Audrey O'Neal, LPC

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.

Racquel Ellis is a licensed mental health counselor in the state of New York with extensive experience working with the BIPOC community. She provides inclusive mental wellness services to individuals and families. Racquel has been providing mental health services to individuals and families for over a decade and has been a licensed mental health counselor for the past four years. She specializes in working with the BIPOC community and women, offering therapeutic support for mood disorders, trauma, life transitions, and other chronic challenges impacting overall well-being.

Before graduating from NYU School of Social Work, Dana worked in international human rights and educational environments. She has 13 years of experience as a clinical social worker and prior to assuming her role as psychotherapist at Talkiatry, Dana worked with formerly homeless adults in supportive housing. Dana views therapy as a gift to oneself and recognizes the bravery and courage it takes to be vulnerable and open oneself to the path of self-discovery. She is passionate about creating a warm, validating, culturally responsive and non-judgmental environment where she will work collaboratively with you towards your goals. Whether you are moving through a difficult transition, coping with chronic illness, experiencing work burnout and stress, anxiety, trauma, loss, or just wanting to feel "unstuck”, she will accompany you through these life circumstances and emotions and help you gain new insights about yourself, reinforce or learn new ways of thinking and coping and help you reclaim hope as you work to live your most meaningful life. Dana draws primarily from psychodynamic therapy, though her treatment is collaborative, flexible, and individualized, incorporating mindfulness, CBT and other evidence-based modalities when appropriate.

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.

Veronica McKnight received her Master's degree from the Hunter College School of Social Work in New York. She holds clinical social work licenses in Florida, Maine, Vermont and Wisconsin. Ms.McKnight's key areas of practice include depression, anxiety, trauma, communication in relationships, parenting challenges, compassion fatigue and grief and bereavement. Ms. McKnight specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a strength based, solution focused approach. Ms. McKnight integrates Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing techniques.  Ms. McKnight has been certified as a Compassion Fatigue Educator and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Ms. McKnight has held leadership and clinical roles in community mental health centers, housing programs, hospitals and non-profit organizations.

I am proficient in assisting clients to navigate transitions in all aspects of the life span. Over the past 30 years, my experience has taught me that the most important aspect of therapy is the connection and comfort you feel with the person with whom you choose to share your personal struggles.

I like to listen to what patients are telling me about what is important to them and what they would like to address in therapy.  We can then start to set goals together and work towards the outcomes they want.  We always go at a pace that is comfortable to the client.

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.