Melissa Buhler, LMHC

Paul Pennington is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 15 years of mental health experience in a variety of settings ranging from schools, private practice, residential facilities, and crime scene crisis counseling. Paul has had the privilege of helping people with various situations including depression, anxiety, stress, anger, trauma, abuse, life transitions, relationships, integration, existential issues, and other obstacles that have caused an imbalance in their lives. Paul specializes in working with teachers, first responders, young parents, and individuals that just want to be seen as who they truly are.‍Paul earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Texas State University and a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling from Angelo State University. A few of the certifications Paul has earned over the years are: Residential Staff from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Certified Anger Resolution Therapist (C.A.R.T.), AgriSafe Farm Response, Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Practitioner Trainer, Texas Education Agency: EC-12 SpEd, 4-8 Generalist, EC-12 School Counselor, SAFE EMDR, Mental Health First Aid, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy.‍Paul believes everyone is different and takes an individualized approach with each client. He operates from a foundation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trust-Based Relational Intervention, Solution Focused Therapy, and Mindfulness.

Dr. He is board-certified in adult psychiatry and addiction medicine. She is passionate about providing quality and accessible mental health care while considering each patient's concerns, values, and life circumstances. She received her medical doctorate degree from State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center, and completed her psychiatry residency at George Washington University Hospital in DC. Prior to medical school, she completed a Master of Public Health from Yale School of Public Health. Dr. He has special clinical interests in providing trauma-informed and culturally competent care in the treatment of mental health conditions. She has experience working with special populations, such as minorities, immigrants, perinatal women, and LGBTQ+ communities. She holds a certificate from Harvard in Global Mental Health: Trauma and Recovery Program. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for a non-profit organization in Washington DC to prepare people recovering from mental illness to improve their quality of life. Although Dr. He's practice primarily focuses on medication management, she looks forward to getting to know you and incorporating her experiences with insight-oriented therapy in 20 or 30 minute follow-up visits.

Dr. Castineira Garcia is a highly experienced, board-certified psychiatrist specializing in adult and addiction psychiatry, with nearly 20 years of clinical experience in both English and Spanish. Originally from Galicia, Spain, she earned her medical degree from the Facultad de Medicina y Odontología in Santiago de Compostela. After several years as a primary care physician in her home region, she moved to the United States, where she was able to pursue her true passion: psychiatry. Dr. Castineira Garcia has provided high-quality care to culturally diverse communities, working in public sector, non-profit, and for-profit organizations. She has extensive experience helping patients with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and various other mental health conditions.‍Taking a personalized approach to treatment, Dr. Castineira Garcia considers the unique psychology, biology, and lifestyle of each individual when determining the best course of action. Her practice focuses on medication management in conjunction with supportive therapy, conducting follow-up visits in 30-minute increments. She believes that the most successful treatments integrate physical health, therapy, mindfulness, and medication�when necessary�to provide the most effective solutions for her If you are looking for a compassionate and experienced psychiatrist who is fluent in both English and Spanish, Dr. Castineira Garcia is an excellent choice for those seeking to improve their mental health patients.

Maria-Anne Duncan, LCSW-R holds the position of psychotherapist at Talkiatry. She has over twenty years of experience working with individuals, families, and groups addressing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma. Before joining Talkiarty, Ms. Duncan worked as a Director of Clinical Services for a not-for-profit in the Hudson Valley Region of New York State. Prior to that, Ms. Duncan worked for a local hospital in the psychiatric department providing treatment to the Inpatient and Outpatient units. She has held several positions as a clinician and program director. Additionally, Ms. Duncan has taught parenting classes, Mental Health First Aid and provides training on Trauma-Informed Care. Ms. Duncan started her career as a clinician in a Crime Victims' Assistance Program funded by New York State. Through this experience she began to explore the effects of trauma on individuals, their families, and the community. Ms. Duncan has been trained in both EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and SE (Somatic Experiencing). She utilizes these body-focused therapies to help her clients be released from years of painful energies locked in their systems. Ms. Duncan received her Bachelor's Degree from Marist College and her Master's from Fordham University. She has been trained to supervise Social Work Students in their field placements. Ms. Duncan appeared in the Vassar College student-developed training video, "He said, She said" which is used to train peer sexual assault counselors. In April of 2022, she became a trainer for LivingWorks "SafeTALK" program. Additionally, Ms. Duncan has a trained therapy dog, Monkey, who goes with her to local hospitals and nursing homes to provide comfort and affection.

Dr. Scot McKay is board certified in Psychiatry and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry. He graduated medical school from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. He completed his residency and child/adolescent fellowship trainings at the University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Center in Denver, CO. Previously, he has worked on the inpatient and partial hospitalization child/adolescent psychiatric units at Children's Hospital Colorado as well as in the school-based health clinics through Denver Health in partnership with Denver Public Schools. He has also worked in community mental health at the Mental Health Cooperative clinics throughout the Middle Tennessee region. He most recently joined a private practice before joining Talkiatry. He has been named to the Nashville Lifestyles Magazine's Top Doctors list in 2022, 2023, and 2024. He is a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and a member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. McKay enjoys working with patients going through life transitions such as high school to college and college to adult life. He believes it is important to understand the whole person (mind, body, and spirit) when treating them. He treats people struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar, and ADHD, as well as trouble with relationships and family conflict. Dr. McKay provides both medication management and therapy. He believes that medication is just one of the items in a psychiatrist's toolbox and that therapy is equally important as medication.

Alexia Ford is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in various aspects of mental health and co-occurring disorders. She obtained her MSW from Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, GA.) and later obtained her MDiv and MPT from Columbia Theological Seminary (Decatur, GA.).

Alexia is a wife, mother, daughter & sister who has also experienced life's challenges that may identify with your story in some way. Alexia is known for her empathic listening and attention to verbal and non-verbal cues. Her approach is individualized and non-judgmental in hopes of creating and holding a safe and comfortable space for all to be their true, authentic selves. Alexia is intentional with developing rapport and meeting clients where they are without criticism but will also gently challenge stagnant behaviors respectfully and when necessary.

Alexia prefers to work with adult age to geriatric age clients and couples using strengths-based and affirming perspectives. She uses several modalities, such as, CBT, ACT, IPT, BA, Solution Focused therapy, Client centered therapy, Mindfulness, meditations, breathing exercises, positive affirmations, spirituality, bereavement, existential concerns and other appropriate evidenced based approaches and interventions. Alexia is a “movie and series buff” and will often incorporate movie scenes, themes and character traits to add to discussion and use to demonstrate examples of behaviors and consequences.