Cassandra Garcia-Lozano, LPC

Valene, pronounced (Val-leen), is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has worked in the mental health field for 7 years. During this time, she has worked with clients from various backgrounds and cultures with a variety of mental health conditions. Valene's experience ranges from an inpatient psychiatric facility to private practice to telehealth. Valene attended the University of South Florida for her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Florida International University for her graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling.‍Valene believes each therapeutic interaction should be individualized and client-centered, thus she uses an eclectic therapy approach. An eclectic approach means assisting clients by drawing from various therapeutic approaches and techniques, thus tailoring treatment to each client's needs. Valene considers the therapeutic relationship to be extremely important and strives to be a collaborative, empathetic, non-judgmental, person-centered therapist. Valene's professional interests include working with young adults, Caribbean Americans, and the BIPOC community. Within mental health she enjoys working with anxiety, depression, women's issues, adjustment disorders, and relationship issues, just to name a few.

Sebrina Cotton is a passionate advocate for mental health and holistic well-being. With over 7 years of experience in the mental health field, she has worked with diverse populations seeking support in managing various challenges, including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship/marital issues, grief/loss, and life transitions. Sebrina's approach is person-centered and collaborative. She will hold you accountable to the goals you want to accomplish through a combination of empathy, active listening, and skillful interventions. Sebrina welcomes you to a warm and safe space to bring all of who you are to each session. She will walk alongside you through your therapy journey towards a more fulfilling and meaningful life. In her time outside of sessions, Sebrina enjoys working out at the gym, teaching/practicing yoga, and traveling.

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.

Amber Durham, LCSW, has six years of experience practicing in outpatient settings. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2018 and her Master’s degree in Social Work from Union University in 2020. In 2023, she became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Amber’s background allows her to provide compassionate, evidence-based care that supports patients through a variety of mental health challenges.

Amber values open communication and believes in working collaboratively with patients to establish clear, achievable treatment goals. She creates a warm and supportive environment where patients feel genuinely heard, respected, and empowered to explore their thoughts and emotions without judgment. Her approach centers on building trust and fostering personal growth throughout the therapeutic process.

Amber begins each therapeutic relationship by taking time to understand the patient’s unique history, concerns, and goals during the initial session. She develops individualized treatment plans tailored to align with those goals, ensuring that care remains patient-centered. Recognizing that trust takes time to build, Amber prioritizes creating a strong therapeutic alliance that supports meaningful progress over time.

Cosima Robinson holds a distinguished profile as a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, and a National Certified Counselor. She earned her Master of Science in Counseling from University of Houston-Clear Lake. Presently, her licensure allows her to provide counseling services within the state of Texas.

Drawing upon her extensive experience, Cosima Robinson adeptly delivers tailored therapeutic interventions catering to individuals of all age groups. She proficiently addresses a spectrum of mental health challenges, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, and various life obstacles. Her therapeutic approach is characterized by an impartial, supportive, and uplifting environment designed to foster healing.

Cosima's professional background encompasses a diverse range of settings. She has proficiently guided individuals in contexts such as dual-diagnosis scenarios, substance abuse recovery, residential and intensive outpatient care facilities, correctional institutions, survivors of domestic violence, and at-risk youth and families.

Her counseling methodology is an incorporation of person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, and solution-focused modalities. Notably, she remains flexible in her application of techniques, ensuring that each intervention is meticulously tailored to suit the distinct requirements of her clients.

Raquel Weinum is a licensed clinical social worker. Her career in the field has spanned over 20 years and includes work with adults, adolescents, and children from diverse populations and experiences. She has treated a wide range of symptoms and challenges, including but not limited to, depression and other mood disorders, anxiety, chronic stress, trauma, difficulty with relationships, family conflicts, and loss. ‍Her style is warm and engaging. She considers the role of the therapist to be collaborative. As a therapist she aims to create a safe non-judgmental space for self-exploration, discovery, and healing. The goals in the therapeutic process may involve developing new skills to cope with emotional pain, learning to set new boundaries in relationships, or finding more meaning in life. She utilizes a wide range of approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, narrative therapy, relational and psychodynamic approaches, and mindfulness and embodiment work. Regardless of the modality, her work is always trauma informed and strength-based. ‍Ms. Weinum received her Master's degree in Social Work from Fordham University and her BS in psychology from Brooklyn College. She has worked in varied settings including hospitals, community mental health/substance abuse clinics, and home-based crisis intervention services. She has provided individual and group psychotherapy, and has served in supervisory/administrative roles throughout her career.‍