Nova Therapy | Meet Our Expert Mental Health Therapists

Calien "Cat" Choi (she/her)

Owner | Clinical Director

M.Ed., Licensed Professional Counselor

Not accepting new clients, but I have an amazing team of therapists who are and they’re just as dope!

Therapy can be dope as f*ck when you find the right therapist. That’s exactly why I built Nova Therapy—to create a space where therapy feels real, natural and actually helpful. As a modern millennial practice owner, I've built a badass team of therapists who are just as real, kind, and no-bullsh*t as I am—just like the kind of therapist I would want for myself. Every single one of them was handpicked because they get it. They want to see you, the real you.

"People start to heal the moment they feel heard." - Cheryl Richardson

Knowing when to leave is so important. The party. The job. The relationship. We often think we know what makes us happy, but really, we are projecting the societal scripts of what we're told happiness looks like. Sometimes we're so afraid of failure that we avoid making any changes. I'm here to tell you that you will fail your way to success. You're going to make mistakes and thats okay. I know exactly what it takes to finally get yourself into therapy and I'm excited to see the version of you that you become as you are healing from survival mode. I may not be taking new clients, but my team is incredible, and I wholeheartedly trust them to support you in the way you deserve. Your perfect therapist is here, and they’re ready to help you build the life you want. That first day in therapy will mark a new beginning for you.

This is your healing era.

Fun Facts:

I love K-Pop and K-Dramas!
I dance in my spare time.
I’m a July Leo, and honestly, if you know, you know!
My favorite color is pink.
I've probably seen every zombie movie and tv show out there, including international ones!

License #: 89494

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Availability:

Currently not accepting new clients.

Haley Sammeth (she/her)

Clinical Team Manager

M.A., Licensed Professional Counselor, C-DBT

Hey, I’m Haley from Ohio! My vibe? Come to therapy exactly as you are—no masks, no judgment. I believe in creating a space where you can just be while working through change and growth at your own pace. My goal is to help you tap into the inner strength I know is already within you. Seriously, nothing and no one can take that strength away. It’s not about what you can do—it’s about overcoming what you thought you couldn’t. One day, the story of how you made it through will inspire someone else who’s struggling.

“Empathy and compassion are important for everyone and when received, should be an amazing feeling that makes you a better person.”

I’ve worked with teens, adults, couples, and families, tackling everything from depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder to PTSD, grief, substance abuse, personality disorders, and eating disorders. I use approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and psychoeducation to help you crush your goals and move forward.

Wherever you are in your journey, I’m here to walk alongside you. Let’s figure it out together!

Fun Facts:

I have 2 cats: Nikko & Loki.
I enjoy yoga, pickleball & running!
In my free time- I read, color and play video games.
My favorite show is 90 day fiancé - please feel free to judge me!

Certifications:

DBT Certified

Offers:

Individual Therapy for Adults
Individual Therapy for Adolescents
Couples Therapy
Family Therapy

Rates:

$130 - Individual Therapy
$150 - Couples & Families

Insurance Accepted:

Aetna
Cigna
BCBS
Spring Health EAP
Carelon Behavioral Health
United Healthcare
Oscar
Oxford
Horizon BCBS of NJ
Independence BC of Penn.
Quest Behavioral Health
Anthem EAP
Curative
Ascension (SmartHealth)
In the process of getting credentialed with insurance companies.
Can provide superbills to help with reimbursement.

License #: 89679

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Availability:

Monday - Friday from 8am to 5pm

New therapist coming soon!

Fun Facts:

Offers:

Individual Therapy for Adults
Individual Therapy for Adolescents
Individual Therapy for Children

Certifications:

Additional Trainings:

Rates:

$130 - Individual Therapy
$150 - Couples & Families

Insurance Accepted:

Can provide superbills to help with reimbursement.

License #:

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Availability:

Monday - Friday from 8am to 6pm

Holly Ortiz

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Hey, I'm Holly! I earned my B.S. in Psychology from Sam Houston State University and my Master of Social Work from Boston College. I believe therapy should feel like one of the few places where you don't have to have it all together. My goal is to create a space where you can be honest, let your guard down, and work through whatever life has thrown your way with someone who's genuinely in your corner.

"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." — Maya Angelou

I work with teens and adults navigating anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, substance use, personality disorders, and mood disorders. I'm passionate about helping clients better understand themselves, build emotional awareness, and develop practical skills that make life's ups and downs feel a little less overwhelming. Throughout my career, I've worked in hospitals, residential treatment facilities, and outpatient settings, supporting individuals and families through a wide range of experiences. I utilize Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT), always tailoring therapy to fit your unique needs and goals.

If you've been feeling stuck, caught in the same patterns, or struggling to communicate what you're feeling, you're not alone. You don't have to have it all figured out. We'll work through it together.

Fun Facts:

I love watching reality TV - specifically Real Housewives! I'm a big Bravo fan!
I have 3 pets, all with human names: George, Harry and Greg.
In my free time I really enjoy crafting, especially crocheting and knitting! I really enjoy making clothes!

Additional Trainings:

RO-DBT Trained
DBT-Trained
ADHD Interventions
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy

Offers:

Individual Therapy for Adults
Individual Therapy for Adolescents
Couples Therapy
Family Therapy

Private Pay Rates:

$130 - Individual Therapy
$150 - Couples & Families

Insurance Accepted:

Aetna
BCBS
Cigna
Carelon Behavioral Health
Ascension (SmartHealth)
Independence Blue Cross Pennsylvania
Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey
Curative
In the process of getting credentialed with insurance companies.
Can provide superbills to help with reimbursement.

License #: 109005

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Availability:

Monday + Tuesday: 8AM to 6PM

Wednesday + Thursday: 9AM to 4PM

Friday: 8AM to 3PM

Emari Smith (she/her)

Clinical Lead

M.A., Licensed Professional Counselor

Not accepting new clients right now but you’re welcome to get on my waitlist! Or if you’re ready to start sooner, I have an amazing team of therapists who are accepting new clients!

Hey there, I’m Emari! What’s therapy like with me? My belief is that the therapeutic relationship is one of the most important pieces of the work. We’ll take some time to get to know each other so you can feel safe to open up and be heard as we go through this process together. I approach therapy by meeting you where you’re at and working with your values and beliefs. Knowing our core values is so important—they’re like our personal GPS for navigating life’s toughest choices! My goal is to help you find your voice, discover who you are (and maybe even love who you are!), and remind you that you’ve got everything you need to create a meaningful, fulfilling life.

When life throws repeated challenges like pain, abuse, or instability, it can feel like you’re slowly losing a part of yourself or like you never really got the chance to figure out who you are in the first place. Those experiences can lead to negative beliefs about ourselves—feelings of shame, isolation, resentment, and more. Over time, it becomes harder to show ourselves compassion or trust ourselves to make decisions, and we can struggle to build deep, healthy relationships. But I’m here to remind you that YOU are deserving of more, and there’s so much more of you waiting to be seen and understood! My hope is to help you feel empowered by your choices and break free from those limiting patterns.

I’m especially passionate about working with Queer adults (17+), especially those with a history of trauma—whether it’s family trauma, abuse, betrayal, religious trauma, medical trauma, workplace struggles, discrimination, or surviving disasters. I also love supporting folks navigating college stress and life transitions. I have experience working with the disabled community and the AuDHD community, too. My style is pretty flexible—I pull from everything from person-centered therapy to existentialism to find what clicks best for you. I’m HAES-informed and trained in EMDR therapy.

I’m excited to be a part of your journey, wherever you are right now!

Fun Facts:

I love reading, playing video games and building legos!
I enjoy going to watch live music on the weekends.
I have a half dachshund half pitty named Billie (yes, you can ask to see her)!
I love all things weird, odd and spooky!
I'm a big anime fan!

Additional Trainings:

EMDR-Trained

Offers:

Individual Therapy for Adults
Individual Therapy for Adolescents

Rates:

$130 - Individual Therapy

Insurance Accepted:

Aetna
BCBS
Cigna
Oscar
Oxford
UHC
Anthem EAP
Carelon Behavioral Health
CuraLink EAP
Independence Blue Cross of Penn.
Curative
Ascension (SmartHealth)
In the process of getting credentialed with select insurance providers.
Can provide superbills to help with reimbursement.

License #: 86657

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Availability:

Tuesdays from 2pm to 4pm

Wednesdays from 8am to 2pm

Thursdays from 10am to 11am

Fridays 11am

Ashley Prieto (they/them)

M.S., Licensed Professional Counselor

Hi! I’m Ashley, but everyone just calls me Ash. I’m based out in El Paso (yes, faaaaar West Texas), and I’ve called the border home for over a decade. I graduated from UTEP in 2022, where I focused a lot of my work on supporting marginalized communities, especially the LGBTQIA+ community, and that passion has carried into every space I work in.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of humans: military-affiliated clients (active duty, veterans, and spouses), formerly incarcerated individuals, people experiencing housing insecurity, and former foster youth. I’ve supported clients in individual, couple, and group settings, and I bring a holistic, eclectic approach to the therapy room. I pull from CBT, DBT, mindfulness-based practices, and offer EMDR so I can continue to show up for clients working through trauma with the best tools possible.

“You may say to yourself: ‘Well, how did I get here?’”― David Byrne

I’m a big believer in staying curious, learning new things, and keeping therapy centered on you. My goal is always to meet you where you’re at, honor your lived experience, and make sure the space feels safe, collaborative, and genuinely supportive.

If we end up working together, I hope we can build a space where you feel grounded, empowered, and connected to your own strength. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, relationship stress, identity exploration, trauma, or big life transitions, I’m here to walk alongside you as you heal, grow, and figure out what peace looks like for you.

Let’s do the work — one real, honest, compassionate conversation at a time.

Fun Facts:

I’m a martial artist in my free time, where I practice a Japanese sword art, Shin Shin Ryu. It’s my favorite form of exercise!
There are five dogs that live in my house. My favorite is little Dulce Maria, but don’t tell the others.
I collect old tech and love soft modding game consoles. It would be hard for me to part with my flip phone, iPod nano, or my 2DS!

Additional Trainings:

EMDR-trained
DBT-trained
ADHD Interventions

Offers:

Individual Therapy for Adults
Individual Therapy for Adolescents
Couples Therapy
Family Therapy

Rates:

$130 - Individual Therapy
$150 - Couples & Family Therapy

Insurance Accepted:

Aetna
Anthem EAP
Ascension (SmartHealth)
BCBS
Cigna
Carelon Behavioral Health
Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey
Independence Blue Cross Pennsylvania
Quest Behavioral Health
UHC
Oscar
Oxford
Curative
In the process of getting credentialed with insurance companies.
Can provide superbills to help with reimbursement.

License #: 90667

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Availability:

Monday, Tuesday & Thursdays from 12pm to 6pm

Wednesdays from 11am to 5pm

Fridays from 8am to 2pm

New therapist coming soon!

Fun Facts:

Offers:

Individual Therapy for Adults
Individual Therapy for Adolescents
Individual Therapy for Children

Certifications:

Additional Trainings:

Rates:

$130 - Individual Therapy
$150 - Couples & Families

Insurance Accepted:

Can provide superbills to help with reimbursement.

License #:



Availability:

Monday - Friday from 8am to 6pm

New therapist coming soon!

Fun Facts:

Additional Trainings:

Offers:

Individual Therapy for Adults
Individual Therapy for Adolescents
Couples Therapy
Family Therapy

Rates:

$130 - Individual Therapy
$150 - Couples & Families

Insurance Accepted:

Can provide superbills to help with reimbursement.

Texas License #:

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Availability:

David Lara (he/him)

Senior Therapist

M.S., Licensed Professional Counselor (TX/CO)

Hey, I’m David - a millennial punk rocker turned into a therapist! Growing up Mexican American in Houston, one of the most diverse cities in the U.S., I saw firsthand how tough it can be for people of color to access mental health support. That’s what drove me to earn my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health from the University of St. Thomas in 2021, so I could help break down those barriers.

“In human beings courage is necessary to make being and becoming possible.” – Rollo May

I work with adolescents, adults, couples, and families, specializing in life’s curveballs—like work stress, relationship struggles, identity shifts, and everything that makes us question our values and goals. These transitions can leave us feeling stuck, anxious, depressed, or just plain overwhelmed. Trust me, I’ve been there too. That’s why I offer a safe, judgment-free space where we can untangle the chaos, figure out what matters most to you, and build healthy coping strategies for the long haul. In our sessions, I keep it real. I’m direct, solution-focused, and not afraid to throw in some humor or relatable analogies to make things click. I might even give you practical tools to try out between sessions. My ultimate belief? Everyone—no matter their background—deserves access to mental health care.

I am licensed in Texas and Colorado and work with topics like existential crises (because let’s be real, we all get stuck sometimes), anxiety, ADHD, OCD, depression, identity, men’s issues, trauma and relationships. I’m also trained in Prepare-Enrich for couples, marriage, and pre-marital work, plus Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for managing emotions and building skills.

Ready to tackle life’s challenges together? Let’s do this.

Fun Facts:

I have three cats: Percy, Nessie and Dio!
I love going to shows and collecting music.
My comfort TV show is 30 Rock. ("Smooth move, Ferguson!")

Certifications:

Certified Clinical Anxiety and OCD Treatment Professional (CCATP)
ADHD Interventions
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

Additional Trainings:

DBT-Trained
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy

Offers:

Individual Therapy for Adults
Individual Therapy for Adolescents
Couples Therapy
Family Therapy

Rates:

$130 - Individual Therapy
$150 - Couples & Families

Insurance Accepted:

Aetna (TX/CO)
BCBS
Cigna (TX/CO)
Quest Behavioral Health (TX/CO)
Independence Blue Cross Pennsylvania (TX/CO)
Carelon Behavioral Health (TX/CO)
Select Health (CO)
Anthem BCBS Colorado
UHC (TX)
Oscar (TX)
Oxford (TX)
Anthem EAP (TX/CO)
Curative (TX/CO)
Ascension (SmartHealth)
In the process of getting credentialed with insurance companies.
Can provide superbills to help with reimbursement.

Texas License #: 88136

Colorado License #: 0021986

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Availability:

Mondays from 12pm to 6pm

Tuesdays from 10am to 5pm

Wednesdays from 9am to 4 pm

Thursdays from 12pm to 5pm

Fridays from 8am to 3pm

Meet Our Team

Calien "Cat" Choi

Haley Sammeth

Emari Smith

David Lara

Ashley Prieto

Holly Ortiz

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