Pinnacle BHW — North Carolina

Meet Our Psychiatric Providers

Licensed providers dedicated to your mental health and wellness journey — board-certified PMHNPs and licensed counselors serving all of North Carolina.

ANCC Board Certified

PMHNP-BC

NC Licensed Providers

APRN & LCMHC

DEA Licensed

Controlled substance prescribing

100% 5-Star Reviews

19 verified patient ratings

Our Clinical Team

Board-certified PMHNPs and licensed counselors — dedicated to evidence-based psychiatric and mental health care for adults and children across North Carolina.

Afi Kpakossou, PMHNP-BC — Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at NC Adult ADHD Services

Afi Kpakossou, PMHNP-BC

9+ years experience

Credentials & Certifications

ANCC Board Certified PMHNP-BC
NC Licensed APRN
MSN — Walden University
DEA Licensed — Controlled Substances
ANCC Board Certified100% 5-star · 19 reviews

Afi Kpakossou, PMHNP-BC

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Afi is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with 9+ years of nursing experience, licensed in North Carolina. She brings a genuine passion for helping people manage their mental health — from comprehensive evaluations to ongoing medication management for both adults and children. Afi's approach is evidence-based and deeply patient-centered: she pairs medication management with supportive care to create a treatment plan that truly fits each person's life. Her 19 patient reviews reflect a 100% 5-star rating, a testament to the trust and results she builds with every patient.

Credentials

PMHNP-BC (ANCC Board-Certified)MSN — Walden UniversityBSN — Ashworth CollegeASN — Forsyth Technical Community College

Clinical Specialties

ADHD TreatmentDepression & AnxietyMedication ManagementTrauma-Informed CareSubstance UseBipolar DisorderSleep ProblemsWeight Management
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Fred Amematsro, PMHNP-BC — Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at NC Adult ADHD Services

Fred Amematsro, PMHNP-BC

9+ years experience

Credentials & Certifications

ANCC Board Certified PMHNP-BC
NC Licensed APRN
MSN — Psychiatric Mental Health
DEA Licensed — Controlled Substances
ANCC Board Certified

Fred Amematsro, PMHNP-BC

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Fred is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with 9+ years in practice, providing evidence-based psychiatric care to children and adults ages 5 and up. He is ANCC board certified and specializes in comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and medication management across a wide range of conditions — from ADHD and bipolar disorder to PTSD, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders. Fred's approach emphasizes thorough evaluation first, then evidence-based treatment that combines medication management with therapeutic support to achieve lasting results.

Credentials

PMHNP-BC (ANCC Board-Certified)MSN — Psychiatric Mental Health

Clinical Specialties

ADHD & BipolarDepression & AnxietyPTSD & SchizophreniaSubstance Use DisordersWeight Management
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Electre' Turner, LCMHC — Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor at NC Adult ADHD Services

Electre' Turner, LCMHC

8+ years experience

Credentials & Certifications

LCMHC — NC Licensed Counselor
EMDR Trained Therapist
MS — Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Trauma-Informed Care Specialist
NC Licensed LCMHC

Electre' Turner, LCMHC

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Electre' is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with 8+ years of mental health experience and 4+ years in clinical practice. She is a trauma-informed therapist specializing in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and person-centered approaches. Electre' is deeply committed to helping clients process trauma, build healthy coping skills, and create lasting change. Her work focuses especially on trauma and PTSD, women's issues, and life transitions — meeting each client with compassion, evidence-based tools, and a belief in their capacity to heal.

Credentials

LCMHC — Licensed Clinical Mental Health CounselorMS — Clinical Mental Health CounselingEMDR TrainedCBT Certified

Clinical Specialties

Trauma & PTSDEMDR TherapyDepression & AnxietyWomen's IssuesLife Transitions
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What Is a PMHNP?

A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who has completed a master's or doctoral degree specifically in psychiatric mental health. PMHNPs are licensed to independently diagnose and treat psychiatric conditions and prescribe medications — including controlled substances like stimulants for ADHD.

In North Carolina, PMHNPs practice with full prescriptive authority and are recognized by all major insurance plans as psychiatric providers. Our PMHNPs hold ANCC board certification (PMHNP-BC) — the gold standard credential in psychiatric nursing.

Advanced Graduate Training

MSN or DNP with specialized psychiatric mental health curriculum

ANCC Board Certification

Rigorous national examination plus ongoing continuing education

Full Prescriptive Authority

Licensed to prescribe all psychiatric medications including controlled substances

NC State Licensed

Licensed by the NC Board of Nursing as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

PMHNP conducting psychiatric evaluation via telehealth

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Providers

What is a PMHNP and can they prescribe medication?

A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse with a master's or doctoral degree in psychiatric mental health. In North Carolina, PMHNPs practice with full prescriptive authority — including controlled substances like stimulants for ADHD — and are licensed to independently diagnose and treat all psychiatric conditions.

Are your PMHNPs board-certified?

Yes. All of our PMHNPs hold ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center) board certification as Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP-BC). ANCC board certification is the gold standard for psychiatric nursing and requires passing a rigorous national examination plus ongoing continuing education requirements.

Can a PMHNP prescribe Adderall or other stimulants for ADHD?

Yes. Our PMHNPs hold DEA licenses and are authorized to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances including amphetamine salts (Adderall, Vyvanse) and methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) for ADHD in North Carolina. Prescriptions are sent electronically to your preferred pharmacy.

What is the difference between a PMHNP and a psychiatrist?

Both PMHNPs and psychiatrists are licensed to diagnose and treat psychiatric conditions and prescribe medication. Psychiatrists hold an MD or DO degree; PMHNPs hold an MSN or DNP. In practice, PMHNPs provide equivalent quality of psychiatric care for most conditions. Our PMHNPs have specialized psychiatric training and years of focused experience in the conditions they treat.

Ready to Meet Your Provider?

Book a same-week appointment with one of our board-certified providers at Pinnacle BHW — from anywhere in North Carolina.

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