About Us

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

Clinical Director, Practice Principle/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.

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 since that time. 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

Hilary Puzak, DNP, PMHNP-BC

Hilary Puzak, DNP, PMHNP-BC is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with nearly two decades of experience in mental health and addiction services. She has worked across diverse settings—including group homes, residential treatment, inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, nursing homes, emergency departments, and acute psychiatric units—bringing a comprehensive perspective to patient care.

Hilary specializes in the treatment of mood disorders, trauma, psychotic disorders, substance use disorders, ADHD, and chronic mental illness. Her approach integrates psychiatric assessment, medication management, and brief psychotherapeutic interventions for individuals ages 13 through 100. She emphasizes a collaborative and holistic model of care, incorporating both medication and non-medication strategies tailored to each patient’s unique needs.

Her philosophy centers on normalizing mental health, empowering patients with knowledge, and fostering a non-judgmental, supportive environment. She believes treatment should be evidence-based, individualized, and free of stigma.

“I am passionate about helping people feel comfortable being themselves. Mental health care should be embracing, empowering, and a source of hope.” — H. Puzak

Sierra Bertelson, MSN, PMHNP-BC

Sierra is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania before completing her Master of Science in Nursing degree with a specialization in Psychiatric Mental Health from Kent State University.

Sierra has experience working in both medical and psychiatric settings, including caring for critically ill newborns in the NICU and providing care to individuals in inpatient psychiatric units. These experiences have shaped her passion for mental health care.

Sierra completed her training throughout school with Piedmont Partners for Mental Health and is excited to continue her journey with the practice as a provider. She provides medication management services for adolescents and adults and specializes in individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood disorders, and other mental health concerns. Sierra believes in creating a safe and supportive environment where patients feel comfortable discussing their concerns and actively participating in their treatment.

In her free time, Sierra enjoys hiking, traveling, reading, and spending time with her husband and their dog.

Hayley Boisseau, MPA, PA-C

Hayley Boisseau is a Physician Assistant who provides compassionate, individualized mental health care in a supportive and nonjudgmental environment. She partners with patients to understand their experiences, identify their goals, and develop clear, personalized treatment options.

Hayley treats a variety of mental health conditions and has a special interest in supporting individuals across the life span experiencing eating disorders and concerns related to food, body image, and nutrition. She also works with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), Autism, and other neurodivergent presentations. She specifically has a passion in caring for health care professionals, first responders, service members, veterans, and members of faith communities.

Her approach combines medication management with trauma-informed and psychotherapy-informed care. She values facilitating patients feeling informed, encouraged, and supported over time. When appropriate, Hayley may also discuss evidence-informed supplement options as part of an individualized treatment plan.

Hayley earned her Physician Assistant degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School and completed the Master Psychopharmacology Certificate Program through the Neuroscience Education Institute (NEI). She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), NEI, and Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA).

She has experience in inpatient and outpatient settings and has provided mentoring and teaching to trainees at all levels.

Outside of work, Hayley enjoys spending time with her dog Odie, playing in the vegetable garden, creating ceramics and gathering with her church family.

Jessica Oughton, MSW, LCSW

Jessica Oughton is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a Master of Social Work degree from the Joint Program at Greensboro University and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Jessica is a Certified Grief-Informed Professional and working towards obtaining her Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.

Jessica provides individual and couples therapy to those ready to enhance their mental well-being. Jessica aspires to captivate a safe environment for those who may be struggling with anxiety, depression, grief/loss, couples, PTSD, life transitions and much more. She likes to utilize techniques from the person-centered approach, CBT, Grief Informed therapy, psychodynamic, and trauma-informed therapy. She works with children (10 and up), teenagers, young adults, and adults. She provides diverse therapeutic methods based on the client’s direct needs. Jessica is passionate about working with people who want to feel heard and she strives to create a compassionate space for healing and growth.

In Jessica’s free time, she enjoys going to yoga and traveling with her husband. She is also an avid animal lover; she has two cats, a labrador, and a rabbit!

Deirdre McArthur, MSW, LCSW

Deirdre McArthur is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 25 years of experience providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care to children, adolescents, and adults. She works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, life transitions, and a variety of emotional, behavioral, and relational concerns.

Deirdre utilizes an individualized and collaborative approach to therapy, incorporating evidence-based techniques including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and creative expression. She believes therapy is most effective when individuals feel safe, understood, and accepted. Her goal is to create a supportive environment where clients can recognize their strengths, develop practical skills, and take meaningful steps toward a more authentic and fulfilling life.
Deirdre earned her Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in North Carolina since 1998. She also holds certification in Clinical Supervision.

Outside of work, Deirdre enjoys spending time with her family, photography, playing tennis, and spending time with her pup, Paisley.

Catherine Banci, MSN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC – Leaving

Using evidence-based practices, her care focuses on conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma, learning disorders, mood disorders, substance use disorders, behavioral problems, self-harm behaviors, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. She emphasizes a collaborative approach, working closely with patients and their families to develop personalized treatment plans that incorporate medication management, psychotherapy, and lifestyle modifications.

“I am passionate about mental health care because I’ve seen the positive outcome it can have on the individual. I especially focus on children and adolescents, due to the fact that they are the future of society. ” C. Banci

Continuing Care
Patients interested in continuing care with Catherine may contact Evergreen Behavioral and Mental Healthcare at evergreenbmh.com, or call (336) 444-6894.

Jennifer A. Greene, MSW, LCSW – Leaving

Jen emphasizes a strength-based approach, integrating mindfulness as a cornerstone of the therapeutic process. She is a Certified Mindfulness Instructor and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Additionally, Jen is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Neurofeedback, with certifications expected in 2025 and 2026 respectively. EMDR is a psychotherapy that reduces the emotional impact of traumatic memories, through bilateral stimulation, to foster deeper and more enduring therapeutic benefits. Neurofeedback is a technique that trains the brain to improve its function and alleviate symptoms through real-time feedback.

Jen also utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) techniques, tailoring her approach to meet the individual needs of her clients. She believes that the most important aspect of therapy is the trusted relationship and rapport established between a therapist and a client. Jen is dedicated to ensuring that her clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to be the artists of their own lives.

Jen and her husband can often be found walking their dog CiCi and enjoying the wildlife around Lake Jeanette. Together, they share four adult children. Jen recently moved to Greensboro from Dutchess County, New York, and she looks forward to exploring all that Greensboro has to offer, both personally and professionally.

Continuing Care
Patients interested in continuing care with Jennifer may contact her at jengreenecounseling.com, (845) 654-3443, or jen@jengreenecounseling.com.