Ian Provo, LCSW

Cherese Allen is a Licensed Professional Counselor with extensive experience working with adolescents, teens, and adults. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Houston and earned her master's degree from Houston Christian University. Additionally, she completed an internship at a private practice in Texas. Upon obtaining her license, she achieved certifications in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Shame-Informed Therapy, and Eating Disorders.

With years of experience in both education and private practice, Cherese has helped individuals, couples, and families overcome a wide range of mental health challenges. Her expertise includes, but is not limited to, addressing depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, mood disorders, career changes, and major life transitions.

Cherese employs a holistic approach that integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy. She believes that with the right tools, you can conquer many obstacles and reach your desired destination. Cherese looks forward to supporting you on your journey!

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Chad McDaniel, LPC-MHSP, is an experienced mental health professional with a background in both outpatient and inpatient settings. He has worked extensively with clients navigating mental health and substance use challenges. Chad earned his master’s degree in counseling from Southern Adventist University and completed his clinical internship at Parkridge Valley Psychiatric Hospital, where he developed a strong foundation in evidence-based care and client-centered practice.

Chad values open communication and collaboration in every therapeutic relationship. He works alongside clients to establish clear treatment goals and realistic expectations, ensuring that care is both purposeful and personalized. His approach is grounded in empathy and respect, creating a safe and supportive environment where clients feel accepted, heard, and empowered to make meaningful change.

In the initial session, Chad takes time to thoroughly understand each client’s personal history, current concerns, and long-term goals. He then develops an individualized treatment plan that reflects their unique needs and aspirations. Throughout the therapeutic process, Chad regularly reassesses progress, adjusting interventions as needed to help clients achieve lasting growth and improved well-being.

Nicole Estevez is a licensed mental health counselor in New York and an out-of-state telehealth provider in Florida. She received her Master of Mental Health Counseling from Alliance Graduate School of Counseling (now Alliance University). Nicole has 9 years of experience providing client-centered individual and family therapy services to a wide variety of clients. Nicole has worked in a variety of settings including an outpatient community clinic, in-home family therapy, treating undocumented minors with trauma history, and telehealth. Nicole has experience working with clients who are experiencing anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, grief, post traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health concerns. Over the years in the mental health field, she believes that the best approach to therapy is a collaborative process with the client to assist in achieving their goals. Nicole has experience with modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic, motivational interviewing, and dialectical behavioral therapy.

Dr. David Guggenheim is an experienced clinical psychologist and health care administrator. He has worked with patients at different stages of life, including children, adolescents, and adults, and he has treated patients living with a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Dr. Guggenheim has specific training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and foundational training in dialectical behavioral therapy. Prior to joining Talkiatry, Dr. Guggenheim served as the Chief Behavioral Health Officer at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center in New York City, specializing in LGBTQ+ health care. In that role, he oversaw teams of providers including psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers, who collectively provided care to thousands of patients in the New York metropolitan area. While at Callen-Lorde, he also served as co-chair for the behavioral health subcommittee of the Community Health Center Association of New York State; worked as an Adjunct Professor at Post University; and performed volunteer clinical work at the Weill Cornell Center for Human Rights. Before joining Callen-Lorde, Dr. Guggenheim worked as Associate Chief Behavioral Health Officer at Community Health Center, Inc., a federally qualified health center in Connecticut. A recognized expert, Dr. Guggenheim has delivered lectures to audiences ranging from medical schools to corporate executives, and he has been quoted in national media including The Advocate, Yahoo Finance, and Teen Vogue. Dr. Guggenheim has also been honored with an Early Career Achievement Award from the American Psychological Association in 2016. Dr. Guggenheim received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Connecticut in 2002 and his Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University/Washington, DC in 2009.

Ernest Smith, LPC, specializes in supporting adolescents, young adults, adults, and older adults as they navigate grief, anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. With a compassionate and client-centered approach, he creates a safe, nonjudgmental space for individuals to explore their experiences and build the skills necessary for healing, growth, and resilience.

Ernest draws from a range of evidence-based modalities—including solution-focused therapy, person-centered therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). He tailors each session to meet the unique needs of his clients, whether helping adolescents manage emotional regulation and identity development or supporting older adults in coping with grief and life changes.

Ernest provides trauma-informed care and recovery-focused strategies that foster emotional safety, self-awareness, and long-term well-being. His goal is to walk alongside each person with empathy, understanding, and practical tools that promote lasting change and inner strength.

Alicia Lakin has been counseling for over 20 years. She possesses an LPC-MHSP license. Alicia earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at the University of Tennessee. She then went on to earn her Master's Degree, with a focus on Guidance and Counseling, at Lincoln Memorial University. Alicia has been trained in Trauma Focused � Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Motivational Interviewing. Alicia's professional career has provided her with the opportunity to work with individuals in a variety of settings. She has provided treatment in residential care programs for children and adolescents, in the family home, community-based mental health center, and substance abuse treatment outpatient services. In these settings, Alicia has been afforded the opportunity to treat all ages, dealing with a wide range of issues including trauma, substance abuse and recovery, and mood disorders such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therapeutically, Alicia describes her approach as "person-centered”, strength-based, and collaborative. She believes in providing a safe space for individuals to be able to express themselves openly, as well as explore any changes they desire to make in their lives. She believes in building a trusting relationship so that she and the individual can work together to help create change. Her style is reality-based, and she views herself as having many roles as a therapist, including that of a support, teacher, advocate, facilitator, and listener in the treatment relationship.