Client Liaisons
Nikki Vinsant
BS in Psychology with a concentration in legal studies
Why did I choose this profession?
Mental health and substance abuse is something that everyone is impacted by. This may be with themselves or with close friends or family. I enjoy working with these ladies and helping them on their way to happiness and success. I am continually blessed by the people I meet, not only do I have the opportunity to help them, but they always teach me new things about myself as well.
Why do I think Brookhaven Retreat is right for you or your loved one?
Brookhaven Retreat is an indescribable place. I really cannot put into words what I have experienced with the successes of our ladies. The phrase I use when clients are telling me that they are unable to explain all the great things about Brookhaven Retreat is, "From the outside looking in, you could never understand it. From the inside looking out, you could never fully explain it."
What is my passion?
I have a passion for unique experiences, always learning new things, photography, historical architecture, and paying it forward.
What is my biggest fear?
My biggest fear is debt, and just under that are crickets.
I live by this rule.
The three R's: Respect for self, Respect for others, and Responsibility for my actions. Remember that great love and great achievement involve great risk.
Pat Hammonds
Patricia Hammonds has over 17 years experience in the field of mental health and addiction. She has worked with adolescents and adults and is a former Director of Admissions for a 100 bed acute care facility. Patricia has also served as a network provider specialist for a statewide Behavioral Health Organization covering the East Tennessee Region. Patricia is very active in her community. She is a former Tennessee Human Rights Commissioner, appointed by the Governor of Tennessee. She has volunteered with the county mayor's Read With Me Program in the local schools by reading to students on a weekly basis. She is a former board member of the National Kidney Foundation Knoxville affiliate and has assisted in fund raising and educating youth in the local schools about kidney disease. Patricia has appeared in several stage play productions in local theatre. She enjoys writing, reading, and all water sports.
I live by this rule
Before you speak, take 30 seconds to think about the impact of your words. Words are powerful; try to use them wisely.
Why Brookhaven?
Brookhaven is the safe place for women to tackle the things that they need to but can't anywhere else. When you are exhausted after putting up a facade all day long you are left with the reality that it is too hard to continue the lie. We offer support, comraderie, a chance to heal, and an opportunity to grow. Brookhaven retreat is a place where truth can be faced no matter how painful or difficult.
Tammy Hardin
Tammy Hardin comes to Brookhaven Retreat with over 20 years experience working directly with women overcoming addiction and depression issues. The women she has worked with come from all walks of life ranging from prisoners at the Nashville Women's Prison to Celebrate Recovery in local churches. She has been very active in the community in working with women through Celebrate Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous and many others that find their way to her.
Tammy grew up in a military family so she has lived from coast-to-coast. She spent may of her school aged years in Texas until beginning her journey to East Tennessee. Tammy lived in Nashville from 1986 until 1992 where she began her work in recovery facilities. Tammy worked as Client Assistant at Samaritan Center and Cumberland Hall before becoming the Admissions Coordinator at the New Beginnings Program at University Medical Center.
Upon moving to Knoxville in 1992, the door opened for her in the technology field where she spent 16 years helping companies communicate more efficiently and effectively. We are excited to have Tammy's business, technology and recovery knowledge all in one package. She understands what it is to hurt, what it takes to get better and how important good care can be to the process. She is here to help support you and your family member in the journey to heal.
Why did I choose this profession?
I didn't choose this profession, it chose me. My family has been so devastated by addictions, depression and all the things that go along with those issues that it is a passion not a profession. When you know the way out of a collapsed mine you want to show others the way to air, light and hope. There is not a high greater than seeing positive changes being made in someone's life. When you see someone so trapped in their hurting and darkness poke their head out into the fresh air and light it is overwhelming!
Why do I think Brookhaven Retreat is right for you or your loved one?
I call Brookhaven the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for emotions. The entire staff here has such a deep care and passion for the clients we serve. I feel strongly about the value in an all female facility; women so often have traumas that are male related, and being all female creates an emotionally safe environment to do the necessary work to truly heal. Brookhaven is a peaceful place; being on 48 acres it allows a quietness and stillness to reconnect to self and nature to heal the hurts of the soul. The therapists here with all their years of experience utilize many different modalities to access the pain that may have not been able to be accessed in the past. And then there is the fact that the furnishings are comfortable, clean and pleasant. I have always felt that if you don't feel comfortable enough with the surroundings to sit on the couch, you won't trust the environment to do your emotional work.
What is my passion?
My passion is watching women heal and then seeing how they go out and impact the lives of others. My passion is my relationship with God, as I understand Him. My passion is my family. Occasionally my passion is Tennessee Football but right now that is hard to embrace!
What is my biggest fear?
I don't have as many fears today. Age, experience, and trust in a Higher Power resolve a lot of those issues. And then there are snakes, my husband swears I hurdled a Honda to get away from a dead, foot long grass snake.
I live by this rule.
Love others.