KALA ANNAMBHOTLA, Ph.D.
Kala sees adults, couples, and older adolescents. She is a Clinical Psychologist who provides individual therapy for mood and bipolar disorders, trauma, anxiety, stress, grief/loss, ADHD, and relationship concerns. She also offers couples counseling. Kala is of Asian Indian origin, so she has a special interest in addressing cultural concerns and conflicts. She has had extensive experience in working with college students.
ELIZABETH BROWN, MA, MS, LCMHC-A
Elizabeth has over two decades of experience working with children ages 4-18 in school and mental health settings. She has experience treating anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief and loss, and adoption issues. She loves teaching children and care givers coping strategies to assist with stress, anxiety, and anger management. Elizabeth uses the approaches of child centered play therapy; Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT); Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and motivational interviewing to help clients reach their therapeutic goals. She is a LGBTQ affirming counselor and very excited to be a part of the Carolina Psychological Associates team beginning March 1st.
CARSON CHRISTOPHER, MSW, LCSW
Carson Christopher is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who primarily sees children (10 years old and up), adolescents, teens, and young adults for individual and/or group therapy. Carson also has experience working with older adults, couples, and younger children. She provides therapy for a variety of concerns such as, stress management, anxiety, depression, communication issues, and life changes. Additionally, Carson has experience working with grief/loss, college-life challenges, self-esteem, work-life balance, and health-wellness maintenance. Carson uses a variety of techniques and evidence-based practices in treatment such as, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, solution-focused therapy, and both art and play therapy. She is passionate about making clients feel comfortable and validated and works collaboratively to help clients reach their individual goals.
TAMARA DAVISON, M.Ed., LCMHC, NCC
Tamara is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. She works with adults and adolescents, offering individual and family counseling. She has experience with treating depression, anxiety, adjustment issues, Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, grief and loss, life transitions and trauma. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques and is trained in the use of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to treat recent and past traumas.
SARAH E. GATES, MA, LPA
Sees children, adolescents, and families. Sarah is a Licensed Psychological Associate who provides therapy and psychological evaluation services to children and adolescents individually and within the context of the family. She has experience in the areas of learning disabilities, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, anxiety, oppositional defiant behaviors, aggression, developmental disabilities and giftedness. Furthermore, Sarah has a special interest in the assessment and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
ELBERT "JAY" HAWKINS, III, Ph.D., LCMHC-A, NCC
Jay is a highly motivated professional counselor and mental health educator with over 20+
years of experience counseling school-aged children and young adults. His practice focuses
on solution-focused and brief therapy, mindfulness, transcendence therapy, culturally
relevant and sustaining counseling, and child-centered play therapy. In addition, Jay's
knowledge of therapeutic processes and techniques in cognitive behavior therapy is a skill
set he possesses, resulting in effective and sustainable outcomes. Jay is also interested in
building solid relationships, facilitating small groups, and creating safe spaces with energy
and understanding for all clients to reach their mental health goals.
BLAKE HERD, MA, LPA
Sees children, adolescents, and adults. Blake is a Licensed Psychological Associate who provides individual therapy and psychological evaluation services to children, adolescents, and adults. He has experience working with clients with learning disabilities, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, anxiety and mood-related disorders, and borderline personality features. He is also passionate about working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
DORTCH L. MANN, LCMHC
Dortch sees older adolescents, adults, couples, and families. He has extensive training and experience working with clients who are navigating and adjusting to life's changes and challenges. Dortch is a Climate-Aware Therapist, with expertise in supporting his clients to cope with climate crisis distress and to build their resilience in the face of climate change.
HEATHER F. McCAIN, Psy.D.
Heather sees older adolescents and adults for individual counseling. She is a Clinical Psychologist and specializes in affirming LGBTQ+ therapy. Her experience and interests include working with clients to manage depression, anxiety, relationship issues, family of origin difficulties/trauma, stages of life transitions, college life/students, and general women’s issues including, but not limited to, parenting, time management, stress reduction, pregnancy/birth and postpartum concerns. She also provides affirming therapy for those who are agnostic/atheist and is a kink and poly-aware professional.
REBECCA McLEAN, MSW, LCSWA
Sees children, adolescents, and adults. Rebecca is a Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate who provides therapy to individuals and families. She works from a client-centered approach to provide services for individuals and families dealing with anxiety, depression, stress management, grief and loss, family and relationship difficulty, emotional concerns, attention and focus difficulty, and behavioral concerns. She utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Play Therapy to help clients meet their therapeutic goals.
MADALINA OCHENATU, MD, MS, CRC, LCMHC
Madalina provides counseling to adolescents, adults, couples, families, and groups as well as vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with physical and/or psychiatric disabilities. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She specializes in counseling for: mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder, grief, emotional trauma, PTSD, eating disorders, behavioral challenges), chronic physical illness causing mental health issues (e.g., chronic pain, cancer, heart disease, strokes, traumatic brain injuries, diabetes, morbid obesity), and commonly encountered issues (e.g., stress, emotional burnout, life-work balance, relationships, career, health and wellness). She earned a MD degree in Romania and she graduated with a MS in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, Psychiatric Disability specialization from UNC Chapel Hill.
SUSAN PEEK, LCSW
Susan sees children ages four and up, adolescents, and young adults to age 25. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience providing counseling in school-based and clinical settings to young people with trauma histories, ADHD, or who are experiencing depression, anxiety, grief and loss and other emotional and behavioral challenges. She uses interventions from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, therapeutic art, and therapeutic play to help individuals and families address challenges with emotional and behavioral concerns. She provides affirming therapy to the LGBTQ+ community.
JENNIFER SOMMER, Ph.D.
Sees children, adolescents, and adults. Jennifer is a clinical psychologist who specializes in comprehensive assessments and treatments for individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Other areas of interest include family and parenting issues, children’s behavioral concerns, learning disorders and giftedness, anxiety, and adjustment issues. Prior to joining Carolina Psychological Associates, Jennifer worked at a clinic specializing in ADHD. She has experience directing treatment and research programs for children with ADHD and other social, emotional behavioral and learning difficulties.
MISSY SULLIVAN, LCSWA
Missy sees older adolescents and adults. Missy is a Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate. Her interests
include working with survivors of trauma and clients who are dealing with relationship difficulties and
attachment insecurity. She greatly enjoys working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Missy
utilizes a person-centered approach to therapy, providing unconditional positive regard to her clients
and a chance to lead their own sessions in the direction that feels most meaningful. She utilizes an
integrative approach and believes that different components of many theories can be beneficial
depending on the client. Some of the modalities she frequently utilizes with clients include motivational
interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and emotionally focused therapy.
ATHENA TATUM, LCSW
Is a licensed clinical social worker and has experience seeing children ages 2-14 and their caregivers. She has previously worked in Florida at a domestic violence shelter, child protection, case management and child therapist. She has worked with children in the home, in school and outpatient therapy. She has experience in the areas of anxiety, ADHD, focus, life stressors, communication issues and parenting. This includes working through trauma, life changes, adoption and dealing with behavioral issues. Her focus is on how to improve the family function overall. She is passionate about creating an environment where everyone is on the same team working towards the same goals.
LORI VASQUEZ, MA, LPA
Lori Vasquez is a Licensed Psychological Associate who currently provides psychological evaluations for children (6+), adolescents, and adults. She has extensive experience conducting assessments in the areas of ADHD, IDD, anxiety, mood, and learning. She has previously worked in the school system as a contract evaluator to help support students and over the years, has provided both outpatient and inpatient mental health services to children, adults, and the geriatric population. She recently retired from the State System and moved to the area and is excited to join Carolina Psychological Associates!
