Dothan Behavioral Medicine Clinic

Our Team

Nelson Handal M.D., DFAPA

Founder and Chairman

Jerlyn C. McCleod, M.D., FAPA

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Jonathan C. Pfeifer, M.D., M.S.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Ann Bady McDowell, M.D.

Specialty Psychiatry

Founder and Chairman

Nelson Handal M.D., DFAPA

Dr. Handal is the Founder, Chairman, and Medical Director for Dothan Behavioral Medicine Clinic (DBMC) & Harmonex Neuroscience Research (HRX). As a practicing Board Certified Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist, Dr. Handal has dedicated much of his career to developing and implementing technologies that elevate the quality of patient care. His vision was born after many years of tireless work focused on perfecting a clinical model that uses technology while implementing sensible, practical, and modern clinical practices. DBMC is a large and modern mental health clinic which serves about 160 patients a day, half of whom travel more than an hour away.

Dr. Handal participates in extensive clinical research and has been primary investigator in over 70 clinical trials. He is a national consultant and speaker. In the late 1980s, Dr. Handal was president of one of the first telemedicine referral services in the world. This system was featured in Business Week. CliniCom® is an online psychiatric assessment tool Dr. Handal has been developing for the past 10 years and which has been used by over 25,000 patients. In May 2009 Dr. Handal was invited to testify before the United States House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs regarding innovative technologies and treatments for veterans; he spoke about CliniCom®.

Awards include the 2009 Heroes in the Fight Award given by Mental Health America and The Excellence in Public Mental Health Award for 2008 given by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). In addition, Dr. Handal has also been recognized as one of America’s Top Psychiatrists for 2008 and 2007 given by the Consumers’ Research Council of America. His private practice, Dothan Behavioral Medicine Clinic, has received the 2008 Best of Dothan Award in the Physicians category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA). Dr. Handal has also received the 2008 Patient’s Choice Award and the 2007 Mental Health Professional of the Year Award for Alabama. In 1996 Dr. Handal was presented with the Clinical Scholar Award conferred by the University of Miami School of Medicine. Dr. Handal is also recognized as a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

He attended Medical School at the Reprecht Karl University in Heidelberg, Germany, and graduated from Universidad Mayor de San Andres in Laz Bolivia, his hometown. Dr. Handal completed his internship and residency training in General Psychiatry at the State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse in Syracuse, New York. Following residency, he completed his Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Miami School of Medicine in Miami, Florida. Dr. Handal is a Distinguished Fellow in good standing of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists. At the present time he is Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the Alabama College Of Osteopathic Medicine in Dothan, Alabama.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Jerlyn C. McCleod, M.D., FAPA

Dr. McCleod is a Board Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist who has been in practice with the team at Dothan Behavioral Medicine Clinic (DBMC) since 2003.  She is a co-investigator in many of the Harmonex clinical research studies. Dr. McCleod is the current Medical Director of Southeast Alabama Youth Services’ Diversion Center and the Boys and Girls Attention Group Homes. She is owner and founder of J.C. McCleod, MD Psychiatric, PLLC.  She serves as a clinical faculty member for the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine supervising medical students.  She also supervises nursing, counseling, and social work students in the field of psychiatry as a clinical preceptor. She has recently retired from Laurel Oaks Behavioral Health Center, an acute and residential in-patient psychiatric care for children and adolescents, where she was the Medical Director from 2009-2020.  She is the former medical director of Bradford Health Clinic, an intensive out-patient center for treatment of adults and adolescents with substance dependence in Dothan, Alabama from 2006-2018.

She is a native of Chicago, Illinois and completed her Bachelor of Science Degree at Howard University in Washington, DC. She received her Medical Degree from the University of Illinois, College of Medicine. She completed her residency in General Psychiatry, and fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry both at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. McCleod is Board Certified in General Psychiatry as well as Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She is licensed to practice medicine in the states of Alabama and Georgia.

Dr. McCleod is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and a member in good standing of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists, the American Medical Association and the National Medical Association. She is a life member of the Global Directory of Who’s Who in American Professionals. She received the Mental Health Professional of the Year Award given by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), Wiregrass in 2009. She was on the board of directors for NAMI Alabama from 2017-2019.

She served as the 12th and again as the 14th chapter President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Kappa Pi Omega Chapter, and was voted as the chapter’s 2010 “Soror of the Year”. She actively volunteers in many community service projects. She’s a member of Greater Beulah Baptist Church. She is married to Don McCleod, CPA, and they have two children, Don Robert and Michelle.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Jonathan C. Pfeifer, M.D., M.S.

Dr. Pfeifer is a board Certified, child, and adolescent psychiatrist who joined the team of mental health professionals at Dothan Behavioral Medicine Clinic in 2011. He is also a co-investigator in several clinical research studies being carried out at the clinic in conjunction with Harmonex. In addition, he is one of the attending physicians at Laurel Oaks Behavioral Health Center, which provides acute and residential in-patient psychiatric care for children and adolescents. Dr. Pfeifer completed his Bachelor of Science Degree at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan. Shortly after, he received his Master of Science Degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Toledo.

Dr. Pfeifer subsequently obtained his Medical Degree from the University of Cincinnati. He remained in Cincinnati to complete his training in General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at The University Hospital and Cincinnati Children’s Medical Hospital Center, respectively. Dr. Pfeifer is a member in good standing of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists. He has authored several articles in peer-reviewed medical journals regarding the pharmacology and neuroimaging of pediatric mood disorders, including Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy and the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He was also first author of a chapter in the book Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: From Genes to Patients.

Dr. Pfeifer has received several awards, including the Weinshilboum Prize in Psychiatric Pharmacogenomics through the Mayo Clinic, as well as the Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award.

Specialty Psychiatrist

Ann Bady McDowell, M.D.

Dr. McDowell is a native of Macon, Georgia where she grew up in a military family. Dr. McDowell was a registered nurse and certified registered nurse anesthetist. She went to medical school at the age of thirty and graduated from CIFAS School of Medicine, Dominican Republic, in 1983. Internship and Psychiatry residency were completed at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. She was the first Sleep Medicine Fellow at UAB and was Associate Medical Director of UAB Sleep Wake Disorders Center and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry.

Dr. McDowell came to Dothan as a member of Dothan Specialty Clinic in 1989. She was the first Medical Director of Flowers Hospital Sleep Center and served in this capacity for 22 years. She has been a medical staff member at Charter Woods Hospital, SAMC, Flowers Hospital, Laurel Oaks Behavioral Health Center, Wesley Manor, Extendicare, and Medical Center Barbour.

Dr. McDowell is an active member of First United Methodist Church in Dothan where she has served on the Administrative Board and was also a member of the Board of Ordained Ministry. She is a member of the Houston County Republican Woman and a member of the Houston County Republican Executive Committee. She has a daughter, Leigh McDowell Davis, and two grandchildren, Bailey and James Davis. Leisure time is spent on “Princess Alice”, a McCurdy Tennessee Walking horse, and “Ruby”, her Ultraglide Classic Harley Davidson motorcycle, and her sweet toy poodle therapy dog Chloé. Dr. McDowell is an independent contractor.

Nurse Practitioners

Dr. Kerri Outlaw
DNP, PMHNP-BC, RN

Nurse Practitioner -Troy

Temeka Buggs
PMHNP-BC, FNP

Nurse Practitioner -Dothan

Harriet Bissette
PMHNP-BC, RN 

Nurse Practitioner -Dothan

Dr. Kerri L Outlaw, DNP, CNS, PMHNP-BC, RN

Dr. Outlaw is a native of Troy, AL. Dr. Outlaw has over 26 years of nursing experience and has worked in a variety of settings including Obstetrics, home health, hospice, outpatient surgery and the past eleven years have been in Psychiatric/mental health both acute and outpatient care. Dr. Outlaw is currently a fulltime tenured Associate Professor at Troy University School of Nursing on their main campus in Troy Alabama in the BSN program where she has been employed since 2009.

She is a member of American Nurses Association (ANA), Sigma Theta Tau, Alabama
State Nurses Association (ASNA) and American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) and she is a licensed Nurse Practitioner in the states of Alabama. Dr. Outlaw completed her Bachelor of Science Nursing Degree of Nursing at Troy State University (Troy, Al); Master of Science Degree as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Troy University (Troy, Al); Doctorate in Nursing Practice at Troy University (Troy, Al) post graduate certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, Al). Dr. Outlaw and her husband of 31 years have 3 beautiful adult children and one granddaughter. Dr. Outlaw is active in her community and a current volunteer for Hospice. She attends church at the Highlands in Montgomery Alabama.

Tiffany "Jazz" Britt, FNP

Tiffany “Jazz” Britt is a native of Gary, Indiana but has made Dothan, Alabama her home for 28 years. Jazz has 14 years nursing experience and has worked in a variety of settings including OB/GYN, hospice, and wellness nursing and the past 1 ½ years have been in psych/mental health.
She is a member of American Academy of Nurse Practitioner (AANP) and she is licensed NP in the state of Alabama.
Jazz completed her Associate Degree Nursing Degree at Wallace College in Dothan Alabama; Bachelors Degree in Nursing at University of Phoenix; and Masters Degree in Nursing as Family Nurse Practitioner at Walden University. Jazz is currently pursuing Post-Masters Certificate for Psych Nurse Practitioner.
Jazz and her husband Chris have been married 1 year. Together they share 8 children, which includes 4 adult children and 4 teenagers, 3 grandkids, and a puppy named Loyalty.
Jazz loves fashion and she is currently in the process of opening a small online boutique.

Temeka Buggs, PMHNP-BC, FNP

Temeka Buggs is a native of Blakely, Ga. Temeka has 18 years of nursing experience and has worked in several healthcare settings including geriatrics, home health, med surgical, psychiatric/mental health, and substance abuse.
She is a member of The American Nurses Association and The American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She is a licensed nurse practitioner in Alabama and Georgia.
Temeka completed her Associates Degree in Nursing at Wallace Community College (Dothan, Al); Bachelor of Science Nursing Degree at Albany State University (Albany, Ga); Masters of Science Nursing Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Albany State University (Albany, Ga); post graduate certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Maryville University (St. Louis, MO).
Temeka is married to Joseph and has 2 kids and 1 grandson. Temeka is active in her community serving as a mentee in a mentoring program “Ladybugs” and she is a member of a women’s empowerment group “B.E.TT.E.R. Women.” She attends church at New Generation Bethel Ministries in Ft. Gaines, Ga.

Harriet Bissette, PMHNP-BC, RN

Harriet is a native of Andalusia, AL, and has called the Wiregrass Area home for over two decades. Harriet has over 12 years of nursing experience and has worked in a variety of healthcare settings including Medical and Burn Critical Care Units, Case Management and Continuum of Care, and in Clinical Nurse Education.   

She is a member of American Nurses Association (ANA), The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and is a licensed Nurse Practitioner in the states of Alabama.  

Harriet completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Judson College (Marion, AL), and later her Associate Degree in Nursing at Wallace Community College (Dothan, AL).  She recently completed her Master of Science Degree in Nursing as a Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Practitioner at Walden University (Minneapolis, MN). 

Together, Harriet and her husband Frank, have one adult son, daughter-in-law, one adorable grandson, and two dogs. Harriet is active participant in theatre in her community and has performed in numerous shows through the Southeast Alabama Community Theatre (SEACT) and SPARK.  She attends church at Covenant Methodist Church in Dothan, Alabama. 

Jenny M. Quevedo, PhD

Bilingual Clinical Psychologist

Bilingual Clinical Psychologist

Jenny M. Quevedo, PhD

Jenny M. Quevedo, PhD is a bilingual clinical psychologist born and raised in Puerto Rico. She went to the University of Puerto Rico for her undergraduate degree (BA in Social Sciences, major in Psychology) and obtained her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology at Carlos Albizu University in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Dr. Quevedo completed her internship at Carlos Albizu Internship Program with the clinical rotation at the Psychiatric State Hospital Dr. Ramón Fernández Marina. She is clinically trained to treat and evaluate adults, adolescents and children with a variety of issues such as domestic violence victims, severe psychopathology, traumatic experiences, life changes/adjustment issues, anxiety, behavioral issues and depression.

Beth D. Handal, M.S., L.P.C.

Director of Therapy and Counseling Services

Brett Brockett, M.S., L.P.C.

Licensed Professional
Counselor

Tracy Baugh Fussell, M.S., L.P.C., N.C.C.

Director of Clinical Services

Jennifer S. Tompkins, M.S., L.P.C., MT-BC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Brad Bullard, M.S., L.P.C.

Licensed Professional
Counselor

Mary Josie Strother, M.S., L.P.C.

Licensed Professional
Counselor

Suzanne Hammit, M.S., L.P.C., N.C.C.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Emrist Mustin, M.S., LPC, LMHC

Licensed Professional
Counselor

Paige Dixon, M. Ed, ALC, NCC

Licensed Professional
Counselor

Alena Cherry, L.P.C., NCC

Licensed Professional
Counselor

Laura Baird, MA, MA, NCC, LPC

Licensed Professional
Counselor

Director of Therapy and Counseling Services

Beth D. Handal, M.S., L.P.C.

Mrs. Handal is a Licensed Professional Counselor with twenty-five years’ experience in the mental health field. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology from Judson College in 1989, her Master’s Degree in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University, Dothan in 1996.

Initially she worked in various in-patient child and adolescent psychiatric facilities. She later began private practice in counseling working with children and adolescents with behavioral challenges, emotional disturbances, and other mental disorders. She also specialized in providing parental support and training to the families of her clients. Ms. Handal expanded her practice to become a Program Supervisor at a residential girls’ home.

Mrs. Handal trained under a licensed clinical psychologist to administer psychometric testing of children, adolescents, and adults. She primarily tests for, educational placement (learning disabilities and/or gifted abilities), obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, mood disorders, PTSD, anxiety. Ms. Handal currently administers psychometric testing and is also the Director of Counseling and Therapy at Dothan Behavioral Medicine Clinic.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Brett Brockett, M.S., L.P.C.

Mr. Brockett is a Licensed Professional Counselor. He has worked in mental health for the past twenty-three years and has been licensed in the State of Alabama for the past twenty years. Mr. Brockett received his Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Auburn University and received his Master’s in Counseling and Psychology from Troy State University.

He is nationally certified and is a Master Addiction Counselor. Areas of therapeutic interest include: Providing ADHD education and coaching for patients and their families, Cognitive Behavior Therapy for children, teens and adults with anxiety, depression, and stress related difficulties. Mr. Brockett also provides professional workshops locally and nationally.

Director of Clinical Services

Tracy Baugh Fussell, M.S., L.P.C., N.C.C.

Ms. Fussell is Director of Clinical Services and a Licensed Professional Counselor. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and English from Troy State University Dothan in 1999 and a Master of Science degree in Counseling and Psychology from Troy State University Dothan in 2001.

She is a Licensed Professional Counselor through the Alabama Board of Mental Health and a National Certified Counselor (NCC) through the National Board for Certified Counselors. She received training and certification from The University of Michigan Autism and Communicative Disorders Center (UMACC) in 2008 as a rater for administering the ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised) and ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule).

She has over fifteen years of experience in mental health working with children, adolescents and adults.

family therapist

Denise Butler Cleveland, EdD, CMFSW, LCSW, PIP

Dr. Cleveland is a child, adolescent, and family therapist at Dothan Behavioral Medicine Clinic. She has fifteen years of experience at The University of Alabama in educational research administration and ninteen years in the mental health field. Dr. Cleveland holds a Bachelor’s from Judson College in Communications, Master’s and Doctorate in Education, and a Master’s in Social Work, all from The University of Alabama.

Dr. Cleveland specializes in interventions for families experiencing concerns with divorce, custody, and/or visitation and access issues and achieved Certified Master Forensic Social Worker (CMFSW) status at the invitation of the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute (ACFEI). Dr. Cleveland is a registered mediator for the State of Alabama iin Divorce and Domestic Relations.

She also works with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing attention deficit disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders. Dr. Cleveland serves as an Educational Consultant for Children, Adolescents, and College Students with behavioral and /or mental disorders experiencing academic difficulties. She assists with the development of educational accommodations and attends meetings as an advocate for parents and patients.

Dr. Cleveland is also an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Troy University, Dothan.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Jennifer S. Tompkins, M.S., L.P.C., MT-BC

Mrs. Tompkins is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor and Board Certified Music Therapist. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Therapy from the University of Alabama and completed her clinical training in music therapy at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. She holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University and has twenty five years of experience in both the inpatient and outpatient mental health settings.

She joined the DBMC team in 2009 and has been in private practice since 2013.
She is a member of the International Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation (IOCDF). Her extensive training through the IOCDF includes completion of two Behavior Therapy Training Institutes (General and Pediatric) as well as continuing education through annual conferences. She specializes in the treatment of OCD and related disorders using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) which is the gold standard therapeutic intervention. She utilizes additional, empirically supported treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Behavioral Activation, Habit Reversal Training (HRT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and contingency/behavioral management. Other clinical interests include Social Phobia, Panic Disorder, Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRB), Specific Phobias, Separation Anxiety, Body Dysmorphia and Generalized Anxiety.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Brad Bullard, M.S., L.P.C.

Mr. Bullard is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Master Addictions Counselor. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida and a Master’s degree in Counseling from Troy University.

He has over 30 years’ counseling experience in inpatient, outpatient, private and public agencies, and treatment programs. He works primarily with adults and adolescents utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy as well as emotional management techniques.

He enjoys playing guitar, hiking, attending the Episcopal Church and spending time with his wife, Kim, and three adult daughters.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Mary Josie Strother, M.S., L.P.C.

Ms. Strother is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Bellarmine College in Louisville, Kentucky and a Masters Degree in Community Mental Health from Troy State University, Dothan, Alabama. She also has training in Gestalt therapy from the Gestalt Institute of Atlanta, GA. She has over twenty years experience working in various mental health settings including Crisis Counselor/Resident Manager for a battered womens shelter in Georgia, and ten years as a Prevention Specialist and Senior Therapist at a chemical addictions inpatient facility.

She has also been an Adolescent Chemical Addiction Therapist. Ms. Strother works with adults/couples, adolescents and children. She has experience dealing with chemical dependency, codependency (including sexual codependency), understanding and healing A.C.O.A. issues (Adult Children of Alcoholics or Addicts), victims of domestic violence, grief/loss resolution, understanding and healing depression and anxiety, understanding and managing adult and childhood A.D.H.D., healing past childhood emotional trauma (sexual, emotional, and physical), and anger/stress management. She works with the LBGT community as well.

She works with couples in developing effective communication skills and effective conflict resolution skills, and is experienced in helping parents develop effective non-reactive parenting skills. Ms. Strother utilizes an Experiential, Gestalt and Cognitive Behavioral approach to best create a safe, nonjudgmental environment for patients to heal.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Suzanne Hammit, M.S., L.P.C., N.C.C.

Suzanne Hammitt is a native and current resident of Dothan, Alabama and a former childhood resident of Tallahassee, Florida and Donalsonville, Georgia. She was class valedictorian at Seminole County High School in Donalsonville, Georgia and earned respective A.A. and B.S. degrees from Bainbridge College and Troy University.

Ms. Hammitt earned a Master of Science degree in Counseling & Psychology (Advanced Community Counseling concentration) from Troy University and is an Alabama Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) as well as a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Internationally Certified Alcohol/Drug Abuse Counselor (ICADC), DOT Substance Abuse Professional (SAP), and Certified Employee Assistance Specialist (EAS-C). She has worked as a substance abuse therapist in the outpatient, partial hospitalization, and inpatient settings. Other roles have included adult inpatient mental health counselor/case manager, adult day treatment counselor, developmental disability residential habilitation therapist, adolescent group home worker, and domestic violence/anger management group facilitator. 

With almost twenty years of experience in the mental health/substance abuse arena, she has also served as a community mental health therapist, county clinic director, and adult crisis residential substance abuse program director. Ms. Hammitt completed one year in the Capella University Ph.D. in Human Services program, with a major in counseling studies and specialized coursework in addiction psychology. A Corvette/Camaro and family genealogy enthusiast, she also enjoys NASCAR, reading, car shows, SEC football, music/concerts, and major thrift-shop excursions in her limited spare time.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Emrist Mustin, M.S., LPC, LMHC

Emrist Mustin is a licensed counselor in Alabama and Florida. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alabama in Psychology and Family Studies in 2007 and her Masters of Science in Community Counseling through Oklahoma State University in 2013. Emrist holds certifications in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TFCBT-C) and perinatal mental health (PMH-C). Emrist has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with a wide array of issues and her primary approach to treatment utilizes cognitive behavior therapy.

therapist

Paige Dixon, M. Ed, ALC, NCC

Under the supervision of Kelli Vickers, LPC-S.

Paige Dixon is an Associate Licensed Counselor and National Certified Counselor. She graduated from the University of Montevallo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 2016 and with a Master’s Degree in Counseling in 2020. She has experience working with a wide range of diverse populations including children and adults with a variety of concerns, including gender and sexuality, anxiety, and depression.

licensed professional counselor

Alena Cherry, L.P.C., NCC

Alena Cherry is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC). She earned her Bachelors degree in Psychology in 2009 from the University of Montevallo, and received her Masters degree also from UM in 2014.

Alena has national certification in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR)- an evidence based psychotherapy, which utilizes bilateral stimulation that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. Alena is experienced in working with adults, adolescents, couples, and families in diverse outpatient as well as inpatient settings. She specializes in trauma-focused therapy with an integrative theoretical approach that is tailored and specific to teach client’s needs. In her free time, Alena enjoys spending time with family and loved ones, being outdoors, going on adventures big or small, and spending time with her dog, Milo.

licensed professional counselor

Laura Baird, MA, MA, NCC, LPC

Ms. Laura Baird is a Licensed Professional Counselor with twenty five years of experience in private practice, hospital, and agency settings. She worked in private practice for the past 18 years, seeing children, adolescents, adults, and couples. She earned degrees from University of Alabama, York University, and UAB. Ms. Baird holds Masters degrees Counseling Psychology and in Sociology, with emphasis in Social Psychology and Psychoanalysis. She is also a Nationally Certified Counselor.Laura has expertise in treating the following: ADD/ADHD,Entrepreneurs with ADD work life balance,Autism,Psychotic Illness,Mood Disorders,Identify/sexuality Issues,Ptsd and Trauma,Couples/Family,Enneagram personality types.

Ms. Baird sees therapy as a calling and has a passion for the intuitive process of collaborating with clients in order to understand what makes them tick and how to apply increased self-understanding to achieve results. She strives to meet patient goals for growth, change, and improved quality of life.

Ms. Baird is also a Mother (to two college-aged daughters, and a high school stepdaughter), a published poet, and lives on a small farm with her husband, two dogs, goats, chickens, and several colonies of bees. In her free time, she is a voracious reader, a hiking enthusiast, and enjoys weekend trips to the beach to visit extended family. She is also an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Barbara Baldwin, M.S.

Director of Clinical Research

Angela Turner

Community Liaison

Director of Clinical Research

Barbara Baldwin, M.S.

Mrs. Baldwin is the Director of Clinical Research for Harmonex Neuroscience. Mrs. Baldwin graduated Summa Cum Laude from Troy University with a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Troy State University.

Prior to joining Harmonex, Mrs. Baldwin worked directly with children and adolescents at Laurel Oaks Behavioral Health Center.

Mrs. Baldwin began her tenure at Harmonex as a research assistant, later becoming one of three clinical research coordinators responsible for coordinating over ten clinical trials over two years. Since 2008 she has served as the Director of Clinical Research for Harmonex and oversees the initiation, regulatory documentation, contractual negotiations, and management of all clinical studies for Harmonex.

Community Liaison

Angela Turner

Ms. Turner is the Community Liaison for Harmonex Neuroscience Research. She works directly with the public to educate the community about research and all of their clinical trials through community outreach, health fairs, and volunteering at local non profit organizations.

She has also initiated relationships with other medical clinics and organizations to become a quality resource. She continually seeks out new studies to provide more options for those interested in participating in a study.

Originally from Omaha, Nebraksa, she attended College of Saint Mary and after moving to the Wiregrass in 1999, she completed her education at Troy University, Dothan.

In her spare time, she enjoys teaching children in the Faith Formation Program at St. Columba Church, helping with sporting events through Dothan Leisure Services, and spending time with her family. She believes the road to success and happiness is to live by the 3P’s: Practice, Patience and Persistence.

Chief Executive Officer

Tami Johnson

249-2492159_20-years-of-excellence-celeb

Ms. Johnson has been with Dothan Behavioral Medicine Clinic since 2001. She has 20 years of administrative health care experience and specializes in insurance reimbursement as well as all other fiscally related administrative duties.

Mrs. Johnson was instrumental in structuring the original DBMC model. Her excellent leadership skills and compassionate customer service approach have helped her earn several awards and the respect of our team.

Tiffany M.

Intake Coordinator
Clinic

Reba M., NCMA

Director of Billing & Patient Services

Raechel T.

Office & Patient Services
Manager -Therapy

Amber W.

Operator

Lynn C.

Insurance & Billing Specialist

Josie H.

Insurance & Billing Specialist

Dan Robison

Information Technology

Kaylee F.

Patient Services- Adult Clinic

Donnielle F.

Certified Medical Assistant Spravato Coordinator

Parker B.

Patient Services

Sheri M.

Patient Services

Elyessa J.

Patient Services

Kim L.

Patient Services- Therapy

Sierra S.

Patient Services- Therapy

Sharon Loff, RN

Psychiatric Nurse

Mary Michaelis, RN BSN

Psychiatric Nurse

Bianca Hughes, RN, CCM

Registered Nurse

Patrick Handal, RN

Registered Nurse

Psychiatric Nurse

Sharon Loff, RN

Ms. Loff is a registered psychiatric nurse who has been with Dothan Behavioral Medicine since June 2010. This year will mark her 37th year as a Registered Nurse, 35 of which have been exclusively in outpatient and inpatient psychiatric nursing. During her employment with Charter Woods Hospital, she served as the Director of Nursing, Director of the Adult Program, and the Director of Quality Assurance and Assessment and Referral Management.

She developed and supervised an adult geriatric partial hospitalization program for the hospital and later developed a psychiatric home care program for Home Care Services. For the past 16 years, she has worked in the outpatient setting with adults, adolescents and children. She is married to Andy Loff and has two children, Colby and Samantha.

licensed practical nurse (Phone Nurse)

Linda Hetrick, LPN

Linda Hetrick has been a LPN nurse for close to 30 years. She started out working in a step down unit on the cardiac floor at SEAMC where she took care of post heart cath and ventilator patients . She went in the dialysis field in 1991 and worked with hemodialysis patients for 10 years . The last 3 of those years she was a preceptor and trained all new nursing and technician staff . In 2000 she joined the psychiatric field where completing many different duties including child, adolescent and adult intakes and phone nursing. She joined Dothan Behavioral Medicine Clinic in 2015. She is the phone nurse caring for adult and child and adolescent patients.

psychiatric nurse

Mary Michaelis, RN BSN

Mary Michaelis has been a Registered Nurse since December 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Troy University. She began working as a psychiatric nurse at DBMC November of 2019. She also works at Laurel Oaks Behavioral Health Center, a hospital offering acute and residential programs for children and adolescents with mental health needs.

Previously, she was the Director of Camp Choctaw, a summer program with the city of Dothan, for over 7 years. She is originally from Dothan and is married to Stephen Michaelis. They have a German Shepard named Zoey and enjoy travelling with her whenever they can.

psychiatric nurse

Bianca Hughes, RN, CCM

Mrs. Hughes has been a Registered Nurse going on 10 years and is also a Certified Case Manager. She has lived in the Wiregrass area on and off for about 17 years. Mrs. Hughes started off her Nursing career at Flowers’ Hospital on the cardiac floor. She also worked at New Day Behavioral unit taking care of adult and geriatric psychiatric patients. Before joining Dothan Behavioral Medicine Clinic she spent most of her nursing career working for Hospice and Case Management.

Mrs. Hughes is married and has three wonderful kids, Sebastian, Liam, and Tallulah. She enjoys spending her free time with her family and crafting.

psychiatric nurse

Patrick Handal, RN

Mr. Handal is a Registered Nurse. He has lived in the Wiregrass area for 22 years. Mr. Handal started off his Nursing career at at Dothan Behavioral in 2023. He Graduated from Auburn University college of nursing with summa cum laude honors. 

Mr. Handal enjoys spending his free time with his family and friends.

Tracy Baugh Fussell, M.S., L.P.C., N.C.C.

Director of Clinical Services

Melinda lowery

Assessment Specialist

Rachel Garrett
LICSW-PIP

Assessment Specialist -Troy Location

Director of Clinical Services

Tracy Baugh Fussell, M.S., L.P.C., N.C.C.

Ms. Fussell is Director of Clinical Services and a Licensed Professional Counselor. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and English from Troy State University Dothan in 1999 and a Master of Science degree in Counseling and Psychology from Troy State University Dothan in 2001.

She is a Licensed Professional Counselor through the Alabama Board of Mental Health and a National Certified Counselor (NCC) through the National Board for Certified Counselors. She received training and certification from The University of Michigan Autism and Communicative Disorders Center (UMACC) in 2008 as a rater for administering the ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised) and ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule).

She has over fifteen years of experience in mental health working with children, adolescents and adults.

  Oscar Handal 

   TMS Coordinator Dothan & Santa Rosa Beach 

Mr. Handal has been in the wiregrass area for 20 years and joined Dothan Behavioral Medicine Clinic in 2017 and has since been coordinating and treating patients under the supervision of the TMS doctors at the clinic.

In 2020 the Santa Rosa Beach location was opened and treating TMS patients under the supervision of Dr. Handal.