Sarah Flatin, LCSW

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.

Natisha Joseph is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Mercy University and certification as a Trauma Specialist. Her career began even before completing graduate school in 2014, with more than 10 years of experience providing services to youth in residential treatment. She has also served adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities as a Residential Coordinator for 8 years, supported patients in palliative care for 5 years, and has spent the last 4+ years as a dedicated Mental Health Counselor in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Natisha values open communication and collaboration, working with clients to set clear treatment goals. She creates a warm, respectful, and nonjudgmental environment where individuals feel supported and validated in their therapeutic journey. With a structured yet flexible approach, she helps patients navigate challenges such as trauma, emotional dysregulation, and self-care while fostering healing, growth, and problem-solving.

In the first session, Natisha takes time to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She builds therapeutic relationships rooted in trust, confidentiality, and respect, and co-develops individualized treatment plans tailored to each person’s needs. Drawing from CBT, ACT, and trauma-informed interventions, she provides active treatment through weekly or biweekly sessions, reviewing and adjusting goals to support ongoing progress.

Ethan Bardell holds the position of Psychotherapist at Talkiatry. He completed both his undergraduate and graduate training at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. Ethan obtained his BS in Rehabilitative Sciences and Human Services with a concentration in developmental disabilities. Ethan then completed his MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Ethan has a strong background in community mental health work, where he has worked with individuals, couples, families, and groups using a client-centered approach that is both gentle and supportive. In sessions, Ethan works to create a welcoming space where individuals can both process and make sense of their unique experiences, while using a combination of modalities to best fit the needs of each individual. Ethan has a true passion and interest in treating a wide array of psychiatric disorders including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, dual disorder, and substance use issues, and various personality disorders.‍

Kayla is a dedicated therapist with a robust educational background and extensive experience in the field of psychology. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Florida International University and completed a Master of Science at Nova Southeastern University. During her internship at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, Kayla worked within inpatient psychiatric units, gaining valuable experience in crisis management and acute psychiatric care. Kayla has a particular interest in helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. She brings empathy, understanding, and a client-centered approach to her practice, ensuring that each individual feels heard and supported on their journey to mental wellness. Outside of their professional life, Kayla enjoys spending quality time with family and her two dogs. Whether hiking or relaxing by the beach, she cherishes these moments of connection and tranquility.

Dr. Nicole Martinez received her Master's and Doctorate from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and completed her pre-doctoral and post-doctoral fellowship at Gateway Foundation in Lake Villa, Illinois. She earned a double major in Psychology and Therapeutic Recreation at the University of St. Francis. Dr. Martinez has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in individual, family, and group treatment. Her therapeutic approach is integrative, combining Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy (CBT) with holistic methods, emphasizing Solution Focused Therapy, Reality Therapy, and Positive Psychology. She believes in the mind-body connection and that exploring various areas of an individual's functioning is essential for optimum physical and emotional health. Dr. Martinez emphasizes a collaborative therapist-client relationship, where both act as partners in designing treatment goals. She values identifying ineffective past modalities to avoid frustration and ensure personalized care. Recognizing that each person is unique, she adapts to the patient's evolving needs, ensuring they feel heard and supported for positive outcomes. Her areas of expertise include health psychology, complex trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, social anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, LGBTQIA populations, bereavement, forensics, substance abuse, couples work, MISA, co-occurring disorders, domestic violence, sex offenders, special needs populations, and chronic medical issues and rare diseases. She is skilled in the evaluation and assessment of these populations.

Ernest Smith, LPC, specializes in supporting adolescents, young adults, adults, and older adults as they navigate grief, anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. With a compassionate and client-centered approach, he creates a safe, nonjudgmental space for individuals to explore their experiences and build the skills necessary for healing, growth, and resilience.

Ernest draws from a range of evidence-based modalities—including solution-focused therapy, person-centered therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). He tailors each session to meet the unique needs of his clients, whether helping adolescents manage emotional regulation and identity development or supporting older adults in coping with grief and life changes.

Ernest provides trauma-informed care and recovery-focused strategies that foster emotional safety, self-awareness, and long-term well-being. His goal is to walk alongside each person with empathy, understanding, and practical tools that promote lasting change and inner strength.