Meet Dr. Younger. She has worked in the field of rehabilitation counseling for over 36 years. She holds multiple licenses and certifications in the field of counseling as well as her license as an addiction counselor and clinical supervisor. As the clinical director of TrueFreedom Recovery Center she is involved in the day to day operation of the clinic. She calls it a pleasure to work hands on with our clients and staff on a regular basis. She feels that her lifelong history both professionally and personally has led her to this point in her career. Her desire is to see lives changed and families put back together. She believes that her job is to assure that each and every individual who enters treatment at the facility receive quality, professional and comprehensive services to treat the disease of addiction. On a personal note, she is an animal lover, a wife of 36 years, mother of 3 adult children and her favorite roll is that of Cookie, the name her 3 beloved grandchildren call her.

Meet Amanda Warner. Amanda partnered with Melissa to put her vision to life. Amanda is a successful business owner and understood the nuts and bolts of creating a company that provided specific services to public entities. Without her expertise, TrueFreedom Recovery Center would just be a vision. Amanda brought her experience and financial backing to make things happen. Amanda pulled the initial team together with each bringing experience in their respective areas to create a treatment center that would change lives. She is still working daily to make sure that the company is meeting all the federal, state and local requirements to do business in the healthcare environment, which is a large feat. Amanda is also the leader of Rise Up, which is a ministry for the recovering community. She tirelessly spends her time running two companies, leading Rise Up and helping clients and employees whenever she can. Her efforts to help those who are suffering is to be admired. On a personal note, she is a wife of 24 years and a mother of 3 beautiful daughters. Thank you Amanda, only heaven sees the true impact your hard work is making.

Meet Melissa Messina. Melissa is the visionary behind TrueFreedom Recovery Center. Without her vision Freedom House and TrueFreedom Recovery would not exist. Melissa knows firsthand the devastation of addiction. It was during her time in recovery that she decided to open a sober living house. As she started opening more houses, she noticed that her residents were relapsing and needed more to remain sober. It was through this experience she decided to partner with others and start TrueFreedom Recovery Center. She knew her residents needed more treatment to reduce relapse and she wanted to provide it to them. She also received her certification as a counselor in training during that time because vision was not enough, she wanted to be in the trenches with the clients. Her desire was to offer quality intensive outpatient treatment with the goal of clients obtaining and maintaining long term recovery. She is meeting that goal! If you ask Melissa if she had the opportunity to change her past regarding addiction would she do it, she will tell you a flat no. She states that without her past, she would not have her present and her present is loving and caring for those at their lowest point in life. Thank you, Melissa, for your vision and love for this hurting population. You are making a difference! 

Meet JC Younger. JC has a dual master’s degree in rehabilitation and mental health counseling. He is a Counselor in Training, Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor under supervision. Although JC is new to the field of addiction counseling, his life has been touched by family and friends who have suffered with the disease. He has personally seen the devastating effects addiction causes. As a part time counselor at the clinic, JC thoroughly enjoys working with clients and helping them obtain and maintain sobriety. JC has a bachelor’s degree in education and brings these skills to his groups when presenting certain topics. He is able to combine technology with counseling/teaching experience to enhance group sessions. He wants to bring sound counseling theories into the age of technology to create counseling sessions that help individuals obtain and maintain long term healing and recovery. JC’s full-time job is youth pastor with The Pentecostals of Mandeville. He finds that his work in addiction helps him reach the youth when they are at a crossroad of life, making decisions that can lead to a place they do not intend to go. Overall, he loves people and helping them at various stages of life. His goal is to make a difference and we believe he is doing that. Thank you, JC, for your hard work and determination. You are making a difference.

Giselle leads groups at the IOP, as well as monthly one-on-one sessions with clients. She has a passion for helping others and revealing a better way of life through intentional living and emotional healing. Giselle started working at the IOP at the beginning of 2023, and she is a recovered addict with 3 years of sobriety. She is passionate about recovery, self-improvement, community, and her hobbies that include studying, learning, languages, traveling, and hiking.

Allie is a Counselor in Training and the Intake Coordinator. If you come to TrueFreedom, you will most likely sit with Allie for your intake. She works with clients and assists the clinical director with tasks that ensure the facility runs effectively. Her job varies on a daily basis and she loves it that way. Allie is currently finishing her degree in Social Work and will graduate in May. She plans to work towards her Masters in Social Work in order to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the fall of 2024.

Rene’ Thompson
Certified Addiction Counselor
Rene’ has been a counselor in IOP programs for 10 years. True Freedom has given her a family and the opportunity to champion the causes of those suffering from addiction and mental health challenges. She’s also an avid rescuer of little dogs who loves being a mom, college football, and a new resident of Covington.

Meet David Kelly, MHA CIT.   I have been in healthcare for over 30 years as a counselor and a nurse.   I am a person in long-term recovery.  It has been said that God has a purpose for your life, but your job is to discover what that purpose is.  Also, if you have a job that you love, you will never work a day in your life. I am so grateful to work with the awesome people at True Freedom Recovery Resources!! No more fulfilling than anything that I have done is to be present and available to those struggling with addiction and need a way out.  I know that this is my purpose, and it is not work but joy, satisfaction, and peace that comes with the purpose, knowledge, and talent that God has blessed me with to fulfill my purpose, which has been opened to me.  It also means that through a great deal of success and failure, I have reached a point of emotional sobriety and know how to live sober one day at a time.  I enjoy spending time with family and friends, and my little dog Cindy Lou.  I love swimming and walking, and Louisiana Cuisine.  I love attending the Church of the King, singing praise and worship music, and giving all the Glory to G-D.