Understanding Minds, Upholding Justice: Pioneers of Psycho-Legal Excellence

The American Association of Forensic Professionals (AAFP), a 501(c) 3 Tax Exempt Public Charity, is a trailblazing organization dedicated to advancing the field of forensic behavioral health. With a rich history and a team of accomplished experts, we are committed to unraveling the complexities of the human mind, while upholding justice and ensuring fairness in the legal system.

Our origin story is rooted in a passion for both behavioral health and the law. We believe that by harmonizing these disciplines, we can bring a unique perspective to forensic investigations and ultimately contribute to the truth-seeking process.

Throughout our journey, we have been honored with numerous awards and recognitions, a testament to our unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence. We take pride in our achievements, but our focus remains firmly on serving our members, clients, and society as a whole.

Our Team

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Tracey Pace, Th.D, MSA, M.Ed, LPC, NCC, CFMHE, CFI

Dr. Pace, a licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia, has been in practice since 1999 and has worked with many different populations.  As a certified school counselor, she worked with parents, teachers, and school administrators to meet the needs of school age children. Additionally, as a former Air National Guard Officer and Director of Administration for the 117TCS Georgia Air National Guard, she understands the unique needs of today’s armed forces and works with veterans, active-duty service members and their families. She currently serves as The LPCA Board of Directors chair of the Coastal Region of Georgia and enjoys mentoring new counselors, both APCs and LPCs.

She is a Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluator (CFMHE), a Certified Child Custody Evaluator (CCCE), a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS), and a Certified Forensic Interviewer (CFI).

Dr. Pace holds a doctorate of Biblical Theology and will counsel from a Biblical perspective when requested, a Master of Science in Administration, and Masters of Education of Counseling. She has been married to Ed Pace since 1990, a mother to five children, two who are adopted, the grandmother of fifteen and resides in Clyo, Georgia.

Bryan G. Stephens, LPC

Bryan G. Stephens is a licensed professional counselor and the founder and CEO of TalkForward, providing psychotherapy. Bryan has practiced in behavioral health for the past 30 years, 24 of those as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Bryan has been in private practice through TalkForward for the past three years.

With 20 years of Executive Management, Bryan served as a Chief Executive Officer in a public behavioral health agency, with over 450 employees and an annual budget of $27 million. There he established and executed major goals and objectives, providing leadership, direction, and guidance for agency activities.

Bryan is a Certified Gallup Strengths Coach, and Certified Managerial Coach. He has been coaching teams and individuals since 2006 both in and out of his work in community mental health.

A specialist in clinical supervision, Bryan began training therapists in small and large groups, while Ethics Chair on the Board of the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia (LPCA). Bryan currently serves as the Immediate President of LPCA which has over 8000 members.

Bryan has an Executive MBA from Kennesaw State University and both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

Bryan and his family attend worship at the First United Methodist Church of Marietta, where he is the Charter Organization Representative for the Scouting units. This includes the same Troop, 277, in which Bryan earned the rank of Eagle Scout at age 15, and where his son also earned his Eagle Scout.

Bryan is married to his college sweetheart and best friend, Linda, and has two wonderful young adult children, Gil and Ann Marie.

Erin Snyders, J.D.

Erin Snyders brings a wealth of experience in human resources leadership, strategic planning, legal expertise, and entrepreneurship to her role on the board of directors. With a Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Creighton University, Erin has a strong educational foundation complemented by a Certificate of Strategic Change Management from Northwestern Kellogg Executive Education.

As the Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Roers Companies, Erin leads strategic initiatives to attract, develop, and retain top talent, aligning workforce planning with the company’s high-growth initiatives.

Erin's entrepreneurial spirit is evident from founding Honestly ADHD LLC, where she leveraged her legal, business, and coaching skills to meet the needs of parents raising children with ADHD whose needs were not being met through the current mental health systems.

In her extensive career, Erin has demonstrated her ability to define and implement effective business strategies, lead diverse teams, develop talent management frameworks, and implement strategic initiatives that drive organizational success. Her skills in executive coaching, employment law, and change management have made her a trusted advisor to executive teams and boards, capable of delivering results in dynamic business settings.

Erin’s contributions extend beyond her corporate roles, with her active participation in legal and HR communities, where she shares her knowledge and expertise to elevate professional standards. Her commitment to excellence, strategic vision, and innovative approach to human resources make her an invaluable asset to any organization she serves.

Dr. Vincentia Paul-Constantin, Ph.D., LPC (GA/USVI), NCC

Director, Social & Cultural Competence, AAFP, Founder/Director, Beautiful Dreamers Behavioral and Educational Center, Ltd https://beautifuldreamers.org/about-us/

Dr. Vincentia Paul-Constantin, a beacon of educational leadership and cultural competency, embodies the role of a lifelong educator and advocate. As the Founder and Executive Director of Beautifuldreamers.org, she brings a wealth of expertise as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, licensed both in the US Virgin Islands and the state of Georgia, and as a National Board-Certified Counselor (NCC). Dr. Paul-Constantin's formidable academic achievements include a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, a Master's in Student Personnel Administration and Counseling, a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, a Master's in Special Education, an Educational Specialist degree (EdS), and a PhD in Specialized Education. She currently serves as the Chair of the United States Virgin Islands Board of Licensed Counselors and Examiners.

With over 20 years of experience as an educator, Dr. Paul-Constantin's work transcends conventional teaching methodologies. Her dedication to fostering an inclusive learning environment is evident through her work with Beautiful Dreamers (a non-profit organization), where she has been instrumental since July 2015. At Beautiful Dreams, she not only administers educational assessments but also provides invaluable training, consultation, and support for educators working with Haitian communities in the Virgin Islands.

Dr. Paul-Constantin's specialty lies in her cultural and social acumen, particularly with diverse ethnic groups such as Rastafarians and French Creole-speaking Haitians. Her fluency in French and French Creole (Haitian and Lucian) complements her extensive experience administering psychological assessments, such as the Woodcock-Johnson, WIAT, and K-TEA. This expertise positions her as a key instructor in courses that highlight multicultural considerations in mental health assessments—a crucial aspect she adeptly presents in workshops, aligning with the promotional materials that spotlight her role.

In her capacity as the Director of Social and Cultural Competency for AAFP, Dr. Paul-Constantin's initiatives are rooted in the belief that social and cultural awareness is essential to individual development. Her approach—shaped by 14 years as a special education teacher and advocate—ensures that individuals, especially those with Learning Disabilities and Mental Illness, are empowered to become productive members of society. She is steadfast in her mission to cultivate and equip individuals and their families, working collaboratively with schools and communities to promote educational equity and culturally responsive pedagogy.

Dr. Paul-Constantin's vision is a society where education is both a reflective mirror and a window to a world of social and cultural diversity. Through her leadership, she inspires a celebration of every individual's unique story within the broader narrative of the community, fostering resilience and well-being among the youth she serves. Her holistic approach to education and her advocacy for cultural sensitivity stand as testament to her profound impact on the tapestry of modern education.

Tommy Black, Ph.D., LPC (GA/USVI), LMHC (FL) , CPCS, ACS

Executive Director

Dr. Tommy Black, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Mental Health Counselor, boasts an illustrious career beginning in 1998 that intertwines his profound expertise in mental health, forensic behavioral health, and victim support. A vanguard in the behavioral health sector, Dr. Black is acclaimed for his unwavering commitment to enhancing accessibility to quality care through the portability of licensure and advocating for elevated standards, ethics, and accountability in mental health services.

He joined a private practice in 1998 and is a recognized authority in a spectrum of specialized areas, including PTSD, comprehensive testing and assessment, forensic and custody evaluations, and the treatment of sex offenders. Dr. Black’s exceptional skills in curriculum development and therapy, both individual and group, span across diverse demographics. His extensive proficiency is further evident in his contributions to professional development and his consultative roles with state and national counseling regulatory bodies.

Renowned for his clinical supervision acumen and program innovation, Dr. Black is frequently sought for expert legal testimony, illustrating his effectiveness in crisis management and forensic evaluations. His therapeutic approach is enriched by his training in Forensic Evaluations, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), and Trauma-Focused CBT.

Dr. Black’s academic foundation is robust, holding a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Tampa, followed by Master’s and Educational Specialist degrees from Georgia Southern University. His scholarly pursuits led to a Ph.D. in Psychology from Northcentral University, with a dissertation exploring the psychological impacts of mobility on students.

As a leader and entrepreneur, Dr. Black has been at the helm of Darsey, Black & Associates since 1998, guiding a team of 50 and steering the company’s strategic direction. His leadership prowess expanded with the inception of Atlantic Counseling Services in 2012, where he serves as Owner and Clinical Director, and through his co-founding of Esteem Therapeutics, Inc.

Dr. Black has also made significant contributions to the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists, demonstrating his leadership through various roles, including Chair. His dedication to education is reflected in his previous adjunct professorships at South University and Brewton-Parker College, where he imparted his rich knowledge to the next generation of professionals.

His professional credentials are extensive, holding licensure across multiple states and national board certifications in counseling and forensic evaluation. Dr. Black’s military service in the US Army further highlights his discipline and dedication.

An active member of key professional organizations, Dr. Black’s involvement signifies his ongoing commitment to advancing the field of behavioral health. His leadership in ethics and advisory capacities underscores his influence in shaping forward-thinking behavioral health practices.