America Calderon, LMHC

Barb VanHouten, LCSW, provides a safe, non-judgmental atmosphere where clients feel heard and supported. She brings a wealth of personal and professional experiences that have shaped her insight, knowledge, and empathy, enabling her to walk alongside others during their most difficult times. Barb believes that everyone has a story, and that life’s challenges can sometimes become overwhelming, leading to feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and despair.

Barb specializes in treating a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, anger management, addiction, bipolar disorder, antisocial behaviors, family relationships, grief and bereavement, life transitions, job and employment issues, medical and physical health concerns, PTSD, somatic symptom disorders, learning disorders, stress, and trauma. Her goal is to create a therapeutic space where clients feel empowered to explore challenges and build resilience.

Barb uses a variety of evidence-based approaches tailored to each individual’s needs. Her methods include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, Family Systems, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Trauma-Informed Care, Behavioral Modification, Internal Family Systems, Strength-Based approaches, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She collaborates with clients to develop practical, effective solutions for growth and healing.

Melissa Medina, LCSW, began her journey in mental healthcare with a Bachelor’s in Psychology followed by a Master of Social Work degree. From 2015 to 2018, she completed her clinical hours at a community mental health agency in Los Angeles, where she gained experience working with diverse populations facing complex challenges. Melissa’s therapeutic approach integrates psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, interpersonal, strengths-based, dialectical behavioral, and EMDR modalities. She is dedicated to providing culturally sensitive, neurodivergent-friendly, person-centered care to support individuals and families navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, panic attacks, grief, family conflict, and life transitions.

Melissa believes therapy is both a journey and a destination. She takes an eclectic approach, tailoring interventions and communication to best fit each patient’s needs and preferences. Patients can expect an atmosphere of warmth, empathy, and collaboration. Through motivational interviewing and narrative techniques, Melissa helps individuals articulate their stories, identify strengths, and reframe challenges as opportunities for growth. She is committed to meeting patients where they are while supporting them in reaching their goals.

Melissa’s process begins with building rapport, listening to each patient’s story, and understanding their unique needs and hopes for therapy. Early sessions focus on creating a safe, supportive space while developing a treatment plan tailored to the individual. Patients can expect to gain fresh perspectives, practical coping strategies, and deeper self-awareness. Melissa’s goal is for patients to feel heard, understood, and empowered as they strengthen relationships, build resilience, and move toward a greater sense of fulfillment.

Meredith LaFave, LCSW, has extensive clinical experience working with adults, couples, and families in private practice and clinic settings. She has specialized training in EMDR, contemplative psychotherapy, Integrative Wellness, and LGBTQIA+ affirming care. Meredith values creating a safe, collaborative space where patients feel supported, empowered, and encouraged to explore personal growth.

Meredith blends deep exploration and insight with practical, goal-oriented strategies. She fosters a warm, engaging environment that encourages patients to feel respected, challenged, and equipped to build self-efficacy and overall life satisfaction.

Meredith begins by building rapport and understanding what brings a patient to therapy. She explores historical and contextual information, collaborates on personalized treatment plans, and uses evidence-based approaches to guide patients toward meaningful change, resilience, and personal growth.

Jessica Mars is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked in clinical practice for over 10 years. Jessica received her undergraduate degree in Social Work at Colorado State University-Pueblo and her master's degree in social work from Newman University. Along with her clinical work, Jessica teaches undergraduate and graduate students of Social Work at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, because she values being able to work in her local communities to educate and teach. She identifies as a lifelong learner and incorporates that into her treatment approaches. ‍Jessica has primarily focused her clinical practices working with individuals who have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual assault, trauma from medical or physical health problems, substance use, and other forms of trauma. Her approach is culturally aware, trauma informed, and client centered, and she will work closely with her clients to ensure that the treatment approach and plan is thoughtful and matches what the client may need. ‍Jessica has extended training in EMDR, TF-CBT, CBT, DBT, narrative therapy, motivational interviewing, developmental trauma, suicidality, and trauma informed care. Jessica will encourage you to increase your awareness of thoughts, feelings and behaviors in the present and to increase your personal sense of freedom and well-being. Jessica hopes to work with you to empower you and help you recognize your own strengths, with compassion for both yourself and for others.

With over two decades in the counseling field, Greta Hicks-Brooks, LPC, is a seasoned and devoted professional at Talkiatry. Earned her most recent licensure credential, and the one recognized in California is Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). Her background includes roles as a Special Education Teacher, Psychology Instructor, Executive Director, Lead Therapist at an outpatient drug treatment facility, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, and Disability Services Counselor.

Greta holds a BA in Psychology from Tuskegee University, an MS in Counseling & Human Development from Troy University, and an MEd in Rehabilitation Counseling from Auburn University. She is licensed in Texas, Colorado, California, and Arizona, and is also a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC).

Highly structured yet comical, Greta creates a nonjudgmental environment where patients feel comfortable being themselves. Each month, she helps patients set three short-term goals, reflect on accomplishments, and note things they are grateful for—supporting growth, self-awareness, and emotional balance.

During the first session, Greta discusses the reasons for seeking therapy, preferred treatment approaches, and session frequency. She provides homework and clear follow-up focus points, drawing from Client-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral, Dialectical Behavior, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused, and Trauma-Focused therapies. Greta meets clients where they are, fully committed to guiding those ready to make meaningful, lasting change.

Yumi Lemaster is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a strong foundation in social psychology and military social work. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology from Park University and her Master of Social Work from Fayetteville State University through the U.S. Army’s expedited program. Her clinical training included work at Schofield Barracks and Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. Yumi holds certifications in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy. She completed her Army career as a Brigade Behavioral Health Officer, supporting thousands of service members and their families through deployments, reintegration, and a wide range of behavioral health concerns.

Yumi is a direct, yet tender and genuine therapist who meets patients where they are in life. She works to understand the whole person and balances a solution-oriented approach with deep psychotherapy. Her style is collaborative and goal focused, while also encouraging insight into patterns or experiences that may have been difficult to acknowledge. She values transparency and views respectful conflict and open feedback as meaningful parts of growth and the therapeutic process.

Yumi begins by gaining an understanding of the concerns that bring a patient to therapy, along with relevant personal history. Together, she and the patient identify therapy goals and develop a treatment plan, often with a 3–6 month framework. As life circumstances and challenges evolve, she works collaboratively with patients to adjust goals and approaches to best support ongoing progress.