About Us
Who We Are
Johnnie McNeil is a dedicated counselor, mediator, and public speaker with over 30 years of experience serving individuals, families, and communities in a variety of professional and ministry settings. She currently serves as the Coordinator of the COP Life Enhancement Ministry at her church and is the Founder of The Listening Ear (CMS) Counseling and Mediation Services, established in 2021. Johnnie truly loves what she does and is passionate about helping others heal, grow, and thrive.
Johnnie is a Certified Temperament Counselor (2012) and a Licensed Pastoral Counselor (2013) through the National Christian Counselors Association in Sarasota, Florida. She is also a Listed Rule 31 Family and General Civil Mediator, as well as a Judicially Listed Victim Offender (JVO) and Adult Victim Offender (AVO) Mediator. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science with an emphasis in Pre-Law from Tennessee State University.
Her professional background includes volunteering with the Nashville Conflict Resolution Center, mediating court-ordered cases, and directing and counseling at Aphesis House Male Excel Program for Ex-Offenders. These experiences have strengthened her ability to work compassionately with individuals facing conflict, trauma, and life transitions.
Johnnie As A Speaker
As a public speaker, Johnnie focuses on four major topics that impact everyday life:
- Getting to Know Yourself โ The Real You
- Bullying: A Problem at Any Age
- The Unheard Cries of the Hurting
- Why We Do What We Do
Johnnie understands that many people carry hidden pain behind a mask, leading to unresolved trauma, stress, low self-esteem, and emotional distress. Her mission is to help individuals live their best lives by changing how they view themselves, developing healthy perspectives, and cultivating a positive and empowered mindset.
Outside of her professional work, Johnnie enjoys picnicking, walking in the park, attending symphony concerts and theatrical plays, traveling, and spending quality time with her familyโespecially her granddaughter, Danee.
Dr. Polly Yarbrough
Dr. Yarbrough, affectionately called by her first name, โPolly,โ is a Born-Again Christian who loves God, loves people, and loves what she does. She is a loving wife of over 30 years, a mother of three beautiful and successful children, and a loving grand of six wonderful grandchildren. She is a counselor who is well-respected in the counseling field in Nashville, TN where she resides and worked in the mental health field for over ten years at Cumberland Heights Substance Abuse Treatment Center after retiring from United Methodist Publishing House as one of their top Human Resource representatives.
Dr. Yarbrough is a graduate with a B.A. Degree from Tennessee State University and earned her masterโs in professional counseling and her Doctorate in Biblical Counseling from Covington Theological Seminary. She is also a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and a Licensed Pastoral Counselor.
Although she has retired from her last job at Cumberland Heights, she is still a very active member of The Listening Ear Counseling and Mediation Services Team where she participates in presentations to help people understand themselves and how to overcome the battles of their minds from depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse, and she is willing to help you too.
Eld. Curtis Long
Mr. Long is well known for his ordained title, Elder Curtis Long. He is a person who is very serious about ministry and the people he counsels. He has a heart of gold and is a very loving husband of over 40 years and a loving father of 1 son. He is a graduate of Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Government and Public Affairs and some Post Graduate Work in Guidance and Counselling. He was Director of the Department of Education at his local church and was a participant in the Outreach Ministry as well.
Mr. Long was a counselor and correctional officer with the Tennessee Department of Correction for Juvenile and Adult Offenders and was known for his positive influence on those he counseled. He was inspirational in helping many offenders realize that the quality of life was determined by the choices they made. His teaching and encouragement helped many juveniles and adult offenders to understand they could determine how their lives would be by their choices.
Eld. Long is currently a part of The Listening Ear Counseling and Mediation Services where he brings a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and healing to many people who are hurting mentally, physically, and spiritually. He has changed the lives of many people through the wisdom he imparts, and he believes he can help you change your life for the better too.
