Meet the Team
Here at D.I.V.E., we are on a mission to provide culturally responsive assessment, psychotherapy, and consultation services tailored to the needs of our diverse clientele. We are driven by a passion to use psychology for the betterment of humanity.
MEET DR. SPESH
TRAUMA & RELATIONSHIP EXPERT
Dr. Speshál Walker Gautier
a.k.a. “Dr. Spesh”
(she/her/hers)
Owner of D.I.V.E. Therapy & Consulting
Dr. Spesh is a Yale-trained, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, with over a decade of experience in providing psychotherapy. She has experience in treating a broad range of psychological problems but specializes in culturally informed therapy for anxiety, trauma-related stress (including PTSD), and relationship issues. Dr. Spesh is a relational therapist at heart, meaning she deeply values the role of relationships and social connection in people's lives. She integrates her relational style with scientifically backed psychotherapy approaches to help move people toward their goals. In therapy, she often assists people in examining their relationship patterns and the ways they are impacted by their past experiences. She enjoys helping people heal through past trauma and other types of emotional distress (e.g. anxiety, depression) that interfere with their relationships with themselves and others. Regardless of a person’s “diagnosis” or concern, a common theme in her work is helping people learn how to develop and sustain the types of relationships they desire whether platonic or romantic.
Dr. Spesh has expertise in working with culturally diverse individuals (e.g. Black women and men, Ethnic/Racial minorities/People of Color, LGBTQ+ individuals) and identifies as a Black, cis, straight, LGBTQ ally. Her clinical and research background has specifically focused on trauma including combat and sexual trauma, women’s mental health, and individuals experiencing marginalization and/or minority stress. Over the years she has published peer-reviewed articles, blog posts, and given a number of workshops, presentations/trainings, and invited talks on these topics. She is trained and certified in a number of trauma treatment protocols, including WET (Written Exposure therapy), STAIR (Skill Training and Interpersonal Regulation), and CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy)- a gold standard, evidence-based treatment shown to alleviate PTSD and symptoms of depression. She has worked in a number of inpatient and outpatient mental health settings over the years and previously led a Trauma, Stress, and Anxiety Treatment Track at a large Atlanta-based hospital.
Dr. Spesh has been featured in television and film documentaries (VH1/BET, Antihero Productions) for her work and expertise.
In her spare time, Dr. Spesh enjoys music and nearly anything outdoors. When people ask what kind of music, the reply is always “good music.” It can be a live musician or even recreating her favorite tunes via karaoke, one of her not-so-hidden talents. Outdoors, she enjoys hiking, running, and perhaps most importantly patio dining. She left the northeast to escape the brutal winters and loves Atlanta for its warm weather, parks/trails, and countless festivals. Her biggest gripe with Atlanta is being too far from the beach and the lack of enthusiasm for UConn basketball.
PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Dr. Spesh graduated Magna Cum Laude with her B.A. from the University of Connecticut where she double majored in psychology (research concentration) and women studies. She earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at UMass Boston and was selected as an APA (American Psychological Association) Minority Fellowship Program Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Fellow. She completed her doctoral internship at Yale University School of Medicine where she focused on community mental health treatment and providing training and consultation in areas of mental health and diversity inclusion. She completed her Postdoctoral Fellowship at West Haven VA-Yale School of Medicine in CT where she continued this work as a Psychosocial Rehabilitation-LGBT Health Fellow.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND SERVICE
Dr. Spesh is a member of American Psychological Association (APA), Georgia Psychological Association (GPA) and the International Centre for Excellence in Emotion Focused Therapy. She previously served on the GPA Board of Directors as the Diversity Directorate, Chair of Ethnic Minority Affairs. Additionally, she has served on the Initial Review Committee for APA’s Minority Fellowship Program.
LICENSURE
Dr. Spesh is currently licensed to practice in Georgia and New York. Additionally, she is authorized to practice via telethealth in a number of states via PSYPACT offering accessibility across the country. See the Telehealth tab for more information.
MEET DR. LEUNG
Dr. Cayla Leung
(she/her/hers)
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Cayla Leung is a highly skilled, Licensed Clinical Psychologist with experience treating various psychological issues and stress-related concerns. She has expertise working with diverse individuals experiencing relational issues and emotional distress. Dr. Leung also has extensive experience working with young adults in college mental health settings. In therapy, Dr. Leung works alongside her clients to unpack and process relational dynamics that are causing dissatisfaction, miscommunication, and painful feelings. Her empathic style creates a safe space to tolerate and work through the discomfort of past and present life stressors. She uses an integrative therapeutic approach, primarily leaning on dialectical-behavioral and relational interventions within multicultural and feminist frameworks. She works with clients on identifying areas in their lives they’d like to accept and areas they would like to change while providing the support and techniques to do so.
Dr. Leung is DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) trained and enjoys working with individuals from all walks of life, including: first and second generation Americans, children of Immigrants, and LGBTQ+ identified individuals. As a Chinese-American woman, she prioritizes recognizing the intersectional identities of each client so that they can exist authentically while understanding sociocultural systems of privilege and oppression. Her areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, trauma, family of origin concerns, Womxn’s Issues, relationship stress, and life transitions.
Outside of work, Dr. Leung enjoys reading and listening to music (specifically 80’s) and spending time with her cat babies, Ebi and Sesame. She is a huge foodie and loves to find new restaurants to try or cook a delicious meal at home.
PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Dr. Leung graduated Cum Laude with her B.S. from the StonyBrook University where she graduated with a biology and computer science concentration. She earned her M.A. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at Pacific University School of Graduate Psychology. She completed her Doctoral internship and Postdoctoral Residency at Vanderbilt University where her work focused on psychotherapy, assessment, and outreach programming in college student mental health.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND SERVICE
Dr. Leung is a member of American Psychological Association (APA) Division 44: Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity and Division 45: Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity and Race.
LICENSURE
Dr. Leung is a member of American Psychological Association (APA) Division 44: Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity and Division 45: Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity and Race. She is currently licensed to practice in the state of Georgia, Additionally, she is authorized to practice via telehealth in a number of states via PSYPACT offering accessibility across the country. See the Telehealth tab for more information.
MEET MORGAN
Morgan Maddox
(she/her/hers)
Intern
Morgan Maddox, Intern, from Atlanta, Georgia, is a graduate of Fort Valley State University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts and Sciences Degree in Psychology. Excited about psychology, she decided to intern at D.I.V.E. in preparation for her graduate school applications. Morgan plans to attend graduate school to pursue a career as a licensed therapist. She has experience working with diverse individuals and hopes to continue this work as a mental health provider. She is interested in supporting individuals with anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues. In her spare time outside of work, she enjoys sewing, which teaches her patience and perseverance.
MEET KRISTIN
Kristin Devine
(she/her/hers)
Administrative Support
With a diverse professional background as a transcriptionist, proofreader, and executive assistant, Kristin Devine brings a wealth of experience and attention to detail to her role at D.I.V.E. Therapy & Consulting, LLC. Kristin is originally from New Jersey but has called Franklin, TN home for the past 18 years, where she lives with her family.
Outside of work, Kristin enjoys spending time with her family, attending concerts, going on long hikes, playing trivia games, and caring for her three cats—originally fostered as kittens and now beloved members of the family.