Michael Escamilla, MD

Essence Jackson-Jones is a Professional Counselor and Art Therapist with extensive experience supporting teens, college students, and young adults navigating life transitions, anxiety, and mood-related concerns. She earned her Art Therapy and Mental Health Counseling degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has practiced in outpatient, intensive outpatient, and community-based settings. Essence integrates creative and evidence-based approaches to promote emotional well-being, self-awareness, and personal growth, combining her background in counseling and the arts to help individuals connect with their inner strengths and cultivate balance through insight, creativity, and intentional growth.

Essence believes that meaningful healing begins when clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. She creates a warm, collaborative, and authentic environment where clients can explore their experiences safely. Guided by compassion, curiosity, and cultural sensitivity, she tailors each session to meet clients where they are while encouraging resilience, self-expression, and the development of coping skills that foster long-term emotional well-being. Art making in session is encouraged as an invitation rather than an expectation.

Essence begins by learning each client’s unique story, background, and goals during the initial sessions. She collaborates with clients to develop individualized treatment plans that reflect their needs and strengths. Her therapeutic process integrates dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive-behavioral strategies (CBT), and creative expression to deepen insight and emotional regulation. Essence’s person-centered, strengths-based approach helps clients move toward greater clarity, connection, and fulfillment.

Dr. Carolyn Benson has 21 years of experience in treating adults, adolescents, and children. After graduating medical school at Brody School of Medicine in Greenville, North Carolina, she moved to Rochester, NY to complete her residency and fellowship at University of Rochester School of Medicine. Her focus over the last ten years has been on working with young adults, children/adolescents, and their families. Her expertise covers a wide array of therapeutic modalities and mental health diagnoses. The primary focus of her sessions is to provide medication management with education on treatment options. She will provide therapy models that are appropriate within that 20�30 minute medication session. If longer therapy time frames are indicated, she will discuss the need to add a therapist to your treatment team to achieve optimal care. Her successful treatment outcomes are based on experience, staying current on psychiatric treatments, and having open communication with patients and families of children/adolescents so they can choose the most effective treatments. Prior to medical school, she worked in both marine and biochemical research venues and was coauthor in several research papers. She has an avid interest in the emerging field of neuroscience and frequently gives talks to colleagues and students on current research topics. Her primary objectives in her work are to help patients achieve success in both treatment and life goals and to always take time to truly listen to her patients.

Dr. Sallie Jo Hadley holds the position of Staff Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She is board-certified in psychiatry and pediatrics and is board-eligible in child and adolescent psychiatry. She has been practicing for 22 years. Dr. Hadley's practice is focused on medication management with supportive therapy in follow-up sessions of 15 or 30 minutes. Dr. Hadley is experienced with collaborative treatment and encourages adding a therapist to your care team in those situations where additional therapy might be helpful. Dr. Hadley is a graduate of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine's triple-board program (psychiatry, pediatrics, and child and adolescent psychiatry). She completed post-doctoral research fellowships at Mount Sinai's Seaver Center for Autism Research/Compulsive-Impulsive Anxiety Disorders and at Columbia University's New York State Psychiatric Institute, the latter focusing on metabolic and weight issues in children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders. Dr. Hadley had an early background as a nurse, receiving her B.S. in Nursing from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Her experience in neonatal, psychiatric, and hospice nursing led her to pursue her degree in medicine. Dr. Hadley has worked in pharmacologic research in both academic and industry settings. Prior to joining Talkiatry, she practiced in a multi-specialty clinic for individuals and families dealing with autism or intellectual disabilities and complex medical co-morbidities. Dr. Hadley enjoys working with motivated individuals of all ages who are seeking to better their life or better cope with life circumstances. She has particular expertise in working with individuals and their families suffering from anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

Lindsey Wittenhagen, LPC, earned a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from the University of Texas Permian Basin in 2014 and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has extensive experience supporting individuals with anxiety, depression, ADHD, self-worth concerns, relationship challenges, stress management, divorce, and life transitions. Lindsey has worked in outpatient settings and as an advocate for trauma survivors, bringing a compassionate and informed perspective to her practice.

Lindsey’s passion is helping clients navigate the ups and downs of life, whether facing overwhelming stress, relational difficulties, or emotional struggles. Her approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that healing happens when individuals feel truly seen and heard. Therapy with Lindsey is not about fixing what is “broken” but about fostering self-understanding, exploring what may be keeping someone stuck, and building tools for well-being. She creates a safe, judgment-free space where clients can show up authentically.

Lindsey begins therapy by gaining a thorough understanding of each client’s history, concerns, and goals during the initial session. She then collaborates with clients to develop individualized treatment plans that reflect their unique needs and aspirations. Progress is continually assessed, with goals and approaches adjusted as necessary to ensure growth, resilience, and meaningful change.

Diana Sun, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor with over five years of counseling experience in outpatient settings. She earned her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Nyack College Alliance Graduate School of Counseling in 2020. Diana has experience working with Asian Americans, Christians, LGBTQ+ individuals, and young adults ages 18 and older. Her clinical interests include inter-generational trauma, women’s issues, stress, anxiety, and depression.

Diana believes communication is essential when setting goals and boundaries within the counseling relationship. She uses fun ice-breaker questions to help patients feel comfortable and to build a strong therapeutic connection. Diana strives to create a safe and supportive environment where patients feel heard, seen, and understood, and she welcomes feedback as an important part of the healing process.

Diana begins by understanding each client’s presenting concerns, personal history, and goals during the initial session. She then collaborates with patients to develop a treatment plan tailored to their individual needs. Her work is grounded in core counseling values such as active listening, self-awareness, and unconditional positive regard to support growth and change.

Dr. Mattern is board certified in Adult psychiatry. Her approach to mental health is integrative, with the utilization of complementary and alternative treatments such as yoga, lifestyle changes, and nutritional interventions in addition to traditional medication management and therapy. Dr. Mattern prefers to focus on the overall health and well-being of an individual, rather than just treating symptoms.

Dr. Mattern’s practice focuses on medication management along with elements of therapy from different modalities, such as supportive and cognitive behavioral therapy that are patient-tailored.  Dr. Mattern understands the importance of psychotherapy and may ask to bring in a therapist into your treatment team to provide the best care and outcome. Her clinical interests include depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, OCD, and ADHD.

After completing her undergraduate degree in Biology at Ohio Northern University, Dr. Mattern received her medical degree from Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. She went on to complete her residency in psychiatry at The Ohio State University Medical Center.  She also completed yoga teacher training and presented nationally at the APA in 2019 regarding the benefits of yoga for depression.  Dr. Mattern is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, Ohio Psychiatric Physician’s Association, and Psychiatry Society of Central Ohio.

Dr. Mattern is board certified in Adult psychiatry.  Her approach to mental health is integrative, with utilization of complementary and alternative treatments such as yoga, lifestyle changes, and nutritional interventions in addition to traditional medication management and therapy. Dr. Mattern prefers to focus on the overall health and well-being of an individual, rather than just treating symptoms.  Dr. Mattern’s practice focuses on medication management along with elements of therapy.