About Us
Guiding Minds, Healing Hearts: Beacon Psychiatry - Where Holistic Care Meets Compassionate Expertise for All Ages.
We are a team of clinicians with a diverse background, up-to-date knowledge, skills and expertise in mental health care. We provide a personalized, integrative and holistic approach in the treatment of psychiatric and psychological disorders in a private, professional setting. Whether in the comfort of your living room or in our clinic, we deliver the highest standard of care in the treatment of mental illness across the spectrum of psychiatric disorders and age groups.
Evidence-based
Confidential
Integrative
Personalized
We Provide Solutions For You
Trish Phuong Dinh, MD
Dr. Dinh has resided in the Tampa Bay area since 1991. Having lived in all three counties of Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough, she is passionate about the mental health of our local community. Dr. Dinh earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Biomedical Physics at the University of South Florida. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA, earning the King O’Neal Scholar Award for the highest GPA in her graduating college class.
Dr. Dinh then went on to attend medical school at USF Morsani College of Medicine where she produced multiple research publications, abstracts, and posters. During her year of clinical research at the Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute, Dr. Dinh completed five abstracts and posters on the topic of schizophrenia. Dr. Dinh’s passion for learning and excelling at what she does continued to be evident as she received awards in medical school for Clinical Excellence in the Neuropsychiatry Clerkship for 2014-2015 and Outstanding Student in Psychiatry for 2015-2016. As the locals say, USF stands for “You Stay Forever.” Carrying on the Bull pride, Dr. Dinh also attended USF Health for her General Psychiatry Residency. During her second year of residency, Dr. Dinh was recognized for her commitment to and excellence in teaching with the Outstanding Teaching by a Resident award for 2017-2018.
Living with mental illness is just as, if not more, challenging than living with a physical illness. Dr. Dinh understands that just because an illness can’t be seen, that doesn’t mean it’s not there. She is empathetic to the suffering and struggles that patients with mental illness experience as she has multiple family members who have ADHD, anxiety, depression, OCD and/or PTSD. Advocating for the proper mental health treatment of her family members and patients is a priority for her as she has witnessed the profound effect successful psychiatric treatment can have on improving one’s quality of life.
When you see Dr. Dinh for psychiatric care, you can be confident that you’re seeing a Psychiatrist who is knowledgeable, passionate about educating her patients about their diagnoses and treatment, understanding, compassionate and empathetic. Dr. Dinh treats her patients with the same courtesy, respect and care that she expects for her family members when they receive care from their Physicians and other clinicians.
Practice Administrator
Our Practice Administrator, Valerie (Val) Verzi, comes to us with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration & a minor in Healthcare Administration and over two decades of business management and development experience in the medical field. Valerie’s business achievements are a small reflection of her talents and attributes. It was her relationships with patients and the positive impact she had in their lives that is most memorable and noteworthy. She believes that a warm smile, comforting hug, and a gentle touch of the hand still goes a long way when it comes to healthcare. This humbling compassion and empathy continues in her interactions with patients here at our practice.
Patient Coordinator
Guillermo (Moe) Chavez is the Patient Coordinator at Beacon Psychiatry. Friendly and professional, he is always ready to offer guidance, answer questions, and ease concerns. He is the voice patients hear on the phone when they call the office and the face they see first when they walk in the door. He helps patients get checked in for appointments, fill out paperwork, navigate the office, and schedule follow-up visits.
Moe moved to the Tampa Bay area 24 years ago. Soon after arriving, he began his career in healthcare. During his 20+ years as a Patient Coordinator, Moe has worked for medical practices with specialties ranging from primary care to pain management to dermatology. His experience has taught him to be reliable, yet adaptable. He sees each person as an individual deserving of empathy and respect, and he is adept at guiding patients and their families through the process of accessing care.
Moe strongly supports Beacon Psychiatry’s mission to serve and care for a diverse patient population. Born in Nicaragua and raised in Miami, Moe enjoys sharing his Latin culture with others. He is also a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and can relate to many of the stigmas and obstacles LGBTQ+ patients may experience. He wants anyone who seeks help at Beacon Psychiatry to know they will be accepted as they are.
With a desire to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable, Moe can often be spotted greeting patients with a friendly smile, offering a compliment to brighten their day, or pointing out the bean bag chairs to Beacon Psychiatry’s youngest visitors. Returning patients are sometimes surprised to find that Moe remembers to ask how they enjoyed the restaurant or concert they mentioned they were planning to attend at their last appointment. His goal is to build positive relationships through warm interactions, making visits both easy and enjoyable.
Bariatric & Weight Management Specialist
Dr. Jessica Glover is an Internal Medicine Physician and weight loss specialist. While she enjoys helping anyone achieve their ideal weight, her primary focus is on reducing medication burden and improving the overall health of patients with weight-related illnesses. These may include arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and liver disease, among many others. She creates personalized nutrition and weight loss plans centered around the unique lifestyle and dietary needs of each and every patient while further supporting patients with medications to accelerate weight loss when appropriate.
Dr. Glover is a Florida native, born and raised in Tampa, Florida. She attended the University of South Florida for her undergraduate and medical education. She has extensive research in the field of robotic lung surgery and atrial fibrillation. She has conducted and presented her research all over the world, including Italy and Switzerland. She returned to the United States for her residency in Internal Medicine in 2017 where she shifted her research to the psychological impact of stress on medical professionals. She now serves as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at her alma mater as a Hospital Medicine Physician for the USF Physicians Group at Tampa General Hospital in addition to her role as a weight management Physician.
Physician Assistant
Nicole Ashburn is a Physician Assistant who earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. She graduated with highest distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Nicole went on to complete her Master of Medical Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies, achieving higher grades than any other student in her program at Charleston Southern University.
While Nicole enjoys working with patients of all populations, she is especially passionate about providing care to adolescents. In her last position, she worked closely with teenagers struggling with suicidal ideation, eating disorders, mood dysregulation, and trauma. Nicole is also an advocate for making mental health services more accessible for anyone who needs them. She has volunteered her time and expertise at various nonprofit organizations, helping care for survivors of domestic violence and assisting at a clinic that brings free medical care to low-income and uninsured members of the community.
Nicole’s approach to patient care centers around relationship-building, patience, and attentiveness. She builds trust with her patients by listening to them, offering support, and allowing each person to open up to her at their own pace. She strives to always facilitate a nonjudgmental, relaxed environment where others feel safe to express themselves freely. She takes the time to ensure each patient fully understands their diagnosis and treatment plan. She loves hearing their unique life stories and celebrating with them when they achieve their goals. Knowledgeable, yet approachable, Nicole sees herself as both a medical expert and a confidante. She enjoys working at a practice like Beacon Psychiatry where she can collaborate with other mental health professionals who share her objective of providing highly personal and individualized care.
Medical Scribe
David Dinh is a medical scribe with 5 years of clinical experience across multiple specialties including Emergency Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, and Psychiatry. David graduated from USF in 2016 with his Bachelor’s degree in Health Science. From there, he worked to become a Chief Scribe and Project Manager tasked with establishing and maintaining scribing programs in Tampa, FL, Tallahassee, FL, New Orleans, LA, and Cleveland, OH.
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Thirslon Williams is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy. She offers in-person and virtual therapy sessions for adults, teenagers, couples, and families. Thirslon completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work at the University of South Florida. She went on to attend Nova Southeastern University, earning her Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Born and raised in Tampa Bay, Thirslon has provided counseling and case management at local hospitals, businesses, and nonprofits. As a behavioral therapist for a psychiatric treatment center, she diagnosed and treated patients struggling with a wide range of mental health issues. As a case manager, she served as an advocate, helping clients obtain medical care, social support, housing, and educational resources. She has also worked extensively with seniors, connecting them with mental health services and supporting their goals of living independently for as long as possible.
Thirslon’s experience enables her to quickly assess patients, understand the root cause of their problems, and offer realistic and tangible solutions. She begins by asking questions and listening. Then she works closely with her patients to identify specific strategies they can use to break cycles of unhealthy behavior and create positive changes in their lives. As they move forward with implementing those strategies, Thirslon is there every step of the way to offer empathy, direction, and support.
Trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities, Thirslon chooses the one that best meets the needs of each patient’s unique situation. She frequently uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Visualization, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy. She has completed intensive training in Exposure and Ritual Prevention Therapy, designed to help patients with OCD reduce their anxiety and gain control over their impulses. Her skill with Prolonged Exposure Therapy helps patients with PTSD work through painful memories in a safe and supportive environment.
Thirslon is passionate about breaking down the social and cultural barriers that sometimes prevent people from asking for help. She believes therapy can benefit people from all walks of life, and making the choice to talk openly about a problem is the first step toward solving it. She wants to reassure anyone considering therapy for the first time that there is no need to feel shame or fear retaliation. If you are struggling, you don’t have to do it alone. You can talk with someone who will support you, help you navigate your fear or grief, and help you problem-solve. Her office is a safe space for people to talk openly about their problems and find real solutions to live healthier and happier lives.
Therapist
Donna Ford is a Provisional Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Registered Behavior Technician specializing in behavior modification and strength-based strategies. She offers both in-person and virtual therapy sessions to patients of all ages. Donna earned her Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. She completed her certification in Positive Behavior Support through the graduate program at the University of South Florida. She is also certified in nonviolent crisis prevention and intervention.
Donna’s experience spans a variety of settings from hospitals to schools to private organizations. She has counseled patients in the midst of acute mental health crises, individuals struggling with substance use, and adults with multiple diagnoses. As the lead clinician for a geriatrics unit, Donna treated seniors with severe mental health issues. In addition to providing exceptional care, she ensured her patients were always treated with dignity. In other positions, Donna has counseled children and adolescents. While working at a charter middle school, she led the school-wide implementation of a Positive Behavior Supports system, improving student behavior and creating an environment more conducive to learning.
The diversity of Donna’s patients reflects her desire to make a meaningful impact in the life of every person she meets. To achieve that impact, she has many therapeutic techniques in her toolbox. The range of her knowledge allows her to offer a person-centered approach tailored to an individual’s needs and circumstances. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Exposure Therapy, Adlerian Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Grief Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Play Therapy, Strengths-Based Therapy, Positive Reinforcement, Behavior Reduction Strategies, Cognitive Restructuring, and Mindfulness.
Donna believes the relationship between a patient and their therapist should be collaborative. She involves her patients every step of the way when developing their treatment plan. Offering guidance and support, she frequently helps them resolve conflicts in their interpersonal relationships, navigate struggles with employment or finances, cope with loss, deepen their emotional intelligence, and make positive behavior changes.
One of Donna’s greatest strengths is her ability to develop an organic, authentic rapport with others. She approaches her patients without judgment and with an abundance of compassion. She wants to provide a safe place where they can talk freely about anything holding them back from accomplishing their dreams. She strives to help her patients persevere in the face of self-doubt, stop engaging in negative self-talk, forgive themselves for their mistakes, and embrace their own strengths. Her goal is to help each person find solutions to build a peaceful, productive, and purpose-driven life.
Therapist
Michelle Pastor is a Licensed Mental Health Professional and Certified Addiction Professional specializing in substance abuse, trauma recovery, LGBTQ+ healthcare, and severe mental illness. She has provided individual therapy, group therapy, addiction treatment, crisis intervention, and other mental health services to Florida residents for over 18 years. Michelle earned her B.A. in Psychology from Florida International University. She went on to complete her M.A. in Mental Health Counseling from Webster University in St. Petersburg. As a Certified Electronic Therapist, she is also trained in the most effective ways to provide telehealth services for patients who need or prefer to access therapy remotely.
Michelle’s extensive experience includes inpatient and outpatient psychiatric hospitals, substance abuse rehabilitation facilities, detoxification facilities, and working with the Mobile Crisis Response Team for Hillsborough County. She has traveled to domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, and prisons to bring mental health services directly to vulnerable individuals unable to visit her office. She has also worked with first responders, doctors, nurses, lawyers, and other professionals, providing the support they need to heal and overcome the severe traumas they encounter in their work.
To further address the needs of her community, Michelle participated in the development of several new treatment programs. She built an accredited Intensive Outpatient Program and secured resources to dramatically increase the impact and number of patients served by her organization’s existing Partial Hospitalization Program. She started an LGBTQ+ program to educate healthcare providers, inform more appropriate assessment processes, and identify the services needed most by LGBTQ+ populations. She contributed to the creation of the Assertive Community Treatment telehealth program to provide comprehensive support services for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. In her prior roles as Clinical Director, Supervisor, and Manager, she has trained therapists, job aides, and peer support individuals. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and expertise, supervising interns, and offering other medical providers a new perspective on the field of mental health.
Michelle firmly believes there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. She utilizes a variety of evidence-based practices to provide individualized treatment for her patients. Some of her favorite therapeutic approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Music Therapy. She frequently treats patients who have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, adjustment disorder, gender dysphoria, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder. Michelle also understands addiction is a disease that can impact anyone. She often helps patients end their use of alcohol, opiates, cocaine, methamphetamines, marijuana, or any substance preventing them from living their best life.
Above all, Michelle cares deeply about her patients. She seeks to establish long-term relationships and provide highly personalized care. Her approach begins with getting to know each patient as an individual and choosing the type of treatment best suited to their needs. She strives to connect with her patients, ensure they feel heard, and be their advocate. She feels a deep sense of satisfaction when she can see her therapy having a tangible, positive impact in their lives. When you make an appointment with Michelle, you can be confident you are seeing an experienced mental health professional who will listen, empathize, support you in achieving your goals, and draw from her knowledge of a wide range of therapeutic treatments to help you “be the best version of yourself.”
Treatment Modalities:
- CBT
- REBT
- Motivational Interviewing
- Exposure Therapy
- ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy)
- Addiction
- Person-Centered
- Attachment Based
- Grief Therapy
- Mindfulness
- Narrative Therapy
- Trauma Focused Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
Therapist
Michelle Pastor is a Licensed Mental Health Professional and Certified Addiction Professional specializing in substance abuse, trauma recovery, LGBTQ+ healthcare, and severe mental illness. She has provided individual therapy, group therapy, addiction treatment, crisis intervention, and other mental health services to Florida residents for over 18 years. Michelle earned her B.A. in Psychology from Florida International University. She went on to complete her M.A. in Mental Health Counseling from Webster University in St. Petersburg. As a Certified Electronic Therapist, she is also trained in the most effective ways to provide telehealth services for patients who need or prefer to access therapy remotely.
Michelle’s extensive experience includes inpatient and outpatient psychiatric hospitals, substance abuse rehabilitation facilities, detoxification facilities, and working with the Mobile Crisis Response Team for Hillsborough County. She has traveled to domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, and prisons to bring mental health services directly to vulnerable individuals unable to visit her office. She has also worked with first responders, doctors, nurses, lawyers, and other professionals, providing the support they need to heal and overcome the severe traumas they encounter in their work.
To further address the needs of her community, Michelle participated in the development of several new treatment programs. She built an accredited Intensive Outpatient Program and secured resources to dramatically increase the impact and number of patients served by her organization’s existing Partial Hospitalization Program. She started an LGBTQ+ program to educate healthcare providers, inform more appropriate assessment processes, and identify the services needed most by LGBTQ+ populations. She contributed to the creation of the Assertive Community Treatment telehealth program to provide comprehensive support services for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. In her prior roles as Clinical Director, Supervisor, and Manager, she has trained therapists, job aides, and peer support individuals. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and expertise, supervising interns, and offering other medical providers a new perspective on the field of mental health.
Michelle firmly believes there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. She utilizes a variety of evidence-based practices to provide individualized treatment for her patients. Some of her favorite therapeutic approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Music Therapy. She frequently treats patients who have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, adjustment disorder, gender dysphoria, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder. Michelle also understands addiction is a disease that can impact anyone. She often helps patients end their use of alcohol, opiates, cocaine, methamphetamines, marijuana, or any substance preventing them from living their best life.
Above all, Michelle cares deeply about her patients. She seeks to establish long-term relationships and provide highly personalized care. Her approach begins with getting to know each patient as an individual and choosing the type of treatment best suited to their needs. She strives to connect with her patients, ensure they feel heard, and be their advocate. She feels a deep sense of satisfaction when she can see her therapy having a tangible, positive impact in their lives. When you make an appointment with Michelle, you can be confident you are seeing an experienced mental health professional who will listen, empathize, support you in achieving your goals, and draw from her knowledge of a wide range of therapeutic treatments to help you “be the best version of yourself.”
Treatment Modalities:
- CBT
- REBT
- Motivational Interviewing
- Exposure Therapy
- ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy)
- Addiction
- Person-Centered
- Attachment Based
- Grief Therapy
- Mindfulness
- Narrative Therapy
- Trauma Focused Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy