About Us - Growth Central Training

Laura Beth Moss is a nationally sought author, educator, Supervisor and Diplomat for the National Anger Management Association (NAMA). She is Director and Founder of Growth Central Training which trains therapists, social workers, and counselors to work with court-mandated anger management clients as well as first responders and behavioral health providers ways to use compassionate communication during crisis. She is a regular presenter at the NAMA International Annual Conference. She is also a Certified Integrative Life Coach through the International Association of Counselors and Therapists. Laura Beth specializes in self-care, wellness, mindfulness, and helping others navigate their personal narratives to explore and integrate complex, emotional states to experience greater fulfillment. More recently, she developed and co-authored the Crisis Intervention Workbook and Curriculum: The EDGE Approach to De-escalation and The Certified Parent Training Workbook and Curriculum. Laura Beth has been featured as an expert on the Dr. Drew Show, in the NY Post, Kiwanus Magazine, Stylecaster, NBC, and has presented work at The National Press Club in Washington, DC, CIT International, and the NW Region CIT Conference. 

While Laura Beth specializes in working with individuals, professionals, and organizations, she has also successfully led large-scale projects with state agencies to implement Growth Central Training’s evidence-based curriculums and approaches in diverse settings.

Laura Beth grew up in the foothills of North Carolina and moved to New York City after graduating from the esteemed The University of North Carolina School of the Arts.  Her long history as a Broadway, TV and film actress brings a uniquely engaging style of teaching and presentation that deeply resonates with students.

Cynthia Hughes is a NAMA CAMS-III Authorized Supervisor. She is the owner and lead Clinician for Harmoni's Haven Counseling LLC. Cynthia has worked in substance abuse and mental health related fields for the last 10 years of her professional career and currently holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Experimental Psychology and Research. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Arts in Crisis and Trauma Management. She has worked managing a female residential treatment program, working in a South Carolina maximum-security female prison as a lead therapist in a substance abuse treatment program, an administrator designee at a residential program for the SC Department of Mental Health. Cynthia also served on the advisory board for the ADSAP (alcohol and drug safety action program) for the state of South Carolina. She provides clinical services as a Substance Abuse Professional through the Federal Clearing House and Department of Transportation and now works with clients who have been diagnosed with HIV or AIDs at a non profit organization called AID Upstate (SC). 

Cynthia lives in the Greenville-Spartanburg, SC area where she enjoys traveling, spending time with her daughter and family, singing and creative arts.

Bryan Jones has worked in the addiction recovery community for over 10 years and is a CADCI (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor-I), BIPF (Batterer's Intervention Program Facilitator), CAMS III (Certified Anger Management Specialist), CDVS III (Certified Domestic Violence Specialist) and NAMA Authorized Supervisor. He owns/operates his own recovery treatment facility in Southern California. With a background in working closely with individuals on probation and parole, he has dedicated his career to helping clients navigate the challenges of personal growth, anger management, and recovery from substance use disorders. His role as an AOD Specialist on the San Bernardino Community Crisis Response Team underscores his commitment to offering crisis intervention and providing critical support to individuals in distress.

He has presented at events such as the CCAPP Annual Convention and the ACA Professional Practice Summit, discussing the integration of artificial intelligence in telehealth. His credentials include CADCII, BIPF, CAMS-II, CDVS-I, CPTS-II, and CPI, demonstrating his broad expertise in areas critical to both individual and family support.

Bryan's instructional style is engaging and empathetic, with a focus on active listening and empowerment. Outside of his professional commitments, he enjoys spending time in Apple Valley, CA, where he is an active board member and community advocate, continuously inspired to support those on their journey to recovery and personal growth.

Rudy Pineda is a Crisis Intervention Specialist with a fervor for assisting individuals struggling to manage developmental, intellectual, and mental health conditions. His academic background includes a BS in both Biochemistry and Psychology.

With over 12 years of service in diverse settings such as jails, state hospitals, and development centers, his work has primarily focused on support provision. He has a deep understanding of California Title 17 regulations, federal laws, and policies designed to support adults with disabilities. Rudy strongly believes in a person-centered approach to care and services. His methods are trauma-informed, ensuring that the unique experience and needs of each individual are taken into account. He also believes that behaviors do not define the person, but instead communicates their unmet needs.

Throughout his career, he has worked with some of the most challenging cases, including individuals with severe autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other complex developmental disabilities and mental health conditions. A significant part of his work involves supporting persons with dual diagnosis. This often includes cases of severely low cognitive functioning, which require creating specialized strategies to provide effective support during a crisis. Additionally, he has a lot of experience in supporting adults during suicidal ideation and harmful behaviors toward others.

He currently serves as the Director of an agency based in California that serves adults with IDD, mental health issues, and those involved forensically.

CCIS EDGE students enjoy Rudy’s supportive instructor style and engaging demeanor. His expertise encompasses instructional guidance and the implementation of de-escalation strategies making him a great resource for participants. 

Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, camping, and playing volleyball. Rudy, his wife, their dog, and soon to be born baby spend a lot of time hiking and back packing. These hobbies add a balance to his life, allowing him to maintain a commitment towards offering valuable assistance to those in need.

After graduating from York University, Niki Spyropoulos pursued a career in teaching and became a certified elementary teacher. In 2005, Niki joined the Toronto Police Service where she explored her passion for serving members within her community. She enjoyed learning the complexities involved with investigations and developed an interest in forensics. Niki is trained investigator in intimate partner violence, elder abuse, sexual assault and youth related investigations and was promoted to the rank of Detective/Sergeant in 2020. Amongst her career achievements, in 2021 she was awarded with the Life Saving Award from The Most Venerable Order of St. John Priory of Canada. Niki is currently the Mobile Crisis Intervention Team (MCIT) Coordinator where she oversees thirteen crisis teams across the City of Toronto. She is always working on ways to improve the MCIT program to help people experiencing a crisis, addiction or metal health crisis receive assistance through a compassionate and dignified approach.

Niki was born and raised in Toronto, Canada by a single mother and had a very humble start in life. She was very proud to become the first female in her family to graduate from University as she has always fostered a love of learning. Niki enjoys spending time with her family, friends and dog Kylo. In her spare time, she volunteers as a peer support worker and a youth hockey trainer, enjoys baking, travelling and unwinding in yoga classes.

Jake Theissen, MFT, CPTS III, PhD, has a wide-ranging background. He grew up in a small farming community in central Kansas. After graduating from college with a degree in English, he lived overseas for three years--one year in France and two years on an oasis in the Algerian Sahara where he taught English as a second language. Experiencing the contrast between continents and cultures at a relatively early age taught him an appreciation for the differences that naturally occur between people.

Upon returning to the States he completed a masters in theology and marriage and family therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California. In 1979 he received his doctorate in marriage and family therapy from Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.  After completing his PhD, he was an Associate Professor of Family Studies for 15 years. He is currently a licensed marriage and family therapist in full-time private practice.  All told, he has worked with couples and families for over 45 years.  

His post-doctoral education includes certifications in Conjugal Relationship Enhancement, Couples Communication, Collaborative Divorce Coaching, Divorce Mediation and Focusing. In addition to five years of training in existential-gestalt therapy, he has received ongoing training in family and couple therapy. 
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Jake has three grown children, two step-children, nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild, two dogs and, thank God, a wife who is a psychologist.