Dana Sommers, LCSW

Adam Banks, LCSW, earned his MSW from Fordham University in 2010 and became a licensed clinical social worker in 2016. He also holds a Master’s in Psychology from Queens College and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Brandeis University. With over 12 years of clinical experience across community mental health, home-based family therapy, and outpatient substance abuse programs, Adam specializes in anxiety, adult ADHD, and infertility/family building. He is passionate about supporting clients navigating reproductive challenges and transitions to parenthood, often integrating narrative therapy to help families envision their future.

Adam uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify and reframe unhelpful thinking patterns, as well as Motivational Interviewing to address ambivalence and guide clients toward meaningful change. He incorporates mindfulness, grounding, and coping strategies to improve emotional regulation and distress tolerance. His approach helps clients navigate difficult emotions and life challenges while fostering growth and resilience.

Adam practices active listening to understand client needs and collaborates to set personalized goals. His style is warm, affirming, strength-based, and can be both humorous and direct as appropriate. He believes that meaningful change takes time and that therapy, though sometimes challenging, is a powerful tool for cultivating a more satisfying and purposeful life.

Cody Zaiontz is an LPC in the state of Texas. He has been providing counseling services to a variety of clients, who have sought help for many different types of mental health conditions, for over 5 years. Cody completed his undergraduate education in San Marcos, Texas at Texas State University and earned his bachelor's degree in psychology. He went on to complete his graduate school training in Counseling & Guidance at Texas A&M University San Antonio. His practicum training took place at the UT Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas where he was trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and crisis management. Upon graduating with his master's in counseling, Cody worked for 2 years helping individuals diagnosed with a serious mental illness (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc.) in an inpatient psychiatric hospital. He then learned how to provide outpatient counseling services, both in-person and through a secure telehealth platform. In his private practice, he worked with adults dealing with substance abuse, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and family issues. He also helped his clients work towards weight loss goals, learn ways to improve sleep, learn ways to increase their social support system, and learn other skills that will help them live a happier, more fulfilled life. Cody operated his private practice until he joined Talkiatry in the fall of 2024.

Meredith McMillan is a Licensed Mental Health Therapist with 9 years of experience working in mental health. She specializes in working with individuals who experienced trauma and toxic stress, as well as those with addiction issues, relationship challenges, and adjustment disorders. Ms. McMillan's therapy practice focuses on providing person-centered encouragement and support. She utilizes a trauma-focused cognitive behavioral approach to help you to develop your understanding of yourself and your challenges and enable you to utilize your strengths to facilitate your healing. She received a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University in Orlando, Florida, and established herself as a therapist working in community mental health in the Lakeland, Florida area. She spent several years working at Tri-County Human Services providing co-occurring outpatient substance abuse therapy. Later, she shifted to providing services to children through Tri-County's B-Net program and Children's Home Society. She went on to become the Clinical Supervisor at the Children's Home Society providing care to children and adolescents impacted by trauma and the child welfare system. Before joining Talkiatry, she also served as the clinical supervisor and therapist at The Mary Welsh Foundation, providing care to individuals of all ages and specializing in trauma and family issues. Ms. McMillan has worked with individuals dealing with a variety of mental health issues throughout her years of experience as a therapist. She has worked with people of all ages and has experience working with families and couples. She has had additional training to serve individuals dealing with addictions and with processing trauma. She has had extensive experience working with individuals dealing with mood disorders and anxiety, as well as relationship and parenting issues.

Keren Salcedo graduated from SUNY Oswego in 2019 with a degree in Mental Health Counseling. While in school she interned at an outpatient addiction treatment center which sparked her interest in working with adults. After graduation she moved back to New York City. Keren continued her work in addiction by working at a rehab facility. She later transitioned to an outpatient clinical where she had the opportunity to work with clients across a wide of diagnosis for three years. This experience has made her more comfortable and confident supporting individuals with diverse mental health needs.

It is important to Keren that every client feels safe, heard and supported. She is passionate about creating a comfortable and friendly environment where you can speak openly and feel at ease. Keren is easygoing and approachable, and she believes in meeting clients where they are. Her goal is to build a trusting relationship where you feel comfortable to explore your thoughts, feelings, and goals at your own pace.

In the beginning, Keren's approach would be Person Centered Therapy to help build a strong therapeutic relationship and for clients to feel supported. Once we’ve established a foundation, she would tailor her approach based on the clients' presenting concerns. Keren often incorporated techniques that she has experienced and feels comfortable using, such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Motivational Therapy. She also believes in being flexible and adapting her methods to fit each client's situation.

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Bracha (Brooke) Winograd is a licensed clinical social worker with comprehensive experience working in the mental health field. Brooke has worked directly with clients of various ages and demographics living with a variety of mental health conditions. Brooke completed her undergraduate degree with The College at Brockport in Upstate New York and her master's degree in social work through Nazareth University in Rochester, NY. In her work with an outpatient mental health clinic and day treatment programming, Brooke collaborated closely with psychiatric prescribers to meet clients� diagnostic and therapeutic mental health needs. Brooke has been practicing clinical social work in a variety of settings, focusing on treating depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health symptoms that challenge individuals on their journey to wellness. Working with Brooke is collaborative in nature, with the goal being to have the client's goals and preferences front and center throughout treatment. Brooke is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), trauma-focused CBT, person-centered care, and motivational interviewing (MI). Brooke is passionate about her work and empowering her clients to build the skills necessary to reach their goals.

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.