America Calderon, LMHC

Paul Pennington is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 15 years of mental health experience in a variety of settings ranging from schools, private practice, residential facilities, and crime scene crisis counseling. Paul has had the privilege of helping people with various situations including depression, anxiety, stress, anger, trauma, abuse, life transitions, relationships, integration, existential issues, and other obstacles that have caused an imbalance in their lives. Paul specializes in working with teachers, first responders, young parents, and individuals that just want to be seen as who they truly are.‍Paul earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Texas State University and a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling from Angelo State University. A few of the certifications Paul has earned over the years are: Residential Staff from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Certified Anger Resolution Therapist (C.A.R.T.), AgriSafe Farm Response, Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Practitioner Trainer, Texas Education Agency: EC-12 SpEd, 4-8 Generalist, EC-12 School Counselor, SAFE EMDR, Mental Health First Aid, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy.‍Paul believes everyone is different and takes an individualized approach with each client. He operates from a foundation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trust-Based Relational Intervention, Solution Focused Therapy, and Mindfulness.

Michelle Donovan, MS, LPC, is humbled to support those taking the initiative to work on their mental wellness. With over 20 years of experience working with children and families facing severe emotional and behavioral challenges, Michelle views her work as both a passion and a calling. She is deeply grateful for the opportunity to help individuals build resilience, strengthen relationships, and find strategies that fit their unique needs through a compassionate, client-centered approach.

Michelle believes that strong, open communication and trust form the foundation of effective therapy. She strives to create a safe and supportive space where clients can share openly and feel heard without judgment. Her approach integrates empathy and collaboration to guide individuals toward meaningful progress and personal growth.

Michelle focuses on identifying and challenging unwanted self-talk while helping clients develop effective coping strategies to replace maladaptive thoughts and behaviors. Through active listening, gentle guidance, and tailored interventions, she empowers individuals to gain self-awareness and take confident steps toward improved mental wellness.

Violetta Aranda, LPC is a native South Texan and second generation Mexican- American. She is a 2011 graduate of St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas and obtained full LPC licensure in Texas in August of 2017. Her practice focuses on cognitive behavioral modalities within a humanistic client-centered approach to foster healing through self-acceptance and self-awareness. She has over a decade's worth of experience working within the mental health field and fifteen years working directly with children and adolescents in various capacities. Before joining Talkiatry, Miss Aranda practiced exclusively within the community health sector and these experiences provided the opportunity to become fully immersed in Trauma and Crisis Management and fostered the passion for evolving research in the treatment of trauma-informed care. She now aspires to utilize these allocated experiences and passion for the field to promote mental health awareness, client advocacy, and quality of care.

Lisa is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the states of PA, NJ, and CT. She has worked in the mental health field for 18 years in a variety of settings including homes, communities, schools, and offices. During that time, she has worked as a case manager, family therapist, and outpatient therapist. Lisa's clients have included people from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds. She particularly enjoys working with families, adolescents and young adults, and with the neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ populations.

Lisa's primary treatment philosophy is that people are doing the best they can with what they know. With supportive listening, care, and education, people can grow and reach their goals. She draws on her knowledge of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and mindfulness to deliver personalized care for each client. Lisa is also experienced in working with trauma, and is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.

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Elisabeth Davis is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with an MA, licensed in both Kentucky and Ohio. She is also a Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider. Her professional journey has been eclectic and wide-ranging, allowing her to work with a diverse range of populations and issues. She specializes in areas such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma from physical and sexual abuse, family and relationship issues, parenting problems, and LGBTQIA+ support. Additionally, she has significant experience working with the military and providing education and career counseling.

One of her main goals is to make counseling / therapy "user friendly. "  Many people are apprehensive about starting therapy, and from the first session she tries to create an atmosphere where they feel safe and supported. Maya Angelou said 'My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.' Her mission is to help you find the best way to overcome and thrive in your life.

Her counseling style is rooted in unconditional positive regard, meaning she always approaches therapy from a strength-based perspective. Her clients are treated with respect, genuine care, compassion, and concern. She will work with clients to create goals and find solutions that best suit their needs. She also considers herself a holistic counselor, focusing on the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. As Plato said, 'The part can never be well unless the whole is well.'

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Diana Sun, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor with over five years of counseling experience in outpatient settings. She earned her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Nyack College Alliance Graduate School of Counseling in 2020. Diana has experience working with Asian Americans, Christians, LGBTQ+ individuals, and young adults ages 18 and older. Her clinical interests include inter-generational trauma, women’s issues, stress, anxiety, and depression.

Diana believes communication is essential when setting goals and boundaries within the counseling relationship. She uses fun ice-breaker questions to help patients feel comfortable and to build a strong therapeutic connection. Diana strives to create a safe and supportive environment where patients feel heard, seen, and understood, and she welcomes feedback as an important part of the healing process.

Diana begins by understanding each client’s presenting concerns, personal history, and goals during the initial session. She then collaborates with patients to develop a treatment plan tailored to their individual needs. Her work is grounded in core counseling values such as active listening, self-awareness, and unconditional positive regard to support growth and change.