Melinda Morris, LCSW

Maria Landry, LPC, brings more than a decade of experience in dual diagnosis counseling within outpatient settings. She has worked closely with medical providers in integrated treatment at a Federally Qualified Health Center, served as Director of Crisis and Community Services, and held the role of Family Readiness Officer for the Marine Corps. With over eight years of military service, Maria also contributed to Alzheimer’s Family Services of Greater Beaufort. She earned her BA in Psychology from Akron University and MA in Professional Counseling from Liberty University, and is trained in EMDR and DBT skills.

Maria’s patients can expect warmth, kindness, and non-judgmental curiosity. She values understanding each individual deeply, while also empowering them to understand themselves. Her approach emphasizes autonomy and collaboration, ensuring treatment reflects each person’s own goals and journey. Maria builds trust through reliability, honesty, and authentic care, offering a therapeutic relationship rooted in competence and gentleness.

Maria’s process begins with a first session dedicated to diagnosis and connection, followed by collaborative treatment planning in the second session. From there, each meeting focuses on healing and growth, with attention to the eight Dimensions of Wellness: physical, emotional, social, intellectual, financial, occupational, environmental, and spiritual. She does not seek to change minds but rather holds up a mirror, offering evidence-based approaches and tools so patients can move toward their own goals. With respect and support, she walks alongside them on their path to healing.

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.

Sebrina Cotton is a passionate advocate for mental health and holistic well-being. With over 7 years of experience in the mental health field, she has worked with diverse populations seeking support in managing various challenges, including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship/marital issues, grief/loss, and life transitions. Sebrina's approach is person-centered and collaborative. She will hold you accountable to the goals you want to accomplish through a combination of empathy, active listening, and skillful interventions. Sebrina welcomes you to a warm and safe space to bring all of who you are to each session. She will walk alongside you through your therapy journey towards a more fulfilling and meaningful life. In her time outside of sessions, Sebrina enjoys working out at the gym, teaching/practicing yoga, and traveling.

Gretchen attended James Madison University for her undergraduate studies and graduate school at Virginia Commonwealth University and Boston University. She has practiced for three years in various settings, including residential facilities for children, acute care facilities, and private practice, where she successfully supported clients with neurodiversity in improving executive function, emotional regulation, and interpersonal relationships. Recognizing the complexities of neurodiversity beyond traditional clinical frameworks, Gretchen collaborates with medical professionals, educators, and families to create inclusive environments that foster success for individuals with neurodivergent traits.

Clients can expect to gain a deeper understanding of their thought patterns and uncover the underlying meanings behind their reactions. Through a collaborative and reflective process, they’ll develop greater self-awareness, challenge limiting beliefs, and gain clarity in their personal growth journey. This approach empowers clients to make more informed, intentional choices in their lives.

Gretchen takes a direct yet supportive approach, evident from the very first session. She integrates psychoeducation, somatic techniques to enhance body awareness, and strategic reframing to help clients uncover core beliefs that may be contributing to their challenges.

Keren Salcedo graduated from SUNY Oswego in 2019 with a degree in Mental Health Counseling. While in school she interned at an outpatient addiction treatment center which sparked her interest in working with adults. After graduation she moved back to New York City. Keren continued her work in addiction by working at a rehab facility. She later transitioned to an outpatient clinical where she had the opportunity to work with clients across a wide of diagnosis for three years. This experience has made her more comfortable and confident supporting individuals with diverse mental health needs.

It is important to Keren that every client feels safe, heard and supported. She is passionate about creating a comfortable and friendly environment where you can speak openly and feel at ease. Keren is easygoing and approachable, and she believes in meeting clients where they are. Her goal is to build a trusting relationship where you feel comfortable to explore your thoughts, feelings, and goals at your own pace.

In the beginning, Keren's approach would be Person Centered Therapy to help build a strong therapeutic relationship and for clients to feel supported. Once we’ve established a foundation, she would tailor her approach based on the clients' presenting concerns. Keren often incorporated techniques that she has experienced and feels comfortable using, such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Motivational Therapy. She also believes in being flexible and adapting her methods to fit each client's situation.

‍

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.

‍