Gene G. Abel, M.D.
Medical Director

Dr. Abel is a distinguished board-certified psychiatrist with a national and international reputation for diagnosing and treating sexual problems. He is considered by many of his colleagues to be the leading psychophysiology researcher in studies of sexual behavior problems in the United States.

Known for his innovative research, Dr. Abel is the inventor of the Abel Assessment for sexual interest™, a diagnostic test that discriminates between people who have a high sexual interest in children and adolescents, and those who do not. Designed for large-scale screening, the test is both portable and noninvasive.

He has directed six National Institute of Mental Health research projects that have uncovered new information about the evaluation of sexual problems. Through these federal research projects he has developed effective treatment methods. Dr. Abel has published over 130 medical articles in scientific journals.

In addition, Dr. Abel is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, who was for many years a professor at Columbia University School of Medicine, and currently teaches at both Morehouse School of Medicine and at Emory University School of Medicine. He is a past president of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, a Fellow of the Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research, and a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Abel was honored with the 1990 Society for Sex Therapy and Research Masters and Johnson Award and the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abuser's 1991 Significant Achievement Award.

Candice Osborn, M.A.
Director of the Sexual Disorder Program

In addition to having over 20 years experience as a therapist specializing in sexual behavior problems, Ms. Osborn was project manager for a federal grant to evaluate and treat child molesters at the University of South Florida, and was supervisor of the Sexual Behavior Laboratory at Atascadero State Hospital in California.

Before joining the Behavioral Medicine Institute team in 1990, she had worked with Dr. Abel on research grants devoted to treating sexual behavior problems at the University of Tennessee and at Columbia University.

Ms. Osborn has had seventeen scientific articles published and has presented papers at scientific conferences regarding the evaluation of and treatment of individuals with sexual problems.

Sarah Gregg, R.N., C.A.R.N.

Sarah Gregg, RN, CARN is a registered nurse and certified in the treatment of addictions. She has 17 years experience working with medical and psychiatric patients.

Ms. Gregg has worked extensively with patients who have multiple medical problems or long-term chronic illnesses compounded by behavioral problems and a high degree of resistance to following doctor's orders. She has eleven years experience working with Dr. Abel and specializing in the treatment of sexual behavior problems.

She is very knowledgeable about the use of medications, the treatment of alcohol, drug and sexual addictions, and behavioral management.

Donna Valentine, M.S., EdS, N.C.C., L.P.C.

Donna Valentine is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds the national certification for professional counselors. She earned her criminal justice degree, master’s degree, and education specialist degree from Georgia State University. Ms. Valentine has experience as an admissions specialist, evaluating individuals for alcohol and drug and mental health problems at a psychiatric and addictions treatment facility.

She has also counseled individuals with general mental health issues at an outpatient mental health facility and counseled psychiatric inpatients at a psychiatric hospital. Ms. Valentine also has extensive experience counseling prison inmates and felony probationers. Prior to joining the Behavioral Medicine Institute of Atlanta as a therapist, Ms. Valentine was involved with research studies at Abel Screening Inc. and with the Behavioral Medicine Institute of Atlanta as a psychological and sexual interest testing laboratory technician.