MEET OUR TRAUMA RECOVERY THERAPISTS

Our Team's Philosophy

Welcome to Grotto, meet our Trauma-Informed Therapists, aka the heart of the practice. We are a team of seasoned professionals dedicated to providing specialized care and support to individuals who have experienced trauma. Our doctoral level psychologists are not only well-versed in the latest trauma research, we are also leaders in our respective fields of study and practice. Our mission is to create a safe and supportive space where individuals can begin their journey of recovery with confidence. More importantly, we believe in the mojo of being authentic and making a judgment free space for the real you. We are committed to creating a therapeutic environment that fosters trust, understanding, and collaboration between our clients and our therapists.

Grotto was incorporated in 2023 by Dr. Melissa Sisco. The practice was created to provide a safe shelter for clinicians to be ourselves to better serve clients. There are many cookie cutter feeling therapy practices that require clinicians to drive to a quota to maintain employment. The other truth is that many of us health care providers struggle from the compassion fatigue that comes along with helping people through trauma. At Grotto, we believe that in order to guide others, we must first take the walk ourselves. Therefore, we practice what we share. There is no quota, it is about making sure that all of the layers that are coming together in this moment are healthy. Each of the team members with Grotto had a prestigious life before coming to the practice most of us in positions of administration. This is our place to grow and serve clients in a way that brings all of us purpose, fulfillment, and peace.

We invite you to get to know our team, explore their individual stories and professional backgrounds, and learn about the driving force behind our organization. With Trauma Therapists open now, you’re not just seeking therapy; you’re connecting with a team that is passionate about helping you or your loved ones regain control, find healing, and rebuild a brighter future. Thank you for visiting us and considering us on your path to recovery. This will be one of the best decisions you have made and probably one of the most challenging to move forward with.

Holistic Approach to Mental Health

At Grotto Psychological Solutions, PC, we take a holistic approach to mental health, recognizing that physical, emotional, and spiritual health are interconnected. We work with our clients to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses all aspects of their well-being. This includes nutrition, exercise, sleep, relationship-connectedness and other lifestyle factors that can impact mental health. We specialize in trauma-informed CBT practices including DBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies to help our clients gain greater self-awareness, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall well-being. We also recognize the importance of timing. When you are reading to change, the time is now. We are trauma informed therapists open now for that reason.

We also recognize the importance of authenticity. When you have been through alot of “life”, you start to tightly control parts of yourself to fit into the mainstream society. When we feel we cannot fit in comfortably or other people notice our trauma responses, we often retreat to the comfort of isolation and perhaps a secure home. In life, our walk is to fully embrace all of who we are and be the person on the outside that we feel we are on the inside. For this reason, we, as therapists practice authenticity and we also help our clients be real in session. We want our clients to speak the way they really speak when no one is looking and to show up the way we truly are (even if that means sweat pants or in a messy office). We are honored to be in the presence of the real you. Our job is to show up, not to judge and to help you love yourself fully.

Meet Our Team

Dr. Richard Grant-Coons, PsyD (California, Ohio, Psypact)

Specialty: Sexual & Gender Identity Empowerment, Overcoming Shame/Guilt Complex, & Healthy Connections

Dr. Grant-Coons is a licensed psychologist (California School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles with an emphasis in Multicultural and Community Psychology, 2011) recognized as an expert in LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy which he has practiced for almost 20 years. Dr. Grant-Coons received clinical training from pillars of the clinical community including: The Los Angeles LGBT Center, South Central Training Consortium (Los Angeles); Children’s Hospital-High Risk Youth Program; Institute for Sexual Health, and the DBT Recovery Center. After he obtained clinical license from the state of California in 2012, he worked as the Clinical Director of the DBT Recovery Center (Beverly Hills) and then as the Lead Clinical Supervisor at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services – Suicide Prevention Center (Culver City, CA), notably the first 24-hour suicide crisis line in the world.

He is available for in-person sessions at his Cincinnati office or via telehealth for clients in psypact-participating states (see map of covered states here). He welcomes individuals, couples, and families. He practices CBT, DBT, ACT, and resilience training for clients who are working on sexual or gender identity issues, family members learning to support loved ones in transition, developing healthier relationships, overcoming depression and anxiety, managing grief/loss, anxiety, guilt complex, deprogramming from mainstream toxic culture, or enhancing self-confidence. The experience of working with Dr. Grant-Coons is an uplifting one that is designed to empower the sense of self and gives your life ultimate purpose and meaning.

Dr. Jessica Parlor, Licensed Psychologist (New York)

Speciality: PTSD/C-PTSD, Self-Realization, Managing Systems of Power

Dr. Parlor is a licensed psychologist with a PhD in clinical psychology (California School of Professional Psychology 2020). She is a renowned public speaker in the NYC central district regarding OCD, compulsivity, and anxiety treatment. She has particular niche skillsets in the areas of: peri-partum and post-partum depression and anxiety, cultural stressor management (microaggression and invalidation), BIPOC, and LGBT+ very welcoming, and corporate culture.

She is available for in-person sessions at the New York office, adjacent to Grand Central. She is also available for telehealth appointments for New York and Colorado based clients. She welcomes individuals, families, and couples. She practices Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Mindfulness practices.

Dr. Suzanne Martin, PsyD ABPP HSP-P MPH MHA Licensed Psychologist (NC)

Specialty: PTSD/C-PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, Life Transitions

Dr. Martin is a licensed, board-certified psychologist (Immaculata University, 1998). She has 20+ years of expertise as a trauma therapist for individuals and their families recovering from traumatic brain injury, PTSD, cognitive decline, change in professional lifestyle, and/or grief-loss. This line of work stems from her time assessing and treating military service members and veterans. Her published research regarding repetitive blast injury provides insight into the intersection of these topics. This work has been helpful in shaping the understanding of our OEF/OIF vets. In addition, she has shared her clinical impressions in 20+ articles on a variety of other topics. In addition, Dr. Martin enjoys helping people in major transitions in life.

Dr. Martin also holds a Masters in both Health Administration and Public Health bolstered by an early career in healthcare leadership. She served on the board of the North Carolina National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI-NC). In addition, she served as an Associate Editor for the North Carolina Psychologist. As a result, she has niche ability to understand and serve clients in leadership, healthcare administration, and corporate roles.

Dr. Melissa Sisco, Licensed Psychologist, Founder (NC and Psypact- States)

Speciality: PTSD/C-PTSD, Self-Realization, Systems of Control

Dr. Sisco is a licensed psychologist with a joint PhD in clinical psychology/psychology, policy, and law (University of Arizona 2011). She is internationally recognized as an expert in intimate control in personal and group dynamics. Moreover, she presented 30+ academic releases on this topic.

Dr. Sisco taught for 17 years. This experience developed her hard to offend, open minded, straight forward, and compassionate presence. Thus, she welcomes c-PTSD/PTSD, neurodiverse, differentially abled, and people who color outside of the lines. Further, she is an LGBTQ+ ally and very comfortable with cultural diversity. She is best known for her work as a trauma therapist. She practices Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Gottman, Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

Desmond Spears HIPPAA-Officer/ Cyber Security Specialist

Desmond is best known as a business strategist and cyber security powerhouse. Desmond has helped launch several startups. In addition, he managed the records, schedules, and transactions for Memphis-based Presidential South Management. This project management company worked with Uncle Nearest and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, to name a few. Subsequently, Desmond trained in the IBM Cybersecurity Analyst program; he focuses on the interface between HIPAA and cybersecurity. With this keen focus, he offers a calm solution when dilemmas arise. He maintains a platform for our trauma therapists to be open now.

Barbara Mitchell, Office Manager

Barbara is an expert in the realm of customer service and greatly values longstanding relationships as a goal in her professional endeavors. She was celebrated in the world of corporate sales for 25 years before she moved into consultation in the banking industry. Barbara maintains the billing, communication, and scheduling platform to support our trauma therapists and valued clients.

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