WNCPA - WNCPA Board Members

Jennifer Howell, Ph.D

President

Hello all! Welcome to the WNCPA website. I’m Dr. Jennifer Howell. I am a Clinical Psychologist and own my own practice, Evidence-Based Psychotherapy of Western North Carolina, PLLC (www.ebpwnc.com) where I treat adults and couples using primarily Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy approaches. I am honored and excited to serve as the WNCPA President to help maintain it as a core resource for Psychologists in WNC. I am dedicated to continuing to make WNCPA a welcoming, diverse, and useful organization for Psychologists in WNC so that we can continue to strive to meet the mental health needs in our region and build a strong community for all Psychologists.

Though I was born and raised in Raleigh, I have lived and practiced in several states over the past 10+ years of my career, including Kentucky, Hawaii, Georgia, South Carolina, and now my home state of North Carolina. A good chunk of my pre- and postdoctoral training occurred in the VA, and I have spent over half of my career as a VA psychologist before transitioning to building my own practice full-time in Asheville, NC. I have greatly enjoyed getting to know the other members of the WNCPA community, and am excited to be part of the WNCPA Board so I can contribute to WNCPA events and community building for Psychologists in Western NC.

Susan McCammon, Ph.D

Secretary

I’m excited to join you in Western NC! I’ve recently retired from the Department of Psychology at East Carolina University, where I was a faculty member since 1981, initially teaching and supervising students in our Clinical MA program, and School Psychology MA programs. In 2005 we developed a doctoral program in Health Psychology, with concentrations in Clinical Health, and Pediatric School Psychology. I served as the Director of Clinical Training and helped lead the Clinical program to its APA accreditation in 2012. I was the Chair of the Department of Psychology for five years, during which our Pediatric School Psychology doctoral program gained APA accreditation.

A transplant from the Midwest, I completed my PhD in Clinical-Community Psychology from the University of South Carolina. My professional activities include service on the APA Task Force on Serious Mental Illness/Serious Emotional Disturbance, which has provided the opportunity to play an active role in helping to focus attention of psychologists and of APA to the needs of people with serious mental illness and children/youth with serious emotional problems. I served on the subcommittee that developed an application for SMI/SED to be designated as an APA Specialty, which is currently under review, and open for public comment.

In 2016-2017 I served as President-Elect of the NC Psychological Association, President 2017-2018, and continue on the Executive Committee and Board as Past President for 2018-19. Through NCPA I’ve learned of the active group of psychologists from western North Carolina, and I’m delighted to now be a part!

Susan Arnold, Ph.D

Treasurer

Susan C. Arnold, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist with more than 40 years’ experience providing mental health services. She has worked as a psychologist and clinical supervisor in community mental health and juvenile justice settings, and has maintained a private practice. Currently she provides clinical supervision, consultation, and training through her independent practice in Asheville, NC. A member of numerous professional organizations, including APA, NCPA, WNCPA, NACRJ, NAPN, and ATSA, she is a past chair of the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Association for the Management and Treatment of Sexual Offenders (NCAMTSO). She currently serves as chair of of the Public Sector Committee of the North Carolina Psychological Association, a member of the NCPA Board of Directors, and treasurer of WNCPA.

Dominique Huneycutt, Ph.D, JD

Past President

I'm in private practice at Southern Highlands Psychological Associates. I provide evaluations (including psychoeducational, custody, and other forensic evaluations) and therapy. I work with clients of all ages but primarily focus on working with children, adolescents, and families. Areas of special interest include anxiety, depression, behavior difficulties, and developmental delays/Aspergers, youth who have experienced trauma/abuse, and children and parents in high conflict custody/divorce. School and training have taken me to New Hampshire, Philadelphia, Ohio, and Virginia. My husband and I have lived in Western North Carolina for 5 years. My hope for WNCPA is for continued success in fostering collaboration among colleagues and providing support for all of our members and community. I hope that we continue strong traditions, add new ones, grow as an organization, and have fun along the way!

Justin D'Avella, PsyD

Member At Large

Dr. Justin D'Avella is a bilingual (English/Spanish) licensed psychologist with over 15 years of experience, currently in private practice providing psychotherapy for adults and couples. His work focuses on helping clients navigate high-stress periods, break free from entrenched patterns, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships.

He holds a Psy.D. from The Wright Institute, an M.A. in Humanities from Universitat Pompeu Fabra, and a postgraduate degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Throughout his career, he has served in leadership and clinical roles, including as Senior Clinical Director at Two Chairs, Training Director at the Homeless Prenatal Program, Staff Psychologist at the University of California, San Francisco, and Teaching Faculty at the California Pacific Medical Center. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. D'Avella provides consulting and advisory services to digital mental health startups, leveraging his expertise to enhance the accessibility and impact of mental health care.

Jill Calderon, PsyD

Member At Large

Erika Czerwinski, PhD

Member At Large

Dr. Czerwinksi specializes in couple therapy, life transitions, relationship struggles, professional consultation, supervision, parenting and ketamine assisted psychotherapy. She particularly loves working with individuals who want to create change in their life, or who previously have not been able to find help, but are ready for change.

Kara Lustig, PhD

Member At Large

Kara Lustig is a licensed psychologist living in the Asheville area who has a private practice and works at All Souls Counseling Center in Asheville. Kara works with adults struggling with a variety of issues including anxiety, anger, depression and relational issues. She uses an integrative approach (psychodynamic and acceptance-based approaches) that is rooted in a contextual understanding of her clients' lives and identities. Prior to moving to North Carolina, she lived in the Boston area and worked as a staff psychologist and training coordinator at the University of Massachusetts Boston Counseling Center.

Christen Mullane, PhD

Member At Large

Christen Mullane, Ph.D., is the author of Medical Stress and Trauma: A Mindfulness-based Approach to Reclaiming Safety and Empowerment. She is the founder of Ginkgo Leaf Health Services, a practice focused on healing the systemic impacts of medical trauma. As part of this work, she sees patients, healthcare workers, and caregivers in her practice. She consults with healthcare professionals regarding systemic interventions to promote healthcare worker well-being, and serves as a voluntary psychology consultant to Dementia Partners, a local nonprofit organization that provides assistance to Dementia patients and their caregivers.

Dr. Mullane completed her graduate training at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, following which she worked in healthcare systems around the country as part of interdisciplinary treatment teams. Outside of work, Dr. Mullane is the proud mom of a 9-year-old boy, a cat named Ninja Milkshake, and a dog named Brotato. She enjoys wandering through the River Arts district, going to local farmers markets, hiking and learning to play the mandolin.