Team

Manager of Behavioral Health Services

Betsy Thompson, LCMHC

Title:
Manager of Behavioral Health Services

Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Master’s in Counseling from Winthrop University. Trained/Rostered clinician in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT)

Interests:
Betsy has worked in the mental health field for 15 years. She has been the supervisor of the mental health team at Teen Health Connection since 2015. In this role, Betsy supervises a team of six licensed therapists. She provides therapy to patients and their families. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings. Betsy has experience in providing individual, family, and group counseling in both outpatient and residential settings. Betsy is also a licensed school counselor and was employed in the school system early in her career. Over the course of her career, Betsy has worked with children and adolescents ranging in age from 6-25.

She is a trained/rostered clinician in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), as well as Family-Based Treatment (Maudsley Method). Betsy believes that each patient is unique and focuses on developing goals and treatment plans that are strength-based and individualized to fit each patient’s needs. Her interests include trauma, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, grief and loss, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, individuals in the LGBTQ community, and family therapy.

Psychotherapist

Jaclyn Berry, LCMHC

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Family and Child Sciences from Florida State University; Master’s and Educational Specialist in Mental Health Counseling from Florida State University. Trained/Rostered clinician in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT) 

Interests:
Jaclyn has 12 years of counseling experience working in a variety of settings. She has provided therapy to patients and their families in outpatient, in-home, and residential settings. Most recently she worked in the private practice setting providing counseling to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. She is a trained/rostered therapist in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT) through the North Carolina Child Treatment Program affiliated with Duke University. Jaclyn believes that creating a safe environment and developing a collaborative environment is just as important as the interventions presented. She enjoys working with children and adolescents experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma-related disorders, adjustment disorders, family dynamics, and relationship challenges. 

Psychotherapist

Clark Bridge, LCSW

Education:
BS in Political Science from Liberty University; Master’s Degree in Social Work from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Interests:
Clark has 25 years of experience working with adolescents and their families. Clark has served as a middle and high school teacher, tennis coach, assistant camp director, and church youth director. Most recently Clark has worked in adolescent mental health as a team leader of an intensive in-home team and medical social worker at Levine Children’s Hospital.

He is trained in Family-Based Treatment (Maudsley Method). His interests include working with those who are skeptical or resistant to therapy, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, behavior, and family therapy.

Psychotherapist

Julie Campbell, LCSW

Title:
Psychotherapist

Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Minor in Women’s Studies from Wittenberg University. Master of Social Work from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Interests:
Julie has 9 years of experience working in a variety of settings with a diversity of populations. Julie has worked in the community for 3 years, as an Intensive In-Home Led and then specialized in Family Centered Treatment serving children at risk of out-of-home placement and their families. Julie then spent 3.5 years providing outpatient therapy to adults and children with an array of issues, needs, and diagnoses. Julie has also worked for 2.5 years in the inpatient setting advocating and providing therapy to those in need of acute care. Julie has worked with people of all ages but always had a passion for working with adolescents and young adults. Julie’s interests are mood disorders (such as depression and anxiety), trauma, personality disorders, relationship issues, domestic violence, and empowerment, adjustment, and healing of those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. She believes all people are capable and deserving of support in their progress, healing, and growth.

Psychotherapist

Jessica Conley, LCMHC

Title:
Psychotherapist

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Central Michigan University, Master’s in Counseling from Winthrop University. Trained/rostered clinician in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT).

Interests:
Jessica has 13 years of counseling experience working in a variety of settings. Jessica is also a licensed school counselor and has served in that capacity in elementary, middle, and high school settings. She has also provided therapy to patients and their families in both outpatient and residential settings. Over the course of her career Jessica has worked with children and adolescents from ages 5-25. She is a trained/rostered therapist in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT) and has done extensive work with traumatic grief in adolescents. In addition, she is also trained in Family-Based Treatment (The Maudsley Method) to address eating disorders. Her interests include: grief and loss, trauma, anxiety, depression, individuals in the LGBTQ community, self-esteem, and peer relationships.

Psychotherapist

Kristen Davis, LCSW

Title:
Psychotherapist

Education:
Bachelor of Arts from Clemson University; Master of Social Work from The Catholic University of America.

Interests:
Kristen has three years of experience working with adolescents, young adults, and their families. Most recently, Kristen worked for the University of Virginia Health System providing outpatient therapy and clinical services to refugee and immigrant populations in Central Virginia. Kristen also has experience providing outpatient therapy to the military community, including active-duty service members and their families. Kristen believes therapy should be a collaborative experience that is client-centered and strengths-based. Her interests include trauma, anxiety, depression, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, peer relationships, and family therapy.

Psychotherapist

Kendra Edwards, LCSW

Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Minor in Family Studies from James Madison University, Master of Social Work from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Interests:
Kendra has four years of experience working with young adults as well as adolescents and their families. Most recently, Kendra has worked in an inpatient setting as a clinical social worker providing services to human trafficking survivors at Levine Children’s Hospital and Carolinas Medical Center. Kendra also has experience providing outpatient therapy to domestic violence survivors and their children, as well as with children who have experienced trauma. Kendra believes that the therapeutic approach should be strengths-based and client-centered. Kendra’s interests include trauma, human trafficking, domestic violence, teen dating violence, self-esteem, and attachment-related issues.

Psychotherapist

Rozie Khashmanian, LCSW

Title:
Psychotherapist

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Psychology from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Culture from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Master of Social Work from North Carolina State University

Interest:
Rozie has worked in the mental health field for 4 years in various settings. She has worked in both acute inpatient and residential levels of care, supporting a diverse population of adolescents and families in crisis situations. Most recently, she worked in a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) providing group, individual, and family therapy to adolescents ages 13-18 and their families. Throughout her time in the field, Rozie has worked with children and adolescents from ages 5-18. Rozie believes the therapeutic approach should be strengths-based and person-centered. She strives to create a safe, intentional, and welcoming space for each person to have their individualized experience throughout the therapy process.

Rozie enjoys working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, anger/mood management, low self-esteem, and individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Psychotherapist

Tyler Singleton, LCSW

Education:
Bachelors from the University of South Carolina, Master from the University of Georgia

Interests:
Tyler has worked with children and adolescents in a variety for the past 5 years in various ways including research, managed care, and counseling. Tyler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has provided services through a community-based and outpatient setting. She has experience working in community health, which peaked her interest in Teen Health Connection. Tyler’s interest includes self-esteem/self-determination, peer pressure and peer conflicts, and identity crisis. Her focus of interventions includes solution-focused, strength-based, dialectical behavioral, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Psychotherapist

Patricia Wiley, LCSW

Title:
Psychotherapist

Education:
Bachelor of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Interest:
Patti has 12 years of working with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings including shelter, community-based, and hospital services. Most recently, as a community-based clinician, Patti worked along with first responders providing acute interventions to children and their families experiencing trauma. While working at the emergency department at Atrium Health, Carolinas Medical Center, and Levine Children’s Hospital Patti provided services to survivors of intimate partner violence and individuals in crisis.

Patti believes that when individuals are given autonomy, feel safe and supported they are empowered and able to heal, grow and overcome challenges and accomplish their goals. Patti strives to create an environment that inspires people to feel vulnerable yet brave.

Psychotherapist

Laura Zevan, LCSW

Title:
Psychotherapist

Education:
Bachelor of Social Work from NC State University, Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Trained and rostered clinician in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT).

Interests:
Laura has been practicing in the mental health field since 2003. She has individual, family, and group counseling experience in residential, in-home, and outpatient settings. Laura has specialized experience and training using dialectical behavioral and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapies. Laura has had the opportunity to work with children, adolescents, and young adults from ages 5 to 25. Laura believes that each patient is unique with their own needs and works with her patients to develop an individualized and person-centered treatment plan. Laura uses several different therapeutic modalities that includes cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavioral, solution focused, acceptance and commitment, strengths based, and emotional freedom techniques. Her interests include: depression, anxiety, trauma, individuals in the LGBTQ community, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, grief and loss, social skills, anger/mood management, self-esteem, family, and parenting.

Chief Psychologist

Jennifer Thomas, PHD

Education:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, and PhD in Clinical Psychology

Interests:
I truly enjoy working with adolescents and their families, and I believe in Teen Health Connection’s vision to empower them to be healthy, safe, and successful. I am particularly interested in working with adolescents on issues related to trauma, depression, relationships, culture, and diversity.

Assessment Clinician

Anastashia Brown, LCSW

Education:
Master’s in Social Work, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Interests:
I enjoy working with the population at Teen Health Connection because I believe that my work can make a difference in their lives and increase the chances of them being successful in the future.

Psychologist

Andrea Cochran, PhD

Psychologist

Psychologist

Katrina DeDona, PsyD

Psychologist

Psychologist

Jenny Kolker, PHD

Education:
Ph.D. from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Bachelors Degree from Clemson University

Interests:
Forensic and Psychological Evaluations, Child and Family Therapy

Assessment Clinician

Kelsey Mangan, LCSW

Assessment Clinician

IPA Patient Services Specialist

Jacqueline Rollins

Title:
IPA Patient Services Specialist

Behavioral Health Triage Clinician

Chanda Scott, LCMHC

Title:
Behavioral Health Triage Clinician

Behavioral Health Triage Clinician

Timothy Smith, LCSWA

Education:
Master of Social Work, Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate
Bachelor of Social Work- Winthrop University
Masters of Social Work- University of Houston

Interests:
I take pleasure in helping youth understand and cope with mental health, fostering growth, resilience, and emotional well-being for a smoother transition into adulthood.

Psychologist

Megan Sutsko, PsyD

Clinical Psychologist

Coordinator, Teen Advisory Board

Bain Brown

Education:
Interdisciplinary coursework in Health/Medical Humanities at the University of North Carolina – Charlotte.

Interests:
Bain has been a program participant, patient, volunteer, and intern, before becoming an employee at Teen Health Connection. He has worked in adolescent leadership development since 2016 when he established a youth drug-free coalition in Transylvania County, NC. He is passionate about empowering young people to be community change-makers and make positive behavioral health choices. He believes that young people have an incredible capacity to champion change and enjoys helping teens find their voice to make a difference. Bain is proudly neurodivergent, a first-generation college student, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Parenting Education Facilitator

Kris Hawkins

Parenting Education Facilitator

Program Development and Evaluation

Kate Hogan, PhD

Title:
Program Development and Evaluation

Education:
University of North Carolina at Charlotte, BA, Psychology; Child & Family Development, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, MA, Clinical & Community Psychology.

Interests:
Program development and evaluation in the areas of child welfare, mental health, education, transition-age youth, and community/civic engagement.

Research and Evaluation

Casey Kaplan, MPH, CHES

Education:
University of Alabama, BS, Human Development & Family Studies;  Emory University, MPH, Behavioral Sciences and Health Education

Interests:
Program planning and evaluation focusing on teen pregnancy prevention, youth drug and alcohol use prevention, healthy relationships, and healthy adolescent development

Adolescent Medicine

Shamieka Dixon, MD

Title:
Levine Children’s Hospital Department of Director, Adolescent Medicine
Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, UNC School of Medicine

Education:
Dr. Dixon, a native of the Bronx, NY, graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in Human Development. She obtained her doctorate degree from Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, completed pediatric residency training at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, and an adolescent medicine fellowship at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD. 

Interests:
Dr. Dixon has provided primary care to underserved and marginalized youth and has clinical expertise in areas of menstrual disorders, reproductive endocrinology, and substance abuse. Her research interests include teen pregnancy prevention and postpartum depression among adolescent mothers. She has also conducted work exploring care-seeking behavior for adolescents after a pregnancy diagnosis

Program Development and Evaluation

Kate Hogan, PhD

Title:
Program Development and Evaluation

Education:
University of North Carolina at Charlotte, BA, Psychology; Child & Family Development, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, MA, Clinical & Community Psychology.

Interests:
Program development and evaluation in the areas of child welfare, mental health, education, transition-age youth, and community/civic engagement.

Executive Director

Libby Safrit, MA, LPA-HSPA

Title:
Executive Director, Teen Health Connection

Education:
Pfeiffer University, BA, Psychology; University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Pfeiffer University, BA, Psychology; University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Master of Clinical and Community Psychology

Interests:
Empowering every adolescent to be healthy, safe and successful

Chief Psychologist

Jennifer Thomas, PHD

Education:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, and PhD in Clinical Psychology

Interests:
I truly enjoy working with adolescents and their families, and I believe in Teen Health Connection’s vision to empower them to be healthy, safe, and successful. I am particularly interested in working with adolescents on issues related to trauma, depression, relationships, culture, and diversity.

Manager of Behavioral Health Services

Betsy Thompson, LCMHC

Title:
Manager of Behavioral Health Services

Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Master’s in Counseling from Winthrop University. Trained/Rostered clinician in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT)

Interests:
Betsy has worked in the mental health field for 15 years. She has been the supervisor of the mental health team at Teen Health Connection since 2015. In this role, Betsy supervises a team of six licensed therapists. She provides therapy to patients and their families. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings. Betsy has experience in providing individual, family, and group counseling in both outpatient and residential settings. Betsy is also a licensed school counselor and was employed in the school system early in her career. Over the course of her career, Betsy has worked with children and adolescents ranging in age from 6-25.

She is a trained/rostered clinician in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), as well as Family-Based Treatment (Maudsley Method). Betsy believes that each patient is unique and focuses on developing goals and treatment plans that are strength-based and individualized to fit each patient’s needs. Her interests include trauma, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, grief and loss, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, individuals in the LGBTQ community, and family therapy.

Associate Development Officer

Wendy Lopez

Title:
Associate Development Officer

Accountant

Ryan Stewart, MSA

Title:
Accountant

Education:

BS in Accounting from North Carolina State University; MS in Accounting from North Carolina State University

Interests:
Internal Controls and Financial Auditing; I also enjoy the outdoors and playing sports (Golf, Softball, etc.)

Executive Director

Libby Safrit, MA, LPA-HSPA

Title:
Executive Director, Teen Health Connection

Education:
Pfeiffer University, BA, Psychology; University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Pfeiffer University, BA, Psychology; University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Master of Clinical and Community Psychology

Interests:
Empowering every adolescent to be healthy, safe and successful