Akili Carter, LMHC

Raquel Weinum is a licensed clinical social worker. Her career in the field has spanned over 20 years and includes work with adults, adolescents, and children from diverse populations and experiences. She has treated a wide range of symptoms and challenges, including but not limited to, depression and other mood disorders, anxiety, chronic stress, trauma, difficulty with relationships, family conflicts, and loss. ‍Her style is warm and engaging. She considers the role of the therapist to be collaborative. As a therapist she aims to create a safe non-judgmental space for self-exploration, discovery, and healing. The goals in the therapeutic process may involve developing new skills to cope with emotional pain, learning to set new boundaries in relationships, or finding more meaning in life. She utilizes a wide range of approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, narrative therapy, relational and psychodynamic approaches, and mindfulness and embodiment work. Regardless of the modality, her work is always trauma informed and strength-based. ‍Ms. Weinum received her Master's degree in Social Work from Fordham University and her BS in psychology from Brooklyn College. She has worked in varied settings including hospitals, community mental health/substance abuse clinics, and home-based crisis intervention services. She has provided individual and group psychotherapy, and has served in supervisory/administrative roles throughout her career.‍

Casey Kohn is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who holds a Master of Science in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton. During graduate school, Casey worked closely with the LGBTQIA+ community, building a strong foundation in inclusive and affirming care. Casey also spent six years in elementary school settings supporting children and families with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. For the past two years, Casey has provided telehealth therapy to adults navigating stress, life transitions, and relationship concerns. Working across age groups has shaped Casey’s collaborative, compassionate approach to therapy.

Casey strives to create a warm, empathic, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel safe being themselves and sharing openly. Casey values authenticity in the therapeutic relationship and believes that connection is an important part of the healing process. When appropriate, Casey incorporates humor to help clients feel more comfortable and grounded during sessions. Through compassion, support, and collaboration, Casey works to ensure clients feel understood while moving toward meaningful and lasting change.

Casey begins by creating space for clients to share their story, current concerns, and what they hope to gain from therapy. Early sessions focus on understanding each client’s experiences and identifying goals together. Casey values collaboration and works alongside clients to develop a treatment plan aligned with their needs and priorities. Throughout therapy, goals are revisited and the approach is adjusted as needed to support continued growth and progress.

Dr. David Guggenheim is an experienced clinical psychologist and health care administrator. He has worked with patients at different stages of life, including children, adolescents, and adults, and he has treated patients living with a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Dr. Guggenheim has specific training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and foundational training in dialectical behavioral therapy. Prior to joining Talkiatry, Dr. Guggenheim served as the Chief Behavioral Health Officer at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center in New York City, specializing in LGBTQ+ health care. In that role, he oversaw teams of providers including psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers, who collectively provided care to thousands of patients in the New York metropolitan area. While at Callen-Lorde, he also served as co-chair for the behavioral health subcommittee of the Community Health Center Association of New York State; worked as an Adjunct Professor at Post University; and performed volunteer clinical work at the Weill Cornell Center for Human Rights. Before joining Callen-Lorde, Dr. Guggenheim worked as Associate Chief Behavioral Health Officer at Community Health Center, Inc., a federally qualified health center in Connecticut. A recognized expert, Dr. Guggenheim has delivered lectures to audiences ranging from medical schools to corporate executives, and he has been quoted in national media including The Advocate, Yahoo Finance, and Teen Vogue. Dr. Guggenheim has also been honored with an Early Career Achievement Award from the American Psychological Association in 2016. Dr. Guggenheim received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Connecticut in 2002 and his Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University/Washington, DC in 2009.

Michelle Lake, EdD, LMHC, LCPC, has over 17 years of experience providing therapy in outpatient settings, including telehealth, university counseling centers, and mental health clinics. She works with children ages eight and older, adults, and the elderly. Michelle earned her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Florida International University and later completed a doctorate in Organizational Learning and Leadership with a specialization in Human Resources. She also holds a graduate certificate in Industrial Organizational Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Michelle is dedicated to creating a warm, supportive environment where patients feel heard, respected, and empowered to make meaningful changes in their lives. She values open communication and collaboration, working closely with patients to establish clear treatment goals that reflect their individual needs and strengths.

In the initial session, Michelle takes time to gain a thorough understanding of each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. From there, she develops individualized treatment plans tailored to align with the patient’s unique needs and objectives. Her approach ensures that therapy is both structured and flexible, helping patients move toward positive and lasting outcomes.

Pradnya Shinde is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in New Jersey, a Registered Play Therapist (RPT), and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor. With over seven years of clinical practice, she has supported clients across diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of mental health conditions. Her areas of focus include trauma, stressful life events, anxiety, depression, and challenges with communication and self-expression. Drawing from her experience in community mental health, non-profits, and private practice, Pradnya is committed to helping individuals feel understood and empowered.

Pradnya integrates cognitive behavioral and attachment-based approaches within a person-centered framework, tailoring her methods to each individual. She incorporates practical strategies and therapeutic tools that clients can apply right away in their daily lives. Above all, she strives to create a warm, supportive, and respectful space where patients feel safe to express themselves openly and explore their needs without judgment.

Pradnya begins by thoroughly learning each patient’s history, concerns, and goals during the first session. By the second, she develops a collaborative treatment plan that reflects the patient’s unique needs and aspirations. Throughout the therapeutic journey, she maintains an open and safe environment where patients feel heard and validated, supporting them as they navigate challenges and build healthier coping strategies.

Alexia Ford is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in various aspects of mental health and co-occurring disorders. She obtained her MSW from Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, GA.) and later obtained her MDiv and MPT from Columbia Theological Seminary (Decatur, GA.).

Alexia is a wife, mother, daughter & sister who has also experienced life's challenges that may identify with your story in some way. Alexia is known for her empathic listening and attention to verbal and non-verbal cues. Her approach is individualized and non-judgmental in hopes of creating and holding a safe and comfortable space for all to be their true, authentic selves. Alexia is intentional with developing rapport and meeting clients where they are without criticism but will also gently challenge stagnant behaviors respectfully and when necessary.

Alexia prefers to work with adult age to geriatric age clients and couples using strengths-based and affirming perspectives. She uses several modalities, such as, CBT, ACT, IPT, BA, Solution Focused therapy, Client centered therapy, Mindfulness, meditations, breathing exercises, positive affirmations, spirituality, bereavement, existential concerns and other appropriate evidenced based approaches and interventions. Alexia is a “movie and series buff” and will often incorporate movie scenes, themes and character traits to add to discussion and use to demonstrate examples of behaviors and consequences.