Abena Bediako, LCSW

Philosophy of Care

As a License Clinical Social Worker with 20 years of experience in the mental health field, Abena sees this work as her calling. Abena is currently licensed and practicing therapy in NC. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from The College of William and Mary and shortly after earned my Master of Social Work from Howard University School of Social Work. Since that time, she has provided clinical services to children, adolescents, and adults in multiple settings.

Education

Master of Social Work
Howard University School of Social Work

Specialties

• Relationship/Family Counseling
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mood Disorders
• Trauma

Alina Lis, PMHNP

Philosophy of Care

Alina Lis is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over five years of experience working as a nurse, with the majority of that time spent in inpatient medical oncology/hospice and substance abuse treatment.

Alina earned her Master of Science degree from Walden University after receiving an undergraduate nursing degree from Rasmussen College. Her approach to care is collaborative and client-centered. Her treatment model involves a holistic approach that, besides psychopharmacology, includes spiritual support, dietary recommendations, exercise, and other evidence-based interventions.

Alina creates a non-judgmental, accepting, and empathetic environment where patients feel listened to and understood. Alina believes in treating the whole individual; she strives to create an individualized treatment plan tailored to each unique individual and their life goals.

Education

Master of Science in Nursing
Walden University

Specialties

• Anxiety
• Depression
• ADHD
• Anger
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Asenath Devaney, Licensed Psychologist

Philosophy of Care

Asenath Devaney is a Licensed Psychologist (LP) who has over 20 years of experience providing therapy and psychological assessments to children, adolescents, and adults. She specializes in treating family conflict, academic-related issues, identity-based issues, gender exploration, stress, anxiety, depression, and more.

Asenath completed her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Theater from Wheaton College, her Educational Specialist (Ed.S) in School Psychology from Florida International University, and her Ph.D. in School Psychology from North Carolina State University. Asenath’s current focus of treatment is on assisting individuals to improve their communication and determine ways to develop the skills to cope with differences and difficulties. She is an adoptive parent and a strong ally to the LGBTQ community.

Asenath seeks to establish a warm, collaborative, problem-solving approach and provide unconditional acceptance to all clients. Her objective is to assist clients to meet their personal, academic, and professional goals. She will create a personalized treatment plan that meets your specific needs, utilizing cognitive behaviorally-based therapies including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), mindfulnes-based approaches, mentalization, and more.

Education

North Carolina State University
Ph.D. in School Psychology

Specialties

• Family Conflict
• Gender Identity/Transgender
• Parenting
• School Issues

Julian Crespo, LMFT

Philosophy of Care

Julian Crespo is a bilingual (Spanish/English) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of North Carolina who has over four years of experience providing therapeutic care to individual adults, couples and families seeking help with multiple mental health and relational problems (e.g., depression/anxiety, trauma, life transitions, couples' conflicts, and more). He completed his Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy and his PhD in Medical Family Therapy at East Carolina University. Julian Crespo es un terapeuta bilingüe de parejas y familias con licencia en Carolina del Norte. El tiene cuatro años de experiencia tratando individuos, parejas y familias que buscan ayuda por diferentes problemas como depresión, ansiedad, trauma, cambios drásticos en la vida, conflictos de pareja y familia y otros. El completó sus estudios de maestría en terapia familiar y de pareja, y su doctorado, en East Carolina University.

Julian utilizes collaborative, strength based, cognitive behavioral, mindfulness and acceptance based, solution focused and emotionally focused approaches to therapy; always keeping the creativity, flexibility and cultural humility necessary to best meet the needs of every unique individual, couple or family. Julian utiliza modalidades de terapia que son colaborativas, basadas en fortalezas, informadas por aproximaciones cognitivo-conductuales y por la práctica activa del mindfulness, así como por la terapia basada en las emociones. El siempre intenta ser creativo, flexible y abierto a diferentes culturas en su trabajo clínico de tal manera que pueda favorecer los rasgos particulares de individuos, parejas y familias.

Julian seeks to establish a caring and collaborative relationship with you in order to assist in building on your strengths and better collaborate with you towards meeting your goals and living the meaningful life you value. Julian busca establecer una relación de colaboración con cada cliente para ayudarles a definir sus fortalezas y facilitar que los/las clientes vivan acorde a sus valores y a lo que consideran importante en sus vidas.

Education

PhD in Medical Family Therapy
Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy
East Carolina University

Specialties

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Coping Skills
• Family Conflict
• Racial Identity
• Relationships

Kat Milberger, LCSW

Philosophy of Care

Kat Milberger is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a fellow human being! Kat is committed to embracing life and helping others to work through life’s challenges to rediscover empowerment, joy, and connectedness. Kat understands that we cannot always choose the cards we are dealt; sometimes we deal with fear, loss, rejection, isolation, stress, anxiety, and pain due to personal or societal events that we have no control over. In counseling sessions, Kat can help you unpack, examine, and better understand the weight that you are carrying so that you can let go of things that you don’t need and build the tools to carry the rest with greater ease. 

Kat works through a mindfulness, culturally-affirming and trauma-informed lens and has a Cognitive Behavioral, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Sensorimotor background. They use dialogue, mind-body work, and creative therapies to help you non-judgmentally explore, be curious about, process, and make changes to your patterns of thinking, feeling, and doing. Kat earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Studio Art at William and Mary and a Master’s in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University.

In Kat’s spare time, they enjoy live music, art and poetry, exploring nature, lifting weights, skating, and working on their camper van.  

“Investing in your own healing can be intimidating and overwhelming, but it has the capacity to open your life up in profound ways. I look forward to witnessing your growth and transformation.”
- Kat (any pronouns are welcome - they/them, she/her, he/him are all fine!)

Education

Virginia Commonwealth University
Master's in Social Work

Specialties

• Autism Spectrum, ADHD or other Neurological Differences
• Life Transitions
• Grief and Loss
• Trauma and Trauma-related Challenges, PTSD
• Romantic Relationships, Sexual Difficulties, Polyamory
• Family and Friendship Conflicts
• Gender and Sexuality Concerns
• Self-advocacy, Assertiveness and Communication Skills
• Anxiety, Phobias, Panic
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Anger Management, Impulse Control, Frustration Tolerance
• Depression and Isolation
• Health-related issues, Disability
• Discrimination and Systemic Oppression

LaKaya Craig, Resident in Counseling

Philosophy of Care

LaKaya is a licensed clinical mental health counselor associate in North Carolina with a master's in counseling from Wake Forest University and also has several years of experience in health education and coaching. She especially enjoys working with youth and their families dealing with a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, chronic illnesses, and navigating the curveballs that life can throw. She collaborates with people who desire self-discovery and growth, healing and progressing forward with new and positive outlooks.

LaKaya firmly believes that no person is the same and uses a person-centered, strengths-based approach and often pulls from motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral perspectives to help people reach within and pull out their full potential. She makes sure to get to know the person, or people, across from her and create a space that is comfortable, open, and most importantly, safe.

LaKaya is passionate about partnering with people from all walks to help them towards experiencing their full, best life and truly thrive. No matter where you may be in your life's journey, she is ready to join you as you continue forward.

Education

Master of Arts in Counseling
Wake Forest University

Specialties

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Life transitions
• Chronic illnesses
• School issues