About Aether Interventional Psychiatry
Aether Interventional Psychiatry was created to fill a gap in care for adults with complex, difficult-to-treat mood and anxiety disorders in Western North Carolina.
Our practice focuses on interventional psychiatry and medication management for conditions such as major depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, and related anxiety disorders and co-occurring substance use disorders. We offer treatments like rTMS, medical racemic ketamine (IV/IM), Spravato®, and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), integrated with thoughtful medication management and collaboration with your existing providers.
We provide both general outpatient medication management and advanced interventional options in one coordinated setting because they are most effective when they are aligned rather than fragmented across multiple clinics. For some people, optimized medication alone is enough. For others, medication management becomes the foundation for stepping into additional treatments such as rTMS, ketamine, or Spravato® when appropriate. Our goal is to create a coherent, stepwise continuum of care that can adapt with you over time, wherever you are in your treatment journey.
Our Approach
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We use advanced treatments such as rTMS and ketamine-based therapies, but always in the context of your broader life and care. Interventions are not the whole story—they’re tools we integrate into a comprehensive plan that may also include medication management and psychotherapy.
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Many of our patients have trauma histories and complex presentations. We pay attention to safety, pacing, and your lived experience, not just checklists and diagnoses. Feeling heard, respected, and safe is a core part of treatment.
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We welcome communication and collaboration with therapists, prescribers, and primary care clinicians. Our goal is to complement existing therapeutic relationships, not replace them. With your permission, we provide clear updates and coordinate care whenever possible.
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Because of the nature of interventional psychiatry and the treatments we offer, most of our care is provided in person. Telepsychiatry may be available in certain circumstances when clinically appropriate and permitted by regulations.
Our Commitment to Access
We recognize the significant shortage of psychiatric providers in our region, especially for patients who rely on insurance. Aether Interventional Psychiatry is in-network with most major insurers and offers self-pay, sliding-scale, and financial assistance options for some services when possible.
While we cannot offer sliding scale for every service—such as KAP, which involves several hours of one-on-one therapist time—we continually work to make high-quality, evidence-based care more accessible to our community. Our medical racemic ketamine (IV/IM) model and certain other services may have limited sliding-scale availability based on need and capacity.
For details, please see our Insurance, Fees & Financial Assistance page.
Caroline Lewis, MD, Medical Director
Dr. Caroline Lewis, board-certified in Psychiatry since 2010, specializes in interventional psychiatric treatments, like ketamine therapy and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for treatment-resistant depression. With over 15 years of experience across diverse clinical settings, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role at Aether Interventional Psychiatry.
Dr. Lewis co-founded the Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy and TMS programs at the Charles George VA Medical Center. She has received advanced training in IV, intramuscular, oral, and intranasal ketamine administration from The Ketamine Training Center, The Pearl Institute, and the VA, and she has received advanced training in TMS through the VA and The Academy of Brain Stimulation.
Dr. Lewis served as co-investigator and site physician for the FDA Expanded Access program for MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy through Lykos PBC (formerly MAPS PBC), and she has continued to deepen her expertise in psychedelic-assisted therapies.
She is an affiliate faculty member of the MAHEC Department of Psychiatry. She is passionate about combining her clinical expertise and commitment to patient-centered care with innovative therapeutic modalities to help individuals heal, grow, and embrace their authenticity.
Aimee Spencer, PA-C, CEO
Aimee Spencer is a board-certified Physician Assistant with specialization in integrative mental health, ketamine assisted psychotherapy, and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). With a breadth of experience across multiple disciplines of medicine including family practice, emergency medicine, and more, she has found her home in mental health with a focus on wellness through an integrative lens.
Specializing in ketamine-assisted therapies and TMS, Aimee completed advanced training through The Pearl Institute, Polaris Insight Center, and The Academy of Brain Stimulation. She is a dedicated educator who now shares her expertise with psychiatric nurse practioner students, residents, and more.
As an integrative practitioner with a focus on neurowellness, Aimee’s passion lies in exploring the interplay between physical and emotional health. She supports patients in exploring how small lifestyle changes can lead to big impacts on mental health, inflammation, hormonal imbalances, gut health, and nutrition.
Aimee is a certified Integrative Medicine Provider in PTSD, Complex Trauma and Traumatic Brain Injuries. She holds additional certifications in Women’s Functional and Integrative Medicine and is a Brain Health Professional through Amen Clinics. She has completed advanced training in nutritional Psychiatry through the Integrative Psychiatry Institute. She has additional training in the management of complex mental health conditions through the Kharrazian and Walsh Research Institutes.
Aimee combines her expertise in ketamine-assisted therapies, TMS, and integrative mental health to provide holistic, individualized care that empowers patients to achieve optimal well-being.
Sarah Schopbach, MSN, FNP, Director of Clinical Operations
Sarah Schopbach is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a diverse clinical background spanning emergency medicine, primary care, and urgent care. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego, her nursing degree from New York University, and completed her Family Nurse Practitioner training at University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Sarah brings a whole-person perspective to patient care, integrating her medical training with certifications as a yoga instructor and lifestyle coach. Her approach recognizes the powerful intersection between physiology, mental resilience, movement, and environment in shaping overall wellbeing. She is particularly passionate about helping patients build sustainable foundations for both physical and mental health.
A former collegiate soccer athlete, Sarah developed a deep appreciation for discipline, perseverance, and the connection between physical challenge and mental strength. That experience continues to inform her clinical philosophy — that growth often happens at the edge of comfort and that resilience can be cultivated.
Outside of clinical practice, Sarah enjoys spending time outdoors, building meaningful community, and creating adventures with her family. She believes that connection — to self, to others, and to the natural world — is a cornerstone of lasting health.
Amy Mackey, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Amy Mackey, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who brings a thoughtful, compassionate approach to caring for individuals navigating mental health challenges. With a clinical background spanning addiction medicine, detoxification, primary care, and urgent care, Amy has worked closely with people from many different backgrounds during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
Amy completed a Post-Master’s Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing and is trained in comprehensive psychiatric assessment, medication management, and collaborative treatment planning. She works with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma-related conditions, and co-occurring substance use disorders, and believes that effective mental health care begins with feeling heard, safe, and understood.
Her practice is grounded in the belief that all people deserve respectful, affirming, and non-judgmental care. Amy welcomes individuals of all races, cultures, identities, sexual orientations, and gender expressions, and strives to create an inclusive space where LGBTQ+ individuals and people from all walks of life feel valued and supported.
Amy’s experience in detox and recovery settings has reinforced the importance of careful screening, thoughtful risk assessment, and ongoing support—especially when working with innovative treatment options. She is particularly drawn to ketamine-assisted therapy for its potential to help individuals who have not found relief through traditional approaches. She values its use within a structured, ethical, and closely monitored framework that prioritizes safety, informed consent, and integration with ongoing mental health care.
Above all, Amy strives to create a calm, supportive environment where patients feel respected, empowered, and actively involved in their healing process. She views treatment as a collaborative journey and approaches each patient relationship with openness, honesty, and compassion.
Emily Adams, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, accepting patients beginning March 9.
Emily Adams will be dual-certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (early March, 2026) with 14 years of nursing experience and a clinical background in behavioral health and addiction medicine. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from East Tennessee State University in 2020 and will complete her post-graduate certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in March, 2026, to further specialize in advanced psychiatric care.
Emily provides psychiatric medication management for adults across a broad spectrum of mental health conditions and co-occurring substance use disorders. She is committed to care that is trauma-informed, harm-reduction oriented, and inclusive of all individuals, including members of the LGBTQ+ community.
At Aether Interventional Psychiatry, Emily emphasizes comprehensive assessment, evidence-based prescribing, and collaborative treatment planning to foster a supportive, forward-thinking environment where patients feel respected, understood, and empowered in their care.
Outside of work, Emily enjoys live music, outdoor adventures, hiking, exploring Western North Carolina, and spending time with her dog, Banjo.
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Mollie Pleetanino, PsyD
Dr. Mollie Pleetanino is a clinical psychologist providing mental health services to adult populations since 2014. Dr. Pleetanino’s specialties are in the treatment of mood disorders, trauma/PTSD, relational issues, and substance use disorders, with an approach that centers not only the alleviation of distress, but also the creation of meaningfulness and fulfillment in life.
Following completion of doctoral training, Dr. Pleetanino pursued an additional specialty in psychedelic medicine, serving in psilocybin and MDMA research trials at the University of California, San Francisco. Appreciation for the role that psychedelics can play in mental healthcare led Dr. Pleetanino to also seek training in ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP), and to spend years supervising mental health trainees offering KAP in community outpatient settings.
Currently, Dr. Pleetanino operates a private practice devoted to providing psychotherapy and spiritually based care, as well as Enneagram education and learning. She is also a member of the clinical team at Aether Interventional Psychiatry, serving adults with treatment-resistant depression. Dr. Pleetanino enjoys blending the Enneagram and psychedelics with psychotherapy approaches, as well as collaborating with alternative medicine providers to offer the most holistic care to her patients.
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Angie Haviland, LCSW, LCAS
Angela Haviland, who prefers Angie, has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2008 with a diverse clinical background in community mental health and substance abuse recovery. She earned her BSW from Warren Wilson College in 2002 and her MSW from New Mexico State University in 2005. Through her experience in substance abuse recovery, inpatient treatment, outpatient community mental health, and telehealth practices, Angie has supported people from diverse experiences during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
With more than 20 years of experience as a therapist, Angie combines passion and expertise to support your exploration and understanding of the behaviors and beliefs that shape your current experiences. She will help you identify your strengths and practical solutions, while also guiding you in accessing both internal and external resources and supports on your journey to healing.
Angie currently provides individual therapy both in-person and via telehealth at Aether Interventional Psychiatry. She is dedicated to integrating advanced treatment approaches to help foster hope, positive behavioral change, and meaningful life experiences.
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What to Expect When You Work With Us:
From your first contact with our office, we aim to:
Listen carefully to what you’ve already tried and what you’re hoping for now
Offer clear information about your options, including risks, benefits, and costs
Develop a plan that feels collaborative, not dictated
Adjust as we go, based on your experience, feedback, and evolving needs
We don’t believe in “giving up” on people with complex or treatment-resistant symptoms. If you’re not sure where to go next—or you’re just beginning and want to do this thoughtfully—we’re here to explore options with you.
Our Location
We are located at 1 Hansel Street, Suite 02, in West Asheville’s One Main Financial building, just off Patton Avenue near Sam’s Club. Our ADA-accessible office provides a soothing and comfortable environment designed to support your healing journey.
