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.

Ms. Amerine is now accepting new patients at Trinity Wellness’ Corporate Drive practice location in Hillsborough, NC. For an appointment, call 910.343.8424.

Among Ms. Amerine’s many areas of volunteer community service are Paws4Ever Animal Shelter and Crossroads Animal Sanctuary.

17th Street Office

Pam Wenning, PMHNP, 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.

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.”

My approach to therapy is integrated and person centered. I begin where the client is in establishing therapeutic rapport to determine goals and objectives. Common therapy modalities utilized are behavioral, cognitive, and solution focused. In working with children, I focus from a family systems perspective and believe strongly in incorporating the family unit into sessions. I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) used with trauma and varying disorders, and Low Energy Neurofeedback System (LENS).

Originally from Jacksonville, NC, I have proudly worked with the community serving active duty military and their families within my professional career. I have experience working with issues surrounding deployment transitioning and readjustment, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

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.

These tools are consistent with Trinity’s body-mind-spirit philosophy. I have experience with Worker’s Compensation helping those who have work related injuries and PTSD. I treat mood disorders, depression, and the Bipolar disorders, anxiety related disorders, ADHD, Schizophrenia, women’s abuse issues, and substance related disorders.

To help people obtain their optimal functional state I am very pleased to offer the LENS system of neurofeedback. It is a very safe, non invasive approach that combines computer technology and EEG to help improve brain functioning and this can translate into increasing functional capacity in the tasks of life. We have seen anxiety and depression decrease and improvement in ADHD symptoms combined with therapy and a good treatment plan.

I enjoy working with couples and helping them learn communication skills to resolve conflict and increase connectedness.

Psychological Assessments and testing (i.e. Diagnostic, Personality and I.Q.) are other services I offer. I can provide training in stress management, conflict resolution and communication skills. I also test clients for ADHD.

I worked in the development of several community resources that are still thriving. Some of these include the first women’s resource center now called the Cape Fear Domestic Violence and Services, the first psychological program for persons with severe mental illness called Ocean House and the first apartment for persons with mental illness Sherwood Village. I assisted with several Federal Grants for the homeless that resulted in the apartments known as Fourth Quarter, Hopewood, Driftwood and the Sargent Ashley Center.

I have worked with veterans doing PTSD groups and individual treatment.

I graduated from the University of Dayton and received my Masters in Psychology from the State University of Georgia at Carrollton. I have been influenced the most by the Positive Psychology of Dr. Martin Seligman.

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.

Victoria Zalar, Wellness Coach

Welcome! After obtaining my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Plattsburgh State University, I decided to pursue a career in Health and Wellness. With a passion for working with people and sharing my knowledge of nutrition, I went on to obtain my certification for Health Coaching through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. I enjoy working with groups and individuals in a variety of environments to best meet the needs of my clients. Some services I offer are six-month individual coaching programs, three-month individual coaching programs, & The Diabetes Prevention Program.

Robyn Olsen-Nicotra, LCSW

I’ve been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 20 years. As a psychotherapist who has always been curious about what drives our behaviors and interactions in relationships, I have focused on issues related to eating disorders, addiction, trauma, grief, along with depression and anxiety. I have a B.S. in Mental Health from Hahnemann University, a M.S.S. from Bryn Mawr College. Over the years I have worked with Individuals, couples, families and groups with a focus on the mind/body/spirit connection from a holistic perspective. I am passionate about walking with my clients on their life journey assisting them in their personal goals. As we work together I use an eclectic psychotherapies designed for the individual needs of my clients. The eclectic psychotherapies include a variety such as; person-centered, CBT, Solution-focused, psychoanalytic as well as Christian based psychotherapy. I am looking forward to walking with my clients on their life journey.

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 earned my MA and PhD in clinical psychology at UNC-Chapel Hill and after nine wonderful years seeing clients in person at Trinity Wellness Center I am now specializing in seeing clients exclusively through our telemedicine platform. The experience is very much like speaking with someone through Skype or FaceTime, except that telemedicine software was designed to enable physicians to meet more conveniently with their patients, thus it is more secure and HIPAA compliant. In my experience, clients have found the interaction to be surprisingly similar to in-person sessions and they have appreciated the convenience of meeting electronically so they can squeeze a session into a busy work day by avoiding travel time, sitting in the waiting room, etc. So, if you are reasonably comfortable with technology and would like to give it a try just call our office to schedule a telemed appointment and I would be glad to see you!

A bit more about me: I was a full time professor in the Psychology Department at UNC, Wilmington for 10 years and have now moved to the Psychology Department at Middle Tennessee State University. 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 focused on developing new knowledge that will assist individuals and couples seeking to achieve not only “satisfaction” from life but also deep fulfillment and joy that helps them to truly flourish.

Overcoming hardship is a complex and challenging task. I have extensive experience working with adults who are suffering from relationship difficulties, stress, depression, anxiety, grief, guilt, trauma, and anger. My approach to therapy is focused on a non-judgmental examination of the difficulties a client is facing. I learn from clients what they do well and what they wish to work on in therapy. Then I join them in the process of developing and implementing strategies that will effectively address their goals. Through this process, my clients learn to maximize their strengths in order to overcome their difficulties. I also work with satisfied individuals and couples. Those who are not distressed are in a wonderful position to prevent the development of problems or to further enhance their lives and create new ways of cultivating joy and having fun!

Whether you have had your life turned upside down or you simply want to learn effective relaxation techniques, everyone can benefit from setting aside time to focus on enhancing their lives and their relationships. Helping people do this is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job and it often turns out to be a lot of fun for both me and my clients.

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.

I enjoy working with children, adolescents, and adults. I work with patients with the following symptoms: ADHD, behavioral disorders, depression, bipolar, anxiety, family conflicts, adjustment disorders, PTSD, substance abuse, and more. My approach to therapy is person-centered and direct. I meet patients/families where they are and work with them to make positive changes that will move them in a forward direction. Common modalities I utilize in treatment are cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, Trauma Focused- CBT, LENS, and strengths perspective as well as a family systems approach. I work alongside patients to enhance strengths in their lives and to motivate positive and healthy changes. The goal of therapy is to build healthy coping and help patients be the best that they can be. I love my work and feel blessed to have the opportunity to work with my patients and families in this community. I have been married to my wonderful husband since June of 2005. We enjoy our life in Wilmington and are active in our Church and with our family and friends. God has blessed us as the parents of two wonderful boys born in July 2010 and October 2013. I look forward to meeting and working with you and your family.

I accept most major insurances (BCBS, cigna, Medcost, Tricare, Aetna, Self-pay, etc.)

Jennifer Starrett, MSN, FNP-C

Welcome to Trinity! I have been a Family Nurse Practitioner since 1998 as a proud graduate of Duke University. I have had multiple experience which include outpatient treatment of a variety of mental health issues. I love to cook, practice Pilates, spend time with my family as well as enjoy our local beach areas. As my life evolves, I realize that balance is important and I am very thankful to be blessed with two beautiful boys that are full of life and vigor and a loving husband. I look forward to the opportunity to assist you in achieving your balance of wellness with empathy and an evidenced based care approach.

Jessa Batson, MSW, LCSW

Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with mental health and intellectual/developmental concerns. I am certified by the North Carolina Child Treatment Collaborative to provide Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). I am also trained to provide CBT, Solution Focused Brief Treatment, Motivational Interviewing, and use some elements of Play Therapy. Having worked with individuals with mental health issues since 2010, it is my passion to enable others to recognize the strengths they already have in order to overcome any obstacles in their lives.

My therapeutic approach is a strengths-based one which focuses on the individual’s own abilities, talents, and resources. With the understanding that each person can be very different in the way that they learn, I am very adaptable to each individual that comes through my door! Many of my sessions include play and art therapy techniques to further engage individuals and assist them in feeling comfortable as we work through various challenges.

Office Staff

Susan King Hubbard

Office Manager

Stephanie Gray

Administrative Staff Supervisor, Military Spousal Support

Victoria Zalar

Patient Care Coordinator, Wellness Coach