Who We Are
The dedicated staff at the Alice C. Tyler Village of Childhelp are committed to ensuring that the Childhelp mission and philosophy are at the heart of every day’s work with our children. Without their patience, passion, perseverance and determination, none of this would be possible.
Chris Ruble, Executive Director
Mr. Ruble received his bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from Ferrum College and completed master’s level course work in Management and Leadership prior to beginning his over 20 years of experience working in the behavioral healthcare field. He has progressive leadership experience that includes duties served as Director of Business Development, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Director. With working both in the public and private sectors, Mr. Ruble brought with him both hands-on and operational level experience to the Village when he arrived over 4 years ago. In addition to dedicating his life to the prevention, treatment, and advocacy of the population he serves, Mr. Ruble spends his spare time with his family enjoying outdoor activities, hiking, playing music, weight lifting, and is an avid lover of German Shepherds.
Our Leadership
Ralph L. Chester, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Chester grew up in Chicago, and attended Boston University
School of Medicine, where he was awarded Summa cum Laude.
Moving to New Orleans for Internship and further medical
specialization, he trained in Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry,
and Medical Psychoanalysis at Tulane University School of Medicine.
Board Certified in Psychiatry, and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, he
has practiced and taught Psychoanalysis and has lectured on subjects
within Adult & Child Psychiatry and public health. With over 30 years
of professional experience, Dr. Chester has held such titles as a
Consulting Psychiatrist, Medical Director, and Clinical Director in
several hospitals; including Children’s Hospital of New Orleans,
DePaul Hospital, Coliseum Medical Center, River Oaks Hospital, and
Acadian Oaks Hospital. He has been a consultant at the New Orleans
Adolescent Hospital, Lutheran Social Services of the South, Methodist
Home for Children, and Bethlehem Children’s Residential Treatment
Center. He has also consulted formally on behalf of New Orleans and
St. Tammany public schools, juvenile justice/courts, and juvenile
forensic centers in Louisiana.
In 2005, Dr. Chester re-located to Virginia, and has spent the last 15
years as the Chief Child Psychiatrist and Director of Psychiatric
Services for Horizon Behavioral Health, while operating his own
private practice. He has also been a Child Psychiatric Consultant in
Virginia for the Ragged Mountain Home, The Hughes Center, Region
10 CSB, and the Blue Ridge Medical Center.
Over the years Dr. Chester dedicated his time to organizations that
furthered his work with children on many levels. He worked in Central
America as a paramedic, he studied comparative culture and Family
and Geriatric Medicine abroad in Europe, completed volunteer work
in lead poisoning assessments, and in psychiatric hospitals. He was
most recently named Psychiatrist and Medical Director of the Alice C.
Tyler Village of Childhelp, located in Culpeper County, Virginia.
Medical Director
Larry Colby, LPC
Clinical Director
Larry J. Colby is a Licensed Professional Counselor as well as a Licensed Secondary Education Teacher. He completed his Bachelor’s in Secondary Education with a dual major in Speech Communication and Psychology at Eastern Michigan University in 2003. He completed his Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at Walden University in 2013. His counseling internship was completed at a sexual abuse center and a private alternative school.
Mr. Colby began his teaching profession at a career center in Michigan, instructing English to struggling students. He has also taught high school AP English and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) in Puerto Rico; as well as Honors English and inclusion classes in Virginia. Larry has provided educational advocacy and remedial tutoring services. He taught a child, that one school system deemed unable to learn reading skills, how to read in six months using Orton-Gillingham multisensory and Lindamood-Bell Language Learning techniques.
Larry has extensive experience working in residential settings, Intensive In-home Counseling, and outpatient counseling. Larry is a state approved supervisor for LPC licensure. He has provided staff training in verbal de-escalation, communication, and understanding play therapy. Larry has been trained in ABA therapy, Play Therapy, EMDR, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. He has also been trained as a court approved co-parenting trainer. Larry incorporates a trauma focused, biopsychosocial model in developing healing outcomes.
Larry believes that every member of the team is important in achieving positive outcomes. He believes in developing learning communities in order to achieve best practices. He believes that everyone is able to overcome personal barriers and find peace within their lives. He believes in setting aside blame and focusing on relationship building and problem solving. Larry believes that everyone is able to discover Health, Enlightenment, Love, and Prosperity (HELP).
Clinical Director
Jacqui Lowe-Barton
Director of Education
Jacqui Lowe-Barton has been in education for 12 years. Originally, she received her Bachelor’s in Business Management with a minor in Economics. She transitioned into education at the age of 23 and since then, has obtained a PreK-6 teaching license, as well as a license in middle school Mathematics. Jacqui received her Administration and Supervision degree from Liberty University in 2018. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, hiking, and being outdoors.
Director of Education
David Gearhart
Human Resources Business Partner
Clinical Staff
Sherice is a Resident in Counseling under the supervision of Larry J Colby (0701007075). Sherice graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School with a Master’s Degree in Art Therapy and Counseling. Her internships consisted of working with children at risk in alternative schools and in the hospital setting.
Art Therapist
Barry is a Licensed Professional Counselor certified in equine therapy and trained in adventure therapy. Barry completed his Master’s Degree in Counseling from Regent University, and became licensed in 2016. Barry is a retired firefighter and paramedic. Barry has experience in outpatient, community based, residential and emergency / crisis services. He has researched the neurological and psychophysiological aspects of trauma and stress, and how resiliency supports long term recovery. He is also certified in biofeedback therapy. Barry brings a trauma informed approach to equine therapy, using both ground and riding techniques developed from Natural Lifemanship.
Equine Therapist
Madeleine Zenger
Recreational Therapist
Tim Lewis
Recreational Assistant
Ayla is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Ayla graduated from Liberty University with the Masters of Arts in Clinical Counseling. Ayla has been a direct care worker and Residential Program Manager for Childhelp. Ayla also has experience in community based and school based clinical services. Ayla is bilingual in English and Spanish. She has spoken about child abuse on Telemundo and Univsion. Ayla is also certified lifeguard.
Therapist
Amber is a Supervisee in Social Work under the supervision of Amy Columbus (0904007828). Amber graduated from Simmons College with an MSW in social work. Amber has experience working in community based services, outpatient counseling, and as a case manager.
Therapist
Christopher is a licensed professional counselor. Christopher has obtained his Master of Arts in Counseling from Eastern Mennonite University. Christopher has 17 years of experience in the mental health field including outpatient counseling, impatient acute care, and community-based services. Christopher has worked as a clinical supervisor, and is approved by the Virginia board of counseling as a licensed supervisor.
Therapist
Carolyn is a Resident in Counseling under the Supervision of Larry J. Colby, LPC (0701007075). Carolyn graduated from Longwood University with a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling. Carolyn has a long history of working for Region Ten CSB in both direct care and clinical roles.
Therapist
Elaine is a Supervisee in Social Work under the supervision of Amy Columbus 0904007828). Elaine graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with her MSW in clinical social work. Elaine completed an internship at Childhelp as well as district 9 probation and parole unit. Elaine is a certified lifeguard and a black belt in Taekwondo.
Therapist
Our Facility Accreditation & Licensure
The Alice C. Tyler Village accreditation is official recognition that our organization is guided by internationally recognized service standards and best practices. Accreditation consists of ongoing consultation and in-depth on-site reviews to help our organization achieve the highest quality of care for our customers and demonstrates that our organization has opened its service delivery and business processes to outside scrutiny to improve the quality of our programs for our children. It is a public statement that Childhelp strives to ensure that our services are of the highest possible quality.
