Introducing Our Experienced Clinical Team

Jennifer Chow, MD

Jennifer Chow attended medical school at Virginia Commonwealth University.  She did her general adult psychiatry residency at the combined civilian-military program, University of Texas Health Sciences University San Antonio/Wilford Hall Medical Center and then completed a child/adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Oregon Health Sciences University. From there, she served active duty military members, their family and children at numerous Air Force bases located in Republic of Korea, Germany, United Kingdom, Turkey, and Dayton, Ohio.  Her last assignment active duty assignment was working for the US Air Force Surgeon General’s office in Falls Church, VA.

She has taught residents at Wright Patterson Air Force BAse in Ohio, served as Medical Director and Flight Commander at several Air Force clinics, and as Chief of the Medical Staff  at Osan Air Base in Korea and Incirlik Clinic in Turkey.

She enjoys seeing a variety of patients and mental health conditions from ages 3 and up.

Ashwini Sabnis, MD

Dr. Sabnis is a Board Certified Adult Psychiatrist trained via Dell-Seaton Medical Center and a Yale Fellowship Trained Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist.

Prior to joining My Psychiatrist in 2024, Dr. Ashwini Sabnis has accumulated over 20 years of Adult, Adolescent & Child clinical experience in broad and diverse settings including private and group practices encompassing both in-patient and out-patient treatment care facilities. She is particularly adept and knowledgeable in the treatment care and coordination of child & adolescent mental health needs within educational school systems and with counselors.

Dr. Sabnis is committed to developing a warm, empathic, collaborative and non-judgmental therapeutic alliance with her patients while finding effective solutions and treatment plans for each individual’s unique challenges and needs. Her approach includes medication management as indicated and collaboratively agreed upon, psychotherapy and behavioral counseling and evidence-based treatment modalities.

Dr. Sabnis is experienced in the treatment of ADHD, PTSD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia as well as other mood and psychotic disorders while staying abreast of ongoing educational science and research.

Dr. Sabnis is currently accepting adult, adolescent and child patients of all ages throughout life and looks forward to supporting them on their path to improved emotional and mental wellness.

Michael Walsh, M.A., Resident in Counsel

Michael is a licensed Resident in Counseling in the state of Virginia. Michael received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2019 and graduated with his Master’s of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Crisis Intervention and Trauma Interventions in May 2022. During his time pursuing his Master’s degree, Michael was inducted into the academic honors society Chi Sigma Iota.

Before working for My Psychiatrist, Michael worked in a residential treatment facility working with children and adolescents facilitating daily groups as well as aiding in crisis interventions. Michael also worked with an outpatient clinic to serve those dealing with substance addictions, facilitating intensive outpatient groups while also facilitating groups for children whose parents experienced addiction to develop coping strategies, as well develop healthy interpersonal relationships with peers.

While walking on the road to improved well-being, Michael looks to create and maintain a healthy space while learning and developing coping skills.

Heidi Cook, MA, MSN, PMHNP-BC

Heidi Cook, MA, MSN, PMHNP-BC, is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She has spent the last 22 years in the nursing profession. She is committed to the holistic care of those dealing with mental health issues.  She holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Liberty University, as well as a Master’s Degree in Nursing from The University of Virginia-with a specialty in Psychiatry, and is certified by the ANCC.  She also completed training in substance abuse and medication assisted treatment. Combining aspects of counseling and nursing allows her to offer patients a therapeutic provider-client relationship, as well as evidence-based practice care through holistic, individualized, and compassionate treatment planning.

Throughout her nursing career Heidi has worked in Critical Care, Transplant Coordinating/Organ Donation, Psychiatry, Interventional Radiology, Post-operative, and a host of other areas. She has experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Her psychiatry experience includes inpatient, substance use, intensive outpatient services, and outpatient mental health services. She has seen children, adolescents and adults. Currently she is seeing patients 18-65yrs old. Heidi sees patients for anxiety, depression, PTSD, mood disorders, substance use, and ADHD. Brief psychotherapy and supportive therapy are also offered as needed throughout appointments. In her free time, Heidi enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and going to the beach.

Cristina Espinosa, MSN, PMHNP-BC

Cristina Espinosa MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who specializes in the treatment of ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety, depression, insomnia, panic disorder, PTSD, substance use disorder and addictions. With over 10 years of experience as both a clinician and a provider in private practice, military, city, and rural settings, her expertise includes: providing comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and referrals. She is passionate about improving the lives of others.

Prior to joining My Psychiatrist LLC, she graduated from Villanova University. Subsequently, she served as a U.S. Navy Nurse Corps Officer at San Diego NMMC and at Walter Reed NMMC caring for active duty Wounded Warriors and their families. After her time in service, she graduated from Shenandoah University with her Master of Science in Nursing. Her PMHNP training in Bethesda, MD and Arlington, VA under the guidance of child, adult and geriatric psychiatrists provided her with knowledge of the best treatments in psychiatry. Her mentors emphasized implementing the medical model to evaluate, diagnose, and treat a broad range of mental health disorders which she later utilized working independently in rural medicine.

She values the therapeutic relationship with her patients by taking time to actively listen, empathize, and build trust. To remain at the forefront of her profession, she participates in continuing education, attends conferences, and researches new treatments. In her free time, she enjoys doing yoga, improv comedy, commercial modeling and acting.

Connie Jenks, LPC

Connie Jenks, a licensed professional counselor, has dedicated 19 years to the practice of therapy and has a total of 30 years of experience in the mental health field. Her driving passion is to assist individuals in finding understanding, peace, and hope to navigate life and progress in a positive direction. She sees therapy as an incredible and transformative process that demands courage from those embarking on the journey.
Connie’s therapeutic approach emphasizes creating a safe and compassionate space for her clients. She believes in showing respect and patience as she supports individuals on their path towards healing and change.

Throughout her career, Connie has worked in various mental health settings, including schools, community mental health organizations, hospitals, crisis intervention units, and private practices. These experiences have equipped her with valuable insights and prepared her to handle a wide range of topics and issues. Her extensive experience has honed her skills, making her a seasoned therapist.

While Connie has experience working with clients of all ages, she specializes in helping adults facing challenges related to mood, trauma, anxiety, and substance issues. She firmly believes in tailoring the approach to suit the unique needs of each individual, ensuring they receive the best possible treatment.

Connie holds degrees from Old Dominion University and Mid-Atlantic Christian University. Her worldview is centered around valuing every person and appreciating each phase of life as an opportunity for learning and personal growth. This perspective shapes her therapeutic approach, enabling her to connect with clients in a genuine and meaningful way.

Cindy Rodriguez, LCSW

Cindy is a licensed clinical social worker with 9 years of experience in the field of mental health. With a compassionate and client-centered approach, Cindy strives to create a safe and supportive environment where individuals can explore her thoughts, emotions, and challenges.

As a dedicated professional, Cindy holds a degree in psychology and social work from Metropolitans State University and Newman University. Throughout her career, they have worked with diverse populations, including adults, adolescents, couples, and families, helping them navigate through various life transitions and mental health concerns.

With a deep understanding of human behavior and the complexities of the human mind, Cindy specializes in areas of expertise or therapeutic modalities, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches. They believe in tailoring therapy to the unique needs and goals of each individual, drawing upon evidence-based practices to facilitate growth, healing, and positive change.

In her sessions, Cindy fosters a warm, non-judgmental, and collaborative therapeutic alliance, empowering clients to gain self-awareness, develop coping skills, and find effective solutions to her challenges. They create a space where clients feel comfortable exploring her emotions, addressing past traumas, and building resilience for the future.

In addition to her counseling work, Cindy actively engages in professional development, staying abreast of the latest research and therapeutic techniques. They are committed to ongoing learning and growth, continually expanding her expertise to provide the highest level of care to her clients. As a licensed therapist, Cindy is deeply passionate about supporting individuals on her journey towards emotional well-being, personal growth, and overall life satisfaction. They firmly believe in the transformative power of therapy and are dedicated to helping clients achieve lasting and meaningful change.

Cindy welcomes new clients to her practice and looks forward to supporting them on her path to emotional wellness.

Jamie Dineen, MSW

Life can throw us on many detours. Do you ever feel like you struggle to stay on course when work or school demands so much from you that it bleeds into your relationships? This can be incredibly challenging for anyone. Unfortunately, many people learn to cope with these stressors by avoiding conflicts in their personal and professional lives that often lead to isolation, resentment, and finding unhealthy ways to cope with it all.

I focus by using a strengths-based approach with individuals to empower them through their journey to getting back on track. We’ll work through the process together to improve your quality of life. I will provide you tools to navigate challenges that come your way. I also use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Solutions Focused Therapy, Trauma informed care, and take a holistic approach with clients.

My job is to guide you and equip you with the necessary tools to navigate life’s challenges. As a supervisee in social work, I’ve worked with many individuals and families struggling with negative thought patterns, high conflict, and grief. I am a retired police officer of the Metropolitan Police Department and understand the stressors that come with protecting and serving the community. I have always had a passion for helping others. Now, I can help individuals chart their own paths in life.

Imani McGlen, LCSW

Biography: Imani McGlen is a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the Commonwealth of Virginia. With a compassionate and client-centered approach, Imani strives to create a safe and supportive environment where individuals can explore their thoughts, emotions, and challenges.

Imani holds a B.S. in Psychology from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Master of Social Work from Norfolk State University. Throughout her career, she has worked with diverse populations, including adults and adolescents, helping them navigate through various life transitions and mental health concerns.

With a deep understanding of human behavior and the complexities of the human mind, Imani specializes in areas of expertise or therapeutic modalities, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, trauma-informed care, and mindfulness-based approaches. She believes in tailoring therapy to the unique needs and goals of each individual, drawing upon evidence-based practices to facilitate growth, healing, and positive change.

In her sessions, Imani fosters a warm, non-judgmental, and collaborative therapeutic alliance, empowering clients to gain self-awareness, develop coping skills, and find effective solutions to their challenges. She creates a space where clients feel comfortable exploring their emotions, addressing past traumas, and building resilience for the future.

Honesty and empathy are the cornerstones to establishing a space where we can be solution focused and address a plethora of topics including, LGBTQIA+ related concerns, trauma, or racial identity. Imani welcomes new clients to her practice and looks forward to supporting them on their path to emotional wellness.

Paul Bennett, LCSW

Paul Bennett is a licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years of diverse experiences in the field of mental health, and holds a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Connecticut.  Paul is passionate about providing evidenced based care, utilizing strategies such as CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and DBT skill building.  His care is trauma-informed, strengths-based, and focused on empowerment.  This approach helps ensure that long after the therapy has completed, lifes challenges can be independently and confidently faced.

Paul has a special interest in helping those that struggle with depression, anxiety, and emotional distress during life transitions, and improving their ability to cope with the complexities of anger, grief, loss, acceptance, and forgiveness.

In addition to providing therapy, Paul also provides clinical supervision to license eligible staff to help support the practioners of tomorrow, and thus always is needing to keep updated with the latest developments in the mental health field.

Paul is excited to welcome new clients to their practice and looks forward to supporting them on their path to self-compassion and emotional wellness.

Rachel Suk, PMHNP-BC

Rachel Suk is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who is passionate about providing quality, patient-centered mental health care. She has a strong background in the field of mental health and has worked with diverse populations of individuals from all walks of life. She is committed to helping individuals recognize their strengths and foster recovery throughout treatment.

Rachel completed her Master’s degree in Nursing at Shenandoah University, where she further developed her knowledge base of psychiatric diagnoses and treatments while continuing to work closely with individuals with a wide range of mental health disorders. Through her clinical experiences, she has advanced her skillset in psychiatric evaluations and implementation of treatment plans for individuals in need.

With close to a year of clinical experience as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, 2 years of clinical rotations, and 5 years of experience in the field of mental health, Rachel has worked in various healthcare settings including psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, substance use treatment centers, community mental health centers, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. She has successfully treated patients with conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, PTSD, and dementia with associated behavioral, psychotic, and mood disturbances. She is skilled in providing comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and psychotropic medication management.

Rachel is committed to providing patient-centered care, understanding the importance of collaborating with individuals to formulate treatment plans based on each of their own unique needs. She values the development of therapeutic rapport with individuals and establishes trusting relationships by actively listening and considering the cultural and psychosocial factors that play a role in the therapeutic relationship.

Rachel understands the importance of ongoing learning to provide high quality psychiatric care. She participates in continuing education in order to incorporate the latest research into her evidence-based treatment plans. She continuously seeks opportunities to collaborate with peers to provide the highest quality of care for her patients.

Rachel welcomes new patients to her practice. If you or a loved one is experiencing mental health challenges, she is here to encourage you to share any concerns in a safe and nonjudgmental setting. She will work closely with you to develop an individualized plan of care with the ultimate goal to improve and maintain your mental health. Rachel looks forward to the opportunity to support each individual’s growth and help pave the way to mental wellness.

Dy’Nesia Ganaway, Supervisee CSW

Dy’Nesia Ganaway is a licensed Resident in Marriage Family Therapy with extensive experience in mental health. She provides a compassionate, client-centered approach, creating a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore their thoughts and emotions.

Ms. Ganaway earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina, Aiken, and a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Northcentral University. She keeps updated with the latest developments in her field and thoroughly explains conditions and treatment plans to her patients.

Dedicated to helping couples, families, and individuals, Dy’Nesia believes in a collaborative therapy experience. She uses cognitive therapy and Narrative/Solution Focused therapy to help clients reclaim their lives, believing in the potential for success in anyone willing to work towards recovery. Her specialties include anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, and family and couples therapy.

Dy’Nesia continuously engages in professional development to provide the highest level of care. She welcomes new clients and looks forward to supporting them on their path to emotional wellness.

Shakara Thomas, LCSW

Shakara Thomas is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 8 years of experience providing mental health treatment for individuals and families. Shakara earned a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology from Saint Augustine’s University in 2013 and received a Master of Social Work Degree from Norfolk State University in 2019.

Shakara has a passion for helping both individuals and families as they go through different life experiences that may bring on challenges such as anxiety, depression, and trauma to assist them on their journey of healing and finding peace.  Over the years, Shakara has developed skills to work with clients dealing with depression, anxiety, ADHD, co-occurring disorders, learning disabilities, various forms of trauma and crises.

Shakara is a compassionate, non-judgmental therapist who is dedicated to assisting her clients in developing skills so they can heal, make peace with what has happened and have tools to use in future situations. Shakara uses cognitive behavioral therapy along with other treatment modalities to assist clients in improving their state of well-being.