Nakia Roberson, LPC

Akili’s approach is centered around the individual. His goal is to help people embrace their authentic self. He believes that counseling and the therapeutic process is experiential. He has been through most of the life struggles we all have been through. Akili has also written several books - the latest of which, “Be an Anomaly”, is about the autism spectrum. Beyond his passion for helping others, Akili is passionate about his family, drawing, music, and basketball.

Akili utilizes multimedia resources, oftentimes with an emphasis on writing and creativity. He works to create a warm atmosphere of welcoming energy and connection. Therapeutic modalities used include REBT, CBT, Positive Psychology, ACT, and Gottman Method.

The tools that Akili uses are those hidden within you. He uses creative therapy and behavioral techniques to help you get where you want to be. Your collaboration is a trip that you will embark on together. Akili will help you find the best solutions to the answers you have.

Michelle Shya, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) at Talkiatry, has provided care in the field for almost a decade. Working with individuals and families, she has connected and fostered ties with a broad spectrum of clients, including adolescent, adult, and geriatric services. Michelle's practice style centers on providing a safe and understanding space for clients to share, learn, identify, and address their unique therapeutic needs. Using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Michelle focuses on the relationships between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to assist the client in discovering their personal strengths and motivation to realize their individual life goals. Michelle completed her undergraduate Social Work education at Millersville University. Later at Marywood University, she earned her Master's in Social Work, with a specialization in Child and Family Practice. Michelle has had a wide variety of experiences working as a Social Worker in therapeutic and social service settings. She has provided case management and therapeutic care in domestic violence shelters, treatment foster care, community organizations, and hospice in-home support. In Michelle's experience in providing therapy, she has maintained a generalist practice, working with a variety of individuals facing personal barriers and challenges. By taking a step-by-step therapeutic approach, the client is able to better understand and process their thoughts as well as feelings to drive actionable change.

Rhea Kisling, LPC, LCMHC, LMHC, CPCS, brings more than 20 years of experience to her work as a therapist. She has served in inpatient, outpatient, emergency, hospital, and community mental health settings, as well as leadership roles such as managing the social services department at a crisis stabilization facility. Rhea earned her MS in Clinical/Counseling Psychology and Ed.S. in School Psychology from Valdosta State University, and a BA in Psychology and Sociology from Loyola University in New Orleans. Licensed in Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, and South Carolina, she is also trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).

Rhea understands that beginning counseling can feel intimidating and strives to create a safe, welcoming environment where therapy moves at the patient’s pace. She primarily uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy while incorporating elements of Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused approaches, Strength-Based methods, Motivational Interviewing, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Drawing on her multicultural background, she respects and honors each individual’s unique experiences and cultures. She believes no concern is too large or too small to address in therapy and emphasizes collaboration at every stage.

Rhea views the first appointment as a chance to build trust, explore how she and the patient can work together, and establish goals for therapy. She provides a clear framework for what to expect, welcomes questions, and encourages open communication throughout the process. Understanding that sharing personal history can be difficult, she is committed to moving at a pace that feels comfortable and supportive for each patient.

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Iesha Whitaker is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker that graduated in 2012 from Hunter College School of Social Work. She has been practicing since that time. Ms. Whitaker has worked with many populations including, Women, Men, adults aged 18 and up, homeless population, parents with children in foster care and parents in need support and learning communication skills with teens. Ms. Whitaker has knowledge of working with clients recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital setting as well as the.  hospital discharge planning process, and emergency room care. Her primary areas of focus are helping clients that suffer with Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Stress, Trauma, Relationship issues, PTSD, Life transitions as well as Emotional Dysregulation. Ms. Whitaker enjoys working closely with clients that struggle with healthy lifestyles, poor decision making, suffering with substance use disorder and people dealing with chronic homelessness, Domestic violence and challenges of daily living. Ms. Whitaker uses treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Supportive Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Trauma focused Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and many other modalities. Ms. Whitaker has a passion for helping the are less fortunate and have challenges with routine daily activities, basic life needs such as food, housing, education, work stress and chronic medical conditions. Ms. Whitaker is very warm and open, very personable and allows her clients to work at their own pace. Ms. Whitaker enjoys helping clients to gain healthy insight to their conditions and allows clients to create the future they want for themselves.

Working with Ms. Whitaker will be an open, collaborative experience. Ms. Whitaker will help the client create the best version of themselves, while teaching the client to identify concrete obtainable goals.

Ms. Whitaker typical therapeutic process is a somewhat structured and flexible framework that provides empathy, rapport building and using evidence-based practices to provide mental health treatment. She uses a collaborative therapeutic relationship that warmly welcomes the client into therapy, discuss limits of confidentiality as it pertains to self harm or harm to others. She discuss the length of sessions and the frequency of meetings, invite questions from client and describe their role in the treatment process. Provides a safe space where a client can express themselves in an environment open to all cultures, gender identities while helping clients explore their strengths. Clinical assessments by use of standardized tools PHQ-9, GAD-7, and client interview and report. Clinician continues to monitor and track safety and implement Evidence based Interventions such as CBT, DBT, Solution Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, Psychodynamic and Supportive Therapy to provide care. Over time Clinician continues to revisit progress, highlight growth and obtained goals, moving toward termination when appropriate, also providing aftercare and referrals.

Bernadette Hulsinger, LPC works with individuals from young adulthood through senior adulthood and has experience across inpatient and outpatient settings. She is a clinical trauma counselor with expertise in crisis intervention, risk assessment, TBI, ASD, and couples and family counseling. Bernadette has provided telehealth services since 2017 and holds Board Certification in Telemental Health (BC-TMH). She also serves as a supervisor for counselors working toward licensure.

Bernadette’s style is warm, conversational, and wellness-focused. While she may challenge clients, it is always done in a non-confrontational and supportive manner. She provides a judgment-free space for all clients, including those in poly relationships. Sessions emphasize collaboration, with clients setting their own goals while receiving guidance and exploration along the way.

The first session focuses on understanding a client’s history, life experiences, and previous counseling. Bernadette works collaboratively to develop a treatment plan with attainable goals, emphasizing steady progress and overall wellness—being “just a bit more well today than in past days.” She regularly checks in about the therapeutic relationship and values feedback, always prioritizing client safety, comfort, and fit.

Avedon is an LPC with vast experience working in the mental health counseling field. Avedon has experience working with people of various backgrounds, which she believes is essential in a world of diverse communities with diverse cultures. She has 13 years of experience working with adults learning how to navigate and manage various behavioral health issues. Avedon received an undergraduate degree at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA; and her master's degree at Hodges University in Ft. Myers, FL. Avedon has been practicing for 8 years as a licensed clinical mental health counselor, and is a firm believer in the person-centered therapy philosophy of "meeting the client where they are at.” She believes in creating a safe environment for all of her clients in order for them to feel secure in expressing their present conflicts, while at the same time gaining and learning coping skills to improve their overall daily functioning. Avedon's preferred theoretical approach with her clients is Humanistic. She believes in being a resource of support for her clients while they are navigating through interruptions that have induced disorder in their daily lives. Avedon uses an integrative therapy approach tailored to each individual's concerns with the basis of CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and a variety of supportive psychotherapy techniques to aid in creating a therapeutic alliance, which leads to the client building skills to help manage emotional distress.