Staff
R. MICHELLE BARRETT, MSW - Director
Michelle came to Bethany Christian Services in the spring of 2004 with a passion for helping women and children and, after serving as Birthparent Counselor for almost a year, she became the Director in June 2005. Michelle is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a Master’s degree in Social Work and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Concordia College in New York. She is the mother of one son, Nicholas, and they attend Trinity Lutheran Church.
JOANNE POTEAT, Administrative Assistant
Joanne came to Bethany Christian Services in the spring of 2008. Her background includes work as a travel agent, and she brings many years of experience in customer service. Being adopted herself, she enjoys being a part of the adoption experience that Bethany offers. Joanne is the mother of two children, Eric 17, and Kaitlin 15, and has been married to Dan for 18 years. She enjoys vacations with her family, spending time outdoors, and loves to dine out with family or friends. Joanne and her family attend Ocoee Oaks United Methodist Church.
SALLIE CHAPMAN, BA - Pregnancy Counselor/Adoption Specialist
Sallie came to Bethany Christian Services with over 30 years experience with the Department of Children and Families. Sallie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Welfare from Florida Atlantic University. Sallie feels blessed to spend her career finding homes for children, allowing her to watch them grow to their full potential. In her spare time, Sallie enjoys photography, gardening, and reading. Sallie attends Northland: A Church Distributed.
KAREN REALE, BA – Adoption Specialist
Karen came to Bethany Christian Services with over 25 years experience with the Department of Children and Families. Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from the University of Massachusetts. Karen feels privileged to be a part of bringing birthmothers and adoptive families together to create forever families. Karen is the mother of two children; Luis and Kristin, and wife of Tony. Karen and her family attend Annunciation Catholic Church.
NANCY OSBORNE, MSW – South Florida Adoption Specialist
Nancy began working with Bethany Christian Services in 2003 and has a desire to serve God and make a difference in the lives of the children and families she serves. She received both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Counseling Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida. Nancy has been working in the field of child welfare, social work, mental health, foster care and adoptions for almost ten years. She is currently a supervisor within the community mental health field, and serves Bethany clients in the south Florida region as a contracted adoptions worker. She has been actively involved in various ministries of her church, First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach, for over twenty years.
SUSAN PATTERSON, LCSW – North Florida Adoption Specialist
Susan has worked effectively within the human services field for over twelve years. She received her bachelor degree in Psychology from Clark University (Worcester, MA) and completed her graduate studies in Social Work at Columbia University in New York City. Susan is licensed by the State of Florida (SW #8130) and Alabama (SW #1949c). Susan S. Patterson, LCSW is a Certified Adoption Specialist (National Council on Adoption) as well as
a Certified Field Traumatologist (Figley Institute). She has served as a birth parent counselor, adoption specialist, and trainer for the Pensacola Pregnancy Resource Center, and encourages “informed reproductive choice” for every woman. Susan has served Bethany clients in the panhandle region of Florida since 2003.