Meet the Team
Get to know the psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, counselors and support staff who care for our clients. Select anyone to read their bio.
Leadership
Leadership
Diane Boulai
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Diane Boulai is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Willow Oak Community Behavioral Health Center, Inc. With more than two decades of healthcare experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse, she is dedicated to expanding access to high-quality behavioral health and substance use treatment services throughout Georgia.
As a healthcare leader, Diane has extensive experience in behavioral health operations, program development, Medicaid services, regulatory compliance, and community-based care. Her passion is creating programs that provide compassionate, person-centered treatment while addressing the unique needs of children, adolescents, adults, and families.
Under her leadership, Willow Oak continues to grow as a trusted provider of outpatient behavioral health, substance abuse treatment, psychiatric services, nursing services, and community support programs. Diane is committed to reducing barriers to care, strengthening community partnerships, and advocating for improved access to mental health services for underserved populations and Medicaid expansion.
Diane’s vision for Willow Oak is to provide a welcoming environment where individuals can achieve recovery, wellness, stability, and an improved quality of life through evidence-based and culturally responsive care.
Leadership
Dr. Shahzad Hashmi, MD, DFAPA
Psychiatrist
Dr. Shahzad M. Hashmi is a board-certified psychiatrist with more than 23 years of experience providing comprehensive mental health care to children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. He is known for his compassionate, patient-centered approach and expertise in treating complex and treatment-resistant psychiatric conditions.
Dr. Hashmi earned his medical degree from Dow Medical College at the University of Karachi in 1991. He completed his psychiatry residency at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he received the Chief Resident Award in 2003. He later completed a fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2004.
Throughout his career, Dr. Hashmi has served in leadership roles across Georgia, providing medical directorship and psychiatric care in inpatient and outpatient settings, behavioral health crisis centers, substance abuse treatment programs, geriatric psychiatry facilities, and child and adolescent programs. He also maintains private practice locations in Lawrenceville and Oakwood, Georgia, where he and his team offer full-service psychiatric and substance use treatment to the community.
Dr. Hashmi specializes in the treatment of severe, persistent, and treatment-resistant mental health conditions. His areas of expertise include medication management and advanced, FDA-approved therapies such as Spravato (esketamine), Medication Assisted Detoxification and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). He is committed to helping patients find effective, individualized treatment options that improve quality of life and long-term wellness.
In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Hashmi is deeply involved in medical education and research. He has mentored and trained thousands of medical, nurse practitioner, and physician assistant students as a clinical preceptor and educator. He serves as an adjunct faculty member for several respected institutions, including Emory University School of Medicine, Mercer University, Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. Hashmi is also active in clinical research and remains dedicated to bringing innovative, evidence-based treatments to his patients. He believes every individual deserves access to high-quality mental health care, regardless of background or socioeconomic status.
Outside of his professional work, Dr. Hashmi enjoys hiking, cycling, traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Leadership
Cecelia Dixie, LCSW
Clinical Director | Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Cecelia Dixie was born in Manchester, Georgia and has called the state of Georgia home for most of her life. She earned her Bachelor of Human Services/Sociology from LaGrange College and went on to complete her Master of Social Work at the University of South Carolina, Columbia.
Over the course of her 17-year career, Cecelia has worked with diverse populations ranging from children to senior citizens. Early in her career she gained experience in outpatient settings, including the Department of Family and Children Services, before transitioning to an outpatient clinic where she provided clinical services including individual, family, and group therapy.
For the past 12 years, Cecelia has worked in inpatient psychiatric settings, serving as both Program Director and Clinical Director, overseeing social work and other therapeutic departments. In 2017, she established a private practice providing clinical and consultation services to agencies throughout the community and to probate courts across Georgia.
Most recently, Cecelia joined the part-time faculty at Kennesaw State University, where she supports students enrolled in the Master of Social Work program.
Outside of her professional life, Cecelia is the proud mother of a 7-year-old daughter — her greatest inspiration and motivation to continue advocating for all.
Leadership
Jazmine Davis
Operations & Community Engagement Manager
Jazmine Davis is the Operations & Community Engagement Manager at Willow Oak Community Behavioral Health Center, Inc. She oversees the systems that help clients get care smoothly — intake workflows, scheduling coordination, client communications, records and compliance, and the design of Willow Oak’s forms and processes.
Jazmine earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications, with a minor in Human Development, from Oakwood University.
Jazmine also leads Willow Oak’s marketing and community outreach. She brings more than five years of experience as a Digital Marketing Manager, where she has built growth strategies, managed client communications, and produced business reporting.
Her work is grounded in crisis care. Since 2025, Jazmine has served as a remote Crisis Counselor with Crisis Text Line and the Christians in Crisis Hotline, providing immediate emotional support, assessment, and stabilization to people in crisis and connecting them to ongoing help. She is trained in Critical Incident Stress Management and crisis stabilization.
Jazmine is also the founder of SWAT HQ Ministries, and she brings the same heart for service to every client and family who walks through Willow Oak’s doors.
Psychiatric & nursing care
Psychiatric & nursing care
Oluwatoyin (Toyin) Rotimi, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC)
My name is Oluwatoyin (Toyin) Rotimi, a doctoral-prepared Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over 15 years of dedicated experience across the nursing continuum. My career has been defined by a deep-seated commitment to clinical excellence, a passion for mental health advocacy, and a rigorous focus on delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. With a background spanning the high-intensity environment of the ICU to the complex landscape of correctional psychiatry, I bring a unique, holistic perspective to every patient I serve.
My journey in healthcare began in the demanding fields of medical-surgical nursing, wound and burn care, and intensive care. These early years of acute care provided me with a robust clinical foundation and a keen understanding of the intricate relationship between physical health and psychological well-being. This experience taught me the importance of precision and resilience, qualities that I have carried with me as I transitioned into my true calling: mental health.
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working in a diverse array of mental health settings, including outpatient clinics, inpatient psychiatric units, correctional facilities, and clinical research environments. This breadth of experience has allowed me to treat a wide spectrum of psychiatric disorders and navigate the unique challenges inherent in different healthcare delivery models. Whether I am managing acute crises in an inpatient setting or providing long-term stabilization in an outpatient clinic, my approach is always rooted in evidence-based practice. I believe that integrating the latest scientific research with clinical expertise is essential to achieving the best possible outcomes for my patients.
One of the cornerstones of my practice is patient engagement. I am a firm believer that the most effective treatment plans are those developed in partnership with the individual. I strive to create a therapeutic environment where patients feel heard, respected, and empowered to take an active role in their recovery journey.
In addition to my clinical work, I am deeply invested in quality improvement and nursing education. Having served as a nursing instructor, I am passionate about mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals and promoting a culture of continuous learning. My doctoral training has further equipped me with tools to analyze healthcare systems and implement strategic changes that enhance safety, efficiency, and the overall quality of care.
I remain dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive psychiatric care. My mission is to blend my extensive medical background with my specialized mental health expertise to offer a truly integrated approach to wellness.
Psychiatric & nursing care
Karen Irwin-Copeland, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC)
Karen Irwin-Copeland is a highly qualified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Willow Oak Community Behavioral Health Center. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health from Georgia State University in 2020. Prior to this, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Clayton State University in 2011.
As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC), Karen provides comprehensive mental health care. She plays a crucial role in supporting the mental well-being of her patients while also supervising and mentoring the lab technician and LPN at Willow Oak. Karen’s commitment to excellence in mental health nursing, combined with her extensive training and experience, enables her to deliver compassionate and effective care to those she serves.
Psychiatric & nursing care
Brittany Yearwood, RN
RN, NP Intern
Brittany is a Georgia native and a graduate of the nursing program at Georgia State University. She is currently pursuing her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certification. Throughout her nursing career, Brittany has worked in several hospitals across the Atlanta area, gaining experience in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), postpartum care, labor and delivery, emergency medicine, and psychiatric care.
In her free time, Brittany enjoys working out and watching sports. She is passionate about providing compassionate, high-quality patient care and looks forward to serving the community.
Counseling & client support
Counseling & client support
Raina Bray, LAPC
Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC)
Raina earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Richmont Graduate University and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Ohio Christian University. She is license-eligible in the state of Georgia.
Raina believes that life is a precious gift, though there are seasons when it may not feel that way. At times, our thoughts, emotions, and circumstances can become tangled and overwhelming—much like a plate of spaghetti. She considers it a privilege to provide a safe, supportive space where clients can begin to untangle challenges, build resilience, and discover new pathways for growth and healing when they feel stuck.
Drawing from her diverse background in education, athletics, church ministry, and nonprofit work, Raina brings a broad understanding of the unique experiences and perspectives people carry. She has experience working with children, adolescents, athletes, and busy mothers, helping them navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence and clarity.
Raina utilizes evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Narrative Therapy. Her goal is to empower clients with practical tools, deeper self-awareness, and renewed hope as they move toward meaningful and lasting change.
No matter where you find yourself today, meaningful and lasting change is possible. If you are ready to pursue healing, health, and wholeness, Raina would be honored to join you on that journey and support you every step of the way.
Counseling & client support
Stacie Currie, M.A.
Intake Coordinator & Assessor
Stacie Currie is Willow Oak’s Intake Coordinator & Assessor. She has a MA degree in community counseling from Clark Atlanta University. Stacie is an experienced behavioral health professional, with exemplary skills providing compassionate and evidence-based therapeutic interventions, person centered treatment planning, case management and utilization management.
Counseling & client support
Christie Tenney, B.S.
Case Manager, PP
Christie Tenney is a dedicated social work professional, case manager, entrepreneur, and advocate committed to helping individuals and families overcome challenges and build healthier, more stable lives. She is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work (MSW) with a concentration in Healthcare at Walden University, where she is developing advanced skills in behavioral health, care coordination, crisis intervention, and community-based services.
With a diverse professional background spanning healthcare, housing services, business management, and community support, Christie brings a unique perspective to her work. Her experience includes medical assisting, case management, client advocacy, and business ownership, allowing her to effectively connect people with resources and support systems that promote long-term wellness and self-sufficiency.
Alongside her husband, John Tenney, Christie is the co-founder of They Care Farms LLC, a family-centered organization dedicated to promoting healing through equine-assisted activities, horticultural programs, and community wellness initiatives. Together, they share a vision of creating a safe and supportive environment where children, families, veterans, and individuals facing life challenges can experience hope, growth, and resilience. Their mission is rooted in strengthening communities through compassion, education, and access to meaningful therapeutic experiences.
Christie is passionate about serving rural and underserved communities, expanding access to behavioral health services, and building strong community partnerships. Guided by her personal motto, “Where Healing and Hope Grow,” she is committed to empowering others through advocacy, service, and a belief that every person deserves the opportunity to thrive.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Christie enjoys spending time with her husband, John, and their children, supporting their educational and career goals, and working toward building a lasting legacy of healing, hope, and community impact through They Care Farms LLC.
Counseling & client support
Sara Freeman
Peer Support Specialist Trainee (PSST)
Sara serves as a Peer Support Specialist Trainee at Willow Oak Community Behavioral Health Center, Inc., where she is dedicated to supporting individuals on their journey toward recovery, wellness, and personal growth. Through a recovery-oriented and person-centered approach, Sara works to encourage hope, resilience, self-advocacy, and meaningful community involvement.
Sara earned her GED and had started to complete additional college coursework in Psychology at West Georgia Technical College. She has all intentions of one day finishing what she started with the support of her colleagues. She is currently working toward the supervised training and clinical experience requirements necessary for Peer Support Specialist certification while continuing to expand her knowledge and skills in behavioral health, recovery support, and community-based services.
Drawing from her own lived experience in recovery, Sara brings authenticity, empathy, and understanding to the individuals she serves. She is deeply committed to her own health and wellness journey and strives to be a positive example of perseverance, accountability, and personal growth. Her experiences have strengthened her passion for helping others overcome challenges, navigate recovery, and build meaningful lives within their communities.
Her areas of interest include peer support, recovery-oriented care, mental health advocacy, substance use recovery, community resource navigation, and helping individuals develop the skills and confidence needed to achieve their personal goals. Sara is committed to empowering individuals by helping them recognize their strengths, overcome barriers, and access the resources necessary to support long-term recovery and well-being.
As a Peer Support Specialist Trainee, Sara actively participates in professional development opportunities, supervision, and community engagement initiatives designed to strengthen her ability to support individuals and families throughout the recovery process.
Sara believes that recovery is possible for everyone and that each person deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. She is passionate about meeting individuals where they are, fostering hope, and helping them identify pathways toward healing, stability, and a higher quality of life. Through her dedication and personal example, she inspires others to believe in their ability to overcome obstacles and achieve lasting recovery.
Counseling & client support
Ms. Claudina B.
Patient Engagement Specialist
A full bio is coming soon.
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