About Us

Meet Our Team

Our team of mental health clinicians bring a diverse range of expertise and experience providing you the highest quality of care.

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You don’t have to face these challenges alone – reach out to us today and let us be your partners in mental health care.

Experience Tailored Treatment Together with:
Jo A. Hughes DMSc, PA-C, CAQ-Psych
Jane L. Steiner, MD
Marian Friedman, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Dawn M. Paretta-Leahey, MSN, RN, APRN, FNP-BC
Joan Fraifeld, LCSW

Jo A. Hughes, DSMc, PA-C, CAQ-PSYCH

Clinical Director, Managing Partner/Founder of Piedmont Partners for Mental Health, PLLC.

Jo Hughes is a psychiatric certified physician associate (PA) with early career experience in Emergency Medicine and Psychiatry for over 10 years. She provides medication management and assessments for psychiatric disorders including but not limited too; depression, anxiety and panic disorders, bipolar and schizophrenia, PTSD, ADHD, personality disorders, OCD, eating disorders among other conditions of the mind. She also specializes in neurodevelopmental disorders in children, adolescents, and adults and with extensive training and experience in substance use disorders.

Dr. Hughes completed her PA training and Master of Medical Science at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and additionally holds a Doctor of Medical Science in psychiatry from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professionals. She is a certified PA with a Certificate of Added Qualification in Psychiatry.

Jo and her husband are frequently seen visiting and promoting a non-profit coffee house, A Special Blend, they co-founded employing adults with neurodiversity in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Autism and Sensory Awareness Training

Jo A. Hughes has completed the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES)
Issued Mar 2024 • Expires Mar 2026
Credential ID ASA24182832

Marian Friedman, MSN, PMHNP-BC

Marian Friedman, a Greensboro native, is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She provides evidence-based, multidisciplinary care and believes in collaborative partnerships with her clients. Marian identified her passion for the mental health field in high school and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from North Carolina State University and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. After nearly 20 years of nursing experience caring for children and adults in behavioral health inpatient settings, Marian returned to school at East Carolina University to pursue her Master of Science in Nursing. She has been in the outpatient setting for 2 years. Marian provides psychiatric assessments, medication management, and various therapeutic techniques to promote wellness. She is committed to tailoring your treatment together and is accepting new patients ages 12 and up.

Dawn Paretta-Leahey, RN, MSN, FNP-BC

Dawn is a board certified family Nurse Practitioner with over 25 years experience specializing in children, adolescents and adults. Dawn attended The Sage Colleges in Troy, New York, earning her master’s degree in nursing, with a concentration in family practice. Her interest in developmental pediatrics began while working in the NICU at Bellevue women’s hospital in Niskayuna, New York. Beginning in 2007, Dawn began practicing in Greensboro, North Carolina at the Developmental and Psychological Center through Cane Health. For 17 years, Dawn has become an expert in the field of developmental pediatrics, including Attention Deficits, Autism, and Neurodiversity. Currently she is expanding her knowledge and practice to include mental health disorder treatment.

Dedicated Professionals, Compassionate Care

Whether you’re seeking support for anxiety, depression, trauma, or any other mental health concern, our therapists are here to guide you on your journey towards healing and growth. With specialties ranging from cognitive-behavioral therapy to mindfulness-based interventions, we offer a comprehensive approach to address your unique needs. 

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