Staff | The Pisgah Institute
Bill Barley, Ph.D
Clinical Psychology
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Dr. Barley is a clinical psychologist with three decades' experience using several cognitive-behavioral therapies to diagnose and treat anxiety and panic disorders, phobias, mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders (e.g. trichotillomania) and borderline personality disorder. He is past president and newsletter editor of the North Carolina Psychological Association and twice past president of the Western North Carolina Psychological Association. He is a 1980 graduate of Texas Tech University's clinical psychology program. He has several professional publications and has made many presentations to professional audiences in his areas of interest.
Stephen E. Buie, M.D., D.F.A.P.A
Psychiatry
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Dr. Buie attended UNC-Chapel Hill as an undergraduate on a Morehead Scholarship. He obtained his medical education at UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine. He completed a residency in internal medicine at a Columbia University training Hospital in New York and a psychiatry residency at Cornell Medical College, also in New York. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association in recognition of his contributions in several areas of psychiatry. He is President Elect of the North Carolina Psychiatric Association. He provides medication management for all psychiatric conditions with particular interests in bipolar disorder, ADHD, depression, and anxiety disorders. He is trained in neurofeedback and is currently organizing a study to examine the effectiveness of neurofeedback in treating depression.
Ed Hamlin, Ph.D
Clinical Psychology
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Dr. Hamlin obtained his clinical psychology training at UNC-Chapel Hill and worked at Duke University before returning to Asheville to work at Highland Hospital. He specializes in neuropsychology, including neurofeedback, for a variety of conditions, including attention deficit disorder, traumatic brain injury and stroke. He also works with clients to develop optimum brain functioning.
Jeff Carter, M.D.
Child Psychiatry
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Dr. Carter treats children and adolescents with a comprehensive approach that includes medications, psychotherapy and involvement with families. He provides consultation to the Asheville City Schools.
Mary Berg, M.D.
Psychiatry
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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 been practicing general adult psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry at The Pisgah Institute since 1999. Her clinical interests include evaluation and medication management of a broad range of adult and geriatric mental disorders, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, dementia and psychotic disorders.
Susan Hill, Ed.D.
Counseling
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Dr. Hill received her doctorate in counseling psychology from Rutgers University. She works with children 3 years and older, adolescents, adults and families. Her areas of interest include individual and/or family therapy as well as psycho-educational testing, personality testing, and evaluating adaptive/developmental levels. Over the years, Dr. Hill has worked with persons with Developmental Disabilities; issues surrounding abuse; family conflicts; mood disorders; and other personal issues.
Nancy McKeel, Ph.D
Clinical Psychology
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Dr. McKeel specializes in cognitive- behavior therapy for depression, women's issues and post-traumatic stress. Dr. McKeel is trained in neurofeedback and treats a variety of disorders with it.
Andrea Meckley, M.A.
Neurofeedback
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Ms. Meckley has a master's degree in health psychology. She has received postgraduate training in EEG neurofeedback and in administering quantitative EEG. She treats a variety of disorders with neurofeedback.
Steve Gold, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychology
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Dr. Gold earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from Purdue University. He worked for nine years in residential treatment for adolescents with drug problems. He directed a masters level clinical training program at Western Carolina University and a doctoral clinical program at Northern Illinois University, each for twelve years. He also maintained a private practice providing individual and couples therapy. His clinical work focuses on adults with concerns about anxiety, depression, sexuality, childhood abuse, and anger management. He also provides couples therapy for relationships in distress or seeking enhancement. He utilizes cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal based approaches to psychotherapy. When not working he enjoys riding his horses, running and reading.
Cynthia Ackrill, M.D.
Neurofeedback
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Dr. Ackrill has a background in primary care medicine. She received training in EEG neurofeedback, biofeedback and integrative medicine. Her interests include treatment of attention deficit disorder, headaches, stress education and health coaching.
Mary Ammerman, Psy.D.
Counseling
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Dr. Ammerman earned both her master's degree and doctorate in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University. She has worked in juvenile detention centers, a veteran's hospital, an adolescent outpatient substance abuse treatment program, a women's prison, and a university community counseling center. Her clinical interests include working with adolescents and adults who are chemically dependent; helping people enhance their relationships with themselves and their loved ones; and helping people create fulfilling lives that they enjoy.
Scott J. Miller, Psy.D.
Counseling
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Dr. Miller received his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Argosy University in Atlanta. He completed a pre-doctoral internship at the University of Virginia and a post-doctoral fellowship at Georgia State University. Dr. Miller held the position of Assistant Clinical Professor at Georgia State University, where he was responsible for clinical duties and the supervision of graduate student trainees. Dr. Miller specializes in providing individual therapy to adults, but also works with couples and adolescents and conducts psychological assessments. His therapeutic approach draws from psychodynamic, cognitive and behavioral approaches. Before becoming a psychologist, Dr. Miller worked for seven years as an instructor and administrator for the North Carolina Outward Bound School.
Ameliann Bedenbaugh Williams, M.D.
Psychiatry
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Dr. Williams was graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and trained in general psychiatry at William S. Hall Psychiatric Institute in Columbia, SC. She went on to complete a year of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC. She is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in General Psychiatry. She has over 15 years of outpatient clinical experience in both the public and private setting, and has also provided administrative leadership as medical director. Dr. Williams is currently providing diagnostic assessments and medication management for patients with mood disorders, ADHD, and anxiety disorders.
Judy McKay, M.D.
Psychiatry
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Dr. McKay is a Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist specializing in ages 4- 18. Dr. McKay also has a special interest in working with women who are pregnant or postpartum. Before coming to Asheville she ran a "Peripartum Mood Disorder Clinic" in the Department of Neuropsychiatry at the University of South Carolina, School of Medicine for women who wanted to become pregnant, were pregnant or were postpartum. She uses a family systems approach which includes working with the mother, evaluating the mother/baby relationship and working with the father/mother relationship as post partum depression affects the whole family.
Terry Sloan, M.S., LPC
Counseling/Neurofeedback
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Ms. Sloan has a master’s degree in community counseling from Western Carolina University. She has received postgraduate training in EEG neurofeedback. She integrates cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused talk therapy with neurofeedback and other forms of biofeedback. Her areas of interest include college transition, grief, anxiety, depression, and stress reduction. She sees adolescents, adults and couples.
Laura Bradley Yurko, M.A.
Clinical Psychology
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Ms. Yurko has a master’s degree in clinical psychology. She received post-graduate training in family systems therapy, which is particularly helpful in her work with families managing post-partum depression and anxiety. Ms. Yurko specializes in working with women in transition. With a holistic and mindful approach, she supports clients in their navigation of life’s transitions, including marriage, fertility issues, pregnancy, new parenting questions, couples work, divorce, grief and loss, peri-menopausal and menopausal issues, and end-of-life decisions. Ms. Yurko is a member of The Pisgah Institute’s Perinatal Mood Disorder Team and is the chairperson and co-Founder of the Perinatal Emotional Health Network of Western North Carolina.
Doug McKee, Psy.D.
Psychologist
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Dr. McKee attended Rollins College, Sydney University, West Georgia College, and Georgia School of Professional Psychology. He specializes in relationship issues between family members, couples and blended families. He is a licensed addiction specialist. He sees adults, children, teens, couples, and families. He is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy. He also does experiential therapy and will use a family systems approach when appropriate. He has specialized training in psychomotor therapy, and in sexual addiction therapy. Dr. McKee has presented at many conferences. He is past president of the Western North Carolina Psychological Association and is a member of the American Psychological Association. He has taught graduate classes at several universities. He is creative in his approach to helping his clients develop new patterns to help them succeed in achieving their goals. Clients are appreciative of the individual attention he gives to their needs.
Amy L. Palmer, Ph.D.
Psychologist
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Dr. Palmer earned her doctoral degree from the University of South Carolina. She completed her Pre-Doctoral Internship and two-year Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland with a focus on children with developmental disabilities and behavior disorders. Prior to moving to the Asheville area, Dr. Palmer worked as a psychologist in the Behavior Management Clinic at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Her specialty is in the area of child psychology and she provides behavioral and cognitive-behavioral treatment for children and adolescents. Dr. Palmer is particularly interested in the treatment of young children, birth to 6 years of age, who are experiencing a behavioral difficulty or developmental delay. Dr. Palmer has extensive experience working with children struggling with anxiety, depression, adjustment problems, and behavioral challenges. She enjoys providing group therapy for social skills deficits and anger management training. Dr. Palmer conducts testing and assessments for young children through college level students. She is able to see families during daytime and evening hours and can accept Medicaid and a variety of other private insurances.
Deborah Burns, M.A.
Counseling
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Ms. Burns attended UNC at Chapel Hill to receive her undergraduate degree and MA in Education. She obtained a second Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from East Carolina University. Ms. Burns received training in EEG Neurofeedback which she often incorporates into therapy sessions. She has worked in private practice and in schools as a counselor. Her clinical interests include working with relationship issues with couples, families and young adults, as well as, working with attention and behavioral issues in children. Her solution focus perspective builds on clients’ strengths to help with issues like self esteem, stress, anxiety, anger, grief/loss, depression, parenting skills and men and women in transitions. She employs mindfulness approaches for deeper healing, awareness and overall well-being.
Pam Rogers, P.N.P
Nurse Practitioner
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Ms. Rogers attended the University of Tennessee for her undergraduate degrees (B.A. in Spanish and Bachelors of Science in Nursing). She was a Captain in the Army Reserve, honorably discharged in 2003. Ms. Rogers has over 25 years nursing experience including 11 years as a nursing instructor. She received her Masters in Nursing from Vanderbilt University and is board certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Danielle Mitchener, A.N.P.
Nurse Practitioner
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Ms. Mitchener completed her bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She worked for six years at Duke University Medical Center in neurology critical care and as a research coordinator. She joined The Pisgah Institute in 2008 and enjoys working with patients who experience depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and brain injury. Ms. Mitchener is board certified as an Adult Nurse Practitioner.
Richard E. Johnson, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychology
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Dr. Johnson is a clinical psychologist with over 30 years of experience in teaching, research, and psychotherapy in inpatient, outpatient, community mental health, and private practice settings. He received his doctorate in Psychology from The University of Georgia and completed a two year post doctoral training in Clinical Psychology at Kent State University and The Eastern Virginia Medical School. Combining cognitive behavioral therapy with therapeutic story telling, he focuses on adults of all ages with anxiety, mood disorders, addictions, and relationship issues in both individual and couples formats. His office is in Hendersonville and he can be contacted directly at 828-698-6390.
Louise Hviid, M.A.
Neurofeedback
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Ms. Hviid is a native of Denmark. She holds a master’s degree in humanistic psychology with a focus on human creativity, peak-performance, and mind-body interaction. She has also participated in postgraduate training for neurofeedback. At The Pisgah Institute she specializes in bio- and neurofeedback training. She loves bridging the wisdom of Eastern philosophy with the pragmatism of American neuroscience in a caring, kind, and compassionate manner.
Amy Roberts, Psy.D.
Psychology
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Dr. Roberts is a licensed psychologist specializing in adolescent and adult psychotherapy. Dr. Roberts has a specific interest for working individually and in groups with women of all ages around a variety of recovery issues including substance abuse, relationships, grief/loss, and trauma. She has worked in a variety settings, including outpatient clinics, schools, juvenile probation, and juvenile hall. Her most recent experience was with Eastover Psychological and Psychiatric Associates, a private practice in Charlotte, NC. While in practice there, Dr. Roberts facilitated two art therapy process groups for girls ages 10-17. These groups provided a creative outlet for girls to explore healthy relationships with peers and adults, enhance self-esteem, make connections, build trust and empathy, and establish effective ways for coping with life challenges. Dr. Roberts plans to launch a similar group(s) in Asheville. Her educational credentials include a doctorate in Clinical Psychology at California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in San Francisco, and a BA in psychology and studio art from Lynchburg College.
Ashley Dorough, Ph.D.
Clinical Health Psychologist
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Dr. Dorough specializes in behavioral medicine, the interdisciplinary field concerned with the integration of behavioral, psychosocial, and biomedical science knowledge and techniques relevant to the understanding of health and illness, and the application of this knowledge for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. She treats adults experiencing physical and psychological issues related to pain (e.g., fibromyalgia; neuropathic pain), weight- related issues, and other psychophysiological-based illnesses. She has experience in biofeedback, behavioral weight loss/management, and lifestyle behavior change (e.g., physical activity; nutrition) for purposes of health promotion and disease prevention (e.g. stress management, prevention of hypertension). Her research focuses on the interaction between psychological states and physiological processes, as it relates to physical functioning and wellbeing. Dr. Dorough earned her doctorate in clinical health psychology at Virginia Tech University and completed her training in medical psychology at Duke University Medical Center. Her clinical approach is largely cognitive-behavioral, and her perspective stems from the biopsychosocial model of health and wellness.
Caroline Lewis, M.D.
Psychiatry
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Dr. Lewis obtained her undergraduate degree in Biology at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. She attended the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University for her medical training. She completed an internship in obstetrics and gynecology and residency in psychiatry at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Dr. Lewis provides pharmacologic treatment for a wide range of psychiatric conditions and has a particular interest in insight-oriented psychodynamic psychotherapy and women’s health.
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