Diana Veliz, LCSW

Dr. Aneela Ali is a Board-certified Adult Psychiatrist. She completed medical school at Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, and her Psychiatry Residency training at Metropolitan Hospital Center, New York. After her residency, she pursued some additional training in consult liaison psychiatry, further developing her expertise in caring for patients with complex medical and psychiatric comorbidities. ‍She was part of the esteemed faculty at Stony Brook University as an Assistant clinical Professor and staff Psychiatrist. She has also gained experience in Telehealth, providing virtual care to patients and enjoying the flexibility and convenience it offers. She treats various mental health conditions including depression, anxiety disorders, Bipolar disorder, PTSD, and OCD. Dr. Ali takes time to explain complex concepts in a clear and accessible way, equipping her patients with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their care. Her compassionate approach puts patients at ease, allowing them to open up and embark on a journey of healing and recovery. By actively involving patients in their treatment, Dr. Ali empowers them to take an informed and active role in their care, fostering a collaborative relationship that promotes well-being and understanding.

Jennifer Hewitt is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner, credentialed through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). She earned her master’s degree in nursing from Gonzaga University and has extensive experience treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Her passion for psychiatry and dedication to patient care are rooted in her background as an emergency room nurse and her experience in emergency medical services (EMS). This foundation has given her a unique perspective on the critical role mental health plays in overall well-being.

Jennifer provides compassionate care to adults, children, and adolescents, recognizing that each individual’s path to mental wellness is unique. She believes that while medication can be an important part of treatment, self-care and therapy are equally essential components of a holistic approach.

She is known for her empathetic listening and genuine connection with patients. Through collaboration, she helps individuals set realistic goals and empowers them to take an active role in their recovery. Her kindness and commitment create a supportive environment where patients can thrive on their journey toward mental wellness

‍

Cody Chua is a licensed clinical social worker with extensive experience working in the mental health field. He has a passion for helping individuals, children, couples, and families by assisting them in finding their inner strengths and natural capabilities that aid in creating positive change and fostering healthy relationships. Cody completed school at the University of Houston's Graduate College of Social Work, in Houston, TX, while completing his practicum at Texas Children's Hospital Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic. Cody has 3 years of experience as a therapist in inpatient, outpatient, and virtual settings, offering individual, group, and family counseling to teens and adults. He specializes in working with clients with mood disorders, behavioral issues, grief and trauma, substance abuse, and co-occurring disorders. Cody tailors his treatment approach to each individual client, and has experience with various modalities, including mentalization based therapy, logotherapy, and cognitive based therapy. Outside the therapy room, Cody is passionate about cooking, travel, hiking, drawing, music, and theater. He enjoys spending time with his dog, and his family.

Dr. Upton Thomas is a board-certified psychiatrist who takes a warm, collaborative, and evidence-based approach to care. With a focus on treating mood disorders, anxiety, OCD, and substance use, he integrates psychopharmacology and psychotherapy to support patients in achieving meaningful change. He brings curiosity, creativity, and a deep respect for each individual’s story to his clinical work.

Patients often find Dr. Thomas easy to talk to and appreciate his calm, thoughtful demeanor. He emphasizes shared decision-making and believes that treatment works best when the patient’s values and voice are at the center. Dr. Thomas aims to create a safe space for honest dialogue and ongoing reflection as treatment evolves.

Dr. Thomas begins with a comprehensive evaluation to understand each patient’s mental health history, current concerns, and goals. He then develops an individualized treatment plan that may include medication, therapy, or both. He prefers to use the lowest effective dose of medications and often integrates psychotherapeutic strategies such as CBT, DBT, or insight-oriented work into his sessions.

‍

Tracey Griffin is an LMHC and LPC who is dedicated to helping people align with their most authentic selves, holding credentials in NY, NJ, and FL. This includes addressing the struggles of mental health in an open, empathetic, and non-judgmental, therapeutic relationship. She is dedicated to establishing a collaborative working relationship with individuals to help achieve their goals while living a fulfilled and balanced life. Tracey received her Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Pace University following her Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology from the same institution. She  has an extensive history working as a Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor exploring various approaches to recovery goals.

Tracey’s treatment approach is person-centered in conjunction with evidence-based practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing while remaining culturally sensitive and inclusive. She is well versed in harm reduction as well as abstinence-based approaches to addiction treatment and roots her practice to focus on treating the whole self which can include exploration of spirituality and purpose. Tracey has experience working with individuals who experience co-occurring disorders, anxiety, depression, codependency, addiction, personality disorders, LGBTQ, men’s issues, and trauma.

‍

Brittiny enjoys helping patients reach their full potential and helping them navigate through life, especially during difficult times. Brittiny believes in achieving high-quality work as a therapist, which means meeting an individual where they are. This looks like listening to someone, without judgment, to understand/analyze their wants and needs. This also means understanding where they are on their journey and trying to find ways in which she can assist them in reaching their goals.

Brittiny's therapeutic focus includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Holistic Therapy, and Mindfulness. Brittiny utilizes a collaborative and holistic approach with patients.

She's here to meet you where you are in your journey and looks forward to helping you reach your goals.

In your first session together, you and Brittiny start by getting to know each other and getting some background information. You'll then discuss what brings you to therapy and your goals, which will help you and Brittiny create a treatment plan, customized for you. Depending on the client, she might assign homework in between session. Which can include worksheets, journaling exercises, a little research on different disorders, or self-help books to help you better recognize and manage your diagnosis. However, it is always up to the client.

‍