Fayetteville Family Life Center

Jerry Powell, D.Min. Dr. Powell is the Director of the Fayetteville Family Life Center and the Fayetteville Regional Director of Baptist Hospital CareNet Counseling Centers. He is an ordained minister and a retired Army chaplain with 20 years of service in military ministry. During his military career he deployed to Iraq where he provided pastoral care for soldiers supporting the war on terrorism. Dr. Powell is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Professional Counselor. He is also a Clinical Member and Approved Supervisor for the American Association for Marital and Family Therapy. He provides counseling for depression, anxiety, and most personal and relationship problems. He is a specialist in working with military personnel and families, and he has extensive experience serving soldiers and families when the soldier has returned from deployment in the Global War on Terrorism. Dr. Powell holds the following degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Community Counseling, and Doctor of Ministry.

Gilbert Beeson, Ph.D. Dr. Beeson is a pastoral counselor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He has served as a counselor with the Fayetteville Family Life Center since 1989. He provides counseling services at the Fayetteville Family Life Center, the Southview Christian Counseling Center located in Southview Baptist Church (Hope Mills), and Camp Ground UMC Counseling Services located in Camp Ground United Methodist Church (Cross Creek Mall area). Dr. Beeson is an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, and he served as a chaplain in the United States Air Force from 1965 until 1989. He was Director of the Fayetteville Family Life Center from 1997 until 2007. He provides counseling for adults, couples, adolescents, and families. He treats for depression, anxiety, and most personal problems. He also provides marital counseling, premarital counseling, grief counseling, and spiritual counseling. He is experienced in working with military personnel and problems associated with military life. He holds the following degrees: Ph.D. (Child Development and Family Relations), 1985, University of North Carolina at Greensboro. M.S. (Counseling and Guidance), 1975, North Dakota State University. B.D. (Theology), 1963, Vanderbilt University. B.A. (English/Religion and Philosophy), 1960, High Point University.

Beth Berghoff, Ph.D. Dr. Beth Berghoff is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been on the staff of the Fayetteville Family Life Center since 1986. She was a school psychologist with the Cumberland County Schools from 1978 – 2005. Dr. Berghoff treats adults, couples, children, adolescents, and families providing counseling for depression, anxiety, and most forms of personal, marital, and family problems. She is experienced in working with children who have learning difficulties, behavioral disorders or special needs. She holds the following degrees: Ph.D. (Exceptional Children/Behavioral Disorders), 1979, University of Georgia. Ed.S. (Early Childhood Education), 1969, University of Michigan. M.A. (Education – Behavior Disorders/Emotionally Disturbed Children), 1968, University of Michigan. B.A. (Education), 1966, University of Michigan.

Robbie Byrd, M.S.W., M.Div., Rev. Byrd is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He began his practice with the Fayetteville Family Life Center in 2004. He is also a counselor on the staff of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church. His past experience includes working for the Department of Social Services and County Mental Health Centers. Other experiences include providing both inpatient and outpatient therapeutic services for the Cape Fear Valley Hospital System. Rev. Byrd is an ordained Baptist minister. He specializes in work with adults who suffer from depression and anxiety, children and adolescents with behavioral problems, and families with relationship issues. He also works with individuals and families with personal/spiritual issues. He holds the following degrees: M.Div., (Theology) 2003, Campbell University. M.S.W. (Social Work), East Carolina University. B.A. (Psychology and Economics), 1990, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill.

Kathleen Carroll, M.S., M.A. Ms. Carroll is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Her counseling is combined with 25 years of nursing practice including 7 years as a flight nurse with the US Air Force Reserves. She has a variety of experience working with clients desiring behavioral change, emotional recovery, and healing. Her experience includes the New Mexico Center for Christian Counseling and Nurse Practitioner internships at the Ft. Leavenworth Community Mental Health Center and the Colmery-O’Neil VA in Topeka, KS. She works with adults, adolescents, and children dealing with issues such as eating disorders, divorce recovery, depression, anxiety, PTSD, pain, and weight management. She is trained in basic and advanced critical incident stress management. She is also trained in EMDR, a treatment for trauma recovery. Ms. Carroll has a MS in Nursing with a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist concentration from the University of South Alabama (2006); MA in Counseling, Regent University (1993); and BS in Nursing, Trenton State College (1982).

George J. Franks, Ph.D., J.D. Dr. Franks is a Licensed Practicing Psychologist and a Licensed Practicing Attorney. He is the Director of Psychological Services for the Fayetteville Family Life Center. He has been a counselor on the staff of the Fayetteville Family Life Center since 1982. He worked in mental health centers from 1975 until 1980. Dr. Franks provides counseling for adults, couples, children, adolescents, and families. He treats for depression, anxiety, and most forms of personal, marital, and family problems. He holds the following degrees: J.D. (Law), 1983, Campbell University School of Law. Ph.D. (Psychology), 1976, West Virginia University. M.S. (Psychology), 1974, West Virginia University. B.S. (Psychology), 1970, University of Florida.

Richard W. Hollings, Ph.D. Dr. Hollings is a Licensed Practicing Psychologist, a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and a marital and family therapist. He has served on the Fayetteville Family Life Center staff since 1983. His past experience includes work as a psychologist with the Rumbaugh Mental Health Clinic, Cumberland County Schools, Cumberland County Mental Health Center, and Harriett Cohn Mental Health Center. Dr. Hollings provides counseling for adults, couples, children, adolescents, and families. He also provides psychological testing, assessments, evaluations, and psychological supervision and consultation. Dr. Hollings treats for depression, anxiety, and most problems of adults, children, adolescents, and families. He holds the following degrees: Ph.D. (Psychology), 1991, North Carolina State University. M.A. (Psychology), 1975, Austin Peay State University. B.A. (Education and History), 1969, University of Arizona.

Teresa E. Lawrence, M.Div. Rev. Lawrence is a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist and a pastoral counselor. She is also an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. She has been a counselor on the staff of the Fayetteville Family Life Center since 1999, and she is the principal counselor for the Community Family Counseling Center. She was a counselor with the Raintree Clinic and the Behavioral Center from 1991 until 1999. Ms. Lawrence provides counseling for adults, couples, children, adolescents, and families. She treats for depression, anxiety, and most forms of personal, couple, and family problems. She holds the following degrees: M.Div. (Theology), 1991, Duke University. B.S., Fayetteville State University, 1986. She has also done graduate study (Marriage and Family Therapy) at East Carolina University.

John Mackey, D.Min. Dr. Mackey is a pastoral counselor and a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist. He was the Director of the Fayetteville Family Life Center from 1985 until his retirement in 1997. He has served as a counselor with the Center since his retirement. Dr. Mackey served on the staff of the Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute from 1976 until 1985. He provides counseling for adults, couples, and families. Dr. Mackey treats for depression, anxiety, and most forms of personal, couple, and family problems. He also provides counseling for grief, loss, and spiritual matters. He holds the following degrees: D.Min. (Pastoral Counseling), 1978, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. M.Div. (Theology), 1959, Wesley Theological Seminary. B.A., 1956, Washington and Jefferson College. He received certificates in Pastoral Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy from the American Foundation of Religion and Psychiatry, 1966.

Philip N. McCall, M.A. Mr. McCall is a Licensed Professional Counselor. He has served on the staff of the Fayetteville Family Life Center since 2001, and he is the principal counselor for the Eastside Counseling Center located in Lebanon Baptist Church. Mr. McCall has worked in the mental health field providing both clinical and administrative services in the Cumberland County and Sampson County Mental Health Centers since 1973. He counsels individuals, couples, children, adolescents, and families. He treats for depression, anxiety, and most forms of personal, couple, and family problems. He holds the following degrees: M.A. (Guidance and Counseling), 1969, Appalachian State University. B.A. (Psychology and Sociology), 1968, Appalachian State University.

Ami O’Neill, Ph.D. Dr. O’Neill is a North Carolina Licensed Practicing Psychologist, a licensed school psychologist, and a licensed school counselor. She is registered by the NC Dept of Public Instruction as a provider of traumatic brain injury (TBI) assessment, and has received additional training from UNC TEACCH as a provider of comprehensive developmental assessments.

Dr. O’Neill joined the FFLC in March 2006. She has worked with children, adolescents, and adults of all ages in public and private schools, mental health clinics, university clinics, a large medical practice, alternative schools, private psychology practices, and a wilderness residential treatment program. She has served as the Senior Psychologist for the child and adolescent psychology staff at Southeastern Mental Health Center in Wilmington, N. C. Dr. O’Neill specializes in assessing and treating learning, developmental, and attentional disorders (ADD/ADHD). She also treats for mood disorders, anxiety disorders, behavioral disorders, and problems related to marital and family life. She especially enjoys working with parents, adolescents, and women in transition. Dr. O’Neill is the mother of three daughters and one son. She holds the following degrees: Ph.D. (psychology), 1993, North Carolina State University; M.S. (psychology), 1989, North Carolina State University; M.S. (Guidance and Counseling), 1981, North Carolina State University; B.A. (Sociology), 1975, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Elizabeth Ramos, M.S.W. Mrs. Ramos is a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor and a Provisionally Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has worked with addicted individuals and their families for over 20 years. She was a member of the Substance Abuse Program at Cumberland County Mental Health Center from January 1987 until her retirement in April 2007. Mrs. Ramos also treats for depression, anxiety, and most forms of personal, couple, and family problems. She holds an Associate Degree in Psychology from Fayetteville State University, (1996), a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Methodist University (2001), and a Masters in Social Work from Fayetteville State University (2005). Mrs. Ramos joined the staff of the Fayetteville Family Life Center in 2006.

Robert J. Ritzema, Ph.D. Dr. Ritzema is a Licensed Practicing Psychologist. He has practiced psychology in various inpatient, correctional, and outpatient settings since 1974. He is also an Associate Professor of Psychology at Methodist College, and he has published in a variety of professional periodicals. Dr. Ritzema treats individuals, couples, and families for depression, anxiety, and most problems related to marital and family life. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Calvin College (1970), a Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Kent State University (1974), and a Ph.D. in psychology from Kent State University (1997).

Juanita B. Rummans, M.S. Ms. Rummans is a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist. She has served on the staff of the Fayetteville Family Life Center since 1994. Her past experience includes serving as a child welfare worker and a public school teacher. She provides counseling for individuals, couples, children, adolescents, and families. She treats for depression, anxiety, and most forms of personal, couple, and family problems. She also provides counseling for adult survivors of abuse, grief, loss, separation and divorce, and ADHD/ODD. Her degrees include the following: B.A. (Speech), 1952, Asbury College. M.S. (Marriage and Family Therapy), 1994, East Carolina University.

Maria Velazquez-Constas, M.Ed., Ed.S. Maria Constas is a North Carolina Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She treats children, adults, couples, and families for depression, anxiety, parent-child issues, couple issues, and most problems of personal or family functioning. She specializes in biracial relations and children’s issues. Mrs. Constas is proficient in both the English and Spanish languages. Her work experiences include over twelve years in private practice providing individual, couple, children’s, and group counseling. She provided consultation for the East Coast Migrant Head Start, Talamon Corporation, Wake County D.H.S., Latino program, and others. She has been a consultant in program evaluation in mental health and employee management issues. Maria worked for eight years with the Cumberland County Family Violence Program (Care Center). She conducted counseling for victims of domestic violence and for perpetrators in court mandated group programs. She also provided family counseling for children’s behavioral issues. Maria has conducted training locally, state-wide, and nationally on Latino/Hispanic mental health issues. She is bilingual and bicultural. Mrs. Constas holds the following degrees: Ed.S. (Educational Psychology), 1981, University of Connecticut; M.Ed. (Guidance and Counseling), 1975, Catholic University of Puerto Rico. She joined the staff of the Fayetteville Family Life Center in April 2006.

Suzanne Mikkelson, M.A. Mrs. Mikkelson is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a military spouse. She began working as a faith-based counselor in 1995 treating military couples and families. She has worked on several military installations both in the US and in Germany. Her past experience also includes several years with Army Community Service Center as a Victim Advocate for domestic violence victims and as a prevention educator for Soldiers, Family Members, and Army civilians. She is a certified instructor for several nationally recognized programs including Parenting with Love and Logic, Couple Communication, Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families, and Prevention Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP). She has facilitated numerous couple and family retreats. She is also trained in Critical Incident Stress Management and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training. As a counselor she works with couples and families specializing in marital and parenting issues. Mrs. Mikkelson has been awarded an MA (Marriage and Family Therapy), 1995, Reformed Theological Seminary, and a BA (Psychology), 1984, Duke University.

William Allen Willis, Jr., M.D. Dr. Willis is a psychiatrist licensed to practice in North Carolina and South Carolina. He provides psychiatric and psychotherapy services for adolescents and adults. He has served on the staffs of various psychiatric hospitals in the United States and abroad, and he has worked extensively with military personnel. Dr. Willis is interested in Christian psychiatric treatment. He has studied Tibetan medicine including work with the personal physician of the Dalai Lama. His education includes the following: B.S. (Biology), 1968, Wofford College; M.D. (Medicine), 1972, Medical University of South Carolina; Residency in Psychiatry, 1972-1975, Medical University of South Carolina.

Dr. Willis is a psychiatrist in private practice. He works closely with the counselors of the Fayetteville Family Life Center and meets regularly to consult with them on cases that they treat together. Dr. Willis shares the faith-based approach of the Fayetteville Family Life Center in his treatment of patients.

Teri Perkins. Ms. Perkins is the Office Manager for the Highland location. The Office Manager directs the overall administration of the Center, supervises office staff, as well as manages financial matters. Terri acts as Assistant Treasurer for the Fayetteville Family Life Center Board of Directors.

Donna McNeill and Kelly Short are the friendly voice who answers the phone and makes appointments for you and checks you in and out when you visit the Center. She helps with other administrative tasks as time permits.

Mary Hall. Ms. Hall is the Accounts Service Representative for the Fayetteville Family Life Center. She manages all matters related to client accounts. She files insurance, verifies insurance and receives authorizations for service, and assists clients with accounts and insurance.