Melinda Morris, LCSW

Kristina Bona is a Licensed Professional Counselor with extensive experience working in the mental health field. Kristina received her bachelor's from The University of Texas at Austin and proceeded to obtain her Master's degree in Counseling from The University of Texas at San Antonio. Since graduating with her Master's, she has worked in the mental health field, providing mental health relief to a wide demographic of clients. Over the past 10 years, Kristina has worked for various agencies, ranging from the local mental health authority to private practice. Kristina has experience working with people experiencing Anxiety, Depression, Mood disorders, and other mental health diagnoses interfering with daily living. As a clinician, she meets the client where they are in their life and tailors her treatment style to help them learn/apply strategies in developing skills for emotional regulation, developing healthy boundaries, effective communication skills, and more. Kristina uses an eclectic blend of cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness to increase the clients' resiliency and autonomy and empower them to live full lives.

Nisha Saintelus Deratus, LPC, is a proud HBCU graduate of Prairie View A&M University with a Master’s in Counseling and over eight years of experience in the mental health field. She has provided care in inpatient psychiatric hospitals, partial and intensive outpatient programs, community mental health, and private telehealth practice. Nisha supports clients facing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, bipolar disorder, life transitions, anger management, and relationship challenges.

Nisha offers a warm, approachable, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel seen and supported. She believes in a collaborative approach to therapy, working alongside clients to identify the root of their struggles and develop a personalized plan for growth and healing. Her personable nature and tailored care help clients feel comfortable and empowered throughout the process.

In the first session, Nisha reviews teletherapy expectations and confidentiality, and conducts a psychosocial assessment to better understand your background and goals. Together, you’ll explore current challenges, create a vision for your future, and build a practical plan. Using CBT and ACT, she helps you develop tools and insights to apply between sessions for continued progress.

Joseph Smith, LMHC, earned his Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Eastern Kentucky University in 2015 and has worked with patients in a clinical capacity for the past six years. While in graduate school, he was exposed to various clinical and research experiences, where he found his passion in examining the motivational factors of human behavior. Joseph's academic work strengthened his interest to work with individuals in a therapeutic capacity, which ultimately led to advanced experiential training in crisis interventions and the treatment of individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Before relocating to New York City, he worked with individuals in under-served communities in the Appalachian region. Joseph subscribes to a humanistic, motivational enhancement, and cognitive behavioral framework. Understanding the benefit of therapeutic rapport, Joseph fosters an environment of self-acceptance and self-awareness while promoting intrinsic motivation for patients to act as their own catalyst of change. In addition, Joseph has a passion for working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, the LGBTQIA+ community, women with reproductive challenges, and victims of domestic violence.

Abigail Skinner, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with over five years of psychotherapy, behavioral health integration, and program leadership experience in medical and community-based settings. She earned her Master of Social Work degree from Touro College and completed Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI) at Columbia University. Abigail has specialized training in LGBTQ+ mental healthcare through Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, post-graduate training in relational psychoanalysis from The Stephen Mitchell Institute of Relational Studies, and advanced certification as a Behavioral Health Integration Specialist.

Abigail’s style is thoughtful and relational, emphasizing curiosity, trust, and authenticity. She believes each person’s story matters and works collaboratively to understand patterns, relationships, and strengths that can foster lasting change. Patients can expect a warm, supportive environment that balances compassion with structure—helping individuals explore challenges, identify meaningful goals, build self-awareness, and develop skills that support long-term emotional well-being.

Abigail begins treatment by building a strong, collaborative therapeutic relationship grounded in respect and trust. During initial sessions, she takes time to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals, then develops a personalized treatment plan tailored to their unique values and needs. She integrates evidence-based practices with a relational, trauma-informed approach, using behavioral health strategies, psychoeducation, and supportive interventions. Abigail emphasizes open communication, regular check-ins, and ongoing review of progress to ensure care remains adaptive, collaborative, and effective.

Lisa Carroll is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 24 years of experience treating everything from adjustment disorders to Depressive Disorders, Anxiety disorders, and trauma, is eager to help others suffering from mental health issues or just adjusting to new circumstances. She has an eclectic approach to care and treatment based on strengths and person-centered care utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution focused approaches, Rogerian theory, mindfulness, dialectal behavior therapy, narrative therapy, psychodynamic theory, cognitive processing therapy and many others. She is more eclectic in her approach because people are different and need a style that fits their individual needs. She is always seeking feedback from her clients to improve clinical outcomes. She does what is necessary and required to make this the best treatment anyone can get. She wants everyone she treats to reach their full potential. Lisa was trained as an undergraduate in psychology at the University of Alabama, graduating in 1991. She received her MSW in 1997 from the University of Alabama. She became licensed clinically in 2000. She has extensive experience and training in a variety of modalities and therapeutic interventions.

Kelly Vandivert, LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over twenty-seven years of diverse experience in the mental health field. Her career has spanned a variety of settings, from residential facilities to outpatient community services, in-home, school, and private practice. Her passion for people and love of experience has afforded her the chance to work with people of all ages from a variety of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Kelly has been licensed since 2008, focusing much of her time since then working together with adolescents and adults regarding the treatment of mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, adjustment-related concerns and life transitions, as well as trauma and abuse. Kelly has a client-centered and comprehensive approach to therapy, drawing from a variety of treatment modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Her approach emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship for a safe place to share and engage in self-discovery and personal growth. She values an evidence-based approach utilizing the latest research for effective treatment incorporating her experience with each individual's own values and preferences.