Providers

Hillsborough Office

Jeanne Amerine, PMHNP-BC

Jeanne Amerine, BA, MSN is a licensed psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner specializing in the management of psychiatric problems across the lifespan, including comprehensive psychiatric assessments, diagnostic reasoning, treatment planning and medication management. Ms. Amerine has 25 years of nursing expertise with patients of all ages in critical care and high stress situations.

Ms. Amerine received her Masters of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from North Carolina Central University.

17th Street Office

John Nielsen, PA-C

I am a board certified Physician Assistant and a graduate from Hahnemann University. With over 20 years of experience in a variety of medical and psychiatric settings, I provide psychiatric evaluations and medication management for Depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, insomnia, post traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit and other learning dysfunctions, bipolar spectrum and schizophrenia. I am also certified as a LENS neurofeedback practitioner offering treatment that can be complimentary to medication or can enhance peak performance independent of medication.

Pam Wenning, FNP

I have been practicing as a Family Nurse Practitioner for over 22 years in a variety of clinical settings. Areas of specialization include both acute and chronic illness in both the adolescent and adult population. My psychiatric experience includes both addiction and inpatient hospitalizations with a special interest in eating disorders. I work very closely with Dr. Mathew with both the diagnosis and proper treatment of mental illness.

I received my Masters degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I have been in the Wilmington area for 15 years with my husband and three sons. My special interests include personal fitness, keeping up with my three sons, and working with tumbled and recycled glass- having started my own business over the last year.

I consider it a blessing to have clients both involve me in their lives and entrust me with their care.

Julie L. Frederiksen, PMHNP

Welcome to Trinity Wellness Center! My name is Julie Lane Frederiksen, NP, and I am a psychiatric nurse practitioner. I treat a wide range of mental health and brain diseases and disorders.

My philosophy of care is simple: Educate the patient and family while identifying the various and often multi-modal treatment options, including medication where appropriate, that optimize patient (and family) quality of life. I believe in high quality, evidence-based and compassionate care that empowers.

My areas of clinical interest include treating adults and adolescents with cognitive dysfunction, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, tic disorders, migraines, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, addiction and Bipolar disorder, in addition to my work as a wellness coach.

Julie’s Form

Dawn Richard Cook, MA, LPC

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. I earned a Master of Arts degree from Webster University and a Bachelor of Social Work degree from East Carolina University. My experience includes over 10 years in the field of mental health and developmental disabilities from a variety of work settings; community mental health, school guidance, contract mental health, and private practice. I enjoy working with children, adolescents, and adults diagnosed with ADHD, childhood behavioral disorders, depression, bipolar, anxiety, pervasive developmental/autism spectrum disorders, and adjustment disorders.”

F. Rhett Saravia, LPA

I am a psychologist who has provided mental health services in N.C. for over thirty years. I enjoy helping people develop skills that will empower them to address the many challenges of life. I have extensive experience treating a broad spectrum of issues including anxiety, stress, mood disorders, addiction, physical and emotional abuse and chronic and severe mental illness. My therapeutic approach is targeted to the specific needs of the client. Some of the highly effective tools that are utilized through Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, DBT, Neurofeedback and Clinical Hypnosis. Hypnosis is very helpful in teaching people how to relax, decrease anxiety and depression. It is useful for the treatment of smoking cessation, eating disorders, pain management and the resolution of trauma.

Rhett’s Form

Kevin Ponnett, CSAC

I am a substance abuse counselor and psychologist who was educated at Immaculata University. My interests include addiction treatment, sports psychology and yoga. I have extensive experience in treating a wide variety of addictive disorders, emotional and behavioral problems and dual-diagnosis issues (addictive disorders coupled with mental health disorders) in both the public and private sector. My clients appreciate my use of humor and my ability to motivate their recovery.

Market Street Office

Louise Coggins, LCSW

I earned my BA in Psychology and Masters in Social Work at UNC-Chapel Hill. I am a psychotherapist in private practice in Wilmington and Raleigh and a Board Certified Diplomat in Clinical Social Work. I have worked with individuals, couples, families and groups for 42 years. I am the Chair of the Board at the UNC School of Social Work; Chair of the Board of VISIONS, a non-profit international multi-cultural anti-racism training organization; Chair of the Board of Directors of the Wright’s Center, an adult day health care center; and Vice-Chair of Make Way Partners, an international organization combating human trafficking and sex slavery. I have been active in issues related to the status of women, domestic violence and child abuse, and have raised funds for many worthy groups and organizations, including The Fuller Center for Housing, the American Cancer Society and the AIDS Service Agency of Wake County. I was honored with the YMCA Academy of Women Human Services Award in 1999, and the School of Social Work Outstanding Alumna of the Year 2006. I am a lifelong Episcopalian and have been married 42 years to Steve Coggins, an attorney.

Cameron Gordon, PhD

I am a clinical psychologist and a full time professor in the Psychology Department at UNCW. I earned my MA and PhD in clinical psychology at UNC-Chapel Hill. I teach my students about all forms of psychological distress and the personal challenges people face when they endure difficulty. I also lead an active research lab at UNCW focused on developing new knowledge that will aid couples in deriving maximum benefit from their relationship.

Succeeding in marriage is a complex and challenging task. I help couples navigate these challenges by taking into account each individual, the couple together, and the surrounding environment that impacts their lives. I am happy to help couples address a wide variety of concerns. I also work with satisfied couples. Couples who are not distressed are in a wonderful position to prevent the development of problems or to further enhance their relationship and create new ways of having fun together.

Jennifer Upchurch, MSW, LCSW

I received my Master’s degree in social work from East Carolina University, where I concentrated in mental health. I completed my internship at the Oaks Psychiatric Hospital. There I provided crisis counseling for individuals and groups. Before I completed my clinical training I worked at HomeCare Management with children and adults with autism, mental retardation and behavioral disorders. Prior to joining Trinity in 2005, I spent the past five years as a therapist at Southeastern Center for Mental Health where I worked with individuals with mood, anxiety and psychotic disorders as well as co-occurring substance use problems. My interests also include supporting clients during certain major life transitions such as grief, pregnancy and healthy attachment in the infant-parent relationship. I also have received specialized training in EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This treatment has been enormously effective for individuals whom have experienced traumas or stress in their lives.

Heather Lanier, MSW, LCSW

I grew up in Pender County and moved to New Hanover County in 1999. I graduated from UNCW in 2003 with a BA in Psychology. I then received my graduate degree in Social Work from East Carolina in 2005. I have been licensed as a Clinical Social Worker since 2007. I began practicing as a therapist in Pender County in 2005. My experience has consisted of work at the Mental Health Center, Community agencies, and then in Private Practice. I also work as a clinical supervisor for provisional licensed social workers. I was trained in Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy from the Duke and Chapel Hill Collaborative program in 2012. This is a treatment model for children under 18 who have experienced a trauma (loss, abuse.) I am also training in LENS with Dr. Mathew. LENS, a form of neurofeedback, has the potential to improve brain function, performance, and mental health symptoms. I will be implementing LENS into my practice beginning in 20l4. I joined Trinity Wellness in May 2012 and I am committed to the patients and to maintaining its mission.

Office Staff

Beth Galusha

Office Manager

Judi Dawson

Patient Care Coordinator

Stephanie Gray

Patient Care Coordinator

Susan King Hubbard

Office Manager