Velda Pugh, MD

Dr. Ritchie is trained in both adult and child & adolescent psychiatry, with a focus on the diagnosis and treatment of depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, and ADHD.  He received his bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in French, from The University of Central Florida. Dr. Ritchie completed medical school at Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine. Following medical school, he completed General psychiatry residency and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. His professional experiences include working in inpatient psychiatric hospitals, consult-liaison psychiatry, outpatient clinics, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), partial hospitalization programs (PHP), and emergency rooms. This broad range of experience allows him to provide comprehensive, individualized care to patients at all stages of life.

Dr. Ritchie emphasizes a holistic approach, combining medication management and psychotherapy. He utilizes principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and supportive psychotherapy This method is supported by research indicating improved patient outcomes.

Patients can anticipate a thorough initial evaluation during their first visit with Dr. Ritchie. He conducts a comprehensive assessment to understand the patient's symptoms, history, and personal circumstances. This session sets the foundation for collaboratively developing an individualized treatment plan focused on the patient's specific needs and goals.

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Dr. Amanda Kerr is a board-certified Psychiatrist. Her practice focuses on medication management, though she passionately believes in a holistic approach. She attended Boston University for her undergraduate studies and Loyola Marymount University for graduate school. She then completed her training at Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school and Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine for residency, where she was selected to serve as Chief Resident during her final year. After completion of her residency in 2016, she dedicated seven years to serving a wide range of patients in a community mental health setting, both in-person and via telepsychiatry. She also serves as a provider at an Intensive Outpatient Program. She has experience treating patients with depressive and bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and OCD. She also has extensive teaching experience in various settings. Dr. Kerr has a gentle and approachable style when providing medication management in conjunction with supportive psychotherapy, and at times Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to more fully address each individual's needs. She utilizes mindfulness approaches as well, which she finds personally meaningful in her practices of meditation and yoga. If Dr. Kerr feels you would benefit from working with a therapist as well, she may recommend and values a collaborative approach.

Barbara (Barb) Pack is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with the Supervision Endorsement and a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor, Clinical Supervisor Endorsement who has been providing mental health treatment for over 24 years and addiction treatment for over 27 years. Barb utilizes a combination of approaches in working with her clients, including person-centered, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution focused techniques, and a variety of other techniques. She has experience in several different types of treatment settings and treatment modalities in both Ohio and Florida. Barb enjoys working with individuals who also have co-occurring disorders, both mental health and substance use. Barb has experience working with a wide range of age groups and mental health issues including but not limited to depression, anxiety, trauma, stress management, grief, relationship issues, and a wide range of substance use issues. She will assess individuals' needs in their first few visits and work with them to develop an individualized treatment plan. Barb works to provide the empathetic listening and emotional support that her clients need to reach their goals. Her dream has been to work herself out of a job, as she wants to help her clients find healing and happiness. Barb attended the University of Akron for graduate school in a Community Counseling Program and attended Malone College, now University, and majored in Psychology.

Therapist Kim Heath has decades of experience collaborating with patients providing mental health care and interventions to facilitate health and wellness. Kim has worked in all aspects of mental health ranging from crisis care to rehabilitation. Kim has a great depth of community service connections and resources to link individuals in the community and an opportunity to extend support networks for greater health. Kim received her bachelor’s from the University of Kansas and master’s from the University of Missouri and continues educational opportunities in counseling/therapy and theology. Kim is a Christian counselor and believes people have need of mind/body/spirit balance to address the emotional pain, psychological turmoil, and physical challenges in life. Kim meets individuals where they are and with the focus of accomplishing the wellness goals of the individual answers the need for therapeutic interventions. Kim Heath uses a variety of modalities dependent on the needs of the patient to include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy and Christ Centered Christian Counseling Intervention.

Patients should be aware that Kim specializes in straight forwardness and application of the structure of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in sessions. Patients are of the utmost importance when receiving therapy with Kim Heath and are the key to mental health intervention and thereby change. Kim Health respects the wishes of patients with target goals, behaviors as well as providing support, care, and help. Kim acknowledges and is knowledgeable about getting to the heart of problems, issues, and concerns and identifying what is best in the patient’s opinion to address, then addressing them.

Kim Health typically will address the dynamics of a therapeutic relationship with patients   along with asking and assessing what patients hope to obtain or accomplish in therapy. Kim will discuss each clinical step taken to get to the accomplishments of the patient. Kim has worked with a wide range of diagnoses including Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar, Schizophrenia, Marital, Grief, Alcohol and Substance Use, Addictions, Workplace Issues, Relationship and Social Issues, Multicultural Issues, Faith Crisis, and Adjustment Issues.

Nakia is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and Certified Sex Therapist with a Master of Education in Counseling and Development from Sam Houston State University. With extensive experience in education and private practice, she has helped individuals and couples navigate life's challenges and create meaningful change. Her expertise includes issues related to sexual health, intimacy, relationships, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, life transitions, and grief and loss. Specializing in working with individuals and couples, Nakia creates a warm and supportive environment where others feel heard and empowered. She guides them in making choices to change hindering situations and gain clarity through clinical tools to interpret and respond differently to life's challenges. Her approach is collaborative and tailored, ensuring therapy meets the unique needs of each person while celebrating progress. Nakia uses a holistic approach that integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy. She is also trained in Gottman Levels 1 and 2, providing evidence-based techniques to strengthen relationships and improve intimacy and communication. She believes change happens when individuals are honest with themselves and willing to do the work. As Carl Rogers said, "One must accept themselves as they are before change can occur.” Nakia considers it a privilege to support others as they heal, grow, and embrace life's possibilities.

Dr. Shalini Dutta is a medical doctor with experience working across outpatient, inpatient, and community mental health settings. She has extensive experience caring for underserved and diverse populations and was a recipient of the SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program Grant. Her fellowship training included a focus on Seeking Safety, an evidence-based, trauma-informed treatment model. Dr. Dutta has a strong clinical interest in trauma, trauma-informed care, and integrating psychotherapy principles with medication management. Her clinical work includes treating mood disorders, anxiety, trauma-related conditions, and substance use disorders.

Dr. Dutta values open, collaborative communication and takes a warm, respectful, and nonjudgmental approach to care. She emphasizes partnership and shared decision-making, ensuring patients feel heard and actively involved in their treatment. She brings a trauma-informed lens to her work and collaborates closely with patients to clarify goals and align care with their values. Dr. Dutta takes a holistic view of mental health, considering biological, psychological, and social factors.

Dr. Dutta begins care with a thorough assessment of psychiatric history, current concerns, and treatment goals. She prioritizes understanding how past experiences and trauma may influence present symptoms. Treatment plans are individualized and evidence-based, integrating medication management with therapeutic principles and psychoeducation. She collaborates with therapists and other providers as needed and regularly reviews progress, adjusting treatment based on patient feedback.