Children, Adolescents, Parents, and Families - Presbyterian Psychological Services

Meet Your Child, Adolescent and Family Team

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Liz Fallon, MA, LCMHC, NCC

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Education: Ms. Fallon earned her Bachelor of Science degree at The Pennsylvania State University in Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. During her undergraduate studies, Liz worked in a research lab that focused on clinical psychology, executive functioning and social information processing, and family dynamics within underserved populations. Ms. Fallon then earned her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at UNC Charlotte and served as the Mental Health Counseling Chair for UNCC’s chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, the national honor society in counseling. Clinical Practice: Liz welcomes teens (12+), adults and families of all genders, races, ideologies and bodies into her practice. She takes a trauma-informed, integrative clinical approach that highlights the rediscovery of client values, deepens the mind-body connection, and assists the client in making meaning of their unique experiences. Ms. Fallon also combines scientifically proven approaches with a creative outlook to help clients heal and grow. Successful counseling or psychotherapy, she believes, is dependent on the creation of a space of trust between client and clinician. Liz specializes in working clinically with individuals experiencing eating disorders and who struggle with self-worth, and body image concerns. In the past, she served as the clinical lead while working at an eating disorder treatment facility and is skilled in treating the spectrum of eating disorders. Ms. Fallon also focuses on exploring gender, sexuality, and identity development in a safe, non-judgmental space and she is a member of the Charlotte Transgender Healthcare Group. Clinical Team Membership: Ms. Fallon co-chairs the LGBTQ Sensitive Counseling and Psychotherapy Team. She is also a member of the Child, Adolescent, Parent and Family Team and the Trauma Recovery Support and Psychotherapy Team. Location: Liz is located at our Sharon Road/South Park office where she accepts Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance, Cigna, out-of- network benefits and sliding scale fees.

Perry Griffin, M.Ed., LCMHC, NCC

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor,
Director of Training

Perry Griffin, M.Ed., LCMHC, NCC

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor,
Director of Training

Education: Ms. Griffin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Wingate University and a Master of Education degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Winthrop University. She is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and has completed Levels I and II training in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, which involves processing trauma held in the body. She is a certified Hypnotherapist as well. Clinical Practice: Perry works clinically with adolescents, adults, couples, and families. She has a particular interest in working with survivors of trauma and is skilled in addressing PTSD, Complex PTSD, and the long-term impact of developmental attachment disruptions. Perry also has experience working with eating disorders. Perry has worked in the mental health field for over 20 years as an educator and advocate. She previously worked extensively with the Refugee and Asylee populations and is very comfortable working with various cultures and ethnicities. Perry values the unique experiences all individuals bring to their psychotherapy sessions. Training and Supervision: Perry directs our internship program for graduate students in mental health counseling and social work and also serves as coordinator of our mental health program for residents of the YWCA’s Women in Transition Program. Clinical Team Membership: Ms. Griffin belongs to our Child, Adolescent, Parents and Families Team, the Trauma Recovery Counseling and Psychotherapy Team, and the LGBTQ Sensitive Counseling and Psychotherapy Team. Location: Perry is located at our Selwyn Avenue/Myers Park office where she accepts Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance, Cigna, United Healthcare, out-of- network benefits and sliding scale fees.

John C. Simpson, III, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist

John C. Simpson, III, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist

Education: Dr. Simpson grew up in Danville, VA and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Randolph-Macon College. He then earned a Ph.D. in Community and School Psychology at the University of Tennessee. John completed his pre-doctoral internship at the Little Tennessee Valley Educational Cooperative and the Lakeshore Mental Health Institute in Knoxville, TN. Clinical Practice: Dr. Simpson worked with Eastover Psychological and Psychiatric Group, Charlotte Behavioral Health Associates and was in private practice before joining Presby Psych. He sees children 7+, adolescents, adults, parents, couples and families. In addition, he serves as a parent coordinator in cases of high conflict divorce. Dr. Simpson is a trained facilitator of SoulCollage and occasionally integrates it in his clinical practice. As a clinician, John focuses on clients’ impediments to living the lives they desire. He especially attends to the important relationships in clients’ lives and how they affect and are affected by clients’ experiences of and reactions to them. With individual children, adolescents and adults, as well as with couples and families, Dr. Simpson strives to create with clients a safe therapeutic partnership through which wounds can be healed, areas of resilience strengthened, and growth achieved. Professional Leadership: John has served as a member and chair of the clients’ rights committee at the Carlton Watkins Center and Mecklenburg County Area Mental Health. He is a past president of the Mecklenburg Psychological Association and served two terms on the board of the North Carolina Psychological Association. In 2012, Dr. Simpson received the North Carolina Psychology Foundation President’s Award for his work in developing statewide training for disaster mental health volunteers. Clinical Team Membership: Dr. Simpson sits on Presby Psych’s Child, Adolescent, Parents & Families Team, and is a member of a consultation group of senior clinicians. John is located at our Selwyn Avenue/Myers Park and is also available online. He accepts Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance, Cigna, United Healthcare, out-of- network benefits and sliding scale fees.

Jennifer Fadel, MA, LCMHC-A, NCC

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate

Jennifer Fadel, MA, LCMHC-A, NCC

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate

Education: Ms. Fadel earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Columbus College of Art & Design and her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at UNC-Charlotte. She is also a certified Dream Analyst from the Assis Institute: International Center for the Study of Archetypal Patterns. Clinical Practice: Jennifer works with young adults, adults, and elders. Experienced with grief, trauma, relationships, and life transitions, her clinical practice focuses on how past experiences affect current behaviors, thoughts, relationships, and coping abilities in the present environment. Early or recent trauma including; childhood or adolescent abuse or neglect, catastrophic loss, medical challenges, and overwhelming grief are central foci of her practice. Ms. Fadel’s approach is holistic, attending to body, mind, and spirit. Her therapy involves understanding unconscious behaviors and thoughts which are the root of repeated patterns in life and do not support the client’s goals. She helps clients reach their unconscious self through listening to conscious and unconscious material, such as dreams, memories, and repeated patterns of behavior and relationships. Her belief is that the most effective therapy happens in a safe and confidential relationship between client and counselor. Non-Clinical Experience: With her background in the arts, Jennifer has found a personal healing process in the arts throughout her career. She continues her work with dream symbols, unconscious communication, myth and fairy tales as clinical processes to explore the meaning of archetypes and symbols in the unconscious psyche. Location: Jennifer is located at our Sharon Road/SouthPark office where she accepts Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, out-of- network benefits and sliding scale fees.

Jessica Smith, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker,
Director of Grants and Fundraising

Jessica Smith, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker,
Director of Grants and Fundraising

Education: Jessica Smith, MSS, LCSW holds a Bachelor of Arts in history and women’s studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Masters of Professional Studies in legislative affairs from the George Washington University, an Executive Certificate in nonprofit management from Georgetown University, and a Masters of Social Service from Bryn Mawr College. Clinical Practice: Jessica works with adults (18+). Her practice with clients is grounded in a strengths-based approach and the development of an authentic therapeutic relationship between the client and therapist. She is experienced in trauma, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, interpersonal relationships, life transitions, reproductive health and infertility. She uses an integrative approach, drawing from psychodynamic and relational treatment perspectives, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness. Previous Experience: Prior to joining the Presby Psych team, Smith was a Telemental Health Clinician with Atrium Health's Behavioral Integration department. Before moving to Atrium, she spent over 3 years as a Clinical Family Social Worker with Charlotte Family Housing (CFH). In this capacity, Jessica worked with families experiencing homelessness, supporting them on their journey towards lifelong self-sufficiency through shelter, housing, supportive services, and advocacy. From September 2016 to April 2017, she completed her fieldwork at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania’s Well-Baby Nursery in the Obstetrics department. From September 2015 to April 2016, she was placed with Montgomery County’s Housing Resource Center at Carson Valley Children’s Aid where she provided case management for individuals experiencing homelessness and at risk for homelessness. Prior to attending graduate school, she spent six years developing her operations and project management skills at the Bipartisan Policy Center where she worked as a senior project analyst for their government relations arm. Location: Ms. Smith’s office is at our Selwyn Avenue/Myers Park office where she accepts Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance, Cigna, Aetna, and out-of-network benefits.

Ashley Armistead, MA, LCMHC-A, NCC

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate

Ashley Armistead, MA, LCMHC-A, NCC

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate

Education: Ms. Armistead earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Sport Science from Wake Forest University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Delaware. Ashley was awarded a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at UNC Charlotte where she was a member of Chi Sigma Iota, the national honor society in Counseling. Clinical Practice: Ashley works clinically with adolescents 14 and older, young adults and adults. She is experienced with grief and loss, anxiety and depression, life transitions, trauma, and relationship stress. Her previous work in pediatrics and cardiac rehabilitation helped her gain appreciation for the mind-body connection. Ms. Armistead's focus on the mutual influence of mind and body led her to found Let Me Run, a nonprofit wellness program for boys that harnesses the power of running to a comprehensive curriculum designed to amplify confidence, self-expression, and respect for others. Ashley believes that psychotherapy is most successful when she and her client develop an authentic, non-judgmental therapeutic relationship that opens space for the client to cultivate more relational connectedness, self-compassion, and emotional freedom. Working with a client to create an atmosphere in which they are most comfortable, Ms. Armistead may include walking therapy and other physical activities in their time together. Her passion for clinical engagement is fueled by her belief that clients come to psychotherapy, not only with pain and struggles, but with inherent value, areas of resilience, and the capacity to grow. She enjoys working with a spectrum of cultures. Non-Clinical Experience: In addition to nursing and her leadership in Let Me Run, Ashley also has worked extensively with Roof Above, the new organization formed through the merger of Urban Ministry and Men's Shelter of Charlotte. In addition, she has been involved with the Appalachian Service Project, an entity that brings over 15,000 volunteers annually to rural Central Appalachia to repair homes for people living in that region. Clinical Team Membership: Ms. Armistead is a member of Presby Psych's Trauma Recovery Counseling and Psychotherapy Team; Child, Adolescent & Families Team, and our Spirituality Team. Location: Ashley practices at our Sharon Road/South Park office where she accepts Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, out-of- network benefits and sliding scale fees.

Katie Creech, LCSW, LCAS-A

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist Associate

Katie Creech, LCSW, LCAS-A

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist Associate

Education: Ms. Creech earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a minor in Sociology. While in the program, she worked in a research lab focusing on depression treatment and research and graduated with Disciplinary Honors. Ms. Creech went on to earn a Master of Social Work degree from the Joint Master of Social Work Program from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina A&T State University.

Clinical Practice: Katie specializes in working with adults challenged with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse issues. Her experience includes supporting individuals and their families during challenging times including addiction, life transitions, difficult stressors, grief, anxiety, and depression. Prior to joining Presby Psych she worked in Medicated Assisted Treatment helping those on their journey with Opioid Addiction.

Katie approaches her practice with a person-centered perspective to build genuine therapeutic relationships and to help establish safety and comfort for her clients to express and explore their needs and goals. Katie works from a collaborative and strengths-based approach to help clients feel empowered to make changes towards emotional and mental wellness.

Clinical Team Membership: Ms. Creech is a member of our Alcohol and Substance Abuse Recovery Support and Psychotherapy Team and the LGBTQ+ Sensitive Counseling and Psychotherapy Team.

Location: Katie’s office is at our Sharon Road/South Park location where she accepts Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurance, out-of- network benefits and sliding scale fees.

Karmen Robinson, LCSW-A

Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate

Karmen Robinson, LCSW-A

Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate

Education: Ms. Robinson received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from the University of South Carolina in Social Work, Criminal Justice and Sociology. Karmen received her Master of Social work from Winthrop University. Clinical Practice: Karmen sees adolescents, young adults and adults. Her experience includes working with individuals with anxiety, depression, self-esteem concerns, women’s issues and eating disorder. She has specialized training in perinatal and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders through Postpartum Support International. This allows her to work with pregnant and postpartum moms. She has also received additional training in eating disorders, including Clinical Approaches to Treating Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorders and Goals for Effective Treatment. Karmen’s approach is person-centered. She practices from a strengths-based perspective. She believes that you are the expert of your life, and she desires to build a trusting relationship with her clients. She tailors her practice so that she and her clients can work together to reach the client’s desired goals, so that her clients can live their lives to the fullest, for the rest of their lives. Location: Karmen’s office is at our Sharon Road/South Park office where she accepts Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, out-of- network benefits and sliding scale fees.

Search Presby Psych

Children, Adolescents,
Parents, and Families

Children, Adolescents,
Parents, and Families

The members of our Children, Adolescents, Parents and Families Team welcome individuals and families of all races, ethnicities, genders, faiths or no faith, and sexual orientations.

General Principles

Play therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy are relational.

Play therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy are integrative.

Play therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy are not about diagnoses.

Consultations and collaboration are important.

Family/parent participation

Therapies

A Word About Play Therapy

Trauma Recovery Therapy for Children

Adverse childhood experiences

Resiliency

Early intervention

EMDR

Developmental trauma and losses

Other specialties:

Meet Your Child, Adolescent and Family Team

Search Presby Psych

Children, Adolescents,Parents, and Families

Children, Adolescents,Parents, and Families

The members of our Children, Adolescents, Parents and Families Team welcome individuals and families of all races, ethnicities, genders, faiths or no faith, and sexual orientations.

General Principles

Play therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy are relational.

Play therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy are integrative.

Play therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy are not about diagnoses.

Consultations and collaboration are important.

Family/parent participation

Therapies

A Word About Play Therapy

Trauma Recovery Therapy for Children

Adverse childhood experiences

Resiliency

Early intervention

EMDR

Developmental trauma and losses

Other specialties:

Meet Your Child, Adolescent and Family Team

Liz Fallon, MA, LCMHC, NCC

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Perry Griffin, M.Ed., LCMHC, NCC

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor,Director of Training

John C. Simpson, III, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist

Jennifer Fadel, MA, LCMHC-A, NCC

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate

Jessica Smith, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker,Director of Grants and Fundraising

Ashley Armistead, MA, LCMHC-A, NCC

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate

Katie Creech, LCSW, LCAS-A

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist Associate

Karmen Robinson, LCSW-A

Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate

Children, Adolescents,
Parents, and Families

Children, Adolescents,
Parents, and Families

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor,
Director of Training

Licensed Clinical Social Worker,
Director of Grants and Fundraising