Anisha Gulati, MD

Iesha Whitaker is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker that graduated in 2012 from Hunter College School of Social Work. She has been practicing since that time. Ms. Whitaker has worked with many populations including, Women, Men, adults aged 18 and up, homeless population, parents with children in foster care and parents in need support and learning communication skills with teens. Ms. Whitaker has knowledge of working with clients recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital setting as well as the.  hospital discharge planning process, and emergency room care. Her primary areas of focus are helping clients that suffer with Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Stress, Trauma, Relationship issues, PTSD, Life transitions as well as Emotional Dysregulation. Ms. Whitaker enjoys working closely with clients that struggle with healthy lifestyles, poor decision making, suffering with substance use disorder and people dealing with chronic homelessness, Domestic violence and challenges of daily living. Ms. Whitaker uses treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Supportive Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Trauma focused Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and many other modalities. Ms. Whitaker has a passion for helping the are less fortunate and have challenges with routine daily activities, basic life needs such as food, housing, education, work stress and chronic medical conditions. Ms. Whitaker is very warm and open, very personable and allows her clients to work at their own pace. Ms. Whitaker enjoys helping clients to gain healthy insight to their conditions and allows clients to create the future they want for themselves.

Working with Ms. Whitaker will be an open, collaborative experience. Ms. Whitaker will help the client create the best version of themselves, while teaching the client to identify concrete obtainable goals.

Ms. Whitaker typical therapeutic process is a somewhat structured and flexible framework that provides empathy, rapport building and using evidence-based practices to provide mental health treatment. She uses a collaborative therapeutic relationship that warmly welcomes the client into therapy, discuss limits of confidentiality as it pertains to self harm or harm to others. She discuss the length of sessions and the frequency of meetings, invite questions from client and describe their role in the treatment process. Provides a safe space where a client can express themselves in an environment open to all cultures, gender identities while helping clients explore their strengths. Clinical assessments by use of standardized tools PHQ-9, GAD-7, and client interview and report. Clinician continues to monitor and track safety and implement Evidence based Interventions such as CBT, DBT, Solution Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, Psychodynamic and Supportive Therapy to provide care. Over time Clinician continues to revisit progress, highlight growth and obtained goals, moving toward termination when appropriate, also providing aftercare and referrals.

Dr. Mitchell Laski earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2011 and completed his medical degree at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in 2017. He completed his residency in psychiatry at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virginia, in 2021, where he was selected as Chief Resident. Dr. Laski has extensive experience in both outpatient and deployed settings, having completed two operational tours with the U.S. Navy. During these tours, he served in Embedded Mental Health Clinics and aboard deployed ships, working directly with Sailors.

Dr. Laski brings empathy, attentiveness, and a non-judgmental approach to every patient interaction. He is deeply committed to ensuring patients feel heard, respected, and understood. Patients can expect him to be thorough and dedicated, consistently advocating for their overall wellness throughout the course of treatment.

Understanding that beginning mental health care can be difficult, Dr. Laski starts with friendly, casual questions to build rapport—asking about patients’ background, interests, and current life situation. He then reviews their medical and psychiatric history before exploring current symptoms and stressors. Together, he and the patient collaborate to create a personalized treatment plan.

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Christy Caric-Ball, LPC, earned her undergraduate degree in Philosophy from The University of Texas at Austin and her MA in Clinical Psychology from The University of Texas Pan American. She has worked with underserved girls and women at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine and completed internships in diverse settings, including an intimate partner violence diversion court, a shelter for undocumented minors, and a behavioral health center. Her clinical interests include women’s health, LGBTQIA+ issues, teen adjustment counseling, and trauma-informed care.

Christy’s style is supportive and solution-focused, using evidence-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Interpersonal Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. She values empowering patients to focus on what they can change while letting go of what is beyond their control. Patients can expect to feel heard, supported, and encouraged as they work toward their wellness goals.

Christy begins by developing rapport and gaining a thorough understanding of each patient’s history. Together, they identify where the patient is now and where they want to be. She creates individualized treatment plans, revisiting and adjusting them as needed to align with evolving goals and promote lasting progress.

Brian F. Lann, MA, LPC, LPC-S, LAC, is a licensed mental health professional with over 23 years of experience across outpatient, inpatient, and telehealth settings. He specializes in substance use disorders and complex conditions including OCD, anxiety disorders, and Major Depression. Brian is trained in CBT, ERP, HRT, DBT, and trauma-focused therapies, and has completed extensive specialized training in evidence-based interventions for OCD and related disorders.

Brian provides a structured, compassionate, and collaborative approach to care. He believes in meeting patients where they are while offering practical tools that create meaningful change. He emphasizes accountability, skill-building, and measurable progress, particularly in treating addiction, OCD, anxiety, and trauma-related concerns.

Brian begins with a comprehensive assessment to clarify goals and develop an individualized treatment plan. He integrates evidence-based modalities such as CBT, ERP, and trauma-focused therapies, with ongoing evaluation of progress. Treatment includes clear goal setting, skill practice between sessions, and coordinated care when appropriate.

Dr. Velda Pugh-Kinsey is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist with over three decades of experience in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She earned her medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine and completed her psychiatry residency at University Hospital. She has previously served as Chief of Mental Health at a VA Hospital and has maintained a successful private practice focused on medication management and supportive therapy.

Dr. Pugh-Kinsey values open communication and believes in building a warm, respectful environment where patients feel heard. She works collaboratively with patients to set clear treatment goals and tailors her approach to meet each person’s unique needs. Her practice emphasizes both medication management and supportive therapy to promote long-term well-being.

During initial sessions, Dr. Pugh-Kinsey takes time to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She uses a team-based approach, partnering with patients in treatment planning and decision-making to ensure care is both effective and aligned with their values.

Before pursuing medicine, Dr. Kenneth Ethan Lai explored a range of passions. After earning dual degrees in Biology and Biochemistry from the University of California, Riverside, he opened a popular Riverside eatery featured on The Food Channel. He later transitioned to the IT industry, earning a master’s degree and certifications, before answering his true calling in medicine, graduating from Saint Matthews University School of Medicine.

Dr. Lai believes psychiatry combines science and the art of medicine. Patients value his professionalism, patience, empathy, and attentive listening. He acknowledges the many choices patients have in providers and strives to create a welcoming, collaborative, and supportive environment for everyone seeking care.

Dr. Lai treats both adults and children/adolescents with expertise in psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, addiction, geriatrics, and dual-diagnosis care. He is trained in TMS and ECT, is a Certified Suboxone Prescriber, and offers consultations and treatment through office-based or telemedicine visits. His approach is tailored to each patient’s needs, integrating compassionate care with evidence-based treatment.