Huong Phan, LPC

Donna Duggan, LMHC, earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling from Walden University. Her professional journey began in law enforcement, later leading to education and mental health advocacy. Donna’s work as a crisis advocate for survivors of sexual assault and domestic abuse inspired her to pursue counseling full time. Since earning her graduate degree in 2015, she has worked extensively with children, families, and adults, specializing in trauma recovery and empowerment.

Donna values open communication and believes in creating a warm, supportive environment where patients feel respected and understood. With over fifteen years of experience helping individuals heal from trauma, she views the therapeutic process as an opportunity for patients to reclaim their voices and move from “victim to survivor” on their own terms. Patients can expect empathy, collaboration, and a strong sense of safety in her care.

Donna begins each therapeutic relationship by establishing trust and safety, encouraging honest dialogue around personal and family challenges. She integrates education, reflection, and resource sharing on topics like communication and conflict resolution. Together with patients, she develops personalized short- and long-term goals rooted in their individual and cultural values, ensuring therapy supports meaningful and lasting growth.

Melissa Medina, LCSW, began her journey in mental healthcare with a Bachelor’s in Psychology followed by a Master of Social Work degree. From 2015 to 2018, she completed her clinical hours at a community mental health agency in Los Angeles, where she gained experience working with diverse populations facing complex challenges. Melissa’s therapeutic approach integrates psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, interpersonal, strengths-based, dialectical behavioral, and EMDR modalities. She is dedicated to providing culturally sensitive, neurodivergent-friendly, person-centered care to support individuals and families navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, panic attacks, grief, family conflict, and life transitions.

Melissa believes therapy is both a journey and a destination. She takes an eclectic approach, tailoring interventions and communication to best fit each patient’s needs and preferences. Patients can expect an atmosphere of warmth, empathy, and collaboration. Through motivational interviewing and narrative techniques, Melissa helps individuals articulate their stories, identify strengths, and reframe challenges as opportunities for growth. She is committed to meeting patients where they are while supporting them in reaching their goals.

Melissa’s process begins with building rapport, listening to each patient’s story, and understanding their unique needs and hopes for therapy. Early sessions focus on creating a safe, supportive space while developing a treatment plan tailored to the individual. Patients can expect to gain fresh perspectives, practical coping strategies, and deeper self-awareness. Melissa’s goal is for patients to feel heard, understood, and empowered as they strengthen relationships, build resilience, and move toward a greater sense of fulfillment.

Wendy Barajas is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with over 15 years of experience working in community mental health outpatient settings. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles and her master’s degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy from the University of Phoenix. Wendy works primarily with adults and couples and also enjoys supporting children and teens. As a first-generation Latina, she understands the challenges of navigating bicultural identity and generational trauma.

Wendy supports clients experiencing anxiety, depression, eating disorders, workplace or school concerns, peer challenges, and sexuality-related issues. She believes clients are the experts in their own lives and partners with them to find balance and clarity. Wendy integrates humor into sessions when appropriate and brings a firm yet friendly, honest, and down-to-earth approach. She adapts her communication style to meet each client’s needs and enjoys celebrating progress and accomplishments.

Clients can expect to feel heard and seen from the first session. Wendy focuses on building connection, understanding what led clients to prioritize their mental health, and establishing trust. Together, they identify meaningful, attainable goals. Wendy provides respectful and honest feedback while supporting steady progress, viewing therapy as a collaborative journey rather than a race.

Diana Veliz, LCSW, obtained her MSW from Fordham University. Diana has over 3 years of experience providing client-centered therapy. Her practice is sensitive to race and culture, and trauma-informed. Diana has experience working with adults, and adolescents experiencing anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. She has worked in outpatient/inpatient clinics and in an educational setting supporting children with social emotional learning. Diana believes that the best approach is to work collaboratively with the client while also considering that each person's experience is individual to them. The client is an expert in their lives, and as a clinician, she is there to meet the client where they are at and begin the healing journey through non-judgment and compassion. Diana uses cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused approach, and psycho-education. She also considers the client's place in society and how culture and race can contribute to challenges. Diana takes passion in working with clients to improve self-esteem, recognize schemas, regulate emotions, and develop self-awareness.

Tikita Ficklin, LPC, has over 10 years of experience practicing in outpatient and inpatient settings, utilizing modalities such as CBT and Solution-Focused Therapy. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences/Human Services and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, both from Mercer University, and is completing a Doctorate in Marriage & Family Therapy from North Central University, expected in 2026.

Tikita values open and honest communication and partners with clients to set clear treatment goals that support their personal growth. She creates a warm, supportive environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Tikita begins by thoroughly understanding each client’s history, concerns, and goals during the initial session to foster a trusting relationship. She then develops individualized treatment plans that align with clients’ objectives, guiding them toward their best possible self.

Dr. Crump is a board-certified psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She is from Kentucky and completed her undergraduate studies at Murray State University. She obtained her medical degree from University of Kentucky College of Medicine and completed her psychiatry residency training at University of Louisville School of Medicine. Afterwards, she completed a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Medical University of South Carolina.

Dr. Crump has experience in a wide range of diagnoses and patient populations, with particular interest in anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance use disorders as well as the child and adolescent, college, BIPOC, and LBGTQIA+ populations.

Dr. Crump believes in the importance of getting to know each patient as a whole and of understanding the unique experiences that bring them to treatment. She collaborates with her patients to create personalized treatment plans and considers both medication and non-medication options.

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