Hala Mouneimne, DO

Dr. Akhtar is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in compassionate and comprehensive mental health care. She focuses on medication management for a wide range of psychiatric conditions, providing supportive therapy to help individuals navigate life's challenges and enhance their overall well-being, while emphasizing lifestyle changes and the development of coping skills. Dr. Akhtar completed her medical degree at the American University of Antigua, gaining a profound understanding of the biological, psychological, and social aspects of mental health. Following her residency at Bergen, Newbridge Medical Center, where she was appointed Chief Resident in her fourth year, she worked for several years in both inpatient and outpatient hospital settings. Committed to holistic wellness, Dr. Akhtar believes in empowering individuals to make positive changes in their lives and offers guidance on nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, and stress management techniques. She is dedicated to fostering a therapeutic alliance built on trust, empathy, and collaboration. Her approach is rooted in evidence-based practices and tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual under her care.

Waded Baquerizo-Mahuad is an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) in the state of Pennsylvania. She received her Master's (M.A.) in Mental Health Counseling from Kutztown University in 2016. She is also a Clinical Psychologist in her home country of Ecuador. She has provided mental and behavioral services to children and their families as a therapeutic staff support and mobile therapist, providing in-home services and services in the community. She has worked in Community Mental Health and Private Practice where she has gained experience treating various Mental health diagnoses that include PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, OCD, Grief, Adjustment Disorders, etc. As an experienced bilingual counselor, she utilizes an eclectic approach in her practice, taking into consideration the stage and uniqueness of her client's psychological, emotional, and social needs. Some of her approaches in therapy are the person-centered approach, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic approach, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused approach. She integrates Sensory Motor techniques as well as Mindfulness and Grounding techniques. In her practice, she also applies a Strength-Based Modality and Trauma-informed Focus. She also implements Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) interventions.

Shaneika Lindsay, PMHNP, is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner dedicated to providing personalized and empathetic care to those in need of mental health care. Her academic journey began with a B.S. in Biology from the University at Albany. She later received her B.S. in Nursing from Pace University and attained her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner M.S. from Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing, graduating magna cum laude. Shaneika's practice focuses on medication management. Occasionally, Shaneika may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. For the last seven years, Shaneika has diligently provided care to our nation's veterans, working on a dual diagnosis inpatient psychiatric unit in the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System. In her time at the VA, she has gained extensive experience in managing substance abuse and co-morbid psychiatric disorders. In addition, while attending Hunter College, she completed a yearlong clinical rotation at Casa Promesa, a mental health outpatient and inpatient facility that services some of the most vulnerable and underserved populations in the South Bronx. As a Nurse Practitioner, her primary focus is holistic care, taking into consideration all physical, psychological, interpersonal, and environmental factors when creating unique treatment plans. She strongly believes that all of these factors are interconnected and play a significant role in any individual's mental health and vitality. Shaneika's goal is to work with clients to create a safe, non-judgmental, and collaborative treatment environment that promotes sustained healing and positive self-development.

Erin Snider, PMHNP, brings more than seven years of experience as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse at Lindner Center of HOPE, a full-service psychiatric facility affiliated with the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Her work has spanned the full spectrum of psychiatric care, including inpatient crisis intervention, partial hospitalization, and outpatient services. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Kentucky and both a BSN and MSN from Wright State University. Erin also recently earned a Mindfulness and Yoga-Studies Certificate from the University of Cincinnati.

Erin prioritizes building a strong therapeutic relationship and values open communication to create a supportive environment for healing. She views psychiatry as a holistic practice, integrating evidence-based approaches that address mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. Patients working with Erin can expect compassion, respect, and a collaborative partnership in their care.

Erin begins each appointment with open conversation to better understand each individual’s story and experiences. She works with patients to identify their concerns, explore barriers to growth, and highlight strengths. Together, she collaborates on a treatment plan that aligns with the patient’s personal goals, ensuring care is both personalized and empowering.

Damaris Chukwura, DNP, PMHNP-BC, is a Board-Certified Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience in mental health care. She began her nursing career in 2007 and has been practicing as a psychiatric nurse practitioner since 2014. Damaris has worked in a wide range of settings including inpatient hospitals, residential treatment centers, partial and intensive outpatient programs, correctional psychiatry, and substance abuse treatment. Her clinical experience spans various conditions such as ADHD, eating disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, PTSD, and treatment-resistant depression. She earned her BSN from Texas Christian University, MSN from The University of Texas at Arlington, and her DNP from The University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Damaris values open communication and collaboration with her patients. She creates a warm, caring environment where individuals feel heard and respected. Her approach is both evidence-based and supportive, blending professionalism with a welcoming demeanor. She is passionate about mental health advocacy and reducing stigma. Outside of work, Damaris enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, traveling, decorating, and watching reality TV.

During initial psychiatric evaluations, Damaris takes time to fully understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She develops individualized treatment plans that align with these goals and may include supportive therapy or referrals for more intensive therapy if needed. Follow-up appointments typically last 30 minutes, allowing time to track progress and make adjustments as necessary.

Dr. Leslie Davis became a psychotherapist because she believes that mental health shapes and influences various aspects of life. Mental health is considered vital! She has been a Doctor of Social Work since 2021 and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2019, with experience supporting children, adolescents, young adults, and adults with concerns such as trauma, substance abuse, intimate partner violence, depression, anxiety, PTSD, mood disorders, marital issues, and more. She has extensive experience in various settings including inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), school settings, community-based settings, and emergency departments.‍Dr. Leslie Davis does not see her role as a therapist as needing to "save the world” or "empower” clients. Instead, she believes in working alongside clients to help them identify tools within themselves and community resources to successfully achieve their goals. The types of therapy offered include, but are not limited to, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Culturally Sensitive Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Multicultural Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. Alongside the use of evidenced-based practices and culturally informed care, Dr. Leslie Davis has developed a proven approach for helping clients (a) identify the root cause of their challenges and (b) create a tailored plan that leads to measurable progress.