Taylor Cortez, LPC

Joel Witherspoon is a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with over 20 years of clinical experience working in various mental health settings, working directly with clients from diverse backgrounds living with a broad range of mental health conditions. Joel earned his Undergraduate degree at California State University Long Beach, Graduate School at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, and completed his internship in Raleigh, NC. Joel has been practicing for 19 years as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, focusing on mood disorders, trauma, situational adjustment disorders, and any life challenge that interferes with a client's happiness. Working with Joel, treatment is specific to the individual with the focus on modalities that are specific to each person's challenges. Joel uses an eclectic approach with a foundation in person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and trauma therapy combined with somatic interventions such as mindfulness.

Melinda Morris is a dedicated and compassionate LCSW with over 6 years of experience in the field of mental health. She holds a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee and has been a practicing counselor since 2018. Melinda specializes in helping individuals navigate life's challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, transitional periods, and relationship issues. Her approach isclient-centered and integrative, combining techniques from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), and solution-focused therapy to tailor treatment plans to each client's unique needs and identifying their personal strengths to enhance theirprogress in becoming and feeling the best version of themselves in any new chapter they maybe experiencing. Throughout her career, Melinda has worked primarily in nonprofit and private practice settings. She is known for her empathetic listening, non-judgmental attitude, and ability to build rapport and trust to create a safe and supportive environment for her clients so they can find their voice and be truly heard and understood. Melinda is committed to ongoing professional development and regularly attends workshops and conferences to stay current with the latest advancements in mental health treatment. She is also an active member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). When she's not working, Melinda enjoys traveling, hiking, painting/drawing, and spending time with her awesome kiddo and fur babies.

Diana Sun, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor with over five years of counseling experience in outpatient settings. She earned her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Nyack College Alliance Graduate School of Counseling in 2020. Diana has experience working with Asian Americans, Christians, LGBTQ+ individuals, and young adults ages 18 and older. Her clinical interests include inter-generational trauma, women’s issues, stress, anxiety, and depression.

Diana believes communication is essential when setting goals and boundaries within the counseling relationship. She uses fun ice-breaker questions to help patients feel comfortable and to build a strong therapeutic connection. Diana strives to create a safe and supportive environment where patients feel heard, seen, and understood, and she welcomes feedback as an important part of the healing process.

Diana begins by understanding each client’s presenting concerns, personal history, and goals during the initial session. She then collaborates with patients to develop a treatment plan tailored to their individual needs. Her work is grounded in core counseling values such as active listening, self-awareness, and unconditional positive regard to support growth and change.

Christine Cook is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Prescott College. She is licensed in Arizona, Colorado, and Virginia. Christine is trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS), CBT, DBT, play therapy, and holds certifications in life coaching and EAGALA. Her diverse experience includes roles as a primary, family, adventure, equine, crisis, and expressive arts therapist in both inpatient and outpatient settings, as well as private practice.

Christine is passionate about helping patients overcome life’s challenges by building on their strengths and developing healthy coping strategies. She brings a sensitive, compassionate, nonjudgmental, and genuine approach to therapy, creating a safe and accepting environment for growth and healing.

Christine tailors each session and treatment plan to a patient’s unique strengths and goals. Her respectful, empowering style integrates various therapeutic methods including solution-focused therapy, CBT, DBT, psychoeducation, IFS, and expressive arts to support personal growth and internal healing.

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Garmis Sena, LMHC, is a licensed therapist with experience supporting children, adolescents, adults, and families. She brings a background in community mental health, school-based services, and outpatient therapy. Her clinical work includes treating trauma, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation challenges, family conflict, and life transitions. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling.

Garmis believes therapy should feel safe while also encouraging growth. She values honesty, trust, and emotional safety, and incorporates a holistic lens that considers mind, body, relationships, and life experiences. Patients can expect to be heard without judgment as she meets them where they are and supports them in building toward meaningful change.

Garmis begins by learning each patient’s story, stressors, and goals. She works collaboratively to identify patterns, triggers, and emotional blocks, and together develops realistic and personalized treatment goals. Sessions are structured yet adaptable, incorporating practical tools patients can use outside the therapy room. She regularly reviews progress and adjusts the approach as growth evolves.

Rutanya Simon, LCSW, earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Oklahoma and has over eleven years of experience supporting children, families, and couples. She has worked with the courts, including mental health and substance abuse programs, and with families involved in child protective and adoption services. Rutanya integrates Gottman techniques to strengthen communication between couples and applies family systems theory to help families identify and improve maladaptive patterns and behaviors.

Rutanya is a solution-focused therapist who has worked with diverse populations throughout her career. She provides insight from a non-biased and compassionate perspective, helping clients create practical solutions for life transitions and personal healing. Her approach encourages introspection and self-compassion, empowering clients to focus on what is within their control while fostering growth and resilience.

In the initial session, Rutanya works to build rapport and trust while gaining a clear understanding of each client’s needs. She collaborates with clients to identify small, achievable steps toward their goals and uses these to guide the development of individualized treatment plans that promote meaningful progress and lasting change.