Tara Merchant, LMHC

Michelle Lake, EdD, LMHC, LCPC, has over 17 years of experience providing therapy in outpatient settings, including telehealth, university counseling centers, and mental health clinics. She works with children ages eight and older, adults, and the elderly. Michelle earned her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Florida International University and later completed a doctorate in Organizational Learning and Leadership with a specialization in Human Resources. She also holds a graduate certificate in Industrial Organizational Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Michelle is dedicated to creating a warm, supportive environment where patients feel heard, respected, and empowered to make meaningful changes in their lives. She values open communication and collaboration, working closely with patients to establish clear treatment goals that reflect their individual needs and strengths.

In the initial session, Michelle takes time to gain a thorough understanding of each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. From there, she develops individualized treatment plans tailored to align with the patient’s unique needs and objectives. Her approach ensures that therapy is both structured and flexible, helping patients move toward positive and lasting outcomes.

Tikita Ficklin, LPC, has over 10 years of experience practicing in outpatient and inpatient settings, utilizing modalities such as CBT and Solution-Focused Therapy. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences/Human Services and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, both from Mercer University, and is completing a Doctorate in Marriage & Family Therapy from North Central University, expected in 2026.

Tikita values open and honest communication and partners with clients to set clear treatment goals that support their personal growth. She creates a warm, supportive environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Tikita begins by thoroughly understanding each client’s history, concerns, and goals during the initial session to foster a trusting relationship. She then develops individualized treatment plans that align with clients’ objectives, guiding them toward their best possible self.

Meredith McMillan is a Licensed Mental Health Therapist with 9 years of experience working in mental health. She specializes in working with individuals who experienced trauma and toxic stress, as well as those with addiction issues, relationship challenges, and adjustment disorders. Ms. McMillan's therapy practice focuses on providing person-centered encouragement and support. She utilizes a trauma-focused cognitive behavioral approach to help you to develop your understanding of yourself and your challenges and enable you to utilize your strengths to facilitate your healing. She received a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University in Orlando, Florida, and established herself as a therapist working in community mental health in the Lakeland, Florida area. She spent several years working at Tri-County Human Services providing co-occurring outpatient substance abuse therapy. Later, she shifted to providing services to children through Tri-County's B-Net program and Children's Home Society. She went on to become the Clinical Supervisor at the Children's Home Society providing care to children and adolescents impacted by trauma and the child welfare system. Before joining Talkiatry, she also served as the clinical supervisor and therapist at The Mary Welsh Foundation, providing care to individuals of all ages and specializing in trauma and family issues. Ms. McMillan has worked with individuals dealing with a variety of mental health issues throughout her years of experience as a therapist. She has worked with people of all ages and has experience working with families and couples. She has had additional training to serve individuals dealing with addictions and with processing trauma. She has had extensive experience working with individuals dealing with mood disorders and anxiety, as well as relationship and parenting issues.

Anita Rosenberg is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), with over 15 years of experience as a therapist. She graduated from Arcadia University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and received a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Psychology from La Salle University in 2010. Following the completion of her education, Anita spent a decade providing direct patient care and clinical leadership in an inpatient co-occurring disorders treatment facility. She continues to have a passion for working with those navigating struggles with substance use and recovery efforts through the use of person-centered and strengths-based modalities, as well as incorporating 12 step programming. Anita provides care to both adolescents and adults using an eclectic approach based in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and trauma informed care approaches to assist with challenging negative thoughts and beliefs that interfere with experiencing joy in daily life. This allows her to create a safe and comforting environment to serve diverse populations, including individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community. She is also well versed in assisting individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, grief and loss, eating disorders, chronic mental and or physical health issues, and unexpected life changes. Through treatment, Anita works along with the individual to explore personal thoughts, beliefs, and values that influence one's reactions to their lived experiences. Her approach allows for the exploration and building of healthy coping skills, positive thought replacements, and processing of past and current life events that lead to struggles with daily distress. Through her warmth, compassion, and strong sense of empathy, she strives to provide her clients with an open, positive, and affirming therapeutic relationship.

Alaina Ables is a Manhattan-based mental health counselor with a wide range of experience with different populations and diagnoses. She has worked with children, adolescents, adults, and couples in both addiction and traditional mental health settings. Alaina is also licensed in Virginia and is available for virtual sessions. Alaina specializes in working with teenagers, college students, and the LGBT Community. Alaina also focuses on treating Anxiety, BPD, ADHD, Trauma, and General Life Stressors.

Alaina operates from a Person-Centered Lens which means the client is the expert in their own life, therefore, she will collaborate with you to find the best possible approach.

Alaina provides a comfortable, non-judgmental, and multicultural lens to ensure the ability of tacking each issue in a safe and healthy way.

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Dr. Latori Griffin is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 10+ years' experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy related issues, and personality distress. Her specialty areas include seeing clients from underserved backgrounds with challenging life circumstances, racial/cultural traumas, substance use/abuse, career and educational planning, and relational traumas. Her goals are to offer a holistic approach to therapy that is concerned with the whole person and is conducive to growth and healing. Considering the spiritual, emotional, physical, psychological, social, and societal aspects of a client's experiences are of the utmost importance in creating an environment of warmth and support. Dr. Griffin works with clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment, and she will tailor the treatment plan to meet the clients' unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. Dr. Griffin is here to support & empower clients on that journey.