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Catherine Funk, Ph.D., Director of Behavioral Health and a psychologist
Graduate of University of Michigan for undergraduate and the University of Texas at Austin for my doctorate. I first knew I wanted to work with children when I was a teenager who enjoyed babysitting and working at summer camps. I have experience in providing clinical supervision for team members, therapy for children and adolescents, and psychological testing. I love helping kids better understand themselves and recognize how much potential they have to achieve the goals they set for themselves! My hobbies are spending time with my kids and husband, reading good books, cooking for friends/family, and doing just about anything outdoors! I have been with Carolina Peds since 2015 I love how our team members collaborate, care about each other, and dedicate so much energy and passion to serving kids and families in our communities!
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Ari Brown, LCMHC, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Graduate of UNC Chapel Hill for my bachelor's and UNC Charlotte for my Master's. I first knew I wanted to work with children when there wasn't one specific moment for me, I knew I always enjoyed children and a finding a career where I could help children just seemed like an obvious decision. I have a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling and a certificate in Child-Centered Play Therapy. I'm also an accredited Triple P Level 4 provider to help parents address their children’s behaviors in a positive way and increase their confidence as parents. I love working with children because they have such a capacity to learn and grow! Children are incredibly resilient, and being able to help them build and hone their skills and abilities now is a way to help them achieve lasting success for the future. Reading, binge watching Netflix, and spending time with my husband and our pets my dog, Pharaoh and turtle, Terra. I also try to stay involved in my community as much as I can. I have been with Carolina Peds since 2020 I get to do what I love with amazing kids and fellow therapists every day.
Brooklyn Crawford, LMFT, Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor
Graduate of East Carolina. I first knew I wanted to work with children when I realized that I was seeing children in a very different way than other people! I realized that I had something special to offer children and their families. My experience includes evidence based parent-child intervention for children, attachment focused therapy, trauma-informed care for children and family therapy. I am skilled at supporting children and their parents by reinforcing and healing the parent-child relationship. I love working with children because they are the future of our world! I love knowing that something I've said or helped them with may help them become people that will better the world we live in. I have been with Carolina Peds since 2020 and we can meet the needs of our community in so many ways. My colleagues are so collaborative, warm and welcoming. I know that if I feel this way coming to work, my families are much more likely to feel this way when they come for care!
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Amanda Metze, MA, LPA, Licensed Psychological Associate
Graduate of the University of Kentucky with a BA in Psychology and earned my MA in Psychology at Western Carolina University. I first knew I wanted to work with children when I finished up schooling and realized the importance of providing support earlier in a person's life. My experience includes providing psychological testing services to better help a child and their family understand strengths and areas for growth. I love working with children because it's amazing to watch a child reach their potential. What a joy to be a part of that journey in some way! My hobbies include walking my dog, reading a good book, and listening to podcasts. My hobbies include walking my dog, reading a good book, and listening to podcasts. I have been with Carolina Peds since 2019 and we value teamwork, collaboration, and providing quality services for our community.
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Julia Friar, LCSWA, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate
Graduate of Winthrop University with a Bachelors Degree in Social Work and a Minor in Health and Nutrition Fordham University with a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work with a focus on Child, Youth, and Families. I love working with children because there is something special about knowing you are making a difference in a child's life. Children make everything fun and bring so much joy to my workday! My hobbies are spending time with my family, hiking with my dog, drinking coffee, reading, and just being outside. I have been working at Carolina Peds since 2020 and the environment here is unlike any other! It doesn't matter the day, you know you are going to walk in and feel loved and supported by everyone here.
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Lori Ordway, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate
Graduate of University of North Carolina Wilmington and Western Carolina University. I knew I wanted to work with children when I became one of the oldest kids at my afterschool and got to help and play with the littler ones. My experience includes integrated healthcare and working with children, families, and adults. I love working with children because they know how to be silly and are always down for a game! My hobbies include going on runs with my puppy and trying new takeout restaurants. I have been with Carolina Peds since 2021. Carolina Peds has a supportive environment and friendly faces.
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Mike Rommal, LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Graduate of UNC Chapel Hill. I knew I wanted to work with children when I became a parent. My experience and interests include: trauma, attachment, anxiety, anger management, and the autism spectrum. My hobbies are hiking, gardening and walking my dog. I love working with children because they are amazing to be around both in their best moments and when they struggle. I have been with Carolina Peds since 2019 and we have a very strong team here and there are many opportunities for professional growth.
Sarah Anderson, LCMHC, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Graduate of Appalachian State. I first knew I wanted to work with children when I was a teenager and got the opportunity to be a summer camp counselor. My experience includes working with a wide range of ages and concerns but especially supporting children and teens with anxiety and working with young children who have experienced trauma. I also am trained in Triple P (positive parenting program) and conscious discipline, and am in the process of getting certified in child parent psychotherapy (CPP). I have a graduate certificate in expressive arts therapy and love to use art in therapy when appropriate. I love working with children because helping support children and families means helping create the community I want to live in. Plus, I find so much joy in watching and learning from a child's creativity and unique perspective on the world. Working with children means my days are always full of laughter and surprises. My hobbies are hiking, taking dance class, reading, long conversations with family and friends, and blowing bubbles (I try to keep bubbles with me at all times, they make everything a little bit better). I have been with Carolina Peds since 2019 and I get to be a part of a team of professionals all dedicated to supporting families. Having so many disciplines and therapists with different specialties at Carolina Peds allows me to collaborate and support children in a more holistic way.
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Shaun Hassler, LCMHCA, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate
Graduate of Lenoir Rhyne. I first knew I wanted to work with children when I was in college working at Blue Ridge Assembly. My job was to lead groups on ropes courses, team development courses, hikes, and biking. My experience includes families, anger, depression, anxiety, divorce, self-esteem, and working toward a trauma focused certification. I love working with children because I enjoy seeing the resiliency and development when provided with opportunities to grow and learn. Children are unique, fun, honest and incredibly intelligent when provided with the skills and space to vocalize their thoughts and emotions. I learn a great deal about myself and life through working with these amazing people. Children have an excitement about the world, which helps remind me of why life is so much fun. My hobbies are sports, hiking, exercise, video games, movies, and puzzles. I have been with Carolina Peds since 2019 the staff is amazing to work with and their aim is around improving the quality of lives of everyone we serve.
Tina Manning, LCMHCA, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate
Graduate of Wake Forest. I first knew I wanted to work with children when I began my first job in a child care center when I was a teen. I have more than twenty years of human service experience working with children and families in Western North Carolina. My experience includes leadership and service in local non-profit agencies, including Head Start. I am a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and Licensed Counselor Associate in the state of NC (LCMHCA). I love working with children because they continuously inspire me to think creatively and to see the strengths and gifts in each unique individual. I love how they keep me on my toes! I have been with Carolina Peds since 2020 I love working with this amazing group of caring and dedicated people who love the work they do with children and families in our community!