Huntsville Clinical Team

Daryl Emerson, LPC-S, PMH-C, provides individual therapy for adolescents ages 14 and older and adults, as well as couples counseling. She offers in-person appointments at Pearl Behavioral Health Services’ Huntsville and Athens offices, along with telehealth appointments.

Daryl helps clients navigate anxiety, depression, mood disorders, relationship difficulties, stress, life transitions, and adjustment-related concerns. She provides a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients can gain perspective, develop healthy coping skills, and work toward greater balance and well-being.

As a Certified Perinatal Mental Health professional, Daryl has specialized training in supporting women and families through pregnancy, postpartum concerns, and the transition to parenthood.

Insurance accepted: Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Blue Choice, ALL Kids, New Directions, BCBS Federal, PEEHIP, TRICARE, Optum, American Behavioral, Tellus (formerly BHS) and Lyra. Contact Pearl Behavioral Health Services to confirm coverage and schedule an appointment.

Heather Stone, LPC-S, BC-TMH, has more than 20 years of experience helping adolescents and adults navigate grief, loss, overwhelming life changes, and other major transitions. She works with clients ages 12 and older.

Heather believes grief is not a problem to be fixed, but an experience that deserves understanding, acknowledgment, and compassionate support. She provides a warm, validating environment where clients can process difficult emotions, adjust to a new reality, and rediscover a sense of purpose.

Heather also specializes in supporting parents who are raising children with disabilities. As the parent of a child with disabilities herself, she understands the unique emotional and practical challenges families may face. She helps parents care for their own well-being while navigating responsibilities, uncertainty, advocacy, and changing family needs.

Heather uses evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness techniques. She helps clients identify meaningful changes, develop effective coping skills, and find greater acceptance around circumstances they cannot control.

Insurance accepted: Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Blue Choice, ALL Kids, New Directions, BCBS Federal Employee Program, PEEHIP, Optum, and Cigna. Contact Pearl Behavioral Health Services to confirm current coverage and schedule an appointment.

Adolescent and adult therapist in Huntsville | In person and telehealth | Accepting new clients | Evening Appointments Available

Keith Southern, EdD, LPC, has provided counseling to adolescents and adults since 1990. He sees clients in person at Pearl Behavioral Health Services’ Huntsville office and also offers telehealth appointments.

With experience in community mental health, schools, hospitals, and inpatient settings, Keith brings a calm, practical, and supportive approach to helping clients work through difficult emotions and life circumstances.

Keith works with clients ages 14 and older who are experiencing anxiety, depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, and other emotional challenges. He uses an integrated therapeutic approach that includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), reality therapy, and mindfulness techniques. Treatment is tailored to each client’s needs, experiences, and personal goals.

Keith provides a safe, confidential, and nonjudgmental environment where clients can better understand their challenges, develop effective coping strategies, and create a practical path toward greater peace, stability, and well-being.

Keith is currently accepting new clients, and after-hours appointments are available.

Insurance accepted: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Blue Choice, ALL Kids, New Directions/Lucet, BCBS Federal Employee Program, PEEHIP, and Aither Health. Private-pay appointments are also available. Contact Pearl Behavioral Health Services to confirm current coverage and schedule an appointment.

Child, adolescent and adult therapist in Huntsville | In person and telehealth | Accepting new clients | Evening Appointments Available

Melanie provides individual therapy for children ages 5 and older, adolescents, and adults. She sees clients in person at Pearl Behavioral Health Services’ Huntsville office and also offers telehealth appointments.

Melanie helps clients navigate anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief, divorce, relationship difficulties, and major life transitions. She has experience in private practice, clinical, family, and educational settings, including in-home family and couples counseling and therapist supervision at Youth Villages.

Although Melanie is not currently accepting couples, her experience with couples and families helps her support individual clients experiencing relationship difficulties, family conflict, communication concerns, separation, and divorce. She provides a warm, practical, and supportive environment where clients can develop healthy coping skills, gain clarity, and move forward with confidence.

Melanie earned her master’s degree in Community Counseling from the University of Alabama. Her experience as a preschool director, classroom teacher, and school-based professional also gives her valuable insight into the needs of children, adolescents, parents, and educators.

Melanie is currently accepting new clients, and after-hours appointments are available.

Insurance accepted: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Blue Choice, ALL Kids, New Directions/Lucet, BCBS Federal Employee Program, PEEHIP, and Aither Health. Private-pay appointments are also available. Contact Pearl Behavioral Health Services to confirm coverage and schedule an appointment.

Ramona Perkins, LPC, provides therapy for adolescents ages 14 and older and adults experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, stress, and the lingering effects of difficult life experiences. She sees clients in person at Pearl Behavioral Health Services’ Huntsville office and also offers telehealth appointments.

Ramona uses an integrative approach that considers how each client’s thoughts, emotions, and personal history shape their experiences. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all method, she works collaboratively with clients to understand their concerns, identify practical solutions, and choose therapeutic strategies that support healing and personal growth.

Ramona is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidence-based therapy commonly used to address trauma and distressing life experiences. She has worked in hospitals, rehabilitation programs, day-treatment programs, and private-practice settings.

Ramona provides a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients can work through confusion, develop effective coping skills, and move toward greater emotional stability and well-being.

Insurance accepted: Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Blue Choice, ALL Kids, New Directions, BCBS Federal Employee Program, PEEHIP, TRICARE, Optum, Cigna and American Behavioral. Contact Pearl Behavioral Health Services to confirm current coverage and schedule an appointment.

Child, adolescent and adult therapist in Huntsville | In person and telehealth | Accepting new clients | Evening Appointments Available

Nancy “Nikki” Mott, EdS, ALC, provides counseling for children ages 5 and older, adolescents, and adults. She sees clients in person at Pearl Behavioral Health Services’ Huntsville office and also offers telehealth appointments.

Nikki provides compassionate, collaborative counseling grounded in the belief that clients are the experts on their own lives. She offers a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients can explore difficult experiences, better understand themselves, develop helpful skills, and work toward meaningful change.

Her integrative approach is tailored to each client’s age, needs, and goals. Nikki draws from person-centered counseling and evidence-based approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Feminist Therapy.

Nikki is currently accepting new clients, and after-hours appointments are available.

Insurance accepted: Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Blue Choice, ALL Kids, New Directions, PEEHIP, and BCBS Federal Employee Program. Private-pay appointments are also available. Contact Pearl Behavioral Health Services to confirm current coverage and schedule an appointment.