Kelvin McMorris, LISW

Pradnya Shinde is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in New Jersey, a Registered Play Therapist (RPT), and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor. With over seven years of clinical practice, she has supported clients across diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of mental health conditions. Her areas of focus include trauma, stressful life events, anxiety, depression, and challenges with communication and self-expression. Drawing from her experience in community mental health, non-profits, and private practice, Pradnya is committed to helping individuals feel understood and empowered.

Pradnya integrates cognitive behavioral and attachment-based approaches within a person-centered framework, tailoring her methods to each individual. She incorporates practical strategies and therapeutic tools that clients can apply right away in their daily lives. Above all, she strives to create a warm, supportive, and respectful space where patients feel safe to express themselves openly and explore their needs without judgment.

Pradnya begins by thoroughly learning each patient’s history, concerns, and goals during the first session. By the second, she develops a collaborative treatment plan that reflects the patient’s unique needs and aspirations. Throughout the therapeutic journey, she maintains an open and safe environment where patients feel heard and validated, supporting them as they navigate challenges and build healthier coping strategies.

Dr. Maria Teresa Carvajal is an adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist. She is originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador, and is bilingual in Spanish and English. Dr. Carvajal earned her medical degree from Universidad de Guayaquil in Ecuador. She then participated in a medical program at The William J. Harrington Training Program for Latin America and the Caribbean, at Jackson Memorial Hospital, an affiliate of the University of Miami in Florida. Afterwards, she completed her adult psychiatry residency at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Bronx Care Health System, and her fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Northwell Health in New York. She has experience working in various settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and emergency departments. Dr. Carvajal has submitted and presented work to the American Psychiatric Association and has also collaborated on a book publication. Dr. Carvajal has experience treating children and adults with anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, dementia, etc. She utilizes medication management in conjunction with emotional and supportive therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. She is passionate about her work and understands the impact of mental illnesses in daily life activities and in the family system. She will work with each patient in an individualized manner and will tailor personalized treatment plans that may include pharmacological treatment. In addition, Dr. Carvajal may recommend including a therapist in your care team to provide the best outcome.‍

Regina Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults across outpatient, group, individual, and family therapy settings. Regina is passionate about supporting clients of all ages in improving their mental health and building the tools needed to navigate life’s challenges.

Regina values creating a supportive and welcoming environment where clients feel comfortable sharing openly and honestly. She understands that therapy is most effective when clients feel safe, respected, and empowered to explore their thoughts and experiences. Her approach is compassionate and collaborative, with a focus on ensuring that each session meets the client’s needs and goals.

Regina begins sessions by gaining an understanding of each client’s history and current concerns. Together, she and her clients establish weekly goals and create individualized treatment plans tailored to their specific struggles. Her process emphasizes collaboration, ongoing support, and practical strategies that can be applied both inside and outside of therapy to foster meaningful growth and resilience.

Emily Romeo, LPC holds a license as a professional counselor in the state of Pennsylvania. She has over 15 years of experience working with a broad range of individuals at varying levels of care and clinical severity. Emily is board-certified in clinical mental health counseling by the National Board for Certified Counselors. Emily approaches therapy in an integrative, client-centered manner. She implements a variety of therapeutic techniques to include mindfulness, dialectical behavioral, acceptance and commitment concepts, psychoeducation, and trauma-informed care. She values the therapeutic relationship and strives to provide a safe, accepting atmosphere to ensure her clients feel heard, validated, and empowered. Emily received her master's degree from Messiah College and her undergraduate work was completed at the Pennsylvania State University. Emily has provided clinical care to a variety of individuals ranging from those struggling with complex trauma and substance use disorders to children/adolescents/adults dealing with anxiety, depression, mood instability and adjustment difficulties related to life changes. She has expertise in a variety of counseling settings including outpatient, partial hospitalization, residential, and in-home. She utilizes multiple treatment modalities which include individual, group, and couples/family therapy. An area of interest for Emily includes working with young adults struggling with co-occurring disorders. As the clinical coordinator of Silvermist Recovery, a premier residential treatment facility, she has been able to expand her clinical skills. Her philosophy is based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a transdiagnostic model that allows her to provide high quality care to her patients.

Katherine Strasburger, LCSW, grew up in Colorado and moved to Waco in 2013 to attend Baylor University, where she later earned her MSW. She has extensive experience supporting children and adolescents ages 4–19, as well as their caregivers, across juvenile detention, PK–12 schools, and homeless outreach. She is completing full EMDR training and holds ADHD certification. Kat enjoys integrating nutrition-focused psychoeducation and creative expression through play and art-based strategies. She is also training her dog, Odin, for Therapy Dog certification.

Kat recognizes the stigma surrounding mental health and views seeking therapy as an act of resilience. She creates a safe, comfortable, and nonjudgmental space where clients can be themselves. She values autonomy, supports increased self-awareness, and genuinely celebrates each client’s progress and healing.

Kat begins by building rapport and gaining a thorough understanding of each client’s history, concerns, and goals. She collaborates with clients to create individualized treatment plans that reflect their needs and priorities. She feels honored to walk alongside clients as they grow, heal, and build skills for lasting well-being.

Tara Merchant is a person-centered, nonjudgmental, relationship-based LMHC (licensed mental health counselor) who recognizes the intrinsic value of all people and holds positive regard for all her clients. Tara views counseling as a collaborative effort that provides psychoeducation and coping skills for the obstacles with which clients may be struggling, and clients provide insights as experts on themselves. She believes that all thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected and have valid underlying factors. Tara seeks to help clients connect the dots, from both past and present, to have a greater understanding of themselves and their environments. She also fosters a safe space for clients to identify and embrace their feelings toward emotional catharsis. Tara received her Bachelor's Degree from Purchase College, State University of NY, and her Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University. She has an eclectic style that utilizes Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and psychodynamic modality. Tara aims to uphold cultural humility for ongoing learning and awareness that supports racial and social equity. She is experienced in working with relationship issues, anxiety, depression, and child development. Tara is a big proponent of self-care and encourages you to find whatever it is that fills your cup. She, for example, loves to watch TV and sing in her spare time.