Our Clinicians

Dr. Wells is a psychiatrist who enjoys working with children, adolescents, and young adults. Primarily, she provides medication management, and she believes it is important to focus on healthy lifestyle habits and other ways to maximize one’s mental health, as part of treatment.  Dr. Wells sees patients at The Pisgah Institute but also works in a variety of other settings.  She is a consulting psychiatrist at the University of North Carolina — Asheville Student Health and Counseling Services, Asheville Academy for Girls, and SUWS of the Carolinas.  Her passion is teaching medical students and residents.  She is on the faculty at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. She serves as the associate program director for the new Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) Psychiatry Residency program.  Dr. Wells completed her training at University of North Carolina Hospitals. She is board certified in adult psychiatry as well as child and adolescent psychiatry.  Dr. Wells is the current president and shareholder of The Pisgah Institute.  In her spare time, she enjoys hiking in our beautiful mountains, as well as traveling to and experiencing new places.

Dr. Berg is a psychiatrist who has been practicing general adult and geriatric psychiatry at The Pisgah Institute since 1999.  Her clinical interests include evaluation and medication management of a broad range of adult mental-health disorders.  She also administers transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy for major depressive disorder.  Dr. Berg obtained her undergraduate degree at Duke University and attended East Carolina University School of Medicine for medical school and psychiatry residency.  She has worked at the Copestone Psychiatric unit and administered ECT treatments in the past. Dr. Berg is a shareholder at The Pisgah Institute, serving as Vice-President and in a leadership and practice-management role.  Her personal areas of interest include medical missions, travel, and ballroom dancing.

Dr. Hill is a psychologist who began her practice in the public-school system and college counseling centers.  She continues to work with children, age six years and older, and has added adults to her therapy and testing practice.  Individual therapy along with psychological and psycho-educational testing are Dr. Hill’s areas of interest.  Her focus is psychodynamic theory with an eye towards development throughout the life span.  She also has a special interest in the GLBTQ+ population.  Mindfulness, hypnosis, and spirituality also inform her work.  She completed her training at Rutgers University in New Jersey in counseling psychology and moved to Western North Carolina.  Dr. Hill is a shareholder at The Pisgah Institute.  In her spare time, she enjoys long walks out in nature, live musical and theatrical performances, and her spoiled cats.

Mrs. Mitchener is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who joined The Pisgah Institute in 2008. Mrs. Mitchener enjoys working in multiple settings including a psychiatric crisis center as well as a substance-abuse and eating disorder inpatient and outpatient facility.  She also sees adult patients at The Pisgah Institute.  She treats a variety of psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, trauma, bipolar disorder, substance-use disorders, psychotic disorders, and personality disorders. Mrs. Mitchener attended The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for undergraduate and graduate education.  Prior to moving to Asheville, she worked at Duke University Medical Center in the Neurological Intensive Care Unit and as a Neurology Research Coordinator.  Mrs. Mitchener has become a shareholder at The Pisgah Institute in 2018, serving in a leadership and practice management role. When not working, she enjoys many of the great Asheville restaurants, yoga, hip hop dance, and spending time with friends and family.

Dr. Barley is a clinical psychologist with more than four decades of experience in cognitive-behavior therapy for diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders, panic attacks, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, body-centered repetitive behavior disorders, and mood and depressive disorders.  He graduated from Texas Tech University’s doctoral program in clinical psychology in 1980 and was a staff psychologist at Highland Hospital in Asheville till 1993.  Dr. Barley is a founding member of The Pisgah Institute and a current shareholder of the practice.   He is twice past president of the Western North Carolina Psychological Association.  He is past president, former long-time editor of the association’s newsletter, and former member of the board of directors of the North Carolina Psychological Association.  Dr. Barley has several publications and has made many presentations to professional audiences in his areas of practice.  Occasionally he is told he resembles Stephen Spielberg, which his wife says he does, “vaguely.”

Dr. McKee is a psychologist who is dedicated to helping his clients work through their issues. He sees adults of all ages and children over the age of six years.  Dr. McKee sees each of his clients as a unique individual and therefore tailor makes his treatment plan accordingly. He is a Master Addiction Counselor and treats people with depression, anxiety, grief, post-traumatic stress disorder, and relationship issues that include romantic relationship problems and child-rearing problems. His style of therapy involves coaching techniques, cognitive-behavioral therapy, experiential therapy, gestalt therapy, and family-systems approaches. He has worked in a variety of settings and has taught at two universities. He has been licensed as a psychologist in three states and is past president of the Western North Carolina Psychological Association. Dr. McKee is dedicated to his profession and wants to bring out the best in his clients. He has worked in the field of psychology for over 30 years.

In her private practice, Dr. Miller specializes in treating individuals with issues such as depression and anxiety, as well as chronic medical conditions, sexual identity, end-of-life concerns, substance abuse, and trauma. Dr. Miller is a psychologist who retired after 30 years at the Department of Public Safety working with female offenders and correctional staff.  She has served as a mental-health Red Cross volunteer and has provided critical incident debriefings for first responders and correctional personnel. She started her undergraduate studies at Indiana University and completed her graduate work at North Carolina State University. Dr. Miller uses cognitive-behavioral interventions and believes that individuals cope best by having physical, mental, and spiritual strategies to balance their lives. In her spare time she enjoys nature walks, attending live theater performances, learning piano, and singing in community chorus.

Ms. Harper enjoys helping adolescents and adults with many types of mental health issues to reach their highest potential. She  currently sees patients at The Pisgah Institute for medication management services and works with students at University of North Carolina Asheville.   Ms. Harper previously worked with patients at an acute inpatient psychiatric facility for crisis stabilization. She completed her Master of Science degree in physician assistant studies at Wake Forest School of Medicine after graduating with highest honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before coming to The Pisgah Institute, Ms. Harper worked in family practice and in ear, nose, and throat specialty practice. She loves reading, the natural world, learning about other cultures, and time with her friends.

Dr. Double is a psychologist who provides trauma-informed care rooted in the belief that you are the best expert on yourself. She works with adolescents and adults who are navigating trauma, addiction, mood disorders, and life transitions. She also provides psychoeducational, psychodiagnostic, and career assessments as well as assessments for individuals seeking gender-affirming medical and/or surgical treatment. Dr. Double earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary and completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, North Carolina. She is a shareholder at The Pisgah Institute. In her spare time, Dr. Double enjoys mountain biking, running, cuddling with her dog, and serving as a foster parent to youth in the community.

Mr. Johnson has been a psychiatric nurse practitioner for 15 years and in that time has worked with kids, teens, adults, and the elderly, in settings as varied as nursing homes, the VA hospital, and child residential-treatment units. He is particularly enthusiastic about working with people who, regardless of their age or diagnoses, enter treatment with an eagerness for change. Mr. Johnson’s own life story has included many distinct chapters, living in San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Seattle, Santa Fe, Boston (where he attended graduate school), and Asheville. Prior to entering medicine, Mr. Johnson spent his 20s and early 30s as a freelance illustrator and animator, winning awards and working for clients such as Microsoft and The New York Times. Now relatively settled in his life, Mr. Johnson shares his Swannanoa home with his family, which includes one son, two large hound dogs, and a rotating cast of neighborhood bears.

Dr. Jones is a clinical psychologist with over 30 years of experience. He earned his B.A. from Wake Forest University and his Psy.D. from Baylor University. He sees therapy as an invitation to explore how one’s past informs one’s present, how one’s internal life (thoughts, emotions, and aspirations) influences one’s external life (job, family, and friendships), and how one’s perception shapes one’s reality. He works with adults who are facing relationship difficulties, life transitions, losses, past or recent traumas, questions of meaning and purpose, end-of-life decisions, depression, and anxiety. He also works with couples to help them communicate with more understanding and empathy and to develop a more respectful, nurturing, trusting, and trustworthy relationship. Rather than relying on a single technique or perspective, he draws on various clinical approaches based on the unique personalities and circumstances of the client. In his spare time, Dr. Jones enjoys reading, watching movies, and live theater, hiking, and traveling.

Dr. Morrison is a psychiatrist at the Pisgah Institute who works with children and adolescents as well as young adults.  She completed her undergraduate training in Chemistry, Art and Design from North Carolina State University, Medical School from Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia, her Residency in Adult Psychiatry in New Orleans at Louisiana State University – Ochsner Clinic New Orleans, Louisiana and her Child and Adolescent Psychiatry training at Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri.  She enjoys working with children, age 5 years and above through young adulthood.  Her areas of interest include psychotropic medication management of mood and anxiety disorders of childhood and adulthood, trauma and post-traumatic stress disorders, attention-deficit disorders and impulse control disorders of childhood, psychotic disorders and eating disorders of childhood, adolescence and young adulthood.  She uses Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy inspired treatment approaches as well to help approach treatment to mental ailments.  In addition to psychiatry, she enjoys fine art, film and true crime books and podcasts.

Dr. Poggioli is a psychologist who takes an empowerment philosophy towards mind and body wellness. He combines evidence-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioral, acceptance and commitment, and dialectical behavioral therapies to treat depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief in adults and older adults. Dr. Poggioli has a passion for helping individuals and their caregivers live meaningful lives while coping with chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and dementia. He is a nationally trained whole health coach who provides behavioral-health services for chronic-pain management, insomnia, tobacco cessation, and weight loss. Dr. Poggioli recently completed his post-doctoral fellowship in health psychology at the Salem VA Hospital in Salem, Virginia, and his pre-doctoral internship at the Charles George VA Hospital in Asheville. He earned his doctorate focusing on health psychology across the lifespan at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.  In his spare time, he loves photography, hiking through the mountains with his dog, and sipping coffee on the porch with his two cats.

Mrs. Muldowney is a licensed clinical mental health counseling associate and nationally certified counselor who provides individual psychotherapy for a variety of adolescents’ and adults’ concerns.   Mrs. Muldowney has been with The Pisgah Institute since 2017, first in an administrative role and now as a clinician.   She completed her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Montreat College, where she was a member of Chi Sigma Iota, the International Counseling Honor Society.   She completed her graduate internship at The Pisgah Institute.   Mrs. Muldowney believes that every person can thrive with the right tools and that our unique challenges can serve as catalysts for change.  Her treatment approach is person centered and trauma informed and is based in cognitive-behavioral therapies including Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, an evidence-based psychotherapy for PTSD.  In her free time, Mrs. Muldowney enjoys hiking, waterfall hunting, and watching RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Dr. Isakson Lyerly treats children, adolescents, and adults. She began her practice in the public school systems, state hospitals, and residential-treatment programs. She integrates several therapeutic approaches to individualize care, which may include cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, dialectical behavior therapy, and person-centered treatment. Attachment theory, internal family systems, and positive psychology also inform her work. Dr. Isakson Lyerly also offers a range of assessments, including psychoeducational, neurodevelopmental, and personality testing.  She completed her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Fielding Graduate University and her Specialist in School Psychology degree from Western Carolina University. In her spare time, she enjoys being with family and friends in nature, listening to and performing music, running, and cycling.

Dr. Ross Wiedemann is a board-eligible psychiatrist specializing in general outpatient practice. His main areas of interest include treatment of major depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and trauma, as well as substance use and addiction. He also has experience treating thought disorders such as schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. He works with patients between the ages of 18 and 70 but may see older patients on a case-by-case basis. Dr. Wiedemann completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Georgia where he earned a Bachelor of Science in genetics. He attended medical school and completed his residency training in psychiatry at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. In his spare time, Dr. Wiedemann enjoys hiking, attending live music, watching sports, and spending time with his wife and daughter.

Dr. Steer is a post-doctoral psychologist and Ayurvedic practitioner with a focus in integrative mental health. He is a graduate of Palo Alto University’s Ph.D. clinical psychology program, and The Ayurvedic Institute’s Level 1 and 2 programs, and he has completed clinical training in integrative medicine at University of California San Francisco’s Osher Center. Dr. Steer completed his pre-doctoral internship at Maimonides Medical Center and has worked in a variety of community mental-health, hospital, and academic medical settings. Dr. Steer is well versed in evidence-based psychotherapies, including ACT, CBT, DBT, MBCT, Jungian therapy, and internal family systems. In addition, drawing from his extensive knowledge of Ayurveda, yoga, and mindfulness-based therapies, he employs a holistic and client-centered approach to therapy to address the complex interplay between mind, body, and spirit. Dr. Steer collaborates with each client to develop an individualized treatment plan that empowers individuals to unlock their full potential and lead fulfilling, balanced lives. He is a published researcher, has presented at several professional conferences, and is a member of an Ayurveda and yoga research team for depression and anxiety at UCSF. Dr. Steer’s passion for spirituality, nature, and creative expression deeply influence both his professional and personal life. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and practicing yoga.

Ms. Sun is double board certified as a psychiatric and family nurse practitioner.  She employs an integrative approach to treatment, using both medication therapy and a lifestyle approach depending upon each individual’s needs. She treats adults 18 and older for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance-use disorder, psychotic disorders, women’s issues, and trauma.  She is passionate about making folks feel welcome in seeking mental -health care to improve their current situation and their sense of well-being. She listens carefully to her clients.  She earned master’s degrees in clinical medicine from George Washington University and in nursing from Ball State University, followed by postgraduate certification as a psychiatric nurse practitioner from Florida State University.  Ms. Sun is a published author on minority mental-health issues for children, as well as in nutrition and wellness. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, gardening, ballroom dance, and playing in the mud (making pottery).