Patrick Wiita, M.D.

Dr. Patrick Wiita grew up on the West Coast, mostly around Southern California. He went to college at the University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA), where he studied Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, before going to medical school at the University of Southern California. Dr. Wiita’s clinical expertise comes from thousands of hours of training at the Los Angeles County General Hospital (yes, that General Hospital). He was selected to remain at USC for six more years of post-graduate training in Adult Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Forensic Psychiatry and many of his colleagues from training are now among his closest friends.

Like many other island transplants, Dr. Wiita vacationed on Hilton Head Island summer after summer with his family and in-laws (from Cincinnati, naturally) before seizing the opportunity to leave the big city and make HHI his home. When he’s not in the office, Dr. Wiita enjoys cycling, photography, taking his dogs to the beach, riding the Salty Dog sunset cruise, and putting off learning how to golf.

Nicole Sinnigen, MS, LPC, NCC

Ms. Nicole Sinnigen is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of South Carolina and is Board Certified through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). She holds a master’s degree in Clinical Counseling and a bachelor’s degree in Management from Bellevue University in Bellevue, NE. Nicole is a Veteran of both the United States Air Force and the United States Army.

She is a Nationally Certified Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Therapist. Through this evidence-based therapy for PTSD and other trauma-related disorders, Nicole works with children and adolescents (ages 12-18), along with their parents and caregivers, to reduce emotional and behavioral challenges caused by one or more trauma-related experiences.

Nicole also specializes in ADHD, depression, anxiety, and Panic Disorders in children, adolescents, and adults.

Ms. Barbara Wagner is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC/S) in the state of South Carolina and has been in the counseling field for over 25 years.  She holds a master’s degree in Counseling from The Citadel in Charleston, SC.  She worked for the South Carolina Department of Mental Health (SCDMH) for over 20 years and worked in the private practice setting for over four years as well.  She is currently employed as a full-time Military and Family Life Counselor at Joint Base Charleston.

Helping people has always been a part of her life and her personality.  In her counseling practice, she likes to empower people to find their voice and resilience in their life, with a focus on decreasing anxiety and depressive symptoms.  Barbara uses evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) with her clients as she believes these are the most effective tools in helping people to find their voice.  She has learned from her many amazing clients over the years that identifying what you can and can’t control is the defining skill to develop.  This allows you to decrease the negative symptoms and increase a sense of internal control and personal movement.

Barbara specializes in anxiety, adjustment disorders, and depression in adolescents and adults.