Theodore A. Rice, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, CEAP, Certified QPR instructor

Executive Director

Ted Rice joined the Tennessee Lawyer’s Assistance Program as the Deputy Director in October 2006. Before TLAP, Ted served as a clinical counselor for the Work/Life Connections-EAP at Vanderbilt University from 2004-2006. Ted received a B.A. in Psychology from Marshall University in 1994 and a Master's in Education degree in Human Developmental Counseling in 1997 from Vanderbilt University. Ted Rice is a National Certified, Employee Assistance Professional, a National Board Certified Counselor, and a Licensed Professional Counselor, Mental Health Service Provider Status designation, in the state of Tennessee.  

Email: ted.rice@tncourts.gov 

Emily Lacey

Program Manager

Emily Lacey was hired as the full-time Program Coordinator in January 2006.  She is responsible for conference planning, expenses and reimbursements, random urine drug screening, and compliance management of TLAP Monitoring Agreements.  She also manages repayments for the Cain Fund and is on call after hours to answer TLAP crisis calls. She was promoted to Program Manager in 2016 and is a certified mental health first aid provider. 

Email: Emily.Lacey@tncourts.gov 

Kim Williams, CRS

Head Of Office Operations

Kim Williams is a Nashville native and studied education and mass communications at Austin Peay State University. She was hired part-time for TLAP in April 2015 and proved she is a great communicator and self-motivated team player, which led her to a full-time position in July 2016. Since then, Kim has provided many strengths to TLAP and has taken on many responsibilities. She is an experienced professional responsible for cultivating strategic outreach activities. She is a certified mental health first aid provider and a QPR suicide prevention gatekeeper. She also recently completed her training and hours to become a Certified Recovery Specialist. Kim is also enrolled at MTSU and studying Psychology. She interfaces regularly with the clients and the leadership of the Commissioners of TLAP.

Email: kim.williams@tncourts.gov 

Lindsey O'Connell, LMSW

Clinical Case Manager

Lindsey Herren O'Connell joined the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program in November 2018. Lindsey is a Licensed Masters Social Worker with a Masters in Clinical Social Work from the University of Tennessee. Prior to joining TLAP, Lindsey served as a clinician in settings such as a residential addiction treatment center, a community mental health center, and a psychiatric hospital, providing her with robust experience in the entire continuum of care for mental health. Lindsey's clinical specialties include somatic and attachment focused EMDR, trauma and addiction treatment, and mindfulness based therapies. Lindsey is also a certified Veterinary Social Worker, focusing on animal assisted therapy and utilizing the human-animal bond to promote healing.

Email: Lindsey.O'Connell@tncourts.gov