Launch Pad
Wellness
Helping Individuals Find a Path to Healthier Living
Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP), Vivitrol Injections, Medication Management, Individual Therapy for Substance Use and Mental Health, & Outpatient Aftercare Groups.
Services are provided by the following licensed professionals: Psychiatrist, FNP-BC, LCAS, LCMHC, LCSW, and CADC
Learn More About Us.
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3121 Wrightsville Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403
Our Team
Professional, Dedicated, Compassionate
Jessica Smith, MA, LCAS
Clinical Director
Jessica has been a part of the Launch Pad Wellness team since 2017. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the UNC-W in 2009 & her Master's degree in Counseling from Liberty University in 2013.
She is a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS) and has extensive experience working in inpatient and outpatient settings within the Wilmington community & has been in the addiction treatment field for over 12 years. Jessica specializes in working with those who struggle with unresolved trauma, adverse childhood experiences, adult children of alcoholics and healing from codependency.
Jessica has lived in Wilmington for over 15 years and enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and golden retriever Penny. In her free time Jessica loves to spend time with friends, serve in a women’s ministry at her church, and explore new restaurants with her husband
Aaron Albert, MD, FAPA
Medical Director
Dr. Albert is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist and a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He received his medical degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine & completed a psychiatry residency at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital. Dr. Albert is a general psychiatrist with a special interest in treating substance use disorders.
Tricia Odham, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
Tricia has been a part of the Launch Pad team since 2019 & practicing nursing since 1993! She earned her Board Certification in Family Practice in 2005. Her background in public health, family medicine, and addiction enables her to connect with our clients and motivate them to achieve their goals. She enjoys spending time with her husband, grandchildren, and fur kids. Tricia grounds the office with her soft voice & peaceful energy, as she loves music, reading, yoga and being in nature.
Travis Smeltzer, MA, LPC, LCAS
Therapist
Travis has been a part of the Launch Pad Wellness team since 2019. Travis completed his Master's degree in Counseling with high distinction in 2015 from Liberty University. Travis is a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. He has a background in numerous health topics as they relate and directly impact mental health and brain function. Travis specializes helping those with mental illness; including, autism, personality disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and others. Travis utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Transactional Analysis, DBT and some Reparenting Techniques.
In his free time, he enjoys training for triathlons and practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Travis has been in Wilmington for over 18 years.
Cecily Herring, LCAS, LCSW-A
Therapist
Cecily has been a part of the Launch Pad Community since 2010 & joined the Launch Pad Wellness team in 2020. She began her career in the recovery field under the supervision of our founder,Gordon Wayne Ray, Jr., when she began facilitating recovery groups at the Recovery Resource Center (RRC) for Launch Pad Structured Living in 2010. She earned both her Bachelors and Master of Social Work from UNCW.
She is a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS),
a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSW-A), and a Certified Clinical Supervisor Intern (CSI).
Cecily works with anxiety, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, personality disorders, food/body image, and substance use disorder. She also has experience working with LGBTQ+ population, who may be working through stressors related to sexuality and otherwise. Recognizing the importance of trauma-informed care, Cecily utilizes strengths-based approach to guide our clients to meet their therapy goals. Treatment modalities include, Solutions Focused Brief Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Seeking Safety, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
In her free time, Cecily enjoys singing, baking, spending time at the lake with her boyfriend and dog (Lu) and hosting dinner parties for her friends.
Eugene Kaplan, CADC
Counselor
Eugene has been a part of Launch Pad Wellness and Launch Pad Structured Living since 2016. Being a Substance Abuse Counselor was always his passion, as he has worked professionally in Charlotte for years mentoring and guiding those entering recovery, long before he decided there was no age limit on returning to school to fulfill one’s dream.
In 2008 he received his associate degree from Central Piedmont Community College & completed his Bachelor's degree in 2020.
He lives in Oak Island with his
lovely wife and dog.
Crystal Caceres
Administrative Assistant/ Intake Coordinator
Crystal joined the Launch Pad Wellness team in 2022. She earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology in 2013 from UNCW.
She is currently working on becoming a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)
& will be starting her masters in science in Social Work (MSW) at the University of Tennessee -Knoxville in the fall. Crystal is bilingual, as her family is from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Crystal recently was recently married, and is a fur mom of a chihuahua, pug, tuxedo cat, and two tortoises. In her spare time, her hobbies include gardening, kickboxing, traveling, cooking, and reading.