First Step Services of North Carolina

Phone is available from 9AM - 5PM local time.

Every person's journey is unique, and we're committed to helping you find the support that's right for you. Complete the form below, and a member of our team will reach out to discuss your needs, answer any questions, and help you take the next step toward care.

Therapy and assessments for adults, teens (18+) and couples.

Our experienced team provides assessments, outpatient treatment, individual and group counseling, and recovery support for individuals facing substance use, mental health, or behavioral health challenges. We offer personalized care, including psychiatric evaluations and medication management, to help you build the skills and support needed for lasting wellness. We tailor care to fit your unique needs – and help make sure you feel safe, accepted and supported along the way.

Scheduling

Helps individuals explore personal challenges and life transitions, process emotions, set goals, and build coping skills and resilience.

Individual therapy

Uses structured exercises and strategies to help individuals better understand and manage unhelpful thoughts and emotions.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Helps partners examine their relationship and work to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen trust and connection.

Couples therapy

Provide diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of mental health conditions that benefit from or require medical intervention and medication management.

Psychiatric care and medication management

Provides a supportive setting for individuals facing similar challenges to share experiences, participate in guided discussions and activities, develop coping skills, and nurture healing and personal growth.

Group therapy

Provide several therapy sessions per week for individuals who need structured mental health support but don’t require residential care or hospitalization.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Antoinette Burch, also known as Toni. I earned my undergraduate degree in social work from Shaw University and master’s degree in social work from North Carolina State University. I am provisionally licensed in NC as a Licensed Social Worker (LCSW-A), and Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS-A). I have worked in all levels of care available from outpatient to psychiatric inpatient units. I have held positions as case manager, clinical director, and primary therapist working with adolescents, couples, families, and adults. The various populations I’ve worked with include individuals in the criminal justice systems, individuals with substance use disorders, chronically mentally ill individuals, individuals in crisis, and those with co-occurring disorders. My depth of experience in the field allows me to navigate complex clients and family systems to make informed and collaborative decisions with a family or individual. I use multiple theoretical frameworks including Motivational Interviewing, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Harm Reduction, ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy), and DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy). My approach is Strength-based, Person-centered and collaborative to support achieving a specific goal.

Angela graduated in 2015 from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. While in undergraduate school, she spent most of her time developing clinical research in childhood development and mentoring teenage females through various life stages. While working full-time in Raleigh, NC, she enrolled into Wake Forest University’s Master of Art’s program for Clinical Mental Health Counseling. After receiving the opportunity to complete her internship at First Step Services for her degree, she decided she felt at home and a part of the First Step Family!

First Step hired Angela as a substance use disorder counselor as soon as she graduated in 2019. Currently, she is the morning Recovery in Action group counselor on Wednesday and Friday and the Creating Focus group counselor on Saturday. She also provides assessments, individual counseling sessions, treatment planning and discharge planning. She also helps with obtaining insurance benefit and authorization information for our clients!

Angela can be reached by email at “angela@firststepnc(dot)com” or phone at (919) 833-8899.

Anthony came to First Step Services in 2022 as a Master’s level intern. Upon graduation, he was hired as a full-time Substance Use Disorder Counselor and Clinical Case Manager. Anthony is a retired veteran, having served 21 years in the Army. Anthony has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (2016), a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (2018), and a Master of Arts in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a certification in Addiction Counseling (2022) from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Currently, he is the evening Recovery in Action group facilitator and provides assessments, individual counseling sessions for substance use, and enrollments for community clients and clients on Federal Probation.

Anthony can be reached by email at “arose@firststepnc(dot)com” or by phone at (919)-803-8838

Bryson joined our staff as an administrative assistant in May 2017. He completed his studies in Substance Use Disorder counseling at Wake Tech Community College in 2017. He also achieved the Certified Substance Abuse Counseling Intern (now known as Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor – CADC), CSAC-I, credential in 2017. Bryson is an integral member of the Cary location staff. Bryson conducts clinical intakes, facilitates Intensive Outpatient group counseling, Recovery Maintenance and individual counseling. He had over 28 years in the healthcare industry prior to choosing substance use disorder counseling as his career path. Bryson now has over 30 year’s experience in the healthcare field, including many years as a Registered Nurse.

Bryson may be reached by email at “bryson@firststepnc(dot)com” or by phone at (919) 651-8349.

Dennis Fryer specializes in Substance use  and a DWI Services provider. He builds trust with clients by showing genuine care for their decisions, both good and bad, offering constructive advice while respecting their autonomy. Dennis is known for his compassionate, empathic, and helpful approach, always striving to support positive change. He brings a sense of humor to his work, often laughing at himself, and his passion for helping others is evident to those he serves. Dennis loves what he does, and clients can feel and see his commitment to their well-being.

I have been working with mental health and substance use population. My feelings are that as long as there is breath in your body there is always hope. Over the years I have developed the following qualities: strong clinical skills; working with dual diagnosis population; ability to problem solve by gathering and analyzing information and handling crisis situations and reacting appropriately. In addition, I have had over 20 years of supervising, training and mentoring staff. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my cat and dog. Most important is that I am close to my family and I can spend time with them.

Gwen can be reached by email at “gwen@firststepnc(dot)com”

Jessica Campbell specializes in individual, couple's, and family therapy.  Her expertise includes trauma and stressor-related disorders, veteran care, and substance abuse. Jessica's therapy approach is integrative and eclectic, combining multiple techniques to meet each client's needs. She values building rapport and understanding her patients' perspectives. Jessica welcomes older adolescents and adults from all backgrounds. Fun fact: her original career choice was attorney, and she has excellent researching skills.

Jillian came to First Step Services in the spring of 2022 as a graduate level intern. She is a masters student in North Carolina Central University’s clinical mental health counseling program and is earning her clinical addiction specialist certificate as well. Her anticipated graduation date is in the spring of 2023 when she will be able to apply for her Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor’s Associate (LCMHCA) license and her Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist’s Associate (LCAS-A) certification.

As an intern, Jillian co-facilitates an in person intensive outpatient group at our Cary location as well as one of our virtual outpatient groups. She also provides individual mental health counseling and individual alcohol/substance use counseling from our cary office. Jillian uses a client-centered approach that utilizes motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques. She includes tenants from acceptance and commitment therapy as well as mindfulness tools. Her goal is to offer clients high quality individualized care that meets their needs while empowering them to make the changes necessary to improve their overall quality of life.

Jillian can be reached by email at “jillian@firststepnc(dot)com”

Julie is an incredible asset to the First Step team. She is personable and engaging. Julie assists with DWI Assessments, and facilitates our Gaining Awareness classes throughout the year. It only seems natural that Julie pursued a career helping others. She is passionate, honest, and authentic!

Katie came to First Step Services in 2017 as a Master’s Level intern. Upon graduation, she was hired as a full time Substance Use Disorder Counselor and Clinical Case Manager at First Step Services. Katie has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Randolph-Macon College and a Masters Degree in Clinical Counseling with a concentration in Substance Use from East Carolina University.

During her Masters studies, she completed the Military and Trauma Counseling Certificate Program. Katie conducts substance use assessments, provides individual and family counseling, and facilitates Intensive Outpatient groups in our Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday program at our Raleigh facility.

Katie may be reached by email at “katie@firststepnc(dot)com” or by phone at (919) 803-8915

I am a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with 20+ years of experience in health care. I have experience in both an inpatient and outpatient settings. I specialize primarily in adults and adolescents with various mental health conditions: ADHD, anxiety, adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, substance abuse (suboxone treatment) and dementia.

I assist those with substance abuse disorder with the medication- suboxone. I have an extensive knowledge base in treating behavioral symptoms found those individuals with moderate and advancing stages dementia. I have experience managing those individuals with mental health conditions that also have complex medical conditions and medication regimen.

My goal with every person is to formulate an individualized plan that you are comfortable with as we know not everyone’s needs are the same. This may include medication management, psychotherapy, combination of both or mental health monitoring for future needs. Take the first step, give me a call and let’s see what I can do to help.

I am a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) providing evidence-based psychiatric care to adolescents, adults, and older adults across the lifespan. I practice with Carolina Behavioral Care / Optum Behavioral Care, where I provide general psychiatry, medication management, and treatment of complex mental health and substance use disorders.

My clinical focus includes major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), psychotic disorders, and severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI). I also have extensive experience treating co-occurring substance use disorders, including alcohol, opioid, and benzodiazepine dependence, and I specialize in safe, structured benzodiazepine tapering and long-term medication stabilization.

I work frequently with veterans, law enforcement, first responders, and individuals in high-stress professions, as well as individuals managing chronic mental illness, complex medication regimens, or recovery from addiction. My approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and patient-centered, integrating careful psychopharmacology with education, monitoring, and coordination of care.

I am committed to creating a respectful, nonjudgmental, and inclusive environment for individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and lifestyles. I provide care in both English and Spanish and strive to ensure that every client feels understood, supported, and empowered in their treatment.

My goal is to help each person achieve symptom stability, functional improvement, and long-term wellness through safe, thoughtful, and individualized psychiatric care.

Therapy and assessments for adults, teens (18+) and couples.

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First Step Services of North Carolina