Board, Pearl Wong Abood

I am the founder of Lotus Counseling Group, a local private practice in Charlotte, NC. After a decade of teaching in an accredited marriage and family therapy Masters program, I shifted my focus to building a boutique therapeutic space for couples, individuals, and clinicians where each can find safe haven and seek growth. My private practice began as a result of learning many lessons from my childhood that I carried into adulthood and still carry today. A saying that resonates in my systemic work is: "When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower" (Alexander Den Heijer). My belief is we are all born to be our own unique flower. True connection and bonding develops when we understand our own purpose. Our practice approach focuses on relationships and building each partner and family member to be the best versions of themselves. Our passion is creating a safe place for all people to truly connect. We work with couples and individuals who are in life transitions (i.e., relationship issues, infidelity, addiction, grief and/or trauma) and those who may need a safe and healing place to nurture their own growth. We are an affirming group who works with LGBTQIA+. Overall, our diverse group of clinicians create a place that provides practical and unique solution-focused strategies for couples, individuals, and families.

Board

Janelle Johnson, LMFT is a wife, mother, and Founder of Bridges Family Life Center - a family-owned Marriage and Family Therapy group practice near Raleigh, NC.  An award-winning trainer and innovative mental health leader, she is often sought out for her social justice advocacy regarding intersectionality of ableism, sexism, and racism. She currently serves as President Elect of the NC Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.  She also volunteers as a clinician and subject matter expert with Postpartum Support International as well as Give-An-Hour: a national military mental health initiative.  Mrs. Johnson delivers dynamic relational health education, training, and consulting to universities, businesses, and churches across the country, providing hope and guidance for both healthy inclusion and work-life harmony.  Her passionately focused work over the last decade is captured in the mission of her practice: teaching leaders how to master their toughest relationship challenges at home and at work.  Yet her greatest joy of all is growing in relational wellness with her own loving family, to whom she credits much of her success. Because of them, she lives boldly by these three principles: Lead with love.  Teach the Truth.  Fight for justice.

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Dr. Adam Mathews received his Ph.D. from the University of Louisiana-Monroe. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 15 years experience, he has counseled individuals, couples, and families from a wide diversity of backgrounds. He began his career working with adolescent males returning to their families post-incarceration and working with teens through one of the first Juvenile Drug Courts in Louisiana. He worked as a program administrator for intensive in-home community programs in Northeast Louisiana, helping to start the first Multi-systemic therapy teams in the area. He is a former associate professor with Pfeiffer University and is currently an adjunct professor with North Central University. He is the owner of Mathews Counseling, a group practice in Cary, NC., where he also supervises therapists and sees clients. 

Board, Jake Jensen

Jake Jensen and his wife, Elisa, have 4 children and live in Greenville, NC. Jake is a professor of marriage and family therapy and medical family therapy at East Carolina University. He earned his Masters and PhD at Auburn University and has maintained a private practice for the last 10 years. Jake annually conducts couples retreats in Juneau, Alaska designed to strengthen relationships through outdoor adventures. 

Board, Bob Smith

Bob has been working in the field since 1992, he has dedicated his career to serving those that are most at risk with over 15,000 direct service hours. He is the co-developer of and evidence based practice called Family Centered Treatment, FCT. Bob has been focusing on helping agencies and individuals provide superior treatment and improving outcomes. Bob as supervised many individuals and served as a mentor to many others. Bob has worked in leaderships roles and consulted with numerous agencies and served on several board. The use of technology to improve operations an improve clinical quality has been an interest to him. He has helped create several electronic systems to meet these goals. 

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Elizabeth's main professional role is an Associate Professor in MFT at Northcentral University. She earned her a Phd in Marriage and Family Therapy from Syracuse University, and her MS at East Carolina University. She is particularly passionate about research, social and relational justice, and subverting the dominant paradigms that limit our ability to be authentic , congruent, and just in relationship with self, others and context.

Board

Michele C. Blackman is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and AAMFT Approved Supervisor specializing in individual, couples, and family therapy. Michele owns and operates the day to day business operations at two Community Wellness Partners of NC PLLC (CWP of NC), one in Shelby and the other in Lincolnton, NC. Michele is a graduate of Pfeiffer University in Charlotte, NC where she earned her Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy. Michele's education also includes a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Organizational Development from Mount Olive College in New Bern, NC and an Associate Degree in Applied Science Human Services Technology from Beaufort County Community College in Washington, NC. Michele has also worked as an adjunct professor for Gardner-Webb University and Pfeiffer University. 

Board

My name is Hannah Case and I am excited to be serving on the board this year along side so many talented professionals in this field. I am amazed at how much I learn every day that I interact with LMFTs and am proud of all that we, as professionals, bring to the field of mental health. My professional passion is deeply rooted in working with clients as they work to recover from trauma. I am grateful for my interaction with professionals and clients alike, and the trust that they gift me as we work together to grow ourselves and heal our clients. I consider it a beautifully, humbling honor to be entrusted as a guardian of the difficult journeys so many clients embark on and to be a representative of this field. For that, I sincerely thank you all.

Board

Christina Stakely has been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for 14 years.  She is also an AAMFT Approved Supervisor.  She is currently practicing as a private practitioner doing both telehealth and in person private practice in Jacksonville, NC.  Her specialties include working with military and veteran populations and  families with children ages birth to five.  She has specialized training in working with clients who have experienced childhood trauma and sexual trauma.  She lives with her husband and her two children, an 8 year old daughter and 6 year old son. 

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I am a retired Army/Navy veteran with over 22 yrs. combined service.  I completed 5 combat tours to the Middle East as an Intelligence Analyst and Interrogator for Navy Special Operations Command One out of San Diego, CA. I completed one non-combat tour to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where I served as the Joint Detention Center Brigade Chaplain. Married to my best friend, Autumn and we are currently raising our 2 granddaughters (Serenity 3yrs and Luna 5 months).  We have 3 female Labrador fur-babies as well. My hobbies include riding my motorcycle, mediation, yoga, reading and anything that can get me outdoors or in our RV together as a family. Currently I am seeing clients in Hope Mills, Fayetteville, and Charlotte (as an extern with Pfeiffer University).  I recently accepted a position with Redeemed Wellness Center, Fayetteville as a paid intern with hopes of becoming full-time staff once I complete my MFT.  

Board

Emily is currently a second year student in East Carolina University's doctoral Medical Family Therapy program and she attended Oklahoma State University's master's in Marriage and Family Therapy program. Emily is passionate about creating inclusive mental health care for individuals with intellectual disability, and focuses much of her clinical and research efforts in this area. As the student representative for the NCAMFT board Emily wants for students across North Carolina to be aware of the great work the board is doing, and access many of the great resources the board has established for students and future LMFTs. 

Board

Joy Brunson-Nsubuga is a native of South Carolina. She received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Francis Marion University in 2006 and Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy with a certificate in addictions counseling from Appalachian State University in 2009. She completed one year of Executive Leadership Coaching utilizing Oxford Leadership Principles in 2019.  She currently holds full licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, and Certified Clinical Supervisor as well as the AAMFT Approved Supervisor designation. Joy is an expert in Systems Thinking and Therapies, Behavioral Health Crisis Systems, and Substance Use and Medication Assisted Treatment. She has experience in leading multi-state operations and is currently the Vice-President of SouthEast operations for RI International overseeing North Carolina and Louisiana programs. She also owns a private practice, Relatively Speaking Therapeutic Center, and provides supervision for marriage and family therapists, licensed mental health counselors, and substance use professionals seeking full licensure as well as offers presentations on systemic approaches to treatment, crisis intervention and systems, and addictions treatment. Joy is also the Professional Practice Board Chair for the North Carolina Marriage and Family Therapy Association.  Joy resides in Apex with her husband and two boys ages 8 and 4 years

Board

Dr. Shiricka Fair graduated from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a doctoral degree in International Psychology with a concentration of Organizational Leadership and Management. Additionally, she has a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pfeiffer University and BS in Computer Information Systems and Minor in Business Administration from The University of South Carolina. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist as well as an Approved AAMFT supervisor in NC and SC. Dr. Shiricka Fair recognizes that relationships are the keys to success. She ignites mindsets by producing transformation. Dr. Fair views her clients and supervisees from a holistic perspective. She examines problems and solutions, not in the individual (psychological or medical approaches) but more in the cultural context and relationships. Dr. Shiricka Fair is also the founder and owner of Provisions Counseling Services. She enjoys helping individuals enhance the quality of life as well as understand the dynamics and development of relationships. She empowers supervisees, individuals, couples and families (adult and children) holistically for optimum health in mind, body and spirit.

Board

Dr. Susan Perkins earned her master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Hardin-Simmons University (2003) and her Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Virginia Tech (2010).  Dr. Perkins taught students at the masters level for 12 years in CACREP and COAMFTE accredited programs and served as Clinic Director of a university training clinic.  Susan is licensed in North Carolina, Idaho, and Michigan.  In her private practice, Susan focuses on helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life and relationships in a changing world. In addition to her private practice, Dr. Perkins currently provides family therapy for a residential treatment center that focuses on recovery from eating disorders.  Susan lives in Apex, NC with her husband, two daughters, dog, and two cats. She enjoys crafting and anything playful with her daughters. 

Board

I received my Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from East Carolina University in 2011.  I am certified in Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy, and I have a small private practice focused on couples and relationship counseling based in Raleigh, North Carolina.  What I look forward to the most after the pandemic are Disney Vacations, completing a half marathon, and going to the movies in the middle of the day just because.  I am new to the NCAMFT board this year and am so happy to be of service to the community!