180 Behavioral Health, PLLC

Joseph (Joey) Dickson, MA, LPC, NCC

Director of Mental Health Services

Licensed Professional Counselor

National Certified Counselor

Certified Family Therapist

Joey Dickson has worked almost exclusively with children, adolescents, and families for the past 12 years. He graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Joey is a NC Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor. He has designed, developed, and supervised adolescent specific treatment programs for mental health and substance abuse in Ashe, Avery, and Watauga Counties. Joey has also served as clinical director of the New River Behavioral HealthCare-Watauga County adolescent treatment program and as the Juvenile Justice Treatment Continuum Coordinator for a seven county area. Throughout his career, he has worked with adults in both mental health and substance abuse.  Joey has worked with Intensive Outpatient Programs for adults, jail-based therapy services, and has experience with crisis intervention for all ages.  He has worked closely with schools, juvenile court, social services, physician's offices, and other community agencies to provide astrong continuum of care for adults, children and adolescents. Joey has also provided numerous presentations and trainings to the community regarding such topics as adolescent depression, school violence, psychotropic medications, grief and loss, substance abuse, drug screening, and others. He has attended hundreds of hours of child and adolescent specific training while in practice. Joey has served as the Risk Assessment Coordinator and evaluator for the School Threat Assessment Program through New River Behavioral HealthCare. He has served on numerous community boards and committees related to childhood mental illness and substance abuse. Joey currently serves on the Clinical Services Advisory Committee for ASU's Institute for Health and Human Services and the Watauga County Drug Endangered Child Task Force. Always trying to think two steps ahead, Joey has been diligently working on bringing some new and exciting programs to our area.

Lyric Fitzgibbon, MA, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Lyric Fitzgibbon is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She graduated with a Masters Degree in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology from Naropa University in Boulder, CO in 2004, where she received a strong background in mindfulness training. Lyric has worked in a variety of settings throughout her career including residential treatment, domestic violence counseling center, community mental-health, and a private practice.  Since joining 180 Behavioral Health in August, 2010, Lyric began school based therapy services in both elementary schools and the High School in Ashe County. She is now based full-time in Boone and is starting a multi-family substance group for Adolescents struggling with Substance Abuse Issues, in addition to providing individual and family therapy for individuals of all ages.
Lyric’s philosophy on counseling is that it is all about the relationship. Lyric has the ability to develop strong, trustful therapeutic relationships, which is at the crux of successful counseling. It is also a belief of Lyric’s that all areas of our lives should be focused on in counseling: mind, body and spirit, for everything is interrelated. This of course will vary differently for each individual and Lyric honors and celebrates the differences between all of us. She approaches the counseling relationship from the approach of acceptance of each individual without judgement. Lyric’s goal as a therapist is to assist, guide and support. She feels strongly that you are the expert on you and your family.
Lyric is fully trained in EMDR, a therapeutic tool used for processing trauma and overcoming anxiety, in addition to a range of other challenges . Lyric continues to develop her therapeutic skills through specialized trainings and she has received trainings in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Attachment Issues, and Using the Enneagram (A Personality-Based Tool used in Eastern Philosophy). She specialized in Anxiety Disorders, Trauma, Depression, Self-harming Behaviors, and Behavioral Issues. Lyric is honored to be working in the High Country and thoroughly enjoys being part of the 180 team. 

Emily Hawkes

Marriage and Family Therapy Intern

Emily is currently in her final year of the Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program at Appalachian State University.  She is a native of Greensboro, NC and received her undergraduate degree from UNC-Chapel Hill.  She loves living in Boone and is thrilled to be a part of the 180 Behavioral Health family!  She enjoys working with adolescents and teenagers, specifically with anxiety, depression and oppositional behaviors.  She is also excited about working with families and is in the process of learning more about expressive arts and play therapy techniques.  Emily looks forward to working with everyone!