Alexandra Starmer, LMHC

Alicia Lakin has been counseling for over 20 years. She possesses an LPC-MHSP license. Alicia earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at the University of Tennessee. She then went on to earn her Master's Degree, with a focus on Guidance and Counseling, at Lincoln Memorial University. Alicia has been trained in Trauma Focused � Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Motivational Interviewing. Alicia's professional career has provided her with the opportunity to work with individuals in a variety of settings. She has provided treatment in residential care programs for children and adolescents, in the family home, community-based mental health center, and substance abuse treatment outpatient services. In these settings, Alicia has been afforded the opportunity to treat all ages, dealing with a wide range of issues including trauma, substance abuse and recovery, and mood disorders such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therapeutically, Alicia describes her approach as "person-centered”, strength-based, and collaborative. She believes in providing a safe space for individuals to be able to express themselves openly, as well as explore any changes they desire to make in their lives. She believes in building a trusting relationship so that she and the individual can work together to help create change. Her style is reality-based, and she views herself as having many roles as a therapist, including that of a support, teacher, advocate, facilitator, and listener in the treatment relationship.

Gretchen attended James Madison University for her undergraduate studies and graduate school at Virginia Commonwealth University and Boston University. She has practiced for three years in various settings, including residential facilities for children, acute care facilities, and private practice, where she successfully supported clients with neurodiversity in improving executive function, emotional regulation, and interpersonal relationships. Recognizing the complexities of neurodiversity beyond traditional clinical frameworks, Gretchen collaborates with medical professionals, educators, and families to create inclusive environments that foster success for individuals with neurodivergent traits.

Clients can expect to gain a deeper understanding of their thought patterns and uncover the underlying meanings behind their reactions. Through a collaborative and reflective process, they’ll develop greater self-awareness, challenge limiting beliefs, and gain clarity in their personal growth journey. This approach empowers clients to make more informed, intentional choices in their lives.

Gretchen takes a direct yet supportive approach, evident from the very first session. She integrates psychoeducation, somatic techniques to enhance body awareness, and strategic reframing to help clients uncover core beliefs that may be contributing to their challenges.

Ana Castro, LMHC received a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Queens College, City University of New York. She completed training at F.E.G.S and has worked in community mental health and outpatient hospital-based settings. Ana has 7 years of experience working with individuals as well as with children and families treating anxiety, depression, family and relationship issues, and other mental health issues. Ana uses methods from psychoanalysis, CBT, DBT, along with light supportive therapy in order to provide a person-centered approach. She began by working at New York Psychotherapy and Counseling Center, working with individuals, as well as children and families in a high-risk area, providing family therapy, psychodynamic and behavioral therapy, and assisting with the coordination of care with outside agencies. Ana has worked at St. Joseph's Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic treating patients with various psychiatric illnesses. She has also worked at St. Vincent's- Westchester Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic, providing intake, diagnosis, and individual therapy to a population ranging from adolescents to late adults. Ana continues to work towards expanding her knowledge of evidence-based approaches in order to provide the best outcomes.

Taylor Jarrett, LMHC, NCC, is a psychotherapist with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is licensed to practice in New York, Massachusetts, and Florida, and is recognized as a National Certified Counselor.

Taylor’s therapeutic approach is person-centered and trauma-informed. She recognizes that there is no “one-size-fits-all” path to healing and strives to meet each client where they are. She draws from a range of evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy.

Taylor believes that showing up takes courage and feels honored to walk alongside her clients on their journey of growth and self-discovery. She is dedicated to helping each individual become the best version of themselves by identifying and building upon their strengths to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and purpose

Jannise McKamey-Bruell began her career working in the field of education after she completed both a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and a Master of Liberal Arts at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with an emphasis on Psychology, Women's Studies, and Child and Family Studies. After relocating to Georgia, Ms. McKamey-Bruell attended Argosy University where she completed an additional Master of Arts Degree, with honors, in Community Counseling in addition to receiving a Marriage and Family Therapy Certification. Ms. McKamey-Bruell is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a Distance Certified Counselor (DCC), a Board Certified Tele-Mental Health Provider (BC-TMH), and holds a Crisis Worker Certification from the American Association of Suicidology. Ms. McKamey-Bruell is also a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Cobb County Juvenile Court. Prior to private practice, her clinical experience included working as a therapist at the YWCA, providing domestic violence and sexual assault counseling, facilitating domestic violence support and therapy groups, working with children and families at several community mental health agencies, and working at a mental health crisis line. In addition to her private practice, Ms. McKamey-Bruell also provides online therapy to clients through a secure website and texting platform. Ms. McKamey-Bruell believes in helping others to help themselves. She provides therapy to individuals with an emphasis on crisis intervention, skill-building, self-esteem, attachment issues, relationship problems, and communication repair. She creates a close, supportive relationship in the counseling setting to assist each person in moving forward through open discussion, developing personal insight, and offering workable suggestions. Her specialties include working with those who are experiencing anxiety or depression. When not working, Ms. McKamey-Bruell regularly participates in professional training, enjoys volunteering and participating in community and sorority events, collecting Disney paraphernalia, traveling, sewing, attending sci-fi conventions, and spoiling her nieces and nephews.

Matthew Green is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of New York with over seven years of experience in outpatient settings, both in person and virtual. He earned his master’s degree from St. Bonaventure University and began his career at Olean Counseling Center, where he also completed his internship. Licensed since 2022, Matthew brings compassion and clinical expertise to each session.

Matthew strives to create a warm, supportive, and open space where clients feel safe, heard, and respected. He believes trust is essential to meaningful therapeutic work and values open communication to set clear, collaborative goals. His approach is grounded in mutual respect and genuine connection.

In the first session, Matthew gathers a thorough history to understand the full scope of a client’s experiences and goals. He then creates an individualized treatment plan and focuses initially on coping strategies to support day-to-day functioning. As therapy progresses, the work shifts toward deeper issues and goal achievement.

‍