HUGS Founder and Managing Director

Andrea Mamalakis Epting is the founder of Heads Up Guidance Services (HUGS). She is a Savannah native and graduate of St. Vincent’s Academy. She attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and graduated with a double major in Psychology and Religious Studies. After receiving her Master's Degree in Psychology with a specialty in Professional Counseling from Argosy University in 2006, she began a career as a psychotherapist. Andrea has been working locally in the field of Addiction and Mental Health. She is a practicing Licensed Professional Counselor, Masters Addictions Counselor, and Certified Sex Therapist.  She has a private practice, Resolve Strategies, LLC. which addresses the trauma-induced process addictions. She is HUGS’ CEO and managing director, overseeing all operations, developing programs, and supervising professional volunteers & interns.  Andrea is married and the mother of two children. Andrea has been  honored as a young “Rising Star of Savannah.”