Board of Directors

Vice President – Erica Smith, LCSW, EMDR-Certified

Erica Smith is a North Carolina native. She received her B.A. in Psychology from UNC Chapel Hill, with a double minor in Social and Economic Justice and African-American studies. Her international volunteer work with survivors of human trafficking in India and local work in a domestic violence agency, led her to pursue her graduate degree. Erica completed her Master of Social Work at North Carolina State University. Her professional background includes work at multiple non-profit agencies where she worked with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and human trafficking. Currently Erica works as the Clinical Director of Child & Adolescent Therapy Services at a multi-site group practice in the triangle. Erica primarily works with individuals who have experienced trauma, and/or are experiencing depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other mental health concerns. Erica also provides clinical supervision, particularly to those interested in specializing in trauma work with youth and/or adults. Erica recognizes that each client is an expert on their own unique human experience, and is grateful for each opportunity to partner with clients to reach the healthy goals they have set for themselves. Erica is an EMDRIA-Certified EMDR therapist who also provides EMDR consultation as a consultant-in-training, and as an assistant presenter for EMDR trainings. Erica also incorporates her training in DBT and CBT into her clinical work. Outside of work, Erica is an avid baker, reality television viewer, and reader of whatever is closest.

Treasurer – Matt Kreiner, LCSW, CSAT, CMAT

Matt is the owner of Beacon Psychotherapy, PLLC in Cary, NC. He earned his BS in business administration in 2006, his MSW in 2016 and worked for 5 years in various accounting and finance roles before transitioning to social work as the volunteer coordinator for the Mid-Ohio affiliate of Habitat for Humanity.  Matt has served as our treasurer for two previous terms where he spearheaded the initiation of our financial investment portfolio and re-started our scholarship program. Matt also served as treasurer of the non-profit professional organization, The Volunteer Administrators Network, in Columbus, Ohio.  He loves spending time with his wife, 3 kids, and two dogs, loves the NC Courage, and pretty much only watches “The Office” and “Great British Bake Off” in his downtime. 

Program Committee Chair – Semra Kecelioglu, LCSW

Semra is an LCSW who practiced for over 25 years in New York state where she worked in various treatment settings including  non-profit agencies, schools and several private group practices alonside having a private practice.  She relocated to Durham, NC  in late 2016 where she opened a private practice. She maintains her licensing in both states. Semra joined the  Guilford College Counseling Center staff in 2017 until the pandemic. She became a member of the NCSCSW shortly after moving to NC and filled in the vacant Secretary position until she became the Programs Committee Chairperson in 2018. Semra is well versed in multiple treatment modalities and strives to stay current on latest research and developments. She is trained in the use of EMDR Therapy and currently focuses on using the Comprehensive Resource Model.  Semra is a certified consultant  in the use of this model and she also works with other therapists to help them in their own personal growth using this model. She has provided several presentations introducing the model to clinical practitioners.  Her  expertise is in the  treatment of complex trauma and dissociation in children, adolescents and adults along with her work with couples. Semra is committed to being instrumental in the sacred and lifelong journey of healing body, mind and soul. Semra is originally from Istanbul, Turkey and speaks fluent Turkish. She loves gardening, dogs, travel, movies, cooking, socializing and creative projects.

Communications Committee Chair – Jessica Jeremiah, LCSW, LCAS, CCS, MAC, DBTC, CCTP, CMBEC

Jessica is authorized by NCDHHS DWI Services to do DWI assessments and treatment at her private practice, Lakeside Psychotherapy, Trauma & Addictions Counseling in downtown Mebane, NC.  She works mostly with adults, college students, and teens, within a largely rural, yet culturally and ethnically diverse area.  A large percentage of her clients identify as LGBTQ+, and she has made it a priority to develop a greater understanding of how the various areas she specializes in are sometimes experienced differently by members of this population, especially in a rural setting. She completed her MSW and BSW at a small, state university in southwestern Pennsylvania called California University of Pennsylvania. 

Member-at-Large – Ronald Begley, LCSW, Past President

Ron Begley is an LCSW in private practice in Cary, where he specializes in anxiety, couples issues, and clinical hypnosis. He has previously served as director of a day program for people with severe and persistent mental illness, and deputy director of a nonprofit agency serving homeless families. He is a Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP) with extensive experience working with workplace issues. This includes performing trainings, onsite crisis response, and federally-mandated substance abuse assessments. He is a graduate of Rutgers University and Virginia Commonwealth University. He had a previous career as a journalist. He enjoys playing guitar and cooking.

Mentorship Chair - Alesha Perkins, MSW, LCSW, CCM

Alesha Perkins is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia and North Carolina and a Certified Case Manager. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her Master of Social Work from the University of Central Florida. Alesha has over 20 years of experience in the social work field with vast knowledge in medical social work, child protective services, case management, mental health, and substance abuse counseling. She is an advocate for eliminating mental health disparities and provides education in minority communities to promote mental health awareness. She is an instructor for Perkins Medical Services which provides medical and mental health trainings. It is owned by her mother who is a nurse educator and has been in business for 22 years. Alesha is a former Clinical Director for a mental health agency and currently works for a health insurance provider as a Program Manager. In addition, she has a part-time private practice, provides clinical supervision, and is a member of Toastmasters. Through her experiences as a mentee and mentor, she believes that mentorship is a vital component to professional and personal growth.

Immediate Past President – Chenita Rountree, LCSW, LCAS

Chenita Rountree, LCSW, LCAS has 20+ years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in outpatient, inpatient, residential, and crisis-based facilities in both rural and urban treatment settings. Chenita is skilled in facilitating individual, family, and group counseling sessions with her identified populations and conducting forensic social work evaluations for the NC Medical Examiner's Office within her small private practice. Her current role as a Medical Social Worker at a local hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina in the Emergency Department keeps her crisis management skills sharp. Her delivery, sense of humor, and ability to engage others have made her years as a social worker both rewarding and enjoyable. Chenita plans to further hone her social work skills as a doctoral student at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in the fall 2021 cohort.

Membership Committee Chair – Melissa E. Pellegrino, DSW, LCSW, LCAS-A

Dr. Melissa Pellegrino has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LSCW) for over 15 years. She earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University at Albany and her Doctor of Social Work credential from the University of Southern California. She is also pursuing her Licensed Chemical Addiction Specialist (LCAS) certification. Melissa has gained a wealth of clinical experience working with various client populations in community mental health within various settings. Early on in her career, she worked with justice-involved youth in a residential treatment setting. Dr. Pellegrino works in leadership at a large community mental health agency in the Triangle. She also has experience in crisis mental health with children, youth, and adults, having worked in a Trauma I Emergency Department in Raleigh. Dr. Pellegrino specializes in trauma treatment and is trained in providing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Melissa has provided clinical supervision to numerous MSW interns from all around the country, as well as new MSW graduates as they work towards full licensure. Continuing to grow within the field to make a greater impact on co-occurring trauma and substance use treatment modalities is one of her passions. She is also a firm believer in how trauma informed care can provide clients with an optimal treatment experience.

Ethics  Committee Chair - VACANT

Bethany Lindemuth brings over 20 years experience, expertise and leadership to the social work field. She has served on policy teams and advisory boards for child protective services, schools, libraries, and a hospital ethics committee. She is active in advocating for children and adolescents and is a member of the NASW and serves as the ethics chair for the NCSCSW. In the past, she has worked in community mental health and as a legal advocate for domestic violence survivors. With past experience working in a hospital setting, she has worked in the NICU as a medical social worker and as a clinical social worker in an inpatient psychiatric unit and outpatient behavioral health clinic.  She is trained in leading Critical Incident Stress Debriefings and she continues to take classes to learn about new treatments and approaches to assist people with living more fulfilling lives. She is also a clinical supervisor for associate level clinicians. She earned her undergraduate degree in sociology from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and her MSW from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Originally from Buffalo, NY, Bethany recently moved to the Raleigh area with a desire to experience the culture and opportunities that are available here. She enjoys working with people of all backgrounds and identities, and helps both adolescents and adults. She specializes in helping with anxiety, depression, and disordered eating and has been effective in helping those with chronic pain and autoimmune disorders. A licensed clinical social worker in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, Bethany is the owner of Positive Counseling, PLLC in Holly Springs, NC where she practices outpatient psychotherapy.

Secretary – VACANT 

Advocacy Committee Chair – VACANT

Student Representative – VACANT