Kelly Vandivert, LPC

Maria-Anne Duncan, LCSW-R holds the position of psychotherapist at Talkiatry. She has over twenty years of experience working with individuals, families, and groups addressing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma. Before joining Talkiarty, Ms. Duncan worked as a Director of Clinical Services for a not-for-profit in the Hudson Valley Region of New York State. Prior to that, Ms. Duncan worked for a local hospital in the psychiatric department providing treatment to the Inpatient and Outpatient units. She has held several positions as a clinician and program director. Additionally, Ms. Duncan has taught parenting classes, Mental Health First Aid and provides training on Trauma-Informed Care. Ms. Duncan started her career as a clinician in a Crime Victims' Assistance Program funded by New York State. Through this experience she began to explore the effects of trauma on individuals, their families, and the community. Ms. Duncan has been trained in both EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and SE (Somatic Experiencing). She utilizes these body-focused therapies to help her clients be released from years of painful energies locked in their systems. Ms. Duncan received her Bachelor's Degree from Marist College and her Master's from Fordham University. She has been trained to supervise Social Work Students in their field placements. Ms. Duncan appeared in the Vassar College student-developed training video, "He said, She said" which is used to train peer sexual assault counselors. In April of 2022, she became a trainer for LivingWorks "SafeTALK" program. Additionally, Ms. Duncan has a trained therapy dog, Monkey, who goes with her to local hospitals and nursing homes to provide comfort and affection.

Yvette Ramirez is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over a decade of experience providing care to individuals, couples, and families. She began her career working in-home with patients to build understanding around diagnosis, symptoms, and medication adherence. She later transitioned to integrated care, using solution-focused therapy for clients with co-occurring medical and mental health conditions. Yvette is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), and has provided trauma-informed care across various populations, including children, adolescents, and teenagers.

Yvette offers a compassionate, supportive space where patients feel heard, safe, and respected. She integrates EMDR and trauma-focused CBT to help adolescents, teenagers, and adults process trauma and enhance well-being. Her creative use of play, art, and narrative therapy fosters emotional expression in younger clients. She has experience supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and families navigating identity and relationship concerns. Patients can expect open communication and collaborative goal setting throughout their journey.

Yvette begins treatment by learning about the patient’s concerns and sharing the therapies she offers. By the second session, she works collaboratively with patients to create personalized treatment goals. From the third session onward, sessions focus on progress, practical tools, and check-ins to reinforce healing. Every step of care is structured, collaborative, and empowering.

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Catherine is a graduate from the City University of New York (CUNY) Brooklyn College where she received her Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor experienced in working with adults that struggle with an array of different issues for the past 7 years, both in outpatient and private practice settings. Coupled with her empathic and non-judgmental attitude, she uses a person-centered approach when working with clients. She strives to meet the clients where they are at. Catherine has a passion for helping others reach their full potential, rebuild their confidence, and gain a better insight into themselves through using psychodynamic and CBT interventions. She promotes and encourages "progress over perfection."

Susan is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas. In 2005, she began working in the mental health field by volunteering as a domestic violence advocate for a local women's shelter. She graduated from Texas State University with a bachelor's degree in psychology and continued her education by obtaining a master's degree in counseling from St. Edwards University. Over the years, Susan has worked with several universities, group practices, and community mental health clinics. Susan received CBT training from the Beck Institute and is also trained in EMDR. She works with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, feelings of shame and guilt, trauma, and emotional abuse.

Susan understands that seeing a new therapist can be intimidating. She wants all of her clients to know that she is a safe space and that your feelings and experiences do matter.

Susan uses a holistic approach when working with clients. She also uses unconditional positive regard. Both therapist and client work together to create treatment goals. Techniques used include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Informed CBT, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Rogerian and EMDR.

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Darlene Browning is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she is licensed in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. She has been a Social Worker since 2001 has an undergraduate degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice where she completed in 1992 with a B.S. in Science and majored in Criminal Justice. She then started working as a Correction Counselor with the NYC Department Corrections for few years, working with female inmates who had substance abuse problem and adolescence as well. She facilitated treatment recovery groups and psycho education . In 1998, she worked as with the Administration for Children Services while she was pursuing her Master's Degree degree from Hunter College School of Social Work where she graduated in 2001 with her MSW.

For 19 years she worked as a Discharge Planner in the hospital while attending Metropolitan Institute for Mental Health to study in the Adult Psychoanalytic Division, in 2012, Darlene decided to switch gears and began working as Behavorial Health  Care Manager , while starting her own private practice in the mist of the pandemic. Her practice is called " Live the Life you Want ", because she strongly believes that all individuals should live their own lives the way they want to and desire.

In 2022, Darlene  received a two year certificate in Integrated Trauma from the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy where she received training in EMDR , Somatic experiencing and  i is currently working obtaining a certification on becoming an  Accelerated Experiential Psychodynamic Psychotherapist  , which is a experiential model that seeks to alleviate patients psychological suffering by helping them process the overwhelming emotions associated with trauma, depression and anxiety.

Darlene Browning has been in the in the mental health for over 30 years.  She continues provide psychotherapy with an eclectic, person-centered, and non-judgmental approach.  Darlene Browning style provides a safe, secure, and empathetic warm environment.  Darlene quotes “ The world can be scary, cold, and insensitive place to be and there is a lot of uncertainty going around, but together we can get through it “.  Although Darlene Browning is part of the of the BIPOC community, she welcomes all Races, creeds and religion. Darlene also has experience working with LGBT community, including relationships, intimacy issues, attachment issues, career difficulties, coaching, and compassion fatigue.  Her clinical approach includes CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic and Trauma informed.

Your first session is all about YOU as well as the second.  Darlene allows to express your reason why you are seeking therapy and more about what you been through in life. We both will get to know other, and we will focus on what areas you want to work on.

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Lindsey Wittenhagen, LPC, earned a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from the University of Texas Permian Basin in 2014 and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has extensive experience supporting individuals with anxiety, depression, ADHD, self-worth concerns, relationship challenges, stress management, divorce, and life transitions. Lindsey has worked in outpatient settings and as an advocate for trauma survivors, bringing a compassionate and informed perspective to her practice.

Lindsey’s passion is helping clients navigate the ups and downs of life, whether facing overwhelming stress, relational difficulties, or emotional struggles. Her approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that healing happens when individuals feel truly seen and heard. Therapy with Lindsey is not about fixing what is “broken” but about fostering self-understanding, exploring what may be keeping someone stuck, and building tools for well-being. She creates a safe, judgment-free space where clients can show up authentically.

Lindsey begins therapy by gaining a thorough understanding of each client’s history, concerns, and goals during the initial session. She then collaborates with clients to develop individualized treatment plans that reflect their unique needs and aspirations. Progress is continually assessed, with goals and approaches adjusted as necessary to ensure growth, resilience, and meaningful change.