Michael Barnett
Executive Director
Michael was appointed Executive Director in November 2022 after a national search and joined the Asheville community by way of Memphis, Tennessee. He served as the Chief Operating Officer for Jewish Community Partners (JCP). Before JCP, Michael was the Chief Executive Officer of Tampa Jewish Family Services.
Michael has been a leader of nonprofit and for-profit organizations in various industries, ensuring mission fulfillment and sound financial viability. He has extensive organizational, operational, and management experience, and has successfully led capital campaigns, endowment growth, and donor cultivation and stewardship efforts. Michael earned a BS degree in Psychology from the University of Florida and a Certificate of Nonprofit Management from the University of Tampa.
Melissa Wolfe, LCMHC
Clinical Director
Melissa Wolfe has a BA from Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC majoring in social work and an MA from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA in Counseling & Expressive therapies with a focus on Art therapy. Melissa has worked in a variety of roles in her career including case manager, adjunct professor, counselor, and director of client services. Melissa has worked with people with wide variety of co-occurring mental health conditions, interpersonal violence, and trauma. Melissa has worked with adolescents through elders, specializing in her counseling practice with LGBTQIA+ community and those with chronic illness including chronic pain, cancer and autoimmune conditions, memory loss and Alzheimer’s. In Melissa’s free time she likes to read, wordle, craft and go on walks with her family and dog Luke.
Liz Drake
Finance Manager
Liz is a native of Chicago who moved to the Asheville area in 2003. She received a BS in Resource Conservation and a JD from the University of Florida.
Ed Tucker, PhD, LCSW
Therapist
Ed earned his BA in Psychology from Emory University and his MSW and PhD degrees from Florida International University where he received the Outstanding Graduate Scholar Award. He is a seasoned practitioner with a demonstrated track record of successfully helping a diverse client population overcome challenges. He has extensive experience with trauma resolution (including PTSD), mood and personality disorders, anxiety, dissociative disorders, psychosis, and addictions. Ed is proficient in multiple therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). A knowledgeable educator with more than a decade of experience teaching and supervising graduate & undergraduate students, Ed has also been an invited presenter/trainer at numerous local, regional, and national conferences & workshops.
Jamia Davis, LCSW, LCAS
Therapist
I earned a Master of Social Work degree from Western Carolina University after receiving a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Mars Hill University in 2018. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, approved by the North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board. I am also a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist. I have dedicated the last ten years to working directly with children, adolescents, families, and adults to address systemic challenges and their impact on emotional and mental well-being. I believe in the strength of extending courage and compassion to oneself and experience to overcome life’s difficulties. It is important to develop awareness and insight into how the implications of childhood, generational, and societal trauma impact emotional well-being, self-concept, and attachment patterns. I use an integrative approach to therapy, as every individual has a unique life experience, and the approach to healing should be treated as such. I utilize treatment models including but not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and EMDR.
Lisa Cole, LCSW
Therapist
Lisa has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for almost 30 years, having received her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Lisa has experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, depression, coping with grief and loss, chronic illness, motivation, self-esteem, confidence and more. She enjoys working with couples and strives to help them repair trust, improve communication, learn to fight fairly and strengthen understanding and emotional intimacy. She has considerable experience in and welcomes working with people of all backgrounds and beliefs. Her goal is to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. She is an open, honest and direct person. Lisa utilizes a variety of therapeutic models with a focus on strengths and believes it takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life. Lisa is registered as an Independent Social Worker Telehealth Provider in SC. Her registration number is 1181, and the link is the Social Work Telehealth Registration Listing
Teresa Cox Kirkwood, LCSW
Therapist
Teresa obtained a Masters (1988) & Bachelors (1986) in Social Work at the University of Alabama. Teresa was licensed in Alabama and continues to hold licensure there (LICSW # 5862C). When Teresa moved to NC, she was licensed as a social worker here as well (LCSW# C015944). Teresa is a seasoned practitioner and has worked with all ages and populations and in many roles, including therapist, adjunct professor, care manager and mental health advocate. Teresa is fascinated with the mind and body connection and how somatic mindfulness approaches can help with anxiety, trauma and depression. Teresa is passionate about meeting clients where they are on their journey. She strives to create a warm and safe environment where clients can be vulnerable, take risks and grow. She welcomes people of all cultures, backgrounds and beliefs. She has a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Alabama. She is a registered Yoga Teacher, RYT-200 with The Yoga Alliance. She has experience with Trauma Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Mindfulness Meditation. In her spare time, you can find her listening to great music, cooking a delicious meal, laughing with family and friends, gardening and spoiling her granddogs.
Heather Chamberlain, MSW, LCSWA, CADC
Senior Care Manager/Therapist
Heather is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA #P019381) and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC #23139). Her commitment to serving others began in adolescence, following in her father’s footsteps as a volunteer first responder. This experience cemented her lifelong dedication to helping her community and advocating for vulnerable populations.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and gained valuable experience in community mental health and with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). During the pandemic, Heather shifted her focus to Clinical Social Work, specializing in Integrated Health. She earned her Master of Social Work from Western Carolina University and is a Building Wellness in Healthcare Environments for Tomorrow (BWHET) Scholar.
As a Senior Care Manager & Therapist at Jewish Family Services of WNC, Heather meets individuals where they are, assessing their needs, recommending appropriate services, and providing ongoing support. She works collaboratively with clients, their families, and community partners to ensure access to vital resources and care, enhancing the overall quality of life for older adults and their families.
Kristy Little, LCMHC
Therapist
Kristy holds an MS in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University and a BS in Psychology from the University of Phoenix. She is a licensed LCMHC in North Carolina and LMHC in Florida, and a Board-Approved Qualified Supervisor in Florida, with plans to obtain her NC QS. Trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and certified in Reiki, Kristy blends traditional and holistic approaches in her practice.
Since 2013, she has worked in diverse clinical settings, treating individuals with challenges such as trauma, anxiety, depression, substance use, domestic violence, grief, eating disorders, and more. She utilizes evidence-based modalities including CBT, DBT, ACT, MBSR, and MBCT.
Kristy has experience with a wide range of populations, including justice-involved individuals, adolescents with SPMI, veterans, women in treatment programs, LGBTQIA+ clients, and the elderly. In her free time, she enjoys karaoke, hiking, reading, volunteering at animal shelters, and spending time with her dog, Freya.
Carrie McGuire, MS
Case Manager
Carrie has her MS in Human Services with a specialization in Social and Community Services. She has worked in this field throughout her career. Carrie has worked for the last 5 years as the Senior Case Manager for the Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry Steadfast House Transitional Housing program serving homeless civilians, families and female Veterans. Carrie lives in Asheville with her two teenaged sons and helps to support her aging parents.
Neave Higgins, MSW
Elder Club Program Facilitator
Neave holds a Master’s Degree in Social work from Smith School for Social Work and has over two decades of experience working with older adults and their families in mental health settings, home care, and hospice. She is very excited to be part of our community, supporting elders and their caregivers. In her spare time, she enjoys long walks in these mountains, laughing, and making things with clay.
Regina Duke
Faye’s Place Elder Club Program Facilitator
Regina Duke, a proud native of Western North Carolina, holds a BA in Psychology from Shaw University and an MS in Human Services from Walden University, with a primary focus on trauma related issues affecting different populations, and effective approaches to facilitating their individual needs. Regina has experience in working with at-risk youth in psychiatric team settings to provide pathways for successful integration back in to the community.
As a program coordinator for Faye’s Place, Regina’s primary aim is fostering an environment of safety, trust, support, and healthy socialization through stimulating activities and shared bonding experiences for our wonderful participants, and to have fun and enjoyment in the process. It is her utmost pleasure and honor to serve in this capacity at Jewish Family Services for such a wonderfully diverse group of people.
Rabbi Wolff Alterman
Chaplain
Rabbi Wolff Alterman grew up in upstate NY. Educated by Dominican Sisters, his bar mitzvah long held the “Most Nuns attending” state record. His journey has included teaching elementary school art, serving as a rural route mail carrier, and walking from Georgia to Maine on the Appalachian Trail. He received clinical training in chaplaincy at Johnson City Medical Center and Rutherford Hospital and has served as a chaplain at Mission Hospital, Care Partners and Jewish Family Services of WNC. He was ordained in 2013 by the Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute, a Jewish Universalist seminary based in NY. The grey in his beard was made possible through the ongoing efforts of his wonderful daughter; his blood pressure is kept in a safe range by the world’s most glorious coonhound. Rabbi Wolff has lived in Western North Carolina for a quarter century, and is the region’s only regularly kilted Rabbi. His lifelong ambition is to be named Emperor of Japan.
Rachel Miriam
Chef/Kitchen Manager
Rachel relocated to Asheville in 2016 from the greater Fort Lauderdale area. She graduated with a degree in Culinary Arts from Johnson and Wales University (Miami) in 2014 after deciding to leave the field of Urban and Regional Planning, where she sat stationary for the most part of five and a half years dreaming of what to cook for dinner. Rachel was recently named one of the top chefs in Asheville!
Tracy Levi
Bookkeeper
Tracy was born in Gelnhausen, Germany and raised in Miami, Florida. She attended the University of Florida graduating with a B.S. in Zoology, and earned a Masters of Engineering from the University of South Florida. She worked for 11 years as a civil engineer in both Tampa and Miami before moving to Asheville almost eight years ago. In her spare time, she enjoys anything outdoors, including hiking, biking and kayaking. She also plays keyboards in a local Tom Petty tribute band.