Our Care Team
Our staff comprises warm and friendly people! Coming from a wide variety of backgrounds with expertise in high-quality mental health care, we aim to help our patients reach their goals in health and wellness. Come in for a visit!
Providers
Nicole Brooker
PMHNP-BC, AGPCNP, MSN, RN, TOBACCO TREATMENT SPECIALIST (DUKE CERTIFIED), ACUDETOX SPECIALIST
NICOLE BROOKER, MSN, RN, AGPCNP, TOBACCO TREATMENT SPECIALIST (DUKE CERTIFIED) ACUDETOX SPECIALIST
Nicole Brooker’s dream was to become a Registered Nurse. She realized that dream when she graduated as a Registered Nurse in Atlanta, Georgia in 1999. Her enthusiasm to work in more challenging roles led her to devote 15 years of her nursing career in the Neonatal ICU, Pulmonary ICU, and the Emergency Department. These experiences prompted Nicole to obtain her Master’s degree as a Nurse Practitioner in Adult Gerontological Nursing in 2013 from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. Upon graduation, Nicole recalled the experiences and satisfaction she encountered while working in the Emergency Department of a military hospital at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California. There, Nicole treated a variety of illnesses which included mental illness and drug addiction. In addition, drug addiction was fast becoming a huge epidemic. This problem in turn created a shortage of certified trained personnel needed to meet the needs of this underserved population. Nicole moved to Raleigh, North Carolina in 2013 where she began her work in the field of mental health and drug and nicotine addiction.
Nicole believes that recovery from mental illness and drug addiction is a journey that she and her staff will take with their patients to help them achieve their individualized goals of health and wellness maintenance. Nicole realizes that her expertise in treating patients with the above-mentioned issues emboldened her to create “Journeys in Mental Health and Wellness”. Here, patients will be afforded high-quality care where dynamic individualized programs will be implemented to foster and promote restoration and maintenance of mental health and wellness. Nicole met and married her wonderful husband in Brooklyn, NY. They have 2 beautiful children; daughter Isabella and son Noah. Nicole’s favorite thing in the world is traveling and experiencing different cultures. She also enjoys cooking, reading, and Broadway musicals.
Therapists
Carissa Berry
MSW, LCSWA, LCASA, OUTPATIENT THERAPIST
CARISSA BERRY, MSW, LCSWA, LCASA, OUTPATIENT THERAPIST
Carissa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate and Licensed Addiction Specialist Associate. She is from Long Island, New York, but has been in N.C. since her teenage years. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology at William Peace University in 2017 and her Master’s in Social Work in 2019 from Louisiana State University. Carissa started her journey into the healthcare field as a Certified Nursing Assistant, providing in-home healthcare. Carissa uses a person-centered approach and has experience in both inpatient and outpatient treatment. She has worked with many populations including children, adolescents, couples, and adults. Carissa has worked with individuals combatting Physical and Intellectual Disabilities, PTSD, Depression, OCD, Domestic Violence, Substance Abuse, Mood Disorders, and Behavioral Struggles.
Her passion in life is to help break the stigma of mental illness; by empowering individuals with the skills needed to combat mental health struggles.
Solana Sparks
LCMHC OUTPATIENT THERAPIST
SOLANA SPARKS, LCMHC, OUTPATIENT THERAPIST
Solana Sparks is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate. She was born in Bronx, NY and raised in Richmond, VA. She moved to Raleigh, NC in 2006 where she obtained her BA in Psychology and leadership studies and a minor in theatre from William Peace University (2010). She earned her Master’s in Professional Counseling in 2015 from Liberty University. She has experience in counseling men, women, families, and children of all ages. Her counseling style takes into consideration the individual differences, as well as the developmental stages of each client and family, while at all times demonstrating respect for the client’s beliefs, customs, and socio-cultural values. She is adept in using multiple treatment modalities tailored to the client’s needs, abilities, strengths, and desire to change. Furthermore, she believes it is important to examine clients’ potential choices connected to their therapeutic goal(s). Her approach is on the whole person, his/her feelings, behaviors, thoughts, and beliefs. She uses techniques to include talk therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, a person-centered approach and expressive techniques, which integrate art, music, movement and written or spoken word poetry into the session. She spends much of her time being creative with dance, with family and friends, fur babies, and in nature, as she enjoys taking long bike rides on the trails in Raleigh. She also instructs dance fitness classes Sparking Bodies on zoom. She wants to leave a little sparkle wherever she goes and is passionate about helping the community. She wants to empower others to discover their gifts and to remember that every move that they make matters, so make those moves count!
Brittany Cherry
MSW, LCSWA, LCASA, OUTPATIENT THERAPIST
BRITTANY CHERRY, MSW, LCSWA, LCASA, OUTPATIENT THERAPIST
Jessica Morris
MS, OUTPATIENT THERAPIST, LCMHC
JESSICA MORRIS, LCMHC OUTPATIENT THERAPIST
Medical Team
Michelle Catalan
Medical Assistant
MICHELLE CATALAN, MEDICAL ASSISTANT
Michelle Catalan is an experienced Certified/Registered Medical Assistant born in San Diego, California. Growing up in a Mexican family, she has been the first of her family to attend college and graduate in 2020 with her Medical Assistant Certification and Associates degree. She is a proud new mother of an 11-month-old baby who is also studying at Wake Technical Community College to pursue her goal of becoming a Pre-Med Student at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Michelle is graduating in the summer of 2022 for her Associate’s Degree of Science and will be continuing her education for the Bachelor’s Degree in Biology in the fall.
As a Medical Assistant and student, her ultimate goal in life is to become one of North Carolina’s well-respected Specialty Doctors. With her, she brings to us a variety of clinical experiences from Primary Care, Pulmonology, to Internal Medicine with knowledge of infectious diseases and medications. Driven by her love for helping others, she takes pride in providing the best medical care possible to all of her patients. In her busy life, she enjoys learning how to cook, and spending time with her son and family, along with a passion for body modifications.
Wendy Bourne
Certified Phlebotomist
WENDY BOURNE, CERTIFIED PHLEBOTOMIST
Wendy Bourne is a Certified Phlebotomist. She brings with her 15 years of knowledge and experience to our on-site clinical laboratory. She was born and raised in Ohio and has been in North Carolina for 4 years. She is a huge college football fan and bleeds Scarlet and Gray. GO BUCKS! She has three grown children and two small grandchildren to date. Wendy loves the outdoors and enjoys anything that puts her near the water. She loves music, live concerts, reading, roller skating, and spending time with family and friends. Partnered and contracted with Journeys through Paradigm Laboratories.
Administrative Team
Caridad (Cary) Calzadilla
Operations Manager
CARIDAD (CARY) CALZADILLA, OPERATIONS MANAGER
Cary was born and raised in sunny Miami. Born to Cuban parents, she is fluent in Spanish and in English. Her language skills have made her invaluable in her role as Administrative Assistant at Journeys, where we serve a large Latino patient population. Growing up in Miami, gave her the opportunity to experience life with many different cultural groups. She developed love, appreciation, and respect for all people. Cary has a natural ability to make patients and staff feel welcomed. She loves to see people achieve their goals and derives great satisfaction from helping others. She is a mentor to her colleagues and an advocate for our patients.
Cary has over 12 years of experience in the medical field. She is adept at performing all duties that promote the efficient functioning of a medical practice. Whether it’s front office, billing and coding, credentialing, office management, and or staff training, she does it with precision, compassion and always with a smile. As if this wasn’t enough, she has become the office tech guru. There isn’t a technology problem she has not been able to solve. These qualities have always thrust her into leadership positions. Future plans include furthering her education to enhance her expertise in her field.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four kids. Her hobbies include graphic design, cooking delicious Cuban cuisines, and tending to her plant babies. These activities allow her to nurture her creative side and show off her green thumb!
Sandra Peña
Patient Support Specialist
SANDRA PENA, FRONT OFFICE RECEPTIONIST
Sandra has called Wendell home her entire life. She is currently attending school at Wake Technical Community College majoring in Business Administration. She devotes her free time to her passion for baking treats and making delicious chocolate-covered strawberries. Sandra is bilingual in Spanish and English and is a great asset to Journeys and to our fast-growing Wendell community. As one of the first faces you’ll see when you arrive at Journeys, she hopes to make you feel welcomed.
Cielo (Sky) Ceballos
Patient Support Specialist
CIELO (SKY) CEBALLOS, FRONT OFFICE RECEPTIONIST
Khalil Saltani
Patient Support Specialist
KHALIL SALTANI, INSURANCE SPECIALIST
Khalil Saltani is a proud army veteran who served as a linguist during multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is fluent in Arabic, French, English, and the different dialects of the Middle East and parts of North Africa. He is also a very proud Moroccan who emigrated to New York, but has made NC his home since 2013. Having served in the military and having experienced the traumas of war, he knows first hand how important mental health care is to overall well-being. He brings his passion for mental health to Journeys in his role as patient support specialist. He is gregarious, easy to talk to, makes it his priority to ensure that patients’ needs are met. During one of his calls to schedule a new patient, he was asked by the patient if he could be their therapist! This just goes to show the compassion that is felt during one of his interactions. Khalil is married with two beautiful children. We are delighted to have Khalil join our Journeys family. If you happen to get a call from him, thank him for his service.
Isabella Buchanan
TMS Technician & Insurance Specialist
ISABELLA (BELLA) BUCHANAN, TMS TECHNICIAN / INSURANCE SPECIALIST
Isabella (Bella) is the newest and youngest member of our Journeys family. She was born in Atlanta, GA but raised in NY and CA. As a military brat, she aspired to serve her country but her dream could not be realized. Having exercise-induced Asthma, excludes her from military service. Never to be deterred, she has turned her attention to her love for animals and is now pursuing a career in Veterinary science.
At Journeys, she will be working as our insurance verification specialist and credentialing assistant. This is a very crucial part of the successful operation of a medical practice. Despite her youth, she has demonstrated enthusiasm and compassion for her role. She is shy, kind and always stands up for the underdog. There is no doubt that she will become an invaluable asset to the practice.
Bella has many interests and talents. As a child, she played piano, rode horses, danced, and participated in swim competitions. Her first job was a lifeguard for the city of Raleigh. At a very early age she displayed artistic skills in drawing and painting. In fact, she can do just about any craft she is interested in. She taught herself how to crochet! Her adventurous side has embraced travel at an early age. She has been to the Caribbean, Spain, Morocco, Australia, Belize, Gibraltar, and Hawaii-All before the age of 21.
Melisa Bass
Public Relations Specialist & Administrative Assistant
MELISA BASS, Public Relations Specialist / Administrative Assistant
Melisa was born in Kansas City and has called North Carolina home for the past 12 years. She has a 14 year old son and the cutest little maltipoo named Maggie. When not at the baseball field watching her son play or at the beach soaking up the rays, you’ll most likely run into Melisa out and about around her beloved town of Wendell. She seeks out opportunities to get involved in the community and is passionate about the growth and development here in Wendell. Her former role at the Wendell Chamber of Commerce provided just such an avenue for her to contribute to the town of Wendell.
Melisa is passionate about mental health and is excited to pivot into the mental health field where she can continue to make a difference in her community and beyond. In the role of TMS coordinator and public relations specialist at Journeys, Melisa plans to draw upon her knowledge and expertise gained from her background in marketing and customer service to address the stigma associated with mental health and to advocate for treatment. Melisa is excited to start this new chapter of her life here at Journeys. She is inspired to be an advocate for mental health, and looks forward to making a difference as part of the Journeys team!
Sonia Martinez
Credentialing Specialist / Intake Coordinator
SONIA MARTINEZ, CREDENTIALING SPECIALIST / INTAKE COORDINATOR
Sonia was born and raised in North Carolina but fully embraces her Salvadorian Roots. She is currently attending Wake Technical Community College and will be graduating in 2024 as a Dental Hygienist. In her spare time she enjoys working out, shopping and of course being with her dog pit spaniel mix – Firu. Sonia is bilingual in Spanish and English and despite her young age, has experience in Customer Service field. She takes pride in her role as Credentialing and Intake Specialist at JMHW. As one of the first staff member you will meet, Sonia’s warm voice and calm demeanor will put you at ease and she exemplifies the values we hold deer at Journeys.
