Providers

CARLTON FAIRLEY JR.

Founder, CEO.

Education and Background:

I was born in Austin, Texas. Unfortunately, some of the areas we resided in were notorious for crime and a lack of educational opportunities. Realizing this, my parents took a keen interest in my education and the importance of developing a solution to “learned – helplessness” a mindset that afflicted those in certain communities. After completing high school, I attended Texas State University for my bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology and Theater. While in school I volunteered with several at-risk youth programs eventually interning at Elm Grove Middle School and working as a counselor at Texas Preparatory school while developing and running several Boys & Girls Clubs throughout South Central Texas. I have worked with at-risk youth, specifically young men from similar areas and backgrounds, since 2001 while also serving on the board of several prestigious organizations such as, Black Men United and Black Student Alliance. I am also a member of Phi Iota Alpha a prestigious Hispanic Fraternity whose philanthropy is the empowerment of young men across the nation. Currently, I am 6 months away from finishing my Master’s in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Child and Adolescent development from the University of Southern New Hampshire.

Strengths and Interests: 

Sports are my first love with football being my specialty although I am pretty gifted with a basketball. I also enjoy a variety of other outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, track and field, swimming. I am also an avid reader spending a lot of time researching things I am not versed in as well as personal hygiene, fashion, and professional appearance. I’ve worked with at-risk youth my entire life and because I am from a similar background, I am not only able to relate but I specialize in establishing authority, direction, and positive self - imagery. The most powerful life lessons come from reading and running. Reading enables you to solve and overcome every obstacle thrown your way because there isn’t a solution that hasn’t been solved and written in some book. Running because it allows you to defeat that defeatist mindset step by step. My goal is to continue incorporating this philosophy with my clients so that they too develop an “I CAN OVERCOME” attitude about all of the conditions affecting their lives.

LUCKY

Dog

Background:

Lucky is a 10-year-old dog and weighs 11 pounds.  He is Chihuahua and Jack Russell mixed breed.

When Lucky was a puppy, he was rescued by a lady named Susan in Sacramento, California. Lucky passed obedience class at Petsmart in 2011.  Lucky then went on to become a Certified Service Animal in 2019 through Seemeedogs.  Lucky and L.A. moved to Indiana and Lucky recertified as a Service Animal with United Service Dogs in 2021. 

Lucky is up to date on all his vaccinations and health certificates.

Lucky lives with a disability in his legs but he does not let that stop him!  He is well-traveled by way of car, train, airplane, kayak, paddleboat, and bicycle.  Lucky has been all over the country, from California to South Carolina and from Michigan to Texas. 

Lucky loves to dress nice, go for short walks, and enjoys meeting new people. 

Strengths and Interests: 

Lucky’s strengths and interest include eating, sleeping, napping, and squeaky toys.  Lucky is a lap dog who likes to cuddle, he enjoys being talked to, groomed, petted, and he is a very good listener.

MARILYNN

Recreational Therapist - (Habló Español)

Education and Background:

I have over 12 years of professional experience. I began working with at-risk youth in 2009 when I joined a Latina sorority, Sigma Delta Lambda, Inc. - that is when my passion for helping others truly began. I volunteered at the Boys & Girls Club of South Central Texas and became a mentor to young ladies. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Recreation Administration with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation from Texas State University. I went on to complete my internship at the Department of State Hospitals for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. I relocated back to Texas and began working with youth once again. I later completed my Master’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Leadership from Walden University.

Strengths and Interests: 

I enjoy being outdoors, playing sports, and I especially enjoy arts and crafts. I enjoy laughter and positivity, and use that with clients to help them learn that positive humor is a way of coping with anxiety, anger, stress and depression. My passion is in leadership, personal development and team building. I incorporate different techniques into sessions to help clients learn confidence and conflict resolution through personal growth. I strive to meet clients where they are and slowly build on the positive skills they have acquired.

LA

Recreational Therapist / Animal-Assisted Therapist

Education and Background:

L.A. Dubay is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist who graduated with honors from California State University - Sacramento in May, 2019, and received her Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation (with a minor in Non-Profit Administration).  She also received a Master’s Degree in Psychology (Positive Psychology and Life Coaching) from Indiana Wesleyan University in November, 2021. 

As a Recreation Therapist, some of her most effective client interventions include goal setting, inspiring clients to increase fitness, improve social skills, increase independence, improve personal hygiene, communicate effectively, explore career options, increase leisure awareness, and stimulate creative expressions through various artistic endeavors such as poetry, drawing and sketching, journaling, singing, plein air painting, and photography. 

L.A. Dubay has over three years of experience as a therapeutic recreation professional who provides mobile therapeutic recreation in a community-based setting.  She is a recipient of several scholarships including the J.R. Needy Foundation Scholarship and the California Parks and Recreation Society Scholarship. She is a disabled Navy Veteran who is actively involved with Veteran supportive services in her community.

Strengths and Interests: 

L.A. believes in the power and healing that recreation therapy provides and is committed to helping people improve their well-being through leisure activities. L.A. enjoys the theatre and arts, creative writing and public presentations, outdoor adventures and traveling,