Lauren Mingle, LPC

Mekayla Davila is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) who has been in practice for 6 years. She has experience working with many diverse populations and mental health conditions. Mekayla attended graduate school at Teachers College Columbia University where she received an M.A. and M.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling. Her education and experience span both psychology and criminal justice fields as she has always been interested in their intersectionality. In previous roles, Mekayla has worked mostly with children, adolescents, and adults of minority populations, with focuses on treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and other stressor-related disorders. Mekayla strongly believes that every therapeutic interaction is unique, so she uses an eclectic approach, with foundations in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy, to tailor treatment to the specific needs of each individual. Mekayla puts emphasis on the therapeutic relationship and finds it important to provide a safe and comforting environment for all.

Meet Alex Starmer, LMHC, your friendly mental health counselor here at Talkiatry. She's not just a counselor; she's your partner on your mental health journey. Alex earned her Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Syracuse University in 2020 and has been in the field since January 2021, working closely with clients facing mental health and substance use challenges. Alex believes in the power of the mind-body connection, and she loves to share polyvagal exercises and mindfulness techniques to help you better understand yourself. She's always learning and growing, with ongoing training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Her go-to tools for therapy are Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). With her, you can expect a compassionate and comprehensive approach to your mental well-being. You're in good hands with Alex.‍

Jodie Gardner is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensed in Texas and California. She works with individuals, couples, and families ages 12 and older and has clinical experience addressing depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, addiction, and life transitions. Jodie is certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and has extensive experience supporting clients from diverse backgrounds and identities, including providing affirming care for LGBTQ+ individuals, those in non-traditional or complex relationships, and individuals navigating mood disorders, caregiver stress, and intimacy concerns.

Jodie believes every person has a unique story and deserves an individualized approach to care. She views therapy as a collaborative partnership grounded in open communication and mutual respect. Jodie creates a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore thoughts and emotions at their own pace, using thoughtful questions to help clients uncover insight, strengths, and meaningful solutions.

In the first session, Jodie invites clients to share their story and what brings them to therapy. Together, they identify goals and begin developing a personalized roadmap for treatment. Her approach integrates evidence-based practices such as CBT and DBT with trauma-informed care and mindfulness to support lasting growth and change.

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.

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.

Alexis Lanzillo, MA BC-DMT, NCC, LPC (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Pennsylvania and Dance/Movement Therapist. She received her master’s degree as a Dance/Movement Therapist from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is also board certified through the American Dance Therapy Association. She has over 15 years of experience working with adolescents and adults of various demographics, living with a vast array of mental health needs.

Alexis is a humanistic therapist, maintaining a clinical focus of a trauma-informed lens. She uses a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches, rooted in dance/movement therapy principles, while integrating elements of additional evidence-based therapies including CBT, DBT, and other mindfulness-based techniques, all with a deep commitment to creating a supportive and non-judgmental space for her clients. She encourages clients to use their voice, verbally and non-verbally enable self-expression to help people build and maintain a positive sense of self.

Meet people where they are at, is always her focus. Alexis believes in the power of the relationship, to self and others, and works with each motivated individual to explore one's own unique experiences, challenge negative beliefs, while gaining a deeper understanding of the mind-body connection. Alexis will be there to support clients in reaching personal goals, challenge beliefs that no longer serve a purpose, encourage healthy risk taking, and establishing healthy boundaries with self and others.