Harmeeta Singh, MD

Julia Askinazi is an LCSW with 14 years of experience and substantial experience working in the field of mental health. Julia has collaborated with clients from diverse backgrounds with a broad range of psychiatric as well as physical health challenges. Julia earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Shepherd College and her Master's degree from the Charleston campus of West Virginia University. Julia has volunteered or worked in nearly every type of setting from daycares to nursing homes, including homeless shelters, hospices, with foster children and adoptive families, psych hospitals, Neuro ICU, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and even private practice. In undergraduate school she was President of the Social Work Association and interned for the National Association of Social Workers in graduate school. She has worked with people in recovery, clients who are HIV positive, those enlisted in the military and their family members, including neurodiverse and LGBTIQA individuals. Julia has been practicing as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for 14 years, with an emphasis on Anxiety Disorders and Complicated Mourning, including symptoms that hinder daily functioning. Engaging with Julia, treatment is client-centered and designed to fit each person's situation. Julia uses a comprehensive approach founded on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, focusing on Mindfulness.

Keesha Barthelemy is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Level-2. She has extensive experience working in the mental health and addictions field with adolescents, emerging adults, adults, and families. Keesha has worked directly with clients of various demographics, living with a variety of mental health conditions. She obtained her Undergraduate degree in Psychology from Hofstra University on Long Island, NY, and her graduate degree from Mercy University in Westchester, NY. Keesha has been practicing for 3 years as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, focusing on anxiety, mood disorders, addictions, and families. Treatment is tailored to the individual, with a foundation in cognitive-behavioral therapy, rational-emotive behavior Therapy, and mindfulness. Furthermore, Keesha has experience working with individuals seeking Faith-based Therapy, with a focus on Christianity and Catholicism. Keesha's vast clinical background has assisted in her development as a well-rounded counselor. She prides herself on possessing great interpersonal skills, and building therapeutic relationships in an effort to assist with growth, healing, and flourishment.

Alana Ward is a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). Alan has been practicing since 2018 and has experience with individuals of all ages. Prior to becoming a PMHNP, Alana worked as a registered nurse in critical care and psychiatry. As a PMHNP, she has experience working on inpatient adult and geriatric psychiatric units, as well as providing psychiatric evaluations and consultations to individuals on medical units and emergency rooms at hospitals. Alana is very experienced working in outpatient settings managing various psychiatric diagnoses. She has also helped manage individuals in long term care facilities and assisted living facilities. When Alana is not providing direct patient care, she will on occasion help with instructing future nurses at Kent State University. Alana graduated with her Master's of Science in Nursing from Kent State University, and is board certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurse Credentialing Center. Alana enjoys treating a variety of mental health diagnoses including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, and various psychotic disorders. She believes in client-centered care, where clients get a say in their treatment in order to help make them feel their best. Alana truly believes that therapy is a crucial part of successfully treating any mental health diagnosis, in combination with medication management when warranted. Alana likes to add mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to her medication management appointments to help individuals receive effective, quality care.

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.

Amy Gonzalez is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner as well as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She has been practicing in the field of nursing since 1996. Amy has been a practicing Family Nurse Practitioner since 2007, and she started to focus on substance abuse treatment in 2010. She found that many people with substance use disorder also struggle with their mental health and went on to get her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree completing it in 2017. Her past experience includes working in both outpatient and inpatient psychiatry, 24-hour crisis care, substance use treatment, mental health court, and both adult and geriatric psychiatry. Amy has expertise in treating depression, bipolar spectrum disorder, anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, substance use disorders and thought disorders.

Amy believes in providing a safe and supportive environment where she really gets to know her patients as individuals and works collaboratively with them to develop a treatment plan. She is concerned with a patient's overall wellness, emphasizing nutrition, movement, hobbies, social connection, and mindfulness. She takes a holistic approach to treatment which focuses on evidence-based treatments including conventional medications, supplements, and alternative and complementary treatments.

Amy focuses on medication management as well as providing supportive therapy, psychoeducation, and motivational interviewing to her patients in 30-minute follow up appointments. Sometimes Amy may recommend more intense therapy and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome.

Dr. Mark Varela is a board-certified psychiatrist joining Talkiatry directly out of residency. He focuses primarily on medication management, often accompanied by brief cognitive, motivational, or supportive therapy. He may request that you also meet with a therapist regularly for your benefit. Dr. Varela received his medical degree and general psychiatric residency training both from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in West Texas. He treats young adults and adults with a wide variety of mental health concerns, including ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD.