About Us - Better Minds Mental Health Counseling

About Us

WE HAVE THE BEST TEAM

Meet Our Therapists

At BMMHC, we strongly believe that the right therapist can make all the difference in a person's mental health journey. That's why we place great emphasis on finding individuals who possess both clinical expertise and a unique set of human qualities that foster a sense of trust and connection with their clients.

Rebecca King, LMHC, CCTP, BSP Trained

Rebecca King is the owner and founder of Better Minds Mental Health Counseling, PLLC (BMMHC). Ms. King is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Ms. King is a second generation Guyanese-American and is a native of Brooklyn, NY.

Ms. King earned her Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Hunter College and earned her Masters in Mental Health Counseling Degree from Touro College. With over 10 years of experience in the field, Ms. King has a passion for providing quality mental health services to children, adolescents, and adults. Ms. King provides services to individuals, families, couples, and groups.

Ms. King specializes in treating trauma, anxiety, and has extensive experience providing treatment in many other areas. Ms. King employs an eclectic approach to treatment and utilizes approaches from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy amongst other treatment modalities. Ms. King is dedicated to empowering minority communities and guiding those whom she works with into living a more joyous, mindful, and fulfilled life. Ms. King strongly believes that a better mind is essential to becoming a better you.

Taryn Franklin, LMHC,CASAC-T

Taryn Franklin is a Pre-Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Ms. Franklin obtained her Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Mercy College as well as her Bachelors Degree in Behavioral Science along with her CASAC-T from Mercy College. Ms. Franklin has 10 plus years working in mental health-related fields and has experience providing therapy to individuals and families.

Ms. Franklin utilizes her Caribbean roots as a way to connect with those who may feel misunderstood due to cultural differences or barriers. Ms. Franklin has experience working with individuals who may be facing multiple life challenges such as substance dependency and trauma. Ms, Franklin has a passion for encouraging individuals to reconnect with hope and healing from their traumas. Ms. Franklin's clinical training has allowed her the experience of utilizing various modalities including Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Family Systems, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.

LaShawn Marshall, MHC-LP

LaShawn Marshall is a Pre-Licensed Mental Health Counselor who received her Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Southern New Hampshire University. Ms. Marshall also obtained her Bachelors Degree in Child Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. Ms. Marshall has worked for the Department of Education for over 7 years and though she enjoys this work, she has decided to follow her passion and further her career in mental health to help people facing different life challenges.

Ms. Marshall is an African-American and Bronx native. Ms. Marshall is dedicated to helping guide individuals in enhancing their self-awareness, becoming more confident in their existing strengths, and helping to develop healthy coping skills. Through Ms. Marshall's training, she has gained the necessary tools and techniques to practice therapy through a combination of modalities, such as Psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Ms. Marshall's clinical experience includes working with early childhood, adolescents, young adults, and adults in both group and individual therapy settings.

Samelle Tyson, MHC-LP

Ms. Tyson received her Master's in Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. She has worked with adults and adolescents from all over ranging in various conditions including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, work-related stress, couples counseling, trauma, and much more. Ms. Tyson includes different ranges of modalities within her practice, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Mindfulness techniques.

Ms. Tyson believes that no matter what race, class, or gender identity you are, you deserve to be heard and get the help you need if you are having difficulty navigating on your own. Her treatment goals are to increase self-awareness, insight, and well-being. To help individuals be comfortable with themselves, and achieve a lasting change to help with their day-to-day routine and lifestyle. When it comes to therapy there is always a stigma that mental health is not as important or can be seen as a weakness due to society and social media. Ms. Tyson's goal as a counselor is to help shift this perspective and to help reach the goals her clients would like to achieve. "Happiness starts with your perception of things. Choosing to be happy doesn’t mean you’ll never be sad or angry again. It only means that there is a shift of your focus towards the things that bring you peace and joy".

Naje Edgerton, MHC-LP

Naje Edgerton is a Pre-Licensed Mental Health Counselor who received her Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Southern New Hampshire University. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a focus in children and adolescence while minoring in Child & Family Studies from Syracuse University. Ms. Edgerton has always had a passion for servicing her community and being a service to all those she has encountered.

As a Community Outreach Coordinator, she has spent years supporting, aiding and providing necessary resources for those in her East Harlem Community. In entering the Mental Health field, she hopes to continue to be a liaison in equipping those she encounters with an environment safe enough for people to express themselves freely, in which they feel understood, heard and most of all valued.

While recognizing their own strength and resiliency and thus fostering a path of hope, as hope is limited-less, as she believes everyone has the ability to be.

Bryan Luna, Intern

Bryan Luna is a mental health intern, currently completing his graduate program at CUNY Baruch. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY New Paltz.

Mr. Luna is a second generation Mexican – American. Luna has 6 years of experience in the human services. As a Case Manager he has collaborated with community members in Orange County, New York to provide client centered services. In entering the Mental health field, Luna seeks to foster a safe space where clients can be vulnerable and express themselves. Luna is dedicated to empowering clients by recognizing and building on their strengths. Everyone has potential and building up insight, mindfulness can shape a better self.