Welcome to
Our Mission & Values
A Fresh Start Behavioral Health Services is dedicated to providing compassionate and professional mental health services. Our mission is to empower individuals to achieve emotional well-being through tailored therapy sessions. We value compassion, integrity, respect, confidentiality, and empowerment. Our experienced team is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all clients. Together, we can navigate life’s challenges and foster personal growth.
Our Therapists
Alex Bonicelli Taylor, MSW, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Specializes in anxiety, grief, LGBTQIA+ and transgender
Angela Cobb Ellis, MSW, LCSW-A
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate
Client-centered and specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Works with adults and children with issues such as depression, anxiety, and anger management.
Bernetta Moore Sutton, MA, LCMHC, NBCC
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Counselor with Christian values and extensive experience in the school system, specializing in spirituality, anxiety, and depression.
Dwayne Lawrence, LCMHC, LCAS
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist
Specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), depression, and anxiety. Extensive experience working with service members.
Jeannette Farmer, MAEd, LCMHC, LCASA
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist Associate
Specializes in solution-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT).
Laura Boswell, MS, LCMHC
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) with a solution-focused approach.
Nina M. DiFederico, MSW, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Specializes in working with children ages 5 and up, open to any population.
Peggy Bennett MSW, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, psychoeducation, flash technique, brainspotting, exposure therapy, and emotional freedom technique.
FAQs
We provide individual therapy tailored to meet diverse needs.
Appointments are offered in person and via telehealth, depending on the appointment time and individual therapist. You can discuss those options before setting your first appointment.
We accept the following commercial plans: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, MedCost, Medicare (traditional only), Optum VACCN, Tricare, UMR – Wausau, and United Healthcare.
We also accept the following Medicaid plans: Amerihealth Caritas North Carolina, Healthy Blue, Trillium, United Healthcare, and Wellcare.
We DO NOT accept Medicare Advantage plans.
Self-pay rates are $125 for the first appointment, and $100 for subsequent appointments.
Yes, children 5 and up are seen for therapy at A Fresh Start.
We have limited availability for appointments after 3 p.m. We provide school excusal notes if necessary.
You can call the office at 252-638-0185 during business hours. We will ask what insurance you are using, if any, and collect the name, date of birth, and an email address for the prospective patient. You will receive an email link to our patient portal through Therapy Notes. Complete the requested forms, and that’s it!
We will call you to schedule your first appointment.
Appointments are generally 60 minutes in length.
If you are an existing patient, you may call the office at 252-638-0185 or message us through the patient portal.
If you are a new patient, give us a call at 252-638-0185.
Your first session will involve discussing your goals and concerns in a safe, confidential environment.
No, we do not.
No, we will not.
Get Started
Experiencing a mental health emergency?
A Fresh Start is unable to respond to immediate requests.
For a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
The following resources are available:
Call or text 988 to reach the suicide and crisis lifeline
Chat online here: https://chat.988lifeline.org/
Integrated Family Services Mobile Crisis Team at 1-866-437-1821
RHA Mobile Crisis Management Services at 1-844-709-4097
North Carolina Crisis Peer Support 1-855-733-7762