Ilisse Perlmutter, MD

Deora Johnson, PMHNP, is a board-certified adult psychiatric nurse practitioner with 24 years of experience. He is passionate about providing clients with a holistic approach to mental health care, incorporating both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. Deora works with adult and senior populations, focusing on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions. He collaborates closely with clients to guide them through understanding and selecting the most effective interventions and medication management options for their needs. Supportive therapy, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing are integral components of his medication management sessions.

Deora earned his Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and completed a nursing practice degree at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. He has experience treating patients in a variety of outpatient and inpatient settings.

His areas of specialty include the treatment of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and insomnia. His research focused on non-pharmacologic interventions for insomnia in individuals with depression.

Deora also has experience working with military veterans. At the VA Outpatient Clinic in Baltimore, Maryland, he treated veterans returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as those from the Vietnam and Korean War eras. His clinical work focused on PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorder.

Deora believes the therapeutic relationship offers a unique opportunity to work collaboratively through life’s challenges. He views medication management as an important part of a comprehensive treatment plan that also includes therapy.

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Angel Vest is a licensed clinical/independent social worker with extensive experience working in the mental health and substance use fields. Angel has worked with patients of various populations with differing levels of need. Angel's undergraduate university, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in psychology, is located in Portsmouth, OH. Her graduate school, where she completed her Master's of Social Work with a concentration in advanced clinical practice, is located in Minneapolis, MN. Angel's internships were completed in Portsmouth, OH, and academic residencies were completed in Atlanta, GA. Angel has been treating substance use disorders since 2016 and other mental health conditions since 2019. She uses an eclectic and trauma-focused approach with a foundation in Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, accompanied by somatic interventions to enhance the mind-body connection. Angel specializes in the treatment of Insomnia Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, depression, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders. Angel prioritizes the therapeutic relationship as a collaborative one and will work with you to address any barriers to overall health, happiness, and well-being.

Diana Veliz, LCSW, obtained her MSW from Fordham University. Diana has over 3 years of experience providing client-centered therapy. Her practice is sensitive to race and culture, and trauma-informed. Diana has experience working with adults, and adolescents experiencing anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. She has worked in outpatient/inpatient clinics and in an educational setting supporting children with social emotional learning. Diana believes that the best approach is to work collaboratively with the client while also considering that each person's experience is individual to them. The client is an expert in their lives, and as a clinician, she is there to meet the client where they are at and begin the healing journey through non-judgment and compassion. Diana uses cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused approach, and psycho-education. She also considers the client's place in society and how culture and race can contribute to challenges. Diana takes passion in working with clients to improve self-esteem, recognize schemas, regulate emotions, and develop self-awareness.

Dr. Agnes Tolentino is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with over 20 years of practice experience.  She obtained her undergraduate degree at the University of the Philippines and completed medical school at the University of the East.  She finished her psychiatry residency at the Harvard South Shore program as chief resident in her final year.  She has a strong background in psychotherapy as an adjunct to medication management.  She has extensive experience in treating PTSD, medically ill patients, elderly patients and those with terminal illnesses. She spent the last 15 years treating the geriatric population and those adjusting to co-morbid medical problems.  

She is an empathic listener and collaborative clinician, focused on treating the whole person.  She emphasizes the need to use healthy coping mechanisms as well as lifestyle changes to complement medication management.  In keeping with the “whole person” focus, the role of physical well-being is important. A thorough medical history will be obtained on your initial appointment.  

Gathering a thorough psychiatric and medical history is paramount in a successful therapeutic relationship.  And with time, a trusting therapeutic environment should be fostered.

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Mr. Hogate is a skilled therapist with over 25 years of experience providing psychotherapy in a broad range of clinical settings. He is licensed both as a Clinical Social Worker and a Professional Counselor. Mr. Hogate has provided private counseling services since 2001 and additionally has worked in a vast range of clinical settings including outpatient counseling for individuals and families, inpatient services for children and adults, outpatient treatment for individuals with co-occurring substance use and other behavioral health concerns. Mr. Hogate is driven by a deep belief in the centrality of human relationships and the benefits clients can gain from a deep connection with a skilled clinician.

Mr. Hogate has a balanced and informed perspective on therapy and seeks to draw from patient experience and strength in partnership toward a common goal of reducing stress and symptoms of various life challenges such as depression, anxiety, relationship conflict, life transitions and others. His clinical perspective is practical and informed by various clinical orientations, yet unique to each individual. Mr. Hogate is collaborative and integrative in his approach to therapy and seeks to build connections with client’s medical providers or others to enhance clinical outcomes.

Typically, Mr. Hogate starts work with clients as a conversation in the context of an enduring interest and belief in the capacity of individuals to make meaningful changes in their lives. Interventions are an important aspect of Mr. Hogate’s clinical work, often rooted in CBT, Narrative Therapy, Systems Theory, ACT and elements of Positive Psychology. Mr. Hogate approaches clients from a biological, psychological and sociological perspective seeking to understand individuals from each of these domains.

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Patricia Grendell is a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who provides mental health care using a personalized, holistic approach. Patricia specializes in psychiatric evaluation and medication management along with psychotherapy and integrative interventions. Prior to receiving education and training in Nursing at New York University and Case Western Reserve University, Patricia earned a Master of Social Work from Boston College with a focus on health and mental health.  

Patricia specializes in working with adults experiencing a wide range of acute and chronic stressors and mental health symptoms. Patricia tailors' treatment to the goals, needs, and comfort level of each individual at her or his own pace. Patricia builds connections with patients so that they feel heard and understood, and partners with each individual to determine the most appropriate treatment strategies that maximize comfort, safety, and positive results.  

Over the past ten years as a Nurse Practitioner in outpatient and inpatient environments, Patricia has helped patients improve and overcome conditions including depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, and insomnia. Using a combination of medication management, individual therapy, and psychoeducation, Patricia develops individualized treatment plans centered around patients’ priorities and safety to achieve improvements in health and quality of life.