Board of Directors

Members of the Board of Directors set program priorities and support the access and network coordinators to promote strategies to serve underinsured, marginalized populations and build a diverse community of therapists. The Board is committed to ongoing self-critique, systems review, and program evaluation in the service of evolving client and community needs. Board members meet regularly and also assist with fundraising to support the PBCN mission and objectives.

Current members:

Deborah Barrett, (she/her) PhD, LCSW, is on the clinical faculty of the UNC School of Social Work and department of psychiatry. Outraged by the dismantling of the public mental health system in NC, the barriers and hoops of managed care, and the impact on vulnerable populations, she helped found the PBCN in 2009. She has since served as board member, volunteer therapist, and at one point as interim coordinator to cover a coordinator’s maternity leave.

Latasha Ellis, (She/Her) PhD, LCSW, LISW-CP is a Regional Mental Health Director at Marathon Health, a national Advanced Primary Care company. Additionally, she is an adjunct faculty member at UNC-C School of Social Work where she teaches integrated behavioral health practices and principles to MSW students. Her work in integrated healthcare settings has helped her support individuals coping with the emotional effects of chronic medical diagnoses while closing the gap between the physical health and emotional health sectors or healthcare.

Elizabeth Godown, MSW (she/ her) is the Organizational Learning Coordinator at Refugee Community Partnership, where she connects migrant community members to a supportive network and resources, provides crisis intervention, and builds out processes of collective care and sustainability. She is driven by a vision of a world in which all people can access culturally responsive healing and support, especially those our mental health system fails and excludes; and she is working to dismantle systemic barriers to care bit by bit, especially for speakers of other languages. Elizabeth is also a doula, trauma educator, and food justice steward with FEED DURHAM NC

Cynthia Jones, (she/her) Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor in private practice and PBCN therapist. Cindy is a musician and a Drum Circle Facilitator affiliated with DCFG. She likes to use Drumming for Wellness within her clinical practice as well as for community building.

Miriam Lieberman, (she/her) MA, LCMHCS (formerly LPCS), HTCP, is a mental health counselor and clinical supervisor. Deeply concerned about the privatization of our mental health system and the marginalization of people in need, Miriam has volunteered for many years as a PBCN therapist. Miriam is passionate about serving children and families, and her work as an energy medicine healer and ally to LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. Her other passions include gardening, cooking, swimming, dancing, and being in ceremony.

Sonya Parker (she/her), LCSW, LSSW, RYT, is a trauma-informed therapist and founding member of the AEDP Vision Collective. Sonya has worked with various populations in various organizational and clinical settings while providing individual and couples therapy. She believes that every person has the capacity for change and growth within them which is strengthened with the support of interpersonal and community relationships. Sonya is also an advocate for racial and social justice, working to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging across behavioral health, government, educational, and faith-based institutions.

Bridget Pemberton-Smith, ATR-BC brings creativity, knowhow, and commitment to making healing widely accessible. As an art therapist, Bridget currently practices and provides supervision at Bridges Art Therapy and has served as Executive Director of the Art Therapy Institute of NC. Bridget’s therapeutic work has spanned populations from struggling youths to seniors with dementia; and across diverse settings including schools and afterschool programs, hospitals, retirement centers, health agencies, and within refugee and immigrant communities.

PAST BOARD MEMBERS

Zumrad Ahmedjanova, (she/her) LCSW, LCAS, CCS is a LGBTQ+ ally and trauma-informed psychotherapist in private practice who works with a diverse population, including immigrants and first generation Americans. She is also an organizer and board member of Vatandosh Connect – an organization that promotes and implements transformative solutions to the social and educational challenges in Uzbekistan. Prior to working in private practice, Zumrad managed the Opioid Treatment Program in Durham.

Matt Case, LCMHC (he/him) is a PBCN therapist and has a private practice in Carrboro where he works primarily with men. He and his wife also provide equine assisted psychotherapy at a horse farm outside of Chapel Hill (www.clearwindfarm.com). Matt is a member of the board of the NC Justice Center.

Shelley Danser, (she/her) LCSW, is the Upper School Counselor at Durham Academy. In this role, she supports the wellness of students and families, coordinates wellness programming and curriculum such as sexual health education, and is a faculty advisor for the student Gender Spectrum Affinity Group. Prior to working at DA, Shelley served as the PBCN program coordinator from 2013 to 2018.

Mignon Hooper, LCSW, (she/her) is a bilingual therapist at Namaste Psychotherapy and Consulting, a Disaster Mental Health volunteer with the Red Cross, and a former hospital chaplain. Her 10-year affiliation with PBCN as a volunteer therapist, consultant, and now Board member has been meaningful, and mutually rewarding. Mignon is all in when it comes to engaging in collaborative work towards a world that works for ALL of us.

Trish Noel, (she/her) LCSWA, LCASA and NC Forensic Evaluator, is a mental health therapist who provides substance use and mental health services through Alliance Health at Durham County Department of Social Services. She also has a private practice in Durham, provides psychotherapy to the Armstrong Center for Hope, and is a member of the Board at the Orange County Rape Crisis Center.

Aimee Vandemark, (she/her) LCSW a psychotherapist in private practice specializing in Perinatal Mental Health and a certified Forest Therapy guide. Aimee served as the PBCN program coordinator from 2010 to 2013.

Advisory Council

Members of the Advisory Council bring rich experience-driven perspectives to provide guidance, oversight, and feedback to the Board and whole of PBCN. This additional layer of expertise allows for transdisciplinary breadth, a more diverse lens, and greater depth in the evaluation of PBCN processes and outcomes. The Advisory Council helps PBCN grow in its mission.

Current members:

Thava Mahadevan, Director of Operations at the UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health and clinical instructor in the UNC Department of Psychiatry. He founded and led XDS, Inc., a nonprofit providing comprehensive care for individuals with persistent mental illness and co-occurring conditions, which merged with the Center in 2011. He has over 20 years of experience designing and implementing innovative treatment programs in North Carolina.

April Parker (she/her), LCSW is a clinical assistant professor at UNC School of Social Work, a psychotherapist in private practice, and a certified clinical supervisor for social workers. April is committed to ending maternal health disparities for Black and indigenous women through her clinical work and advocacy. As a therapist, she works primarily with women and birthing people experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. She also volunteers as an advisor with SAFEchild of NC for the Moms Supporting Moms group and facilitates group meetings for Black women called “Black Mothers Matter Talk.”

Victoria Romero, Bilingual Outpatient Psychotherapist at Three Oaks Behavioral Health and Wellness. Ms. Romero’s professional experience focuses on providing the Latinx community with trauma-informed, evidence-based behavioral health treatment.

Past Members:

Shirrell Thomas, Community Outreach Coordinator at Durham Crisis Response Center. Ms. Thomas oversees and maintains the planning and implementation of outreach strategies and services for Durham Crisis Response Center (DCRC). She is primarily responsible for connecting people in the broader community by creating and cultivating relationships with individuals, businesses, and other relevant organizations.