Get To Know Our Mental Health Professionals

At Behavioral Sciences of Alabama, we bring over 100 years of combined experience and a multidisciplinary approach to your care and treatment. We have psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, and other mental health professionals available to help you and your family find direction in this fast-paced, confusing world.

As a matter of practice philosophy, our therapists follow a cognitive behavior therapy approach. Cognitive behavior therapy centers more on present circumstances concentrating on a person’s thoughts and perceptions about their lives. We focus on learning to replace behaviors that aren’t working well with ways of behaving that work. We treat individuals, parents, children, couples, and families.

Data continues to accumulate supporting the cognitive therapy model for treatment of a panic disorder, social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, childhood depressive and anxiety disorders, childhood somatic disorder, marital distress, anger, bulimia nervosa, acute stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, chronic pain, and more.

David L. Barnhart, EdD
Licensed Counselor
Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor
National Certified Counselor

Dr. Barnhart is a licensed counselor and board-certified clinical mental health counselor. He completed his doctorate at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. He is a former chair of the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling. He has been in the private practice of counseling since 1978.

Behavioral Sciences provides a full range of clinical treatment for mental health, including anxiety, depression, family and couple counseling, stress management, ADHD treatment for children and adults, and psychoeducational assessment. Dr. Barnhart has extensive experience in clinical assessment. Since 2002 he has served as a ministerial assessment specialist for the North Alabama United Methodist Church, having evaluated over 470 candidates for pastoral ministry.

Dr. Barnhart founded the Trinity Counseling Center in 1991. In January of 2012, he formed Behavioral Sciences of Alabama, Inc. to offer expanded, intensive outpatient services for obsessive-compulsive and anxiety disorders. Dr. Barnhart and his colleagues participate in the Behavioral Therapy Training Institute for treating obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders.

He developed the protocol for Behavioral Sciences’ Intensive OCD Treatment Program that is recognized by the International OCD Foundation as an institutional member. He authored the workbook, Write Your Fears Away, especially for clients dealing with stress, anxiety, and OCD.

Dr. Barnhart is an avid cyclist winning the gold medal for his age group in the 2016 Alabama Senior Olympics, qualifying to race in the 5K and 10K Time Trials nationally. He represented Alabama in his age group at the National Senior Olympics in Louisville in 2007, Palo Alto in 2009, Houston in 2011, and Birmingham in 2017.

David L. Barnhart, EdD, CCMHC, NCC, LPC

Dr. Vuppala is a board-certified psychiatrist with subspecialty training and board certification in child and adolescent psychiatry. She has been in practice with these colleagues since 2001 (now Behavioral Sciences of Alabama). She is one of the few practicing child psychiatrists in North Alabama.

She received her child psychiatry training in Little Rock at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. Vuppala is a member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

As the medical director of SPEAK, the suicide prevention program of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, she advocates and educates the community and professionals in assessing risk, treating, and preventing suicide. She serves as a clinical assistant professor for the UAB School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry (Huntsville Campus).

The National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI) of Huntsville presented her with the “Exemplary Psychiatrist Award” in 2007, a rare honor in Alabama in recognition of her contribution to a greater public understanding of mental health disorders, especially in children. Although she is originally from India, Aparna feels very much at home in Huntsville, especially since she already had family here. Her husband is also a physician and together they have two children.

“I provide outpatient diagnostic evaluations, medication consultation and management, individual psychotherapy, behavior management techniques, parent education, play therapy, and family therapy services for children and adolescents ages 2 to 20 (and their parents or other custodians).

My training involved extensive outpatient work with children with attention deficit and disruptive behavior disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, pervasive developmental disorders such as Autism and Asperger’s, learning disorders, anxiety disorders including obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychotic disorders, substance abuse, eating disorders, sleep disorders, tic disorders, enuresis, and mental retardation.

I work closely with other mental health professionals and physicians to coordinate the child’s treatment when necessary.”

Currently I am also Clinical Faculty at VCOM and ACOM Schools of Osteopathic Medicine and a preceptor for medical students.

Aparna Vuppala, MD

Rachel strives to provide a supportive, client-centered environment where one can identify specific problems and build a recovery plan. Rachel enjoys therapy with adolescents and works with clients of all ages. She helps with various issues, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders, OCD, and adjustment disorders.

Rachel uses an integrative approach to therapy; essentially, she uses the techniques that are best suited to you and your specific problems. Her underlying theoretical orientation is cognitive behavioral therapy which employs evidence-based interventions to help you, the client, learn to implement self-therapy and prevent relapse. She works under the supervision of David Barnhart, EdD.

Rachel is a Huntsville native. She loves the outdoors and is an avid caver and scuba diver. Rachel incorporates the mindfulness skills and sense of empowerment she has gained through these activities into her treatment.

Rachel Gulyas graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2008. She graduated from Alabama A&M University with a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology in 2013.

Rachel Gulyas, MS, LPC

Paul brings to clients over 20 years of experience helping adolescents and families heal and strengthen their relationships. He has extensive experience working with adults in addiction recovery having led a United Way affiliated rehabilitation and counseling program for adults. Paul played and coached college baseball providing for his clients an additional perspective on the development of the whole person’s health.

Paul’s philosophy is to create an honest and supportive environment in which clients explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in order to make desired changes that support healthy relationships and personal growth. Paul also uses his extensive experience with coaching and athletics to help clients overcome obstacles and gain personal empowerment to accomplish their goals and live healthy lives.

Paul holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Alabama A & M University and a Master of Science in Physical Education/Athletic Administration from the Ohio State University. His Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology was obtained from the University of Memphis.

He married Carolyn in 1993 and the couple has two teenage children. Paul enjoys baseball, exercise, theater, guitar, drums, and singing. He is a youth leader in his local church.

Paul Bakke, MS, LPC

Lizzbeth is excited to provide you and your loved ones with a safe and supportive space for therapy in both language English and Spanish. She is passionate about helping all individuals overcome the challenges they face and develop alongside them the skills they need to thrive. She is gaining experience in working with clients through a CBT approach, to help individuals express their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a non-judgmental environment. She works under the supervision of Paul Bakke, MS, LPC. Lizzbeth is dedicated to providing an emphatic, compassionate, and effective style of care in which individuals can reach their full potential. Change is scary, frustrating, and overwhelming but with the proper support and dedication, it is possible. Although born and raised in Puerto Rico and Philadelphia, she sees Huntsville as her home. She loves to draw/paint, hang out with her pets, and play video games. Lizzbeth likes to incorporate creative outlets that can be utilized in and outside the counseling session. Lizzbeth graduated from the University of Sacred Heart in Santurce, Puerto Rico with her Bachelor's Degree in Science in Psychology in 2018. Completed her Master's Degree in Counseling through Northwestern University in Chicago and graduate in 2024. Currently is an ALC and working toward her licensure.

Lizzbeth Rodriguez-Amaro, MA, ALC

Christine has extensive experience doing transdiagnostic counseling informed by the latest cognitive behavioral interventions. She counsels children, adolescents, and adults. Her skills extend to working with obsessive-compulsive and anxiety disorders. In addition to counseling individuals, she works with families and couples and participates in our intensive outpatient treatment program for OCD and related disorders.

Working under the supervision of David Barnhart, EdD, Licensed Counselor, she is skilled in clinical treatment including depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, and psychoeducational testing.

Christine supervised and assisted in the care and treatment of at-risk adolescents and their families. She has trained with Behavioral Sciences in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.

She received a BA in psychology from Indiana University in Bloomington in 2010 and completed her MS in clinical mental health counseling from Walden University in May of 2019.

Dave Barnhart, PhD

David Barnhart is the founding pastor of Saint Junia United Methodist Church, a network of house churches in Birmingham, Alabama.

Rev. Dr. Barnhart works with our clinical providers and as a member of our Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program consulting especially with moral, religious, scrupulosity patients in treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Dr. Barnhart is appointed to serve with Behavioral Sciences as a minister of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church.

He has helped couples prepare for engagement and marriage for 18 years, coaching individuals and organizations on ethics, spiritual direction, and decision-making, and done organizational consulting with nonprofits. He has helped teams overcome conflict and understand their strengths and personality differences. He has offered workshops and panel discussions on topics ranging from managing stress to overcoming personal and systemic prejudice and racism.

Dr. Barnhart helps prepare couples considering engagement or marriage to develop a collaborative action plan working toward long-term marital satisfaction. He can provide consultation and continuing education for pastors and laypeople developing a couples’ and family support program in their local congregation. His expertise in social ethics and building teams can help guide your organization in your external community involvement and meaningful participation.

Dr. Barnhart earned his B.A. from Oglethorpe University in 1994, his M.Div from Candler School of Theology in 1997, and his Ph.D. in homiletics and social ethics from Vanderbilt University in 2004. He has been an ordained elder in the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church since 2003. Dr. Barnhart has been teaching Religions of the World as an adjunct professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He is currently working on a Master of Counseling degree at UAB.

He is the author of _ What’s in the Bible About Church_, _ God Shows No Partiality_, and Church Comes Home: Start a House Church Network Anywhere. His sermons and articles have appeared in the Abingdon Preaching Annual, FaithLink, and Ministry Matters. He is a founding member of Faith in Action Alabama.

He blogs at davebarnhart.net, and lives in Birmingham with his wife and son. He enjoys running, cycling, and making things.

David L. Barnhart, Jr., Ph.D.,
M.A., ALC

Dr. Melanie Barnhart is an Emergency Medicine Physician from Huntsville, Alabama. She has been practicing Emergency Medicine for 13 years and has expertise in treating a wide variety of physical and mental health conditions. She believes in a “whole patient” approach. One that encompasses a patient’s mental, physical and spiritual health. Dr. Barnhart also has interest and experience in using Ketamine. More recently she has been exploring its role in the treatment of depression and Ketamine Assisted Therapy or KAP. Dr. Barnhart graduated from Medical School at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in 2007. She then completed a transitional year residency at Evanston Northwestern Hospital in Chicago, IL. She finished her training in Emergency Medicine at UAB in 2011. She has since been practicing Emergency Medicine in both academic and community hospitals in both urban and rural settings. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband, kids and dog. She enjoys camping, tennis, reading, and travel.

Melanie Barnhart, MD