist and working with clients across the age spectrum with different mental health needs, one theme is consistent — we are driven by a desire to be in connection with one another, to be seen and heard by others. I have been challenged to remain present to my child’s needs, both physically and emotionally, despite the distractions of outside forces. It is in this that the foundations of true connection can be found. Patience and presence. In allowing others to relate to you in their own space and time, we are communicating to one another — I see you; I hear you; I am connected with you.”
Experienced in treating children and young adults through individual and group therapy, Steven has also focused on family communications and dynamics. He has worked with schools to develop behavioral plans for students, and with families and adolescents while as an Adolescent therapist with HCA Tristar Skyline Madison Behavioral Hospital. Steven has additional experience working with substance abuse and the LGBTQ+ populations.
Casey Merrill, LPC-MHSP
Executive Director, Campus Practice
“I made the exciting jump into the foster care world four years ago to learn that practical application of what we ask parents to do is easier said than done. There are days when every parent wants to shut out the noise, mess and smells of our wonderful children. My continued journey is to love and be present. We are all a system, a unit, and as a parent we are always called to act first, which can feel so draining. Envisioning myself and my family as a system of love and connection creates room for trial and error, new parenting strategies and quality time.”
A licensed professional counselor, Casey is trained in trauma-focused behavior therapy, family systems, addiction-based treatment and suicidal risk assessment. She’s been a counselor and therapist in private practice and several organizations, including Cumberland Heights and Omni Community Health.