location-interior-team-2-phoenix

​​​​​​​Geeta Bansal, MD, is an Ivy League-trained, triple board-certified Neurologist and Psychiatrist with a primary focus in Neurology and Psychiatry. She and her team serve adults of all ages at all of our A Ray of Hope locations in Libertyville, IL, Kenosha, WI, and Phoenix, AZ. Dr. Bansal received her medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. She completed residencies in Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. She then went on to complete a Neuromuscular fellowship at Northwestern University.

She and her team use their vast experience in Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neuromuscular conditions to provide high-quality care to all of their patients. As a result of their unique understanding of the deep connection between emotional and medical illnesses, they have the training necessary to distinguish between the physical and psychological causes of their patients’ various symptoms.

Dr. Bansal has a “down-to-earth” attitude, and she actively listens to the various needs of her patients. She prides herself on successfully engaging with patients, providing accurate diagnoses, and developing individualized care plans with proven, long-term results. She is also fluent in Punjabi and English, proudly caring for a diverse patient population with a strong tie to the community.

Dr. Bansal received all three of her board certifications - Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neuromuscular Medicine - from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She holds an affiliation with Advocate Condell Medical Center as well.

​​​​​​​Dr. Shannon Balaban earned her doctorate in School and Counseling Psychology from Northern Arizona University in 2022 and completed her doctoral internship with the Kauai Department of Education. Dr. Balaban specializes in providing therapy services for individuals and couples aged 17 and older, as well as psychoeducational assessments for children and adults aged 7 and older. With expertise in EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, Dr. Balaban addresses a range of mental health concerns. Her areas of specialty include treating anxiety disorders, mood disorders, trauma and related disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Dr. Balaban is dedicated to helping clients create a valued and meaningful life, empowering them to navigate their challenges and achieve their therapeutic goals.

​​​​​​​Best for: Individuals of all ages seeking therapy for anxiety, depression, relationship issues, life transitions, trauma, or grief. Uses people-centered approaches, including CBT, DBT, ACT, and bilateral stimulation.

Vanessa is a licensed associate counselor (LAC) at A Ray of Hope - Phoenix, Arizona. After moving to Arizona from California, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychological Sciences from the University of Arizona, then pursued a Master's Degree in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling from Northern Arizona University. Prior to A Ray of Hope, Vanessa interned with a community counseling agency, working with individuals, children, and families. Vanessa also has experience as a Registered Behavioral Technician for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Vanessa’s clinical interests include anxiety, neurodivergence, trauma, life transitions, relationship issues, cultural issues, and self-worth. She believes the most integral component in the therapeutic process is the moment a client feels seen and heard. Vanessa works toward empowering clients to be their most authentic selves while exploring their intrapersonal and interpersonal worlds. Vanessa typically utilizes a person-centered approach, a cognitive behavioral framework, dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance commitment therapy, and bilateral stimulation. Vanessa is an LGBTQ+ affirming and culturally competent counselor. In her free time, Vanessa likes to explore new places and new food, watch TV, go to the gym, and spend time with friends and family.

​​​​​​​

 

​​​​​​​

Best for: For individuals seeking neurology or psychiatric treatment and medication management for a wide variety of conditions in a collaborative, patient-centered environment.

Frank Levandowski, FNP-C, PMHNP-C, is a dual-board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience in healthcare. Born and raised in Arizona, Frank proudly served eight years in the U.S. Air Force before transitioning into medicine—a path that reflects his lifelong commitment to service and care.

Guided by the belief that every patient deserves to be heard, treated with dignity, and provided with meaningful options to improve their quality of life, Frank approaches each individual with empathy and respect. Outside of his clinical work, he enjoys golf, weight training, traveling, and spending time with his wife and growing family as they prepare to welcome their first child.

​​​​​​​

Best for: Codependency, self-harm, patterns of self-abandonment. Creates a safe space with EMDR, CBT, ACT, and mindfulness practices.

Victoria Love is a Licensed Professional Counselor at A Ray of Hope - Phoenix. She is dedicated to creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients from diverse backgrounds can show up authentically and begin meaningful, healing work. Victoria has a particular passion for supporting individuals experiencing codependency, self-harm, and patterns of self-abandonment.

Victoria takes an individualized approach to treatment, tailoring therapy to each client’s unique needs. She integrates evidence-based modalities such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness practices, while also considering the social and cultural factors that influence well-being.

​​​​​​​RJ Paskanthi, LPC, holds a Master’s degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She brings over five years of experience providing therapy across hospital settings, community mental health, and private practice, supporting children, adults, and older adults. At A Ray of Hope, RJ will offer virtual therapy to patients, working with individuals ages 13 and up. She specializes in life transitions, grief and loss, identity development, generational trauma, anxiety, and depression. She welcomes all forms of expression and encourages the use of symbolism and metaphor in the therapeutic space. With an awareness of how intersectional identities and systemic factors impact mental health, RJ brings authenticity, transparency, and deep compassion to every session.

RJ views therapy as a collaborative journey, with the participant guiding the process of exploration. She integrates Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MBCT), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), while also incorporating holistic modalities that address healing within the mind, body, and soul. Her approach is always tailored to what best serves the individual. RJ is fluent in Gujarati and Hindi, allowing her to serve a broader and more diverse community. Outside of work, RJ enjoys going to the beach, hiking, meditating, cooking, and diving into a good book.

​​​​​​​

Best for: Children (ages 5+), adolescents, and families dealing with autism, OCD, ADHD, depression, anxiety, PTSD, or social anxiety. Specializes in trauma work (PTSD and complex trauma) and offers CBT, ACT, EMDR, ABA parenting training, and social skills training. Collaborative, empowering approach for children navigating difficult transitions.

Dr. Vesna Pepic is a licensed clinical psychologist in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Arizona. She earned her Ph.D. in Counseling and School Psychology from Northern Arizona University. Dr. Pepic offers services including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, ABA Parenting Training, and Social Skills training. Dr. Pepic specializes in the assessment and treatment of autism, OCD, depression, anxiety, social anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD. Dr. Pepic also provides EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) psychotherapy for individuals who struggle with trauma and chronic PTSD. Dr. Pepic works with individuals aged 5 years old and has extensive training working with children, adolescents, and families.

Specializing in therapy for children, adolescents, and families. With a compassionate and holistic approach, Dr. Pepic integrates evidence-based therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), to address a range of emotional and behavioral challenges.

Dr. Pepic has a deep expertise in trauma work, helping individuals and families recover from the impacts of PTSD, complex trauma, and other distressing experiences. Their therapeutic style is collaborative, empowering clients to build resilience and develop healthy coping strategies. She is passionate about creating a safe and supportive environment where families can heal, grow together, and is dedicated to helping children or adolescents navigate difficult life transitions, anxiety, depression, and trauma with confidence and hope.