Jodie Gardner, LPC

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.

Biankah Kiser-Miranda is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with seven years of experience supporting teens, adults, and families. She specializes in trauma, depression, anxiety, grief, obsessive-compulsive disorder, mood disorders, and concerns related to self-esteem and self-advocacy. Her approach is warm, collaborative, and strengths-based, with an emphasis on creating a safe, supportive space where clients feel heard and understood.

Biankah believes that every individual has the capacity to heal and grow. She works to build trusting relationships and partners closely with clients to identify goals that feel meaningful and attainable. Drawing from evidence-based practices such as CBT, DBT, person-centered therapy, solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness, she tailors treatment to each client’s unique needs.

Biankah begins by learning about each client’s experiences, strengths, and challenges. Together, they develop a collaborative treatment plan that supports growth, resilience, and practical skill-building. Her work is paced thoughtfully, ensuring clients feel supported as they navigate challenges and move toward lasting change.

Rutanya Simon, LCSW, earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Oklahoma and has over eleven years of experience supporting children, families, and couples. She has worked with the courts, including mental health and substance abuse programs, and with families involved in child protective and adoption services. Rutanya integrates Gottman techniques to strengthen communication between couples and applies family systems theory to help families identify and improve maladaptive patterns and behaviors.

Rutanya is a solution-focused therapist who has worked with diverse populations throughout her career. She provides insight from a non-biased and compassionate perspective, helping clients create practical solutions for life transitions and personal healing. Her approach encourages introspection and self-compassion, empowering clients to focus on what is within their control while fostering growth and resilience.

In the initial session, Rutanya works to build rapport and trust while gaining a clear understanding of each client’s needs. She collaborates with clients to identify small, achievable steps toward their goals and uses these to guide the development of individualized treatment plans that promote meaningful progress and lasting change.

After receiving my bachelor's in psychology from SUNY New Paltz in 2013, I worked as a medical assistant with individuals with developmental disabilities. From there, I recognized the need to promote mental health and a balanced way of living. I completed my master's in clinical Mental Health Counseling through Walden University in 2021. My goal is to guide individuals towards cultivating their own sense of independence, ability to utilize healthy coping strategies, and regain control over their lives. I work with children, adolescents, teenagers, adults, couples, and families as they begin their journey through processing adjustment changes, anxiety, depression, anger, grief, trauma, among other symptoms. Through the therapeutically proven interventions from CBT, DBT, person-centered therapy, and mindfulness, we can begin to explore triggers, symptoms, and challenges in a safe, respectful environment.

Deb Lund is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Deb brings to bear nearly 25years of experience helping children, adolescents, adults, and families cope with ADHD, depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance abuse. Deb attended Assumption College, where she earned a CAGS and a MA in Rehabilitation Counseling.  She also attended Worcester State University, where she earned a BA in Elementary Education, including a minor in Psychology with a Concentration in Developmental Disabilities.  Other course work includes Substance Abuse Counseling and Psychology.

Deb uses evidence-based modalities, including individualized motivational interviewing, mindfulness exercises, and cognitive-behavioral techniques. She likes to refer to herself as a GPS  during the therapeutic journey; she explains that we can't always see our destination when we start together, but between us, we will get you and your family where you want to be.

Deb uses her natural compassion and sense of humor to assist in developing collaborative relationships with patients and families. Her goal is to help those she works with to reach their full potential and realize their goals through a combination of teamwork and advocacy.

Angel Vest is a licensed clinical/independent social worker with extensive experience working in the mental health and substance use fields. Angel has worked with patients of various populations with differing levels of need. Angel's undergraduate university, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in psychology, is located in Portsmouth, OH. Her graduate school, where she completed her Master's of Social Work with a concentration in advanced clinical practice, is located in Minneapolis, MN. Angel's internships were completed in Portsmouth, OH, and academic residencies were completed in Atlanta, GA. Angel has been treating substance use disorders since 2016 and other mental health conditions since 2019. She uses an eclectic and trauma-focused approach with a foundation in Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, accompanied by somatic interventions to enhance the mind-body connection. Angel specializes in the treatment of Insomnia Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, depression, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders. Angel prioritizes the therapeutic relationship as a collaborative one and will work with you to address any barriers to overall health, happiness, and well-being.