MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA OF THE MIDSOUTH


LIVE PANEL WEBINAR 
August 20, 2026
12:00 PM CT - 1:00 PM CT

Behavioral health work in Tennessee is demanding, complex, and deeply human. Leadership Unscripted: Be Nimble & Gritty was created to offer something different: honest conversations with Tennessee behavioral health leaders who have lived this not perfectly, but persistently. This is not about titles. It’s about staying in the work, adapting to constant change, and leading with integrity when the system feels heavy. Whether you’re brand new, aspiring to lead, or feeling tired and unsure, you belong here. 



For accommodation requests, grievances, or other questions about this course, please contact forinfo@MHAMidSouth.org.


Contact: Nova Moss | Continuing Education & Content Director

NMoss@MHAMidSouth.org

Dr. Xyzeidria Ensley, PhD, LPC-MHSP, LADACII

Dr. Ensley earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University and is licensed as both a Professional Counselor (LPC-MHSP) and an Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC II). Her clinical and leadership expertise includes addiction treatment, co-occurring disorders, mood disorders, competency restoration, crisis intervention, and the development of behavioral health programming within the criminal justice system.

Throughout her career, Dr. Ensley has championed cross-system engagement, bringing together behavioral health providers, healthcare organizations, courts, correctional agencies, and community stakeholders to address the complex needs of justice-involved populations. A recognized leader in behavioral health and criminal justice collaboration, she has cultivated strategic partnerships that strengthen continuity of care, improve access to treatment, and support successful recovery and community reintegration. Her work focuses on advancing integrated approaches that bridge systems of care, align stakeholders, and improve outcomes for individuals with behavioral health needs.

In addition to her professional leadership, Dr. Ensley is actively involved in statewide and national behavioral health initiatives. She previously served on the Board of Trustees for the Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute and currently serves on the Board of the Nashville Recovery Court Support Foundation. She also serves on the Women Working in Corrections, Substance Use Disorder, and Behavioral Health Subcommittees of the American Correctional Association.

Dr. Ensley is passionate about promoting recovery, improving access to behavioral health services, strengthening cross-system partnerships, and advancing innovative solutions that support individuals involved in the justice system.

Lucy Easley, LPC, MHSP

Lucy Easley is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Mental Health Service Provider (LPC MHSP) in the state of Tennessee. She became interested in mental health from a young age as she watched the challenges some of her loved ones faced while navigating the world with serious and persistent mental illness. This interest grew further when she was working as a pharmacy technician in 2009, just as the nation’s opiate crisis was rapidly developing. She received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Murray State University and her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She has experience working with residential treatment programs and nonprofits across Tennessee providing community mental health services.

Lucy began working in corrections in 2020. She now serves as the Facility Administrator at the Behavioral Care Center (BCC), a state-licensed residential treatment program within the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office. The BCC provides short-term mental health and substance abuse treatment to individuals who are currently incarcerated. She and her team have worked diligently to decriminalize mental illness in Davidson County.

Chief Ruby Joyner, LMSW, CCE

Chief Ruby J. Joyner, LMSW, CCE is a highly accomplished criminal justice executive, licensed master social worker, and author with over 25 years of progressive leadership at the Nashville / Davidson County Sheriff’s Office. She currently serves as the Chief of Corrections, providing comprehensive oversight for all jail facilities across Davidson County.

Throughout her distinguished career, Chief Joyner has successfully blended rigorous facility administration with behavioral health and rehabilitative program management. Her prior leadership roles include serving as Facility Administrator for both the Maximum Correctional Center for Males (MCC) and the Correctional Development Center for Females (CDF), Training Director, and Treatment Supervisor. A passionate advocate for clinical intervention and recovery, she has extensively facilitated therapy, anger management, and co-occurring treatment groups for both adult and juvenile populations.

An established leader in correctional management, Chief Joyner is a published author whose work spans numerous articles in Corrections Today and Corrections.com. In 2025, she published her transformative recovery guide, “8 Steps to Freedom: Breaking Free from the Inside Out.”

Chief Joyner holds a dual bachelor's degree in Psychology and Social Work from Trevecca University and a Master of Social Work (with honors) from the University of Tennessee. She possesses a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) designation and holds multiple elite industry credentials, including the American Correctional Association’s (ACA) highest designation: Certified Corrections Executive (CCE). In 2025, her expertise was recognized nationally through appointments to the ACA Commission on Accreditation for Corrections and the Legislative and Government Affairs Commission. She is also an active member of the Department of Justice’s Large Jail Network and has spent more than a decade volunteering as a worship teacher at the Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center – formally named Tennessee Prison for Women.

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