Executive Director~ Charlie Stinson has been in the addiction treatment and prevention field since 1997. His career originally started in Charleston, SC, where he worked at various positions at the Charleston Center. In 2010 he moved back to his wife’s hometown of Clinton, SC and began work at Gateway Counseling Center as the Prevention Director. In 2014 he was lucky enough to accept the Executive Director position when the former director Leland Nelson retired. He is certified both state and nationally as an addiction counselor and addiction prevention specialist. He is also proud to be the first ever South Carolina Licensed Addiction Counselor through SCLLR.
Administrative Staff ~ Jacquelyn Thompson – I am the Financial Coordinator for Gateway Counseling Center.
Administrative Staff~ Cheryl Jeter – I am the Front Office Assistant for Gateway Counseling Center.
Treatment Director ~Heather Keadle MA, LPC, LAC, CS, SAP, AADC, NCACII – I have been working in the field for 17 years. I coordinate and manage all treatment programs as well as supervise all treatment staff. I also serve as the ADSAP (Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program) coordinator for Gateway Counseling Center and conduct ADSAP PRI and SAP services.
Special Programs Coordinator ~ Casey Kimbrell – My name is Casey Kimbrell, and I am the Co-Occurring Disorder Counselor, Lead Counselor, and Trauma-Informed Care Coordinator at Gateway Counseling Center. I have been working in the field since 2017 and at Gateway Counseling Center since 2019. I am a Licensed Master Social Worker and Certified Addiction Counselor. At Gateway Counseling Center, I do Trauma, Recovery, and Empowerment Therapy Groups which address substance use, adverse childhood experiences, domestic violence, and any past trauma. I plan to begin a Batterer’s Intervention Program for both men and women in Spring 2023. When I am not in the office, you may see me out in the community partnering with Prevention doing outreach for the treatment department at Gateway.
Adolescent Counselor~ Heather Stone- My name is Heather Stone, and I have worked with the youth of Laurens County in multiple capacities for over 20 years. I am the Adolescent Counselor at Gateway Counseling Center. I have worked here since 2019 and I am a certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor. We not only offer services to the adolescents of Laurens County in the office but also sight with community partners. I am excited to continue growing and expanding this program to meet the needs of our youth in the coming years.
Clinical Counselor ~Brenda Sales – Clinical Outpatient Counselor at Gateway Counseling Center. I have been at Gateway Counseling Center since 2021. I have over 25 years of experience as a substance abuse counselor. My mission is to help clients achieve success in leading a substance free life.
Clinical Outpatient Counselor ~ Jennifer Parker- I have been at Gateway since 2023. I have over 11 years of experience working for the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon services. I am currently in graduate school to obtain my Masters in Clinical Mental Health. My goal is to help clients create a new life that supports sobriety.
Case Manager ~ Kimberly Tyson- My name is Kim Tyson, and I am new to Gateway Counseling Center and Laurens county. I moved here in June 2023 from Charlotte, NC. I have over 25 years experience in the human services field. I have a master’s degree in community counseling. I am the new case manager at Gateway. I work to make connections with other agencies to benefit our clients. I work with our clients to ensure that all their needs have been met. I make referrals to different agencies that our clients need. I refer for anything from housing to paying a light bill. I make sure our people are taken care of in their time of need.
Peer Support Specialist ~ Rick Kloskey, SAS, CPRS, CPSS- I’m Rick Kloskey and I am a person in long term recovery. A Peer Support Specialist is a person who has lived experience with mental illness, trauma and substance abuse and I’m passionate about inspiring hope and helping others find their path in recovery. My job is to educate and empower anyone suffering from illness and addiction. I have extensive experience working within the Piedmont Recovery Community, Spartanburg Regional Emergency Department and Union County Commision on Drug and Alcohol Abuse.
Prevention Director ~ Marilyn ‘Quia’ Cromer- My name is Marilyn Cromer, and I am the Prevention Director at Gateway Counseling Center. I have been at Gateway Counseling since 2015. I am dual certified in treatment and prevention. I am a member of The Laurens County Prevention Coalition, which is a community partnership with law enforcement, social service organizations, behavioral health organizations, public health organizations, the education systems, the judicial circuit, and other grassroots organizations. The coalition implements community awareness, programs, interventions, and education throughout Laurens County and focuses on the risks and protective factors of substance use and promotes healthier choices and lifestyles.
Prevention Specialist ~ Trinity Tate- My name is Trinity Tate, Prevention Specialist here at Gateway Counseling Center. I have been at Gateway Counseling Center since 2022. I coordinate with our community partners to deliver awareness through engagements (presentations, media campaigns, and community events) throughout Laurens County. As a prevention specialist, I focus on implementing evidence-based educational programs to raise awareness and increase the factors that lessen the consequences of substance use or addiction.
