Welcome to New Directions webpages, my name is Gary Meosky. As practice manager I have been fortunate in watching this practice grow and prosper over time. I hope you are finding the information you seek in searching for the right counseling group for your needs. Our success over the years is easily attributed to our talented, experienced, professional staff. This page will give you a brief glimpse into each of our therapists expertise. I am very proud to be part of this team of skilled clinicians and have personally witnessed the many success stories of the families they work with. If you need more information or want to schedule an appointment please call the office nearest you.
Lynn James-Smith M.A., L.P.A., is a Licensed Psychological Associate with 20 plus years working with children, adolescents, couples and families ages 3 - 65. She enjoys working with families and systems, strengthening their relationships and successes. Lynn has broad experience with most disorders and issues. Lynn has special interest in faith based and Christian counseling and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. Lynn has other responsibilities within the company that benefit from her experience as a manager and passion for the type of services New Directions provides. You will be hard pressed to find a harder worker and more quality committed therapist.
Kathy Young-Shugar M.S.W. is an accomplished Licensed Clinical Social Worker, providing therapy to children from ages 3 - 73. She provides ongoing individual, family, and group therapy to clients and their families. Kathy is well known in the community for her experience and advocacy with high risk populations, particularly children from chemically dependent families and physically/sexually abused children. She works with the various systems that impact a family’s life: court, schools, and social services. Kathy is also one of the clinical coaches for the team of therapist here at New Directions. Her compassion for her families and passion for her field of study exemplifies her as a licensed clinical social worker.
Dr. Rigardy Munoz M.D. is a board certified Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist practicing in Catawba County since 1997. He has almost 20 years experience in psychopharmacological management of mental health problems of patients ranging from age 3 to 65 years. He is passionate in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD and Mood Disorders. Dr. Munoz received his Psychiatric training with honors at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is the past president of Catawba County Medical Society and is active in regional and state Psychiatric Associations. Dr. Munoz is a local and regional speaker for several pharmaceutical companies educating his colleagues on new medications and treatment approaches in Psychiatry.
Hannah Alligood M.S.W., is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has significant clinical experience in working with at-risk youth and specializes in the treatment of survivors of traumatic events (ages 3 and older). Hannah also treats children and adults with ADHD, Aspergers, and Mood disorders. She is skilled at educating families, individuals, and groups about ADHD, stress reduction techniques, child development, conflict resolution, and the effects of trauma on children. Hannah really shines when she is able to connect with the community and present workshops on her topics of expertise. She does case/program oriented consultations. Hannah has completed EMDR training and provides this treatment to select clients.
Kay Bailey-Day M.A. is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has several years of experience working with clients ranging from ages 4 to 84. She specializes in working with school age children and adolescents. Kay also sees adults with parenting issues, families, and groups. Having a background in education, she works extensively with the school systems in developing treatment plans and behavioral interventions for children with behavioral issues in the school setting. Kay also works with issues such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, life stressors, loss/grief, Aspergers Disorder, Mood Disorders, and trauma.
Greg Shugar M.A. is a Licensed Psychological Associate with twenty-three years experience providing outpatient psychotherapy to children, adults, and families exhibiting symptoms of mental illness. He has treated children as young as 4 years of age and adults in their seventies. Greg is familiar with the difficulties faced by children and teenagers including learning difficulties, developmental delays, and symptoms related to Autism spectrum disorders. His knowledge of psychological assessment allows him to truly understand a child’s educational potential. Greg is able to work with persons individually as well as within the context of family treatment. He can also provide psychological assessments for persons from age 6 through adulthood.
Mickey Skidmore M.S.W. received his MSW from East Carolina University in 1986. He has been a LCSW in North Carolina since 1988. He has been a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers since 1989. He has 25 years of experience as a Clinical Social Worker in both public and private sectors; in both in-patient and outpatient levels of care; as a college professor for more than 10 years; as a teacher/trainer of mental health professionals; and as a private practice consultant. Mickey has extensive training in Ericksonian approaches to hypnosis and psychotherapy. He has previously been certified by the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and is a past Board member of the North Carolina Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Trained as an advanced generalist, Mickey works with folks as young as 6 (within a family context) as well as teens and adults throughout the life span, and in a variety of modalities.
Judy Harris-Coleman R.N., F.N.P.-C. is a Family Nurse Practitioner who has a strong background as a psychiatric nurse. She treats children through adults. We are fortunate to have added Judy to our list of clinicians here at New Directions this past year with her experience and level of professionalism. Judy is well versed in psychotropic medications and works well with Dr. Munoz in diagnosing and writing prescriptions.
Donald E. LaPlante M.S. is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with many years of experience in Mental Health providing: individual, child, adult, family, group, and couples therapies. Specializing in ADHD, neglect, emotional/sexual/physical abuse, PTSD, trauma, grief & loss issues, children with Bipolar Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, HIV & AIDS issues, gay, lesbian and transgender issues.
Don Campany M.A. is a Licensed Professional Counselor with twenty eight years of clinical experience working with adolescents, adults, families, relationship concerns and groups. He has experience in the treatment of Depression, Anxiety, Personality Disorders, Adolescent Disorders, Bereavement, Child Custody Evaluations and specializes in the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He also provides case consultation and evaluation for schools, courts, DSS, and businesses.
Beth Davis M.A. is an experienced Licensed Professional Counselor that provides individual and family therapy to children, adolescents and adults. Her treatment areas of interest include anxiety, depression, parenting, PTSD, weight and wellness issues. She also specializes in working with individuals affected by substance abuse in the family. She believes in a strength-based approach to therapy and utilizes cognitive-behavioral and family systems techniques to assist clients in reaching their therapeutic goals.
Barb Hall R.N., P.N.P. is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner that serves children, adolescents and families with emotional and mental health issues. Her physician supervisor is Dr. Rigardy Munoz, a board certified child and adolescent psychiatrist who works in our Hickory office. She enjoys providing counseling and prescribing medications for children, adolescents and adults. Barb has over 14 years of experience treating ADD/ADHD, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and general mood and thought disorders.
Fran Bellis M.A., L.P.A. graduated from Lander University and obtained her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Appalachian State University. Ms. Bellis is a Licensed Psychological Associate who has been specializing in the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and families for over six years. She has expertise in providing psychological evaluations for children and adolescents assessing for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism spectrum disorders, including Asperger’s Disorder, learning disabilities, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders. Fran also provides ongoing individual, family and group therapy for clients and families experiencing issues related to grief, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, mood related disorders, trauma, and anxiety.
Julie Reeder M.A. has been a Licensed Professional Counselor since 1995 with 10 years of counseling experience with children, adolescents, adults, and couples. Julie has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings with children and families addressing behavioral/emotional problems. Areas of expertise include women's issues, anxiety and panic disorder, depression, grief and loss. Julie especially enjoys working with couples and families to address marital issues as well as parent-child concerns. Julie has a special interest in faith-based and Christian counseling and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Nadia Antoszyk M.S.W. is an Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has sixteen years working with children, adolescents, couples and families ages 5-84. Clinical experience in the treatment of Depression, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, mood disorders and for those that have Developmental Trauma and/or Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. She especially enjoys providing family counseling and using somatic experiencing techniques to help heal and prevent trauma.
Kathy Fisher M.A. is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has been with New Directions since 2010. She has many years of experience in the schools, as an educator and school counselor. As a clinician, she uses her expertise to help students and their families with school related behavioral and academic challenges, collaborating with school staff in developing appropriate interventions. Providing support to children in foster care is another special interest. Additional areas of experience are ADHD, Asperger’s Syndrome, parenting skills, and mood disorders.
Cathy Savisky M.A. is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Employee Assistance Professional and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor who is providing therapy in the Mooresville office. She provides individual, adolescent, family and marital counseling. She also has extensive experience providing solution-focused short-term counseling and critical incident stress response. She is a corporate trainer providing sessions on various topics such as stress management, effective communication skills and substance abuse.
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Susan Hurley M.S.W. is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker that provides therapy in the Mooresville office. She has extensive experience with individual therapy, motivating individuals to recognize and understand personal needs, problems, alternatives and goals using practical problem solving skills and therapeutic techniques. She also provides family and marital counseling.