Tea Time Podcast

Samantha is a dedicated social work graduate student based in New York, passionate about mental health advocacy. Aspiring to become a therapist or work within a hospital setting, Samantha is driven by the goal of making a profound impact, similar to the therapists who have influenced her life. She proudly serves as the student representative for her program, finding great fulfillment in this leade...

D'Andrah Almanzar, LMSW (she/her) is a Queer Latinx Social Worker who holds a Master's in Social Work from Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service. D’Andrah is a Social Worker who works in outpatient care at NYC Health + Hospitals primarily focusing on counseling and care planning for high-risk populations such as HIV+ patients. Additionally, D’Andrah is a Licensed Psychotherapist spe...

Jessica Ramirez, LMSW (she/her/ella) is a bilingual Licensed Master Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in trauma-informed care. She has dedicated her career to working within BIPOC communities, particularly in Western Queens, where she has been a strong advocate for equitable mental health resources. Jessica is a clinician with Mount Sinai Hospital’s Sexual Assault and Violence Interve...

Vivianna works as an inpatient social worker for OB, ICU, and ER at a hospital in the rural town of Ukiah California. Prior to entering the medical social work field, she worked as a mental health clinician providing therapeutic services in English and Spanish to families where resources are extremely limited. She is an alumnus from Fordham University’s graduate school of social service, recipient...

Sophia Jasmine Dupree, LCSW, PPSC, is a mixed-race Latina therapist treating women of color with anxiety, depression, and OCD. In her 13 years of clinical practice, she has worked with various populations including LGBTQ+, unhoused population, immigrant populations, and her first passion, working with children and adolescents. Sophia is the owner of Chirpy Tree Therapy, a virtual practice serving...

Dr. Martine Laventure is a passionate Social Worker with over 14 years of experience dedicated to empowering individuals, families, and communities. Dr. Laventure earned her doctorate from Tulane University and began her career as an administrator in non-profit mental health housing programs, creating supportive environments for those in need. As a psychotherapist, Dr. Laventure guides clients tow...

Gary T. Taylor, aka Trey, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Three-Time Published Author, Speaker and Facilitator, Assistant Professor, Doctoral Student (University of Kentucky: College of Social Work), and Deacon. He is from and resides in Caroline County, Virginia with his wife, daughter, and son. He has twelve years of experience in Mental Health and formerly provided individual therapy to B...

Shae Chisman is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist based in Canton, GA, specializing in individual, couples, and family therapy with a focus on relational trauma in marginalized communities. She uses an anti-oppressive and trauma-informed approach to create brave, safe spaces for healing, self-discovery, and empowerment. With a background in mindfulness, Shae incorporates yoga and meditati...

Grace Li, owner of Inner Alchemy Wellness, is a licensed therapist and trauma-informed yoga teacher who helps overthinkers and underfeelers heal from trauma and cultivate embodied, fulfilling lives. Her holistic approach is rooted in somatic therapies and Internal Family Systems (IFS), with a focus on relational and body-based healing. She specializes in working with folks who struggle with intell...

During the last episode of Tea Time Podcast Season 3, host Natalie discusses the collective grief around election results, and the experiences of fear, fatigue, anxiety and uncertainty amongst a lot of communities. Additionally, Natalie discussed the challenges of holding space as a therapist, and the ways clients and communities may be impacted by proposed policies and agendas. The episode closed...

Jacklyn (Jaxie) Ferguson graduated from the College of Charleston with an AB degree in psychology and the University of South Carolina with a Masters in Social Work, chosen by the faculty as the Charleston Cohort Student of the Year presented at graduation. Jaxie is currently working as a concierge care manager for a private insurance company but has previously experience in school social work, tr...

Samantha Franco, MHC-LP and Ashley Cuasquer, LAC are the hosts of Therapists Unmasked Podcast. Both are licensed therapists who came together to begin a podcast to discuss the challenges that therapists may face in terms of their mental health, and in working in the field. The goal of their podcast is to destigmatize a lot of the challenges that therapists may face in terms of their own mental hea...

Maria Aurora San Pedro is an AAPI Therapist in the state of California. She is a well versed Therapist with a demonstrated history of working in the mental health industry for 12 years. Skilled in Evidenced Based Practices, with an emphasis in providing culturally responsive care, Maria Aurora works with clients to build awareness around the mind and body. Maria Aurora functions through a family s...

Sarah Rincon (LPCC) is a queer latine therapist in Denver, Colorado. She offers support to individuals, couples and families to break out of intergenerational cycles of trauma & heal from relational wounds. She is the owner of Rincon Curativo and offers multiple different services including emdr & couples intensives to support your body and brains natural healing abilities.  Sarah is passionate ab...

Zaria is a twenty-one-year-old, full-time college student currently obtaining her bachelor's in social work. She aspires to open her own community center one day. Her goal is for people of all ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic statuses to be able to come together, interact, and engage with each other. Zaria also is the owner and founder of Blossom Beauty, her online self-care shop where she...

Tai-Isha Watson-Jack is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 16 years of experience in the social work field. Tai-Isha’s educational background includes an Associate degree in Human Services Mental Health from the City University of New York’s - LaGuardia Community College, a bachelor’s degree in social work from the City University of New York’s – York College and a master’s degree in social wo...

Zuleyka Ayala, LMSW, is a first-generation Latina social worker from the South Bronx, committed to serving individuals and families across New York City, with a focus on the South Bronx and East Harlem. As a School Social Worker and Bilingual Mental Health Therapist, she draws on her own lived experiences to provide culturally responsive support and advocacy. Zuleyka is the founder of AtréveteNow,...

Maribí is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, currently practicing as a full-time psychotherapist in FL. She is passionate about supporting Gen Z in their mental wellness journey. Together with her client's she focuses her work on building self-esteem, bettering communication skills and navigating relationships authentically in a healthy manner. Maribí is a daughter of immigrants and a first-ge...

Rosita Marinez has over two decades of experience specializing in operations management, fiscal management, project management, program development, and executive leadership. Her focus areas are mental health, substance use disorder, HIV/AIDS, and housing. Rosita is the Senior Vice President of Supported Housing at the Institute for Community Living (ICL). She oversees the nation's most extens...

Dr. Ashaad Hipps is a Licensed Master Social Worker whose professional and personal goal is to address and reduce trauma experienced by youth with child welfare involvement. He is a Certified Youth Mental Health Specialist, which enables him to utilize his knowledge and skills in the treatment children and teens with mental health concerns. He is the owner of Gears of Change, which is an agency th...

Rebecca (MA, LPC) is a Colorado-based somatic and queer therapist. She completed her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling specializing in Somatic Counseling: Body Psychotherapy at Naropa University in 2019. Additionally, she is trained in Somatic Sex Therapy Training for Counselors through The Embodied Relationships Center. Rebecca has been in private practice (Liminality Counseling) since 2022...

Dr. McNeil graduated with his Doctor of Social Work degree from the University of Alabama in Advanced Clinical practice summa cum laude. He is passionate about Black male wellness and is a plant based yogi, that is also a hip-hop hiker. He used this passion for his DSW capstone. He wrote up a yoga project for Black men and his capstone was about supporting Black male social work faculty with holis...

Raneisha is a 31-year-old mom, wife, and freelance PR & communications professional currently based in San Diego, California. Raneisha was diagnosed with BPD in 2021 and has since dedicated much of her time to sharing her lived experience as a Black woman with BPD on her "Surviving and Thriving Pod" in addition to supporting health and social justice nonprofits like California Black...

Halie Rose Bloom, LMSW, is an Associate Psychotherapist at Every Body Therapy in Brooklyn, offering both in-person and virtual sessions. Known for her warm and compassionate approach, Halie is dedicated to providing holistic, person-centered, and trauma-informed care to individuals of all ages, identities, and backgrounds. With a Master's in Social Work from New York University's Silver School and...

Rafael Tejada, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York. Rafael works in Community Based Mental Health as a Psychotherapist & Clinical Supervisor, and also has a private practice. Rafael joined the podcast to discuss masculinity, men's mental health, and his own experience in private practice. To work with Rafael or learn more about his work: https://secure.helloalma.com/providers/raf...