Leslie Peck, LICSW

Lia Watson, LPC-S, is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor with over 10 years of experience helping adults navigate stress, anxiety, depression, and major life transitions. She earned her Master’s in Counseling Education with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from Sam Houston State University. Lia has worked across nonprofit, psychiatric hospital, and private practice settings, and is licensed in Texas, Louisiana, and Washington. She specializes in communication, self-awareness, relationship dynamics, and stress management, with a focus on supporting women and professionals in demanding roles.

Lia creates a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients feel safe to be open and honest. She approaches therapy as a collaborative, practical, and empowering process. Known for her warm, relatable, and direct style, she helps clients understand emotional patterns, strengthen boundaries, and improve communication while working toward meaningful, lasting change.

Lia begins by understanding each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She uses evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and strengths-based techniques. Together with her clients, she develops realistic goals and practical tools to build emotional awareness, manage stress, and foster healthier relationship patterns over time.

Loni Nelson-Bounds is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has practiced in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She earned a Master’s degree in Psychology in 2016 and brings a well-rounded clinical perspective to her work. Loni is committed to supporting individuals through compassionate, patient-centered care that honors each person’s unique experiences and needs.

Loni values open communication and collaborates closely with patients to establish clear, attainable treatment goals. She prioritizes creating an open, safe, and supportive environment where individuals feel heard, respected, and empowered to actively participate in their care. Her approach is grounded in trust, collaboration, and mutual respect.

Loni begins by thoroughly listening during the initial session to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. From there, she develops individualized treatment plans that align with the patient’s needs, values, and personal objectives, adjusting the approach as progress is made.

Craig Eaton, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor with over 26 years of experience providing outpatient therapy in both in-office and telehealth settings. His background includes intensive outpatient work with families and hospital-based crisis care for individuals at risk. He has been independently licensed for over 25 years.

Craig Eaton creates a safe, open space grounded in understanding and compassion. He takes a strength-based approach, helping clients challenge guilt and shame tied to past experiences. Using cognitive behavioral therapy, he supports clients in reshaping thought patterns to promote meaningful change and improved well-being.

Craig Eaton individualizes each treatment plan based on the client’s goals and needs. He views the first session as essential for understanding each person’s experiences. From there, he collaborates with clients to guide therapy, ensuring the process remains focused, supportive, and aligned with what matters most to them.

Clare Johnson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over nine years of experience across telehealth, outpatient, school-based, and integrated care settings. She is licensed in Texas and Washington and is a National Certified Counselor. Clare holds a Master of Arts in Counseling and a Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University. She uses evidence-based approaches such as CBT, trauma-informed care, and measurement-based treatment, with special interests in relationships, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and spirituality. As an ordained minister, she thoughtfully supports clients exploring mental health and faith.

Clare Johnson creates a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients can be fully themselves. Her approach is collaborative and practical, helping individuals understand patterns while building tools for daily life. She enjoys working with clients facing relationship challenges, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and questions about faith or identity. She is known for holding space for both emotional healing and deeper reflection on values and meaning.

Clare begins with an initial session to understand each client’s story, challenges, and goals. Together, they develop a personalized plan using approaches like CBT and trauma-informed care. Sessions focus on insight, coping strategies, and healthier relationship patterns. When meaningful, she incorporates spirituality or faith exploration. Progress is reviewed regularly to ensure alignment with client goals.

William Miller is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned his MSW from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College in New York City. For over 25 years, he has served individuals, families, and groups as a Behavioral Health Educator and Clinician. His work spans community-based nonprofits, worksite wellness programs, labor unions, and virtual settings across New York City, New Jersey, Ohio, and Washington State. He has facilitated experiential workshops, conducted assessments and referrals, provided therapy, led mindfulness meditation classes, and offered critical incident and grief support for adults and children, achieving meaningful outcomes in health education, behavioral adaptation, life transitions, and job functioning.

William is a practical therapist who integrates mindfulness-based CBT and DBT with SMART goals to keep treatment focused and forward-moving. He emphasizes strength-building through Positive Psychology to support clients’ natural abilities. He works with adults experiencing anxiety, panic, and depression related to life transitions such as career changes, relationship challenges, illness, stress, and life stage concerns. Treatment is collaborative and paced to the client’s comfort, with many experiencing gradual symptom relief within the first month and continued improvement over time.

William begins by exploring concerns from past to present, organizing them clearly and prioritizing what matters most. Together, he and the client develop a structured treatment plan with achievable goals. Sessions then move forward at the client’s pace, adjusting as needed while addressing concerns with clarity, focus, and compassion.

Dzevad Hujdurovic, LMHC, has experience in community mental health, school systems, and providing therapy via telehealth. He incorporates evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). His clinical interests include helping individuals manage anxiety, depression, grief, substance use concerns, relationship challenges, and everyday life stressors. He earned a Master of Science in Counselor Education from Eastern Washington University.

Dzevad Hujdurovic creates a supportive, non-judgmental environment where patients feel comfortable sharing their experiences. He values collaborative care and works closely with patients to identify meaningful treatment goals. Using practical strategies drawn from CBT and ACT, he helps patients build resilience and develop sustainable coping skills. He emphasizes open communication, meets patients where they are in their journey, and aims to empower them with tools that improve emotional well-being and daily functioning.

Dzevad Hujdurovic begins with a thoughtful conversation to understand each patient’s background, current concerns, support system, and goals for therapy. From there, he collaborates with patients to develop a personalized treatment plan that reflects their values and supports meaningful progress over time.

Rebecca Scandell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 26 years of experience providing counseling to individuals, teens, couples, and families. She is licensed in 12 states and has worked across diverse clinical settings, delivering both in-person and telehealth care. Rebecca’s extensive experience reflects her longstanding commitment to accessible, high-quality behavioral health services.

Rebecca is open, approachable, supportive, caring, and empathetic. She creates a warm, welcoming environment where clients feel safe to talk things through at their own pace. She values trust, collaboration, and respect, and believes meaningful change begins with feeling heard and understood.

Rebecca begins with a comprehensive assessment that explores personal history, current concerns, and potential solutions. From there, she collaborates with clients to develop individualized treatment goals and a practical plan tailored to their needs, adjusting the approach as progress unfolds.

Ian Sanders is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) with 13 years of experience working with teens, adults, and couples. He is passionate about helping people navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, and major life transitions. Ian values a collaborative, strengths-based approach and strives to create a supportive, affirming, and nonjudgmental space for all clients, including LGBTQ+ individuals and those exploring identity or relationship concerns.

Clients working with Ian can expect an active, collaborative experience focused on practical growth. He blends evidence-based therapies with clear, actionable skills so clients leave sessions with tools they can apply in everyday life. Ian believes therapy should feel empowering and approachable, and he prioritizes open communication, emotional safety, and individualized care for each person or couple he supports.

Ian begins by gaining a clear understanding of each client’s goals, challenges, and strengths. Together, they develop a straightforward treatment plan tailored to the client’s needs. Sessions focus on building insight, strengthening coping skills, and tracking progress over time. Ian also incorporates psychoeducation for families and caregivers when appropriate and works with couples to improve communication and address relationship challenges.

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Michelle Lake, EdD, LMHC, LCPC, has over 17 years of experience providing therapy in outpatient settings, including telehealth, university counseling centers, and mental health clinics. She works with children ages eight and older, adults, and the elderly. Michelle earned her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Florida International University and later completed a doctorate in Organizational Learning and Leadership with a specialization in Human Resources. She also holds a graduate certificate in Industrial Organizational Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Michelle is dedicated to creating a warm, supportive environment where patients feel heard, respected, and empowered to make meaningful changes in their lives. She values open communication and collaboration, working closely with patients to establish clear treatment goals that reflect their individual needs and strengths.

In the initial session, Michelle takes time to gain a thorough understanding of each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. From there, she develops individualized treatment plans tailored to align with the patient’s unique needs and objectives. Her approach ensures that therapy is both structured and flexible, helping patients move toward positive and lasting outcomes.

Trevor Ramkissoon, LPC, LMHC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington. For more than 20 years, he has worked with individuals, couples, and families in both clinical and corporate settings. His background includes therapy, crisis intervention, clinical supervision, and behavioral health consulting. He holds a Master’s in Counseling from Kean University and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Montclair State University. Trevor’s approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), mindfulness, and holistic care to support the whole person—not just the problem.

Patients can expect Trevor to listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and help identify patterns that bring clarity to their experiences. He values honesty and open communication, even when discussing difficult topics. His goal is to help patients feel grounded, confident, and empowered to navigate life’s challenges.

Trevor begins with an open conversation to understand what’s been happening and what patients hope to change or explore. Together, he and his patients set goals and develop a plan tailored to their pace and comfort level, creating a collaborative path toward lasting growth and well-being.

Komal Kishore, LCSW, has worked in hospice and hospital settings for over two years, bringing compassionate care to diverse populations. She has experience supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, and individuals experiencing houselessness. Komal earned her MSW from the University of Denver and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Social Work degree from the University of New England.

Komal uses a variety of therapeutic approaches, tailoring each to the unique needs of her patients. She prioritizes finding the right fit for every individual and values open, honest communication. Her goal is to foster a warm, supportive environment where patients feel comfortable and understood, building a strong therapeutic relationship that promotes healing and growth.

Komal begins by gaining a thorough understanding of each patient’s history, life experiences, and the factors that have shaped them. She collaborates with clients to set meaningful goals and revisits these goals every three to four months to assess progress and adjust as needed. Treatment is individualized, with therapy plans developed to align closely with each patient’s objectives and overall well-being.

Dianna's style is warm and interactive. She believes in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, including our country's service men and women. Dianna's approach combines an eclectic style of cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing techniques and schema therapy techniques. She will tailor sessions to meet your unique and specific needs. Humor and deep insights are not incongruent to her practice or off limits!

Dianna is invested in a healthcare experience that addresses you wholistically. She is dually licensed as both a Family Therapist and Genetic Counselor with a combined 14 years of professional work

experience. If you have daily hassles, life transitions, or chronic/acute health conditions that are becoming overwhelming, you are in the right place. She is interested in functional therapy that permits you to move forward. Where relevant, she can gently integrate psychospiritual issues regardless of religious background

Dianna's process begins with your first step to get help. It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and she will support and empower that desire. She works collaboratively with your healthcare team and addresses your questions and needs directly. She can work on the specific challenge or need you may have and brainstorm your best starting place. While she cannot live your life or make your decisions, she can be responsive to your needs and provide the anticipatory guidance that can transform your internal dialogue or open the door that mends family divisions.

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LaJoya McDonald is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with extensive experience across outpatient, telehealth, and managed care settings. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and specializes in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, and life transitions.

LaJoya is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and collaborative environment where clients feel heard and empowered. Her treatment style is integrative and person-centered, utilizing evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), trauma therapy, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution-Focused Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, supportive therapy, goal-oriented therapy, and mindfulness-based techniques.

LaJoya helps clients explore their thoughts, emotions, and patterns while developing practical tools for coping, healing, and growth. She believes in tailoring each treatment plan to the unique goals, strengths, and values of the individual, and takes pride in walking alongside her clients through life’s challenges with compassion and respect.

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LaTonya Washington, LICSW-S, PIP, is a trauma and couples' therapist with a Master of Social Work from the University of Alabama and advanced training in Brain spotting, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and the Gottman Method for couples therapy. With over 15 years of experience, she provides compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals and couples navigating trauma, relationship challenges, and major life transitions.

She specializes in helping couples rebuild trust after infidelity, strengthen emotional connection, and improve communication. She also supports individuals facing anxiety, burnout, and the emotional impact of chronic illness, guiding them toward healing and resilience

New clients can expect a warm, supportive space where they feel heard and understood. LaTonya takes a collaborative approach, tailoring therapy to each client’s needs while integrating practical strategies for healing and growth. Her sessions are focused on fostering insight, building emotional resilience, and equipping clients with tools to create lasting change. Whether working with individuals or couples, her goal is to help clients navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity, connection, and confidence.

Dominika is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has been in the field for ~20 years performing individual, group, and family service. During her education, Dominika focused on various forms of treatment modalities including DBT, ACT, CBT, trauma informed, family systems, motivational interviewing, and substance abuse treatment. Dominika has been an active remote, mental health therapist for the past several years, and has experience with working with diverse populations providing services to adults and children in mixed settings.

Dominika has an extensive background working with survivors of trauma, depression/bipolar disorder, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, grief, PTSD, schizophrenia and other forms of psychosis, gender/sexual identity difficulties, eating disorders, substance abuse, domestic violence, life transitions, as well as combinations of multiple problems. Dominika is a firm believer meeting people at their own pace to accomplish their objectives at their own speed.

Dominika’s initial appointment is an assessment, gathering the client’s background information and reason for seeking treatment, focusing on the client's own specific goals/desires for therapy and helping ct envision what this would look like for them in order to establish a general roadmap on moving towards their aspirations. After the first session, Dominika concentrates on what complications exist to ct’s objectives and how ct can utilize supportive tools/resources to help overcome these barriers. Dominika then helps cts establish weekly, smaller goals that can lead cts to their larger scale aspirations.

Ms. Ellen Ortiz is fully licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in multiple states. She has decades of life experience to support her 3 years of full licensure. Ms. Ortiz sees individuals from the perspective of the various environments they interact in and how it impacts them. Ms. Ortiz is enthusiastic about collaborating with clients under the care of one of our psychiatric experts in order to allow for a more complete and personalized approach for each individual's needs.
Ms. Ortiz began her education later in life at Elgin Community College then continued to acquire her bachelor’s degree from Argosy University with honors. Ms. Ortiz forged ahead and completed her Master’s in Family Counseling at the CACREP accredited graduate school, Northeastern Illinois University. Her training included the externship for Emotion Focused Therapy with Dr. Sue Johnson.

Ms. Ortiz incorporates therapy from a Solution Focused perspective including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness and Attachment theory.  Ms.Ortiz has been trained in Crisis Intervention and Trauma Informed therapy. Her life experience and clientele have spanned all life cycles, races, and medical needs as well as honoring all varieties of human beings. She has also supported clients through medical diagnosis and end of life as well as grief.

Ms. Ortiz brings enthusiasm for each client based on the belief that each person has unique purpose, strengths and abilities on which to draw on. The client's abilities paired with tools and support acquired in therapy will lead each of her clients to a life they choose to enhance.

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.‍