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It’s not about us
We still feel it’s important for you to know who we are and what we do
Meet The Team
We believe it “takes a village” for a community to thrive. Our team took their experiences in education and life and created Collaborative to tackle even the most toughest of challenges.
Please feel free to search for your service, location or insurance provider. You may also book with a provider on their profiles below.
Elizabeth Malakhova, MSEd, CRC, MHC-LP
Elizabeth (she/her) has a deep passion for helping people of all ages. She is dedicated to providing compassionate and effective mental health care. She enjoys working with children, teens, young adults, and adults. Elizabeth seeks to guide them through their unique challenges and supports their journey to well-being.
Elizabeth holds a Master of Science in Education in Rehabilitation in Mental Health Counseling. She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) specializing in vocational counseling from Hofstra University. She is also certified in SMART Recovery, which enhances her ability to help clients overcome addictive behaviors. Her approach to therapy is relational and client-centered, rooted in trauma-informed care. Elizabeth uses techniques from CBT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing to create personalized and holistic treatment plans.
Elizabeth has expertise in many mental health issues, including PTSD, ADD/ADHD, OCD, mood disorders, relationship concerns, family systems, substance use, anxiety, and depression. Her diverse background helps her connect with clients from various walks of life. Born in Belarus and raised in the Bronx, she is fluent in both English and Russian.
Elizabeth believes in the power of a strong therapeutic relationship. She strives to create a safe, empathetic, and non-judgmental space for her clients. By focusing on everyone’s strengths and goals, she empowers them to achieve personal growth and healing.
In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys cooking and trying out new recipes. She also loves spending time with her friends and family and listening to music. An avid reader, Elizabeth’s favorite activity is curling up on the couch with a good book and her two kittens, Archie and Sawyer.
Elizabeth Malakhova, MSEd, CRC, MHC-LP
Psychotherapist
Elizabeth (she/her) has a deep passion for helping people of...
Sophia Berlin, MS, MHC-LP, CRC
Sophia: (She/Her) completed her Master of Science degree in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After enjoying many years in the south, she is excited to move back to her home state of New York. Sophia uses experience and insights to inform her work and feels fortunate to work with and learn from her clients.
Sophia’s concentration in psychiatric disabilities and rehabilitation counseling offered opportunities to gain experience working in various settings with diverse populations. Her experience in hospitals, specialized mental health clinics, and the VA Health Care system provided opportunities to develop her counseling skills and knowledge. She has experience working with developmental disabilities, chronic illnesses, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance use, self-injurious behaviors, anxiety, and mood disorders. While working with Veterans, she developed her interest in trauma-informed care and addressing co-occurring disorders. Over the last several years, she collaborated on evidence-based psychotherapy research and publications to advocate for access to informed care.
As a therapist, she strives to develop trusting relationships and offer a unique space for authenticity and support. She believes in the importance of recognizing individual strengths, while empowering self-awareness and growth. Her approach is relation-centered and integrative to incorporate modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Trauma-Informed Care. Sophia uses an eclectic approach, which creates space to recognize different experiences and ensure therapy is accessible and effective.
Sophia could be described as an introverted extrovert. While she enjoys spending time with others and getting lost in conversation, she always carves out time to retreat to the comfort of reading a book on the couch. She is happiest near a body of water and swimming is her favorite form of exercise. Dog time is a staple in her life, and she enjoys any chance to get outside and explore new places.
Sophia Berlin, MS, MHC-LP, CRC
Psychotherapist
Sophia: (She/Her) completed her Master of Science degree in Clinical...
Michelle Castellanos, MSW, LMSW
Michelle (she/her) is a New York City based psychotherapist and licensed social worker whose focus is building trusting relationships with her clients. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY before she headed off to study Psychology and Spanish at Swarthmore College. She returned to New York where she graduated with a Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University in 2019. Michelle can conduct sessions in English and Spanish. She is passionate about providing quality care to people of all backgrounds. She has gained a wide array of experience working with many diverse types of clients working in agencies, nonprofits, hospitals, and community mental health.
Michelle is enthusiastic about creating strong therapeutic relationships with clients. She knows that the relationship between client and provider is one of the building blocks to achieve a client’s goals and that the vulnerability developed during the session is a sacred thing. She partners with her clients to strive for meaningful change. She has worked with different types of people, including children, teens, birthing people, domestic violence survivors, immigrants and refugees, families, and more. She is particularly focused on the impact of trauma on a person’s life and how the process of healing can create new opportunities for someone. With her social work background Michelle is aware of the effect systems have on a person and a group and uses a social justice approach to help clients reach their goals. She aims to empower her clients to gain self-awareness and to develop effective coping strategies.
An enthusiastic reader, Michelle is always happy to get book recommendations of all genres. She is also a happy pet mom to her cat Chicharron. In her free time Michelle also enjoys baking cakes and pastries, crocheting blankets and sweaters, and watching TV with her husband and her cat on her lap.
Michelle Castellanos, MSW, LMSW
Psychotherapist
Michelle (she/her) is a New York City based psychotherapist and...
Taiwo Majekodunmi, MA, LMHC
Taiwo (She/Her) was born and raised in New York City, specifically in Queens and Brooklyn. She is a licensed mental health counselor and holds a master’s degree in mental health counseling from CUNY Brooklyn College. As someone who is voraciously curious and naturally empathetic, Taiwo has always had an ardent desire to understand the inner workings of the mind, which has allowed her to have vast experience in working a diverse demographic. As a first-generation Nigerian American woman, it has been Taiwo’s mission to provide access to those who are underrepresented with the tools they need to overcome their obstacles and heal from their pain. It has been her pleasure to serve those who need it and may not have the resources to access that help, especially because she has experience dealing with financial, racial and emotional hardships. She has provided adolescents and young and middle-aged adults with complex trauma, self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, personality disorders, anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns in diverse clinical settings.
In treatment with Taiwo, she utilizes an eclectic approach utilizing methods from EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), interpersonal psychodynamic therapy, CBT (Cognitive Based Therapy), somatic approaches, ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy) and MBT (Mentalization Based Treatment). She believes that one must be present with their inner experiences without shame or judgment to heal from past or present trauma, which is the proactive of mindfulness. Taiwo employs a collaborative and relational approach to treatment, ensuring that the client’s needs are in the forefront of the treatment process. She expels authenticity and warmth that allows the client to feel safe and attended to. Taiwo will work with the client to help them reach their goals, but it will be at a pace that is up to the client as she believes the session is about the client and their emotional safety.
When working with Taiwo, she will challenge you to assist you in getting out of your comfort zone because discomfort, but with a safe space, is needed to grow and heal. She will also remind you to be kind and compassionate to yourself, as the practice of self-compassion is essential in her treatment process and to one’s healing in general. She hopes that the client will utilize these tools for the rest of their healing journeys.
Taiwo Majekodunmi, MA, LMHC
Psychotherapist & Supervisor
Taiwo (She/Her) was born and raised in New York City,...
Frances Zhang, Ed.M, MHC-LP
Born and raised in mainland China, Frances (she/her) has lived in New York City for the past decade. She is a client-centered psychotherapist dedicated to empowering her clients to accept, honor, and find meaning in their everyday experiences.
Frances holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from New York University and earned her Master’s degrees in Psychological Counseling and Mental Health Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University.
She uses an eclectic approach in her practice, incorporating CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), MI (Motivational Interviewing), and EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy). She is certified in TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). Her unique style blends Zen Buddhism practices with Western psychotherapy, emphasizing balance and reflecting her own experiences in both worlds.
Trained in the heart of NYC, Frances has extensive experience working with a diverse clientele. She conducts sessions in both Mandarin and English, and adopts multicultural and Queer-and-LGBTQIA+ inclusive frameworks. She specializes in treating depression, anxiety, ADHD, anger management, and grief. She works with individuals, couples, and families, and enjoys addressing intimate relationship and family-of-origin challenges, especially within the AAPI, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ communities.
Frances is a good match for those seeking a therapist who not only listens, but also challenges, collaborates, and motivates with humor and compassion. In her free time, she enjoys walking with her furry Aussie-doodle son, “Chips,” under abundant sunlight!
Frances Zhang, Ed.M, MHC-LP
Psychotherapist
Born and raised in mainland China, Frances (she/her) has lived...
Hanni Flaherty, PhD, LCSW-R, CASAC-M
Hanni (She/Her) is a New York City-based Clinical Social Worker specializing in adolescents, young adults, and families. Over the past 10 years, she has worked with clients who struggle with a wide range of issues. Her areas of expertise include treating adolescents and young adults with family conflict, substance use, high-risk behaviors, self-harming behaviors, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, personality disorders, trauma, bullying, gender, and sexuality struggles.
Her practice uses a Cognitive Behavioral Treatment approach that takes into consideration each person’s strength and experience. She has a Ph.D. in clinical social work, an LCSW-R, and a CASAC. She is also trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Family Structure Therapy. In addition, she is a Certified Addiction and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) and New York State DUI evaluator.
Her treatment style encompasses open and honest communication to help clients achieve their goals through short-term treatment, long-term treatment, family therapy, and group treatment. Through the development of a strong therapeutic alliance, they work together to develop effective coping skills. In treatment, she strives to create a safe, understanding, and collaborative atmosphere where her clients can share their emotions and explore their struggles. They all have the ability to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. Therapy should be a helpful force in achieving life goals and overcoming life struggles.
Hanni Flaherty, PhD, LCSW-R, CASAC-M
Founder & Social Work President
Hanni (She/Her) is a New York City-based Clinical Social Worker specializing...
Kyle McEvoy, MS, LPC, LMHC, CCMHC, NCC
Kyle McEvoy (He/Him) is the Founder and President of Collaborative, a multidisciplinary clinical community focused on establishing effective, evidence-based treatment founded on an adaptive mentalization-based treatment model.
Kyle holds advanced training in mentalization-based (MBT) and adaptive mentalization-based integrative treatment (AMBIT) through the Anna Freud Centre for Children and Families. He specializes in complex attachment and identity-related disorders such as borderline, avoidant, antisocial, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personalities, along with gender-diverse individuals.
He focuses on understanding the individual to engage in a comprehensive execution of a person’s desires, wants, and needs. Kyle has participated in the client’s long-standing change from maladaptive behaviors, thoughts, and feelings through these scientific approaches. Kyle will implore you to participate in your treatment and discuss the techniques actively. He has helped people struggling with substances, explore individual identity (LGBTQIA+), cope with psychological/cognitive/developmental disorders, accept medical diagnoses, and overcome sexual abuse/intimate partner violence.
In addition to Kyle’s direct clinical work, he is a prominent national speaker, writer, and educator of the mental health community in efforts to deepen provider and patient understandings of mentalization, identity formation, and clinically challenging circumstances. In addition, Kyle continues to bolster his clinical approach through continued education and research of personality development from a psychoanalytic perceptive as a student of the Center for Modern Psychoanalytic Studies.
Kyle believes practical and engaging clinical support has the power to invoke change. Therefore, he goes beyond the typical therapeutic approach when working with you.
Kyle McEvoy, MS, LPC, LMHC, CCMHC, NCC
Founder & Therapy President
Kyle McEvoy (He/Him) is the Founder and President of Collaborative, a...
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