Empowering young people to shape their own futures.

Tamsyn Butler is a dedicated counselor, educator, and youth advocate with more than 21 years of experience serving children and adolescents from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Throughout her career, she has worked in both inner-city and suburban school settings, developing a deep understanding of the unique academic, social, and emotional needs of students from diverse backgrounds.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology and a specialization in Juvenile Justice, as well as a Master’s degree in Counseling. Her educational background and extensive experience have equipped her with the knowledge and skills to support students as they navigate challenges, build resilience, and achieve personal and academic success.

As a mother of two—one currently in college and the other graduating from high school—Tamsyn understands firsthand the importance of nurturing, guiding, and advocating for young people. She is passionate about building authentic, trusting relationships with children and families, creating safe spaces where students feel seen, heard, and valued.

Tamsyn’s mission is to empower every child to discover their strengths, embrace their individuality, and find a path that leads to a fulfilling and successful future. Through compassion, encouragement, and unwavering dedication, she continues to make a lasting impact on the lives of the students and families she serves.

Damien Landrum serves as the Clinical Director of Defining Your Destiny Youth Center, where he provides strategic oversight of all therapeutic services and clinical operations. A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Damien brings specialized expertise in trauma-informed care, cognitive behavioral therapy, and adolescent mental health, developed through years of dedicated clinical practice and continuous professional development.

Damien holds a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology and has accumulated extensive experience in residential treatment settings, developing particular expertise in designing and implementing evidence-based therapeutic interventions. He leads a dedicated team of therapists and mental health professionals with a focus on ensuring that every resident receives individualized, compassionate care that thoughtfully addresses their unique emotional and behavioral needs.

Committed to fostering a therapeutic culture that fully recognizes the profound impact of trauma on development and behavior, Damien has played an instrumental role in shaping the organization's trauma-informed approach. He has developed and implemented comprehensive staff training programs in best practices for supporting young people who have experienced adversity, ensuring that clinical care is delivered with both professional excellence and deep empathy. His clinical leadership ensures that treatment plans achieve therapeutic effectiveness while honoring the inherent dignity of each individual.

Beyond his administrative responsibilities, Damien maintains an active, hands-on role in clinical supervision and ongoing program development. He works collaboratively with families, educational institutions, and community partners to create comprehensive support networks that extend well beyond the residential setting. His ultimate goal is to ensure that every young person who completes their program leaves equipped with the emotional tools, coping strategies, and self-awareness necessary for sustained long-term success.

Damien's path to clinical leadership was shaped by early experiences volunteering with youth mentoring programs, where he witnessed firsthand the remarkable capacity for resilience within young people who had faced significant challenges. These experiences taught him that beneath behavioral struggles and emotional pain, there exists in every child a wellspring of strength waiting to be discovered. This understanding has guided his entire career, informing his belief that effective therapy must go beyond symptom management to help young people recognize their own capabilities, develop healthy self-concepts, and envision futures defined by their own choices rather than their past experiences.

Damien considers it a profound honor to serve as Clinical Director of Defining Your Destiny Youth Center. He is deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead a clinical team that shares his commitment to excellence and compassion, to partner with families navigating difficult circumstances, and to witness daily the remarkable transformations that occur when young people are given the support they need to heal emotionally, develop behaviorally, succeed academically, and grow socially. He remains steadfastly committed to ensuring that every child who comes through their doors discovers their own capacity for resilience, healing, and self-definition.