Meet The Team

Carol Emerson is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She has a BA in History from Boston College, a BS in Nursing from Russell Sage College and a Masters in Science from The Sage Graduate Schools in Troy, New York. Although born and raised in the Boston area, Carol spent the last 20 years living in western Massachusetts. During that time she gained experience treating mood disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, and ADHD. She believes the key to achieving better mental health is based in a plan that includes clean-living along with therapy and proper medication. She is also focused on keeping current with new research and trends in psychiatry and is currently offering patients DNA testing to better customize medications to the individual patient. Carol strives to know her clients well in an effort to provide individualized care and treatment.

Melissa is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a passion for promoting mental health and well-being through an integrative and holistic approach. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Family Studies from the University of New Hampshire, a Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing from Rivier University, and a Masters degree in Nursing from Regis College. Prior to joining Ferncroft Behavioral Health, she worked as a registered nurse on an inpatient cardiac unit. She believes in working collaboratively with clients to create personalized treatment plans that incorporate traditional psychiatric interventions, such as medication management, with complementary therapies, such as mindfulness, stress reduction techniques, nutrition, and lifestyle modifications. Melissa enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and baking.

Amanda Riley graduated from Northeastern University’s nursing program in 2007 and began her career as a pediatric nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital. She went on to complete her training as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Northeastern and gained experience as an outpatient provider before serving as a school nurse at a therapeutic private school for children with social and emotional disabilities. This experience sparked her passion for mental health, leading her to pursue a post-graduate certificate at UMass Amherst to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in 2021. Amanda joined Ferncroft Behavioral Health in 2022. She is currently completing a functional medicine fellowship, with a focus on providing comprehensive, holistic care and addressing the root causes of symptoms.

Kristen is an experienced Office Manager with over 10 years of expertise in managing office operations and ensuring smooth administrative functions. She excels in coordinating office activities, managing staff, and implementing efficient processes to enhance productivity. Kristen has worked for large companies as well as small businesses and is known for her exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail. In her current role at Ferncroft Behavioral Health, she has been working on several initiatives to improve office efficiency as well as both patient and employee satisfaction. Outside of work, Kristen enjoys cooking, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her cat, Diesel.

Stephanie is an experienced Front Office Coordinator with 10 years of customer service, scheduling and office administration skills, as well as knowledge of insurance and Billing. She has worked for small offices as well as major hospitals. She provides a welcoming first impression and greets our patients with warmth and positivity. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her fiancé, children and her two cats Letty and Mia. She loves to cook and is an avid lover of all things Fall and Halloween.