Our Team

Dr. Melissa Briggs-Phillips

PhD, Clinical & Consulting Psychologist

I am a vintage trauma therapist with a circuitous career path. I began my career in 1993 in the Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit of the District Attorney's Office in Philadelphia. I thought I would fight for justice by punishing people who do harm—and instead became preoccupied with our clients. How do human beings rise from ashes and face tomorrow? How do they build lives for themselves?

I wanted to be part of the recovery and resilience. After completing my PhD, I spent years leading projects in healthcare, higher education, and community development—serving as Executive Director, Project Director, and Chief-of-Staff in various settings. But I never stopped doing clinical work.

In 2014, I opened Next Generation Behavioral Health to blend my hybrid experience: the executive who understands systems and pressure, and the therapist who helps people do the deep internal work. My style is warm and direct, focused on outcomes that actually show up in your life—not just insight for insight's sake.

Nicole Summers

LISW

Nicole brings years of clinical experience and a warm, practical approach that helps people get comfortable quickly—so they can get to work. She believes in processing emotions honestly without letting them run the show, and her style blends genuine warmth with a focus on forward movement.

Trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and EMDR, Nicole works with clients navigating life transitions, depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, and professional pivots. She sees clients 16 and older, both in-office and via telehealth.

Outside the therapy room, Nicole is a partner, parent, devoted pet owner, and a wonderful collaborator on the NGBH team.

Christy Lumpkins

LISWS

Christy brings a unique blend of experience—years of clinical work combined with a background managing large projects and teams. This gives her a rare perspective on the pressures professionals face, and she has particular expertise working with men.

Her style is grounded and action-oriented, but she has a gift for creating a dynamic that invites people to open up. She's the kind of person who makes a room better just by walking into it—a natural connector, gifted storyteller, and contributor to everything she joins.

Christy works with adults across the lifespan, including young adults navigating the chaos of early adulthood. She sees clients in-office and via telehealth.

Outside the therapy room, Christy has raised three children of her own (who are incredible, by the way)—and she's not afraid to bring a little personal wisdom into the room with clients.

Jessica

Practice Manager

Jessica and her family were dear friends first—and then she became the keeper of logistics, the rememberer of all things, and a finder of niche facts. She handles scheduling, insurance wrangling, and every behind-the-scenes detail that keeps the practice running smoothly.

When you call or email, Jessica is your first point of contact—responsive, organized, and genuinely helpful. Whether you're navigating insurance questions, looking for an appointment, or reaching out on behalf of a company interested in speaking or coaching services, she'll walk you through it.