Nereida Gonzalez-Berrios, MD

Waded Baquerizo-Mahuad is an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) in the state of Pennsylvania. She received her Master's (M.A.) in Mental Health Counseling from Kutztown University in 2016. She is also a Clinical Psychologist in her home country of Ecuador. She has provided mental and behavioral services to children and their families as a therapeutic staff support and mobile therapist, providing in-home services and services in the community. She has worked in Community Mental Health and Private Practice where she has gained experience treating various Mental health diagnoses that include PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, OCD, Grief, Adjustment Disorders, etc. As an experienced bilingual counselor, she utilizes an eclectic approach in her practice, taking into consideration the stage and uniqueness of her client's psychological, emotional, and social needs. Some of her approaches in therapy are the person-centered approach, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic approach, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused approach. She integrates Sensory Motor techniques as well as Mindfulness and Grounding techniques. In her practice, she also applies a Strength-Based Modality and Trauma-informed Focus. She also implements Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) interventions.

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.

Dr. Cheryl Dasler is a double board certified psychiatrist in General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Following completion of her training, she spent the next 10 years fulfilling her passion for indigent care of children, working in a community mental health center. She went on to complete additional training in Functional Medicine, with the goal of offering patients greater insight into the physical factors contributing to their symptoms. She has also trained in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, and encourages mindfulness as a healing technique along with medication management. Over the following 10 years, Dr. Dasler treated a broad range of patients in a private practice setting, including children and adults. She is passionate about treating ADHD, and utilizes medications plus skill building in her sessions to help her patients maximize their potential. Her extensive experience also includes treating mood disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and OCD. She believes in a mind-body interconnection, and strives to address both aspects to provide truly holistic care. Patients looking for a psychiatrist will find Dr. Dasler is a warm, compassionate provider who genuinely listens. She works in partnership with patients to find a treatment plan that will be effective, while also being sensitive to financial or insurance coverage factors that may impact care.

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.

Akif A. Khawaja M.D. is a Clinical General Psychiatrist. He has worked in this field since graduating and obtaining his residency from the University of Mississippi Medical Center Department of Neurology and Behavioral Sciences in 1996. He has worked mostly with adults ranging from 18 to 90 years of age. He has served as a director of Intensive Outpatient Programs in the state of Mississippi. He currently focuses on medical management of patients above 50 years of age and has served as a director of Geriatric Psychiatric Units.

He has a particular interest in treating mood, anxiety, and cognitive disorders, including ADHD. Patients working with him can expect thorough and detailed appointments, as he places special emphasis on gathering comprehensive medical and psychiatric histories, including specific dates of past treatments. During initial visits, he carefully reviews previous medical interventions, particularly procedures such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).

His approach prioritizes thorough evaluations to ensure accurate diagnoses. He strongly believes that honesty is essential for achieving the best possible treatment outcomes.

Cynthia has been a licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2018. Cynthia's current experience as a therapist includes working with children in school settings as well as in the community and adults from all walks of life such as active duty military service members and their dependents, young professionals new in their career, retirees who are attempting to balance life, health and age related challenges and college students in their first year of their undergraduate degree, to graduate students and students newly enrolled in medical or law school. Prior to 2018, Cynthia worked for 23 years with the department of social services assisting families with economic challenges by connecting them with government programs and community resources to help them improve their lives and the lives of their family members. Cynthia has extensive experience working with individuals and families from many diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Cynthia uses a down-to-earth, holistic approach to therapy. She believes if the body is not well, the mind cannot become well. Cynthia will evaluate your bodies wellbeing using an inquisitive approach and she will make suggestions and/or referrals to specialists, when necessary. Cynthia will provide you a safe and non-judgmental space to be yourself, to allow you to heal and grow. It will be Cynthia's mission to get you well as quickly as possible. Therapy will be tailored to the individual using a combination of a person-centered approach in order to empower the individual, focusing on them being the story teller; a solution-focused approach because the individual is the expert of themselves and they know their own abilities; and a strength-based approach in order to tap into the inner strengths and skills that embody the individual.

In the first session Cynthia will spend some time getting to know what happened to you to cause you to decide to start therapy. She will inquire about your childhood, family, culture, current health concerns and want to know what your hobbies are, and she will delve into what your typical day looks like from your wake/sleep cycle to what you typically eat and do during the day. Cynthia will ask you, what are your goals for therapy? Cynthia will work collaboratively with you to create a treatment plan that is SMART-specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time sensitive.

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