James Somers

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Person in Long Term Recovery. I run a successful private practice in New Orleans, LA, specializing in counseling and corporate training. Outside of the office, my passions are gardening, playing bridge, and advocacy work, especially in the area of Stigma Reduction and Substance Use Disorders. I am in the process of moving to Atlanta, GA, where I will continue my private practice and hope to connect with others in the Advocacy world there. Teddy and Jazz Man, my trusty sidekicks/therapy dogs, will be riding shotgun as we embark on this new adventure.

Boarded in Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, Forensic Psychiatry and Holistic & Integrative Medicine, Arwen Podesta MD works in Louisiana, with an office in New Orleans. She authored a book on addiction, HOOKED (available on Amazon, see her website, www.podestawellness.com). She was recently awarded the honor of distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatry Association as well as the American Society of Addiction Medicine and is the immediate past President of the Louisiana Psychiatric Medical Association. She consults to the Louisiana governor’s HOPE committee and is a member of the Attorney General’s Opioid Abatement Taskforce. She is a national speaker, she teaches, consults and is an advocate for integrative best practices for those with addiction and psychiatric needs.

James C. Somers, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA has dedicated over 28 years to psychiatry, working with both adult and adolescent populations. A Distinguished Fellow of the AAPA, he earned his master’s degree from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and a Doctor of Health Science from A.T. Still University. Dr. Somers is a sought-after speaker and lecturer, frequently presenting on mental health, lifestyle, and AI topics at national and international conferences. He has previously served as president of the National Association of PAs in Psychiatry and the Nevada Academy of Physician Assistants, and he recently completed a four-year term as the AAPA liaison to the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

Based in Las Vegas, NV, Dr. Somers owns and operates an outpatient psychiatric clinic that has provided comprehensive, integrative, and lifestyle-focused mental health care for over 21 years. This past year, he accepted a full-time faculty position at the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE), where he heads the Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Doctor of Medical Science curriculum. His clinical and research interests include nutritional psychiatry, professional fulfillment, and the role of AI in mental health.

Dr. Michael Asbach, DMSc, PA-C is a doctorally trained Physician Assistant and Associate Medical Director at the DENT Neurologic Institute in Buffalo, New York. He earned his Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from Daemen University and his Doctor of Medical Science from A.T. Still University. He also holds the Psychiatry Certificate of Added Qualification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
A nationally recognized educator and CME speaker, Dr. Asbach specializes in treatment-resistant depression, bipolar disorder, and emerging psychiatric therapies. He holds a faculty appointment with Shenandoah University’s Doctor of Medical Science program, teaches across multiple universities, serves on the Psych Congress Steering Committee, and is a co-chair of the Psych Congress PA Institute annual meeting.

Dr. Asbach’s work bridges clinical innovation, professional advocacy, and disruption in healthcare, with a focus on advancing psychiatry, elevating the PA profession, and shaping the future of collaborative care.

For those who do not know Dr. McCreary he is informed by 20 years of practice serving underserved and vulnerable populations in under-resourced areas of the country. After 10 years in outpatient family medicine, he has decided to dedicate the balance of his career to improving the mental health of his patients and making high-quality mental healthcare more accessible by teaching and mentoring other healthcare professionals as they seek to become better mental healthcare providers and/or mental health experts. He is a full-time clinician (providing both primary care and psychiatric care) on an Indian reservation in Utah and is the Director of the Psychiatry Track at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Doctor of Medical Science program. His professional journey has included opportunities to associate with and serve thousands of inspiring clinicians all across the country- he is the immediate past president of the Association of PAs in Psychiatry, and past president of the PHSAPA and Utah Academy of Physician Associates. He is a frequent speaker/educator at national and state medical education conferences. He is humbled and honored for this opportunity to share this time with you, interacting and connecting with you: learning from and with you.

James C. Somers, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA has dedicated over 28 years to psychiatry, working with both adult and adolescent populations. A Distinguished Fellow of the AAPA, he earned his master’s degree from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and a Doctor of Health Science from A.T. Still University. Dr. Somers is a sought-after speaker and lecturer, frequently presenting on mental health, lifestyle, and AI topics at national and international conferences. He has previously served as president of the National Association of PAs in Psychiatry and the Nevada Academy of Physician Assistants, and he recently completed a four-year term as the AAPA liaison to the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

Based in Las Vegas, NV, Dr. Somers owns and operates an outpatient psychiatric clinic that has provided comprehensive, integrative, and lifestyle-focused mental health care for over 21 years. This past year, he accepted a full-time faculty position at the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE), where he heads the Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Doctor of Medical Science curriculum. His clinical and research interests include nutritional psychiatry, professional fulfillment, and the role of AI in mental health.

Rebecca is a psychiatry PA, preceptor, speaker, and author from Seattle, Washington. After earning her master's degree as a PA, she completed her Doctorate of Medical Science, further strengthening her commitment to clinical excellence and education. She works full-time in outpatient telepsychiatry, providing patient-centered psychiatric care across diverse populations. Rebecca is actively involved in various educational and speaking endeavors. She lectures in psychopharmacology for universities nationwide and serves as adjunct faculty for PA programs. Additionally, Rebecca co-authored First Line Guide: Psychiatric and Behavioral Medicine, a practical resource for clinicians, and is passionate about advancing evidence-based, accessible health care. Rebecca has been recognized for her leadership and advocacy as a Psych Congress PA Scholar and serves as an AAPA ambassador. She is committed to fostering collaboration, and brings a growth-oriented approach grounded in lifelong learning and compassion. Beyond her clinical and academic work, Rebecca enjoys spending time on the lake and traveling the world.

James C. Somers, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA has dedicated over 28 years to psychiatry, working with both adult and adolescent populations. A Distinguished Fellow of the AAPA, he earned his master’s degree from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and a Doctor of Health Science from A.T. Still University. Dr. Somers is a sought-after speaker and lecturer, frequently presenting on mental health, lifestyle, and AI topics at national and international conferences. He has previously served as president of the National Association of PAs in Psychiatry and the Nevada Academy of Physician Assistants, and he recently completed a four-year term as the AAPA liaison to the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

Based in Las Vegas, NV, Dr. Somers owns and operates an outpatient psychiatric clinic that has provided comprehensive, integrative, and lifestyle-focused mental health care for over 21 years. This past year, he accepted a full-time faculty position at the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE), where he heads the Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Doctor of Medical Science curriculum. His clinical and research interests include nutritional psychiatry, professional fulfillment, and the role of AI in mental health.

Dr. Michael Asbach, DMSc, PA-C is a doctorally trained Physician Assistant and Associate Medical Director at the DENT Neurologic Institute in Buffalo, New York. He earned his Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from Daemen University and his Doctor of Medical Science from A.T. Still University. He also holds the Psychiatry Certificate of Added Qualification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
A nationally recognized educator and CME speaker, Dr. Asbach specializes in treatment-resistant depression, bipolar disorder, and emerging psychiatric therapies. He holds a faculty appointment with Shenandoah University’s Doctor of Medical Science program, teaches across multiple universities, serves on the Psych Congress Steering Committee, and is a co-chair of the Psych Congress PA Institute annual meeting.

Dr. Asbach’s work bridges clinical innovation, professional advocacy, and disruption in healthcare, with a focus on advancing psychiatry, elevating the PA profession, and shaping the future of collaborative care.

Erin Crown is a Board Certified Physician Assistant with a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Psychiatry, and the Managing Member of Oasis LifeCare in State College, PA. Having formerly provided care on an inpatient stabilization unit, she currentlly practices psychiatry in the outpatient setting and leads a first episode psychosis program.. She is the owner of Future Options Research and is the Principal Investigator for multiple clinical trials. Erin is the past Chair of the NCCPA Health Foundation, a member of the PArtners in Mental Health Steering Committee, and is also working with AAPA and the PA Foundation to bring trauma informed education to school districts across the country.

Mercedes Dodge is a Board-Certified PA with a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Psychiatry and past experience in Family Medicine, Pediatric Medicine, Urgent Care, and Women’s Health. . PA Dodge completed her undergraduate education in Psychology and Biology at Rice University, worked as an Emergency Medical Technician and then a researcher in both laboratory and clinical work at Baylor College of Medicine and University of California, Davis, respectively. She trained as a PA at the University of California - Davis Medical School and holds an M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley. PA Dodge has served in many leadership positions including Director at Large for the California Academy of Physician Assistants (CAPA) and President of the San Diego Physician Assistant Society (SDSPA). She has been an active member of the AAPA, Central Texas Physician Assistant Society, Alaska Academy of Physician Assistants, PAs in Virtual Medicine and Telemedicine, and the Association of PAs in Psychiatry. She serves as President for PAs in Virtual Medicine and Telemedicine (2022-2023), and Secretary for the Association of PAs in Psychiatry. She is an advocate for children and families as she works also as a parent educator and parent advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in her own children's schools.

James C. Somers, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA has dedicated over 28 years to psychiatry, working with both adult and adolescent populations. A Distinguished Fellow of the AAPA, he earned his master’s degree from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and a Doctor of Health Science from A.T. Still University. Dr. Somers is a sought-after speaker and lecturer, frequently presenting on mental health, lifestyle, and AI topics at national and international conferences. He has previously served as president of the National Association of PAs in Psychiatry and the Nevada Academy of Physician Assistants, and he recently completed a four-year term as the AAPA liaison to the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

Based in Las Vegas, NV, Dr. Somers owns and operates an outpatient psychiatric clinic that has provided comprehensive, integrative, and lifestyle-focused mental health care for over 21 years. This past year, he accepted a full-time faculty position at the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE), where he heads the Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Doctor of Medical Science curriculum. His clinical and research interests include nutritional psychiatry, professional fulfillment, and the role of AI in mental health.

Kevin N. Williams MS, MPAS, PA-C is the CEO and Lead Clinician at OnPoint Behavioral Health. He is a Physician Associate that specializes in Psychiatry and has a mission to provide care that is experienced, holistic, and compassionate. He holds two master degrees in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences and Physician Assistant Studies from the University of South Florida and South University respectively. He has gained experience treating children, adolescents, and adults for the past 11 years in the areas of inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care. Kevin has 10 years of experience teaching as an Adjunct Professor at several institutions around the country. Kevin also has over 10 years in executive leadership experience and maintains a passion of educating others to lead with effective influence. He has participated in mission work abroad and has enjoyed volunteering in several organizations in the Tampa Bay community. He enjoys spending time with his family along with his hobbies of aviation and traveling abroad.