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Therapists answer…

Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?

Robert MatthewsR

Robert Matthews

Licensed Professional Counselor
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a therapist because I have always been deeply passionate about helping others navigate life’s challenges and find healing. Seeing individuals overcome struggles, particularly with substance use and mental health, and achieve lasting recovery is incredibly rewarding. My motivation to continue comes from the belief that everyone deserves a chance to live a fulfilled, healthy life, and I am dedicated to supporting my clients on their journey toward resilience and well-being.
Hello, I’m Robert Matthews, a dedicated counselor focused on helping individuals on their journey to recovery. With a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Temple University, I have over two decades of experience in providing compassionate care. Currently, I counsel clients virtually at Locascio Wellness and offer outpatient support at the Livengrin Foundation in Philadelphia. At Livengrin, I work with individuals managing substance use issues, offering both group and individual sessions and facilitating family support services. In the past, I have supported recovery in residential and outpatient settings, assisting with detox counseling and therapy. My approach is holistic, involving family and educational support, and I am fluent in both English and Spanish. Through warmth and understanding, I create a supportive environment for healing and growth. Let’s work together to achieve your wellness goals. *Treatment philosophy I believe in a compassionate, patient-centered approach to care. My aim is to create a safe and supportive environment where clients feel heard and valued. I engage deeply with my patients, offering both individual and group counseling tailored to their unique needs. With a focus on substance use issues, I empower individuals through education, family support, and medication-assisted treatment. I prioritize building trust and maintaining open communication, ensuring that every treatment plan is collaborative. My goal is to inspire hope and foster resilience, guiding each person toward lasting recovery and a healthier life. *Treatment approach •Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) •Substance Use Counseling •Family Support Services •Trauma-Informed Care •Group Therapy Facilitation •Individual Counseling •Medication-Assisted Treatment •Case Management •Mindfulness-Based Approaches *Practice description At Locascio Wellness, Robert Matthews offers compassionate outpatient counseling to help you navigate life's challenges. With years of experience supporting individuals facing substance use issues, he provides personalized care tailored to your unique needs. Robert is skilled in both group and individual therapy, and he also facilitates family support services. His background includes working with clients in various settings, from residential treatment to outpatient programs. Robert holds a Master's in Counseling Psychology and is fluent in English, ensuring clear communication. Trust Robert to guide you toward a healthier future with empathy and understanding.
Brad BarningerB

Brad Barninger

Pretty cool Licensed Professional Counselor, ready to support!
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a therapist due to my passion for mental health and my desire to positively impact lives. The transformative power of therapy, especially for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disorders, drives me. My motivation comes from the success of innovative programs and the collaborative efforts with medical professionals, which ensure comprehensive support for clients. The positive changes in clients' lives and the evolving field of mental health inspire me to continue striving for excellence.
Welcome! I'm Brad Barninger, a passionate advocate for mental health with over two decades of experience in the healthcare field. My journey has taken me from providing direct care and psychotherapy to spearheading innovative mental health programs. Currently, as the Director of Behavioral Health Services, I am dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disorders through compassionate and effective behavioral interventions. My career has been marked by a commitment to excellence, as evidenced by my role in leading a 38-bed transitional living center and improving patient satisfaction scores as the Senior Director at Wellspan Philhaven. I hold a Master's degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University and a Bachelor's in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University. As a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania, I've completed rigorous training to ensure the highest standard of care for my clients. My approach is collaborative, working closely with hospital staff, medical professionals, and community partners to deliver comprehensive mental health services. Whether you're seeking support for yourself or a loved one, I am here to provide expert guidance and unwavering support on your path to well-being.
Kara LondonK

Kara London

LMFT | Ecotherapist | Mindfulness Practitioner
Online & In-Person
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
My path to becoming an ecotherapist started in the Sierra Nevada foothills, from the barefoot, creek splashing, forest hiking, bird spotting days of my childhood. I fell in love with the natural world. From a young age, I also grew a passion for people, the mind, and the helping role. Across my life, I faced my own hardships, with family conflict and divorce, the mental health concerns of loved ones, and my own experiences with anxiety and loss. This is what charted my course towards becoming a therapist, and continues to influence my work today. In the Fall of 2020, I became increasingly aware of both my own need to seek solace in the outdoors, and the planetary perils we are facing as a species and in our ecosystem. Through a natural unfolding, I discovered and began study in the fields of ecopsychology and ecotherapy - finally merging my love for nature and people. From this, I’ve come to understand the oft underappreciated role of nature in our mental health, and the importance of re-discovering our innate, reciprocal ties with nature. My passion and drive to continue come from this wish to help others to source themselves in nature, and a deep empathy for the trials that we all face on life's journey.
Hello dear one. Thank you for your curiosity in seeking guidance. While I may not yet know the journey that has brought you here, I’m glad that we are crossing paths. I am an ecotherapist, mindfulness practitioner, and Earth Mama! My work is grounded in humanistic, interpersonal, attachment, mindfulness, motivational, strengths-based, and ecotherapeutic frameworks. I also appreciate philosophical, spiritual, or existential exploration, and creative expression. Blending a warm, person-centered, and gently challenging approach, I will tailor our sessions to fit your needs.
Yolanda CardonaY

Yolanda Cardona

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner because of my passion for helping others and making a positive impact on their lives. Throughout my career, I have witnessed the profound difference that compassionate and personalized care can make in the lives of my clients. My motivation stems from the desire to continue learning, growing, and evolving as a healthcare professional, ensuring that I am equipped with the knowledge and skills to meet the unique needs of each client. I am inspired by the resilience and strength of my clients, and I am committed to supporting them on their journey to a brighter tomorrow.
Welcome! I'm Yolanda Cardona, a dedicated and compassionate board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). With a heart for serving those who've served us, I currently provide psychiatric mental health services to veterans in Florida. My journey in healthcare began in 1997, and since then, I've gained extensive experience across various settings including intensive care, emergency departments, private practice, labor and delivery, and home care. At Optum since 2015, I've been making house calls and managing complex care for chronic conditions, ensuring medication management is seamless and collaborating closely with treatment teams to create comprehensive care plans. My goal is always to enhance my professional knowledge to align with the unique needs of each client. I take pride in my ability to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking patients, breaking down language barriers to provide inclusive care. Education is also a cornerstone of my career; I achieved my post-master's certification as a PMHNP-BC from Liberty University with honors and hold an MSN from Barry University, where I graduated at the top of my class. Outside of my clinical roles, leadership has always been a part of my life—whether it was managing a team or leading projects that make a difference. I believe in holistic care that addresses every aspect of a patient's wellbeing, and I'm here to support you on your journey to better health. Let's collaborate for your brighter tomorrow.
Oluwaseun AdeotiO

Oluwaseun Adeoti

DNP,PMHNP-BC,FNP-BC
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals facing mental health challenges. My passion for providing culturally competent, person-focused care drives me to support clients in achieving mental wellness. Seeing clients overcome barriers, build resilience, and thrive motivates me to continue this rewarding journey.
I'm Oluwaseun Adeoti, a dedicated Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) with a focus on Psychiatric-Mental Health. My journey in healthcare spans over a decade, with advanced training and experience in family care, community health, and mental health services. I have been recently conferred with Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, August 2024. I hold a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certification, obtained in 2022 from Washburn University. Additionally, I earned my Master's in Family Nursing from Rutgers in 2016 and my Bachelor's in Nursing in 2007. Over the years, I've had the privilege of working with diverse patient populations. My practice is grounded in understanding and meeting the unique needs of each individual. I ensure culturally competent care, always striving for the highest standards. At the East Orange Department of Health, I currently manage HIV-EHE Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) programs. My previous roles include providing comprehensive care in primary care settings, managing critical and behavioral health patients, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to deliver evidence-based care. I'm committed to delivering professional, compassionate, and effective healthcare. Whether it’s managing chronic conditions, aiding in mental health, or providing preventive care, my goal is to help my patients lead healthier, fulfilling lives. Treatment philosophy: I provide individualized compassionate and comprehensive mental health care to individuals living with mental health. Using a comprehensive approach that includes medication management, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes, treating mood and anxiety disorders.
Debra SicilianD

Debra Sicilian

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
My passion for mental health stems from a deep desire to help others lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. The progress I see in my patients keeps me motivated—knowing that I can make a positive difference in someone's life is incredibly rewarding.
Hello! My name is Debra Sicilian, and I'm a dedicated Nurse Practitioner. With extensive experience across psychiatric, long-term care, rehabilitation, acute care, neurological, and hospice settings, I pride myself on delivering comprehensive and compassionate care to my patients. I specialize in crisis psychiatric care, working tirelessly to reduce hospitalizations and improve patient outcomes. My role involves collaborating closely with a team to enhance therapeutic and medication strategies for the best possible results. We've successfully launched a program serving tens of thousands across multiple states. In past roles, I have provided holistic, patient-centered care, focusing on effective communication with patients and their families. My experience spans from offering acute psychiatric care to those in need to managing neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's. I am passionate about treating patients and educating and mentoring new healthcare professionals. This ensures they have the skills to offer exceptional and holistic care. My dedication to this field has earned praise for my critical thinking, problem-solving, and ability to stay calm in stressful situations. I am certified and licensed in multiple states and hold psychiatric and adult-gerontology primary care certifications. Thank you for considering me as your healthcare provider. I look forward to partnering with you on your health journey!
Kelly StephensK

Kelly Stephens

Licensed Clinical Social Workder
Online & In-Person
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a therapist because I am passionate about helping individuals and families grow and become more resilient. The opportunity to support people through their toughest times and see their progress and healing is incredibly fulfilling. What motivates me to continue is the profound impact I can make on people's lives, the continuous learning and improvement in my field, and the collaborative efforts with community agencies to address multifaceted needs. Creating an environment of trust and healing for my clients is a constant source of inspiration and dedication.
Welcome! I'm deeply passionate about fostering growth and resilience within individuals and families. With years of dedicated experience as a therapist and clinical supervisor, my journey has been rich with opportunities to support children, adolescents, and adults through comprehensive counseling services. My expertise lies in conducting thorough assessments that pave the way for personalized therapy, whether it's one-on-one, with families, or in group settings. Crisis counseling is an area where I've made a significant impact, offering immediate support when it's most needed. I take pride in my collaborative approach, working closely with various community agencies to address the multifaceted needs of youth and their families. As a former Clinical Director, I've led teams with a focus on clear communication and efficient service referral processes. My background also includes conducting detailed audits and ensuring compliance with health standards—tasks that underscore my commitment to excellence in care. I believe in continuous improvement and have overseen training programs to enhance the skills of healthcare providers. My role often extends into strategic planning, where I review and approve marketing plans to ensure they align with our mission of providing exceptional care. In every aspect of my work, from administration to direct patient care, I strive to create an environment of trust and healing. Let's navigate your path to wellness together.