Sibi Selvarajah, LCSW

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.

Erin Ellis is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in New York. Erin has over 5 years of experience working with adults seeking help with anxiety, depression, other mood disorders, stress, life transitions, LGBTQ+ issues, and trauma. Erin received her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY followed by a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Medaille College in Buffalo, NY. Erin has prior experience working for a local hospital in the comprehensive psychiatric emergency program (CPEP) where she provided crisis intervention services.  Erin also has prior experience working in substance abuse in providing mental health counseling treatment on an inpatient unit. Additionally, Erin has worked in community mental work with a variety of different populations. Erin’s therapeutic approach is eclectic in nature, and client centered. Erin collaborates with her clients, meeting them where they are and helping them find personalized solutions to achieve their goals and become their best selves.  Erin utilizes a combination of approaches including mindfulness techniques, cognitive/dialectical behavioral skills (CBT, DBT), as well as compassion and strength-based approaches. Your first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and discuss what brings you to therapy. It’s normal to feel nervous; therapy is a process we’ll build together over time. We’ll move at your pace, one step at a time, and I’ll be here to guide you throughout.

Kristina Vaughan, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Houston, Texas. With over six years of experience as a dedicated social worker and more than two years as a practicing therapist, Kristina brings both compassion and expertise to her work. She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Houston in 2016.

 Kristina specializes in Bipolar Disorder and impulse control disorders. She is known for her empathetic yet direct approach, working collaboratively with clients to identify and prioritize their most pressing needs. Her therapeutic style is eclectic, drawing from a range of evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, and Brainspotting.

Conditions Treated: Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, and Grief.

If you feel like you've been watching your life unfold from the sidelines instead of taking the lead as its storyteller, Kristina may be the right therapist to help you reclaim your narrative

Kevin Seske is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who specializes in Sport and Health Psychology. His approach to therapy is collaborative, empowering, nonjudgmental, trauma informed, and goal-focused. He sees therapy as a method to find the individual's strengths to help overcome any hardships.‍Kevin integrates treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, Existential Therapy, and mindfulness techniques. In addition, he incorporates Sports Psychology in sessions where appropriate as he believes physical activity can empower us and teach us life skills that boost self-esteem, promote team building, and aid in relaxation. These methods are proven to show reduction in anxiety and depression.‍Kevin specializes in treating PTSD among young adults, adults, and/or immigrant populations. He is also skilled in treating mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, grief, emotional abuse, and life transitions. Kevin has been told by clients and colleagues that he has a calming presence and is a good listener.‍Kevin's 10 years of experience as a counselor has included providing trauma-informed care for undocumented minors who arrived at the US border seeking refuge from their home countries, including ones experiencing Adjustment Disorder, PTSD, and ODD. Additionally, Kevin served in a FQHC on the Southwest side of Chicago, in their clinical setting and school-based health center.

Veronica McKnight received her Master's degree from the Hunter College School of Social Work in New York. She holds clinical social work licenses in Florida, Maine, Vermont and Wisconsin. Ms.McKnight's key areas of practice include depression, anxiety, trauma, communication in relationships, parenting challenges, compassion fatigue and grief and bereavement. Ms. McKnight specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a strength based, solution focused approach. Ms. McKnight integrates Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing techniques.  Ms. McKnight has been certified as a Compassion Fatigue Educator and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Ms. McKnight has held leadership and clinical roles in community mental health centers, housing programs, hospitals and non-profit organizations.

I am proficient in assisting clients to navigate transitions in all aspects of the life span. Over the past 30 years, my experience has taught me that the most important aspect of therapy is the connection and comfort you feel with the person with whom you choose to share your personal struggles.

I like to listen to what patients are telling me about what is important to them and what they would like to address in therapy.  We can then start to set goals together and work towards the outcomes they want.  We always go at a pace that is comfortable to the client.

Diamond Junior received her bachelor’s degree in arts & psychology 2007 & two master’s degrees in science, one in Community Mental Health Counseling and the second one in School Counseling Education, in 2011 and 2018. Diamond Junior now has her License in Mental Health Counseling, her Credentialed Alcoholic & Substance Abuse Counseling Certification-Trainee, and her Permanent Certification in School Counseling. Diamond is also currently in doctoral school for her School Psychology degree. Diamond is a former Alcohol and Substance Abuse Preventive Worker & Treatment and Therapeutic Foster Care Family Specialist. Diamond is now currently, an on-line therapist and has her own Mental Health Counseling Private Practice in Buffalo. Diamond's treatment styles & modalities include Trauma-Informed Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Grief Therapy.

When working with Diamond, a new patient should know that she is very down to earth and professionally direct. Diamond practices individualism and treat each patient as their own person. Diamond develops treatment plans with the patient, that tailors to each of their individual needs. Diamond is also the co-founder of an All-girls mentoring & educational program called, "Unique Sisters. Unique Sister was started in 2014 and is owned by my mother, Rhodesia Jackson.

Diamond's typical process when working with patients is to first establish a therapeutic rapport by asking open-ended questions. Diamond asks questions such as, "Have you been in therapy before, including as a  child or teen (if the patient is over 18)"? This helps Diamond starting point to build a trusting & individualized relationship with the patient. Diamond's next question would be, "Why did you first enter therapy & we're you diagnosed with any mental health disorders"? Diamond continues to go on and ask if the client is or has been on psychotropic medications and what brings them back to therapy. Diamond gathers all of this information during the first two session and then ask the patient if any skills were built during their therapy journey & if they still utilize the skills. Finally, Diamond would administer the ACE Questionnaire to assess for childhood trauma, if the patient is over 18 years of age.

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