LaTonya Washington, LCSW

Stephorna Barnes-Patterson, LCSW, brings over 15 years of experience working in community and outpatient settings with individuals across all age groups. She utilizes various treatment modalities to meet diverse needs. Stephorna earned her degree from Adelphi University School of Social Work and is a licensed clinical social worker committed to compassionate, effective care.

Stephorna offers flexible, client-focused, and culturally competent treatment. She tailors every session to meet the individual’s unique needs, creating a space where patients feel heard, understood, and empowered in their healing journey.

During the initial session, Stephorna takes time to understand each patient’s history, concerns, goals, and existing strengths. She collaborates with clients to develop personalized treatment plans aimed at providing both immediate relief and long-term healing.

Tiffany Reilly is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 8 years of experience providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and families in Seattle and New York City. She received her Master's in Counseling from Northwest University in 2015. Before coming to Talkiatry, Tiffany worked as a Family Therapist and Supervisor at Children's Aid. This role gave her experience navigating the complexities of adolescence, young adulthood, marriage, and other interpersonal stressors. She was also able to pursue additional trainings in motivational interviewing, trauma systems, and LGBTQIA supportive counseling. Tiffany focuses on treating mood and anxiety disorders, as well as the complexities of grief and loss. She has additional experience working with trauma, conduct disorder, ODD, and personality disorders. She utilizes a variety of therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Psychoanalytic Theory, and Person-Centered Counseling. Tiffany approaches each therapeutic relationship with empathy and compassion, understanding the uniqueness of personal experience. She believes that all behavior maintains something for each individual and that when we bravely uncover our patterns, we can use our inherent strengths to work towards change.

Alaina Ables is a Manhattan-based mental health counselor with a wide range of experience with different populations and diagnoses. She has worked with children, adolescents, adults, and couples in both addiction and traditional mental health settings. Alaina is also licensed in Virginia and is available for virtual sessions. Alaina specializes in working with teenagers, college students, and the LGBT Community. Alaina also focuses on treating Anxiety, BPD, ADHD, Trauma, and General Life Stressors.

Alaina operates from a Person-Centered Lens which means the client is the expert in their own life, therefore, she will collaborate with you to find the best possible approach.

Alaina provides a comfortable, non-judgmental, and multicultural lens to ensure the ability of tacking each issue in a safe and healthy way.

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Jessica Vassallo is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience in the area of mental health. She has worked with patients of various demographics including World Trade Center responders, college students, patients with severe and persistent mental illness, dually diagnosed patients, patients who have or have had cancer, and patients with impoverished backgrounds. She received her Master's Degree at Adelphi University in 2003, became certified that year and received her license in clinical social work in 2008. Jessica has been practicing in social work for 20 years, focusing on anxiety, depression, and PTSD. She uses an eclectic approach in therapy with a foundation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindfulness therapy, and supportive psychotherapy. She develops an individualized treatment plan for all patients to focus on their goals. She believes that the person is impacted by all the larger systems they are in (family, workplace, community, larger society) and is committed to providing a non-judgmental, warm, and empathetic space to help clients feel understood and comfortable exploring the roots of their issues.

Diamond Junior received her bachelor’s degree in arts & psychology 2007 & two master’s degrees in science, one in Community Mental Health Counseling and the second one in School Counseling Education, in 2011 and 2018. Diamond Junior now has her License in Mental Health Counseling, her Credentialed Alcoholic & Substance Abuse Counseling Certification-Trainee, and her Permanent Certification in School Counseling. Diamond is also currently in doctoral school for her School Psychology degree. Diamond is a former Alcohol and Substance Abuse Preventive Worker & Treatment and Therapeutic Foster Care Family Specialist. Diamond is now currently, an on-line therapist and has her own Mental Health Counseling Private Practice in Buffalo. Diamond's treatment styles & modalities include Trauma-Informed Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Grief Therapy.

When working with Diamond, a new patient should know that she is very down to earth and professionally direct. Diamond practices individualism and treat each patient as their own person. Diamond develops treatment plans with the patient, that tailors to each of their individual needs. Diamond is also the co-founder of an All-girls mentoring & educational program called, "Unique Sisters. Unique Sister was started in 2014 and is owned by my mother, Rhodesia Jackson.

Diamond's typical process when working with patients is to first establish a therapeutic rapport by asking open-ended questions. Diamond asks questions such as, "Have you been in therapy before, including as a  child or teen (if the patient is over 18)"? This helps Diamond starting point to build a trusting & individualized relationship with the patient. Diamond's next question would be, "Why did you first enter therapy & we're you diagnosed with any mental health disorders"? Diamond continues to go on and ask if the client is or has been on psychotropic medications and what brings them back to therapy. Diamond gathers all of this information during the first two session and then ask the patient if any skills were built during their therapy journey & if they still utilize the skills. Finally, Diamond would administer the ACE Questionnaire to assess for childhood trauma, if the patient is over 18 years of age.

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Giulia Ferrero earned her Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Sociology, Ethnic Studies, and Women & Gender Studies at the University of Colorado in Boulder, and received her Master of Social Work from Columbia University with an emphasis in children, youth, and families. Giulia is licensed by the State of Texas as a master social worker (LMSW), and is dedicated to helping people who struggle with mental health concerns. She believes that change happens when people are given the support they need to draw on their own strengths and realize their potential to live fulfilling, happy lives. Giulia advocates a holistic approach when working with her clients and incorporates various treatment styles including, but not limited to, cognitive-behavioral, family systems, solution-focused, and psychodynamic. During her graduate program, Giulia worked extensively with children, utilizing play therapy techniques alongside a trauma-focused treatment approach. She specializes in individual therapy with an emphasis on issues such as PTSD, autism, stress, anxiety and depression, grief and loss, women's issues, family/relationship issues, life transitions, and personal growth. Giulia especially enjoys working with young adults and is committed to working with each person in a confidential, effective manner to help the individual accomplish his/her/their goals.