Meet the Team
Taniek A. Gentles, LMFT CEO & Owner Clinical Director
Taniek is a Marriage and Family Therapist and is the proud Owner & CEO and Clinical Director of TAG Inspires, LLC. She serves as an adjunct faculty at Drexel University and University of Pennsylvania. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Lincoln University and a Masters of Family Therapy Degree from Drexel University. She is an Approved Supervisor through the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and an honorable member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women-PA Chapter. Taniek is a licensed therapist in both Pennsylvania and New York.
With over 16 years in the field, Taniek offers her expertise not only as a therapist; but as a motivational speaker, panelist, keynote speaker and presenter. She has been featured on Marriage Underdogs Radio Show, Wurd Radio and other streaming platforms. Throughout her career, she has held positions as a Clinical Supervisor, Director of Family Therapy and Truancy Prevention Program and Outpatient Therapist. Taniek has taken special interest in empowering the black and brown community. As a first-generation Jamaican, she not only offers her expertise but her experience in the Caribbean population.
In clinical practice, Taniek specializes in working with couples and individuals who face intimacy related issues. Her specialties include sexual disorders, discrepancies in sexual desire, diverse relationships (ethical non-monogamy, open relationships, swinging, etc.) exploring sexual identities, premarital/marital counseling, infidelity and other common relationship issues. As a PREPARE Enrich Facilitator, Taniek is certified to provide premarital and marital counseling. She is currently training to become a Certified Sex Therapist.
Taniek is committed to the mission of her practice, which is to empower and inspire others to embrace their full sense of self and complex identities. She believes in the power of radical healing, creating safe spaces and providing marginalized populations access to emotional and mental health care. Through her clinical work, she supports individuals and couples in understanding how societal pressures & “norms”, systemic racism and generational trauma impacts one’s understanding of “love” and forming healthy relationships.
Taniek is only accepting self-pay clients. She offers great packaging fees and sliding scales. Please contact her to schedule your consultation.
License# PA: MF000813; NY: 002216-01
Licenses can be verified through:
Pennsylvania Department of State www.dos.pa.gov
NY State Office of the Professions www.op.nysed.gov
Kellie Smith, LMFT, Assistant Clinical Director
Kellie M. Smith is a heart-centered Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., seeking to support those on a journey of healing and growth. Kellie enjoys working together with her clients to reconcile their intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships. Kellie is a nurturing, honest, and empathic therapist who strives to create a space where one can feel free to be their authentic selves so they can live a well-balanced life feeling empowered, loved, and whole.
Kellie’s expertise is in serving individuals (adults, children, and adolescents), couples and families specializing in depression, anxiety, attachment, infidelity, self-esteem, and other relational concerns.
Kellie’s experience has given her the opportunity to work in many different settings, from Community Mental Health, Intensive Outpatient, Private Practice, and currently as an Adjunct Professor at La Salle University teaching Child and Adolescent Therapy.
Kellie is currently in training to obtain a certification in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health as well as Supervisor-In-Training, offering supervision to individuals pursuing to obtain hours for licensure.
License State: Pennsylvania
License Number: MF001607
License State: Washington, D.C.
License Number: LMFT20001334
Melissa Holly Executive Administrative Assistant
Melissa Holly has been with TAG Inspires, LLC since 2021. She has a background in Customer Service and Operations Management.
Melissa is a native of Brooklyn, NY and takes great pride in being a mother and a wife. Melissa is passionate about serving women & children. She lends her talents in supporting community events and volunteering in schools.
Melissa is committed to the mission and vision of TAG Inspires, LLC. Through her role she demonstrates expertise in administrative management, coordinating projects, operational efficiency, and fostering a positive team culture.
Kayla Jones, MA
Kayla is a graduate from Delaware State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science. Kayla later received her Master's of Arts Degree in Professional Clinical counseling from Lasalle University as a Masters Level Clinician. Kayla’s passion for helping people, gained knowledge and life’s experiences has led her to specialize in working with individuals of all backgrounds, ages 14 and up. Additionally, she specializes in anxiety, depression , grief and loss, daily stressors, self-esteem, and physical wellness.
To help clients approach these challenges, Kayla utilizes a variety of therapeutic techniques including, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person Centered Therapy and Gestalt Therapy. Through using her knowledge, gained tools and experiences; she aims to provide empathy, a nonjudgmental environment to help people develop honest self-exploration and insight into one’s true self and gain a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life while dealing with the difficult challenges life may bring.
Brian Thompson, MFT
None of us are immune to trials in life and we all have experienced pain. In Brian’s work as well as in his life, he has experienced how healthy, loving, and nurturing relationships can be a catalyst to healing from these experiences and growing into the person God has caused us to be.
With over 10 years of experience in the mental health field as a Marriage and Family Therapist and Behavior Specialist, as well as in ministry, Brian strives to help mold and shape relationships needed to help clients, families, and couples in their healing journeys. This may involve cultivating new relationships, strengthening existing ones, or individually reconciling with past relationships that have caused pain. In his work, he also helps clients challenge harmful distortions influencing behavior, explores deeper rooted parts of individuals and their past traumas that shape their experience, helps adjust interactional pattern that are hurting families, and teaches skills needed to challenge anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders that often cripple individuals and families. In addition, Brian provides Ecosystemic Structural Family Therapy supervision to Family Based clinicians in their process of disrupting negative interactional patterns and strengthening parent-child attachments within families.
Brian has a passion to help individuals, couples, and families find the strength and resilience within themselves and relationships in their lives. This involves an emphasis on developing a nurturing, understanding, and therapeutic relationship with everyone he has the opportunity to serve. He would be honored to be a part of your journey.
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – Jesus
Shaniyah Thomas, MFT
Shaniyah holds a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Drexel University. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, Shaniyah supports African American individuals, couples, and families of diverse backgrounds to be inspired and empowered to overcome adversity, discover pathways to healing and change, and have fulfilling life connections. Shaniyah works to foster healing and normalize addressing pain within the African American community. She believes that everyone can grow and transform, individually and in relationships, with the right support.
Shaniyah creates a nurturing, safe, encouraging, and culturally inclusive space for clients to dive deep into their inner selves, explore resources for personal growth, address pain, and for relational restoration. Relationally, Shaniyah’s clinical work addresses the effects of early attachment wounds and ruptures on both individual well-being and relational dynamics. She recognizes them as foundational elements in resolving personal and interpersonal struggles and works to help clients foster and strengthen their relationships. In her work with couples, she focuses on coupling concerns rooted in communication, emotional barriers, infidelity, and intimacy.
Shaniyah takes a special interest in working with the African American emerging adulthood population with challenges such as anxiety, identity and self-esteem concerns, career changes, attachment wounds, and sources of trauma. Her previous work in the foster care system revealed the deep impact of family and systemic issues on vulnerable youth and family dynamics and solidified her purpose in the field. This experience deepened her passion for fostering healing both individually and in relationships, while helping clients build meaningful relationships, and strengthened her dedication to serving marginalized communities. She is committed to providing compassionate, insightful, and skillful therapeutic care to support individuals, couples, and families in navigating challenges and achieving growth.
Tenisha Smith, M.S., B.S.
Tenisha earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy from Chestnut Hill College. Her clinical interests cover a broad spectrum of issues, including anxiety, emotional disturbances, depression, cognitive and personality psychology, as well as challenges in marital/couple relationships and parent-child dynamics.
Tenisha believes that nurturing healthy relationships can significantly enhance one’s quality of life. She stresses the importance of self-awareness and emotional sensitivity in improving interpersonal connections. Her commitment lies in helping others explore what it means to live a fulfilling life, viewing this exploration as crucial to achieving true happiness.
To approach various challenges, Tenisha utilizes a range of therapeutic techniques, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and mindfulness meditation. She aims to support individuals in processing their thoughts and developing healthier responses that can positively influence their everyday lives. Tenisha is devoted to creating a safe and empowering atmosphere where individuals can feel secure and in control of their emotions.
Taariq Bouy, M.S.
Taariq is a pre-licensed professional counselor and has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from West Chester University. He has fourteen years of experience in the mental health field with much of that time being spent working with families and couples. Taariq currently serves as a Program Manager/Supervisor providing supervision to clinicians that are helping young people that are at risk of out-of-home placement.
As a clinician, he specializes in using Ecosystemic Structural Family Therapy (ESFT) but has also utilized Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Taariq is deeply committed to supporting families and couples, and at the core of his work is a conviction that he is called to do it. It is his purpose to use psychotherapy as a tool to help couples and families address past trauma, end unhealthy generational patterns, and to cease avoiding difficult conversations to create the space for God to fulfill His purpose within the family as He originally intended.
Taariq is committed to empathy, enquiry, and enlightenment in order to guide families and couples toward healing and growth. As a husband and father to two boys, Taariq is able to bring his personal insight and lived experience to his work. Guided by Matthew 12:25 – “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand” - he is dedicated to helping families and couples rebuild trust, restore unity, and stand together.
Nia Simmons, Intern
Nia Simmons is a therapy intern and is a first-year graduate student at Drexel University's Marriage and Family Therapy Program. Throughout their studies, Nia is developing skills in a range of therapy models and currently utilizes a system's and trauma-informed approach to understanding individual's experiences. Nia is eager to continue their learning under the guidance of licensed therapists to hone their knowledge and further support their clients.
As a couples and family therapy intern, Nia is focused on constructing an environment of care with their clients so they can feel safe to explore themselves and develop skills that best accommodate their needs. They believe that community is integral to healing, and encourages those they serve to tap into their community and existing support networks to promote collective healing and liberation. Nia is looking forward to exploring somatic and narrative approaches to healing and working with folks experiencing grief, exploring relational and family dynamics, and living with disabilities. At the heart of their clinical work is a dedication to supporting and investing in the healing of those who are marginalized or navigating systems of oppression with a focus on serving Black Americans, the LGBTQIA+ community, and adolescents.
Nia earned a bachelor's degree in Public Health, Africana Studies, and Sociology with a concentration in health disparities, from Rutgers University - New Brunswick. Nia's focus has always been on learning ways to best serve their communities. While completing their undergraduate studies, Nia worked with a developmental psychologist on a YPAR (Youth Participatory Action Research) research project. During this time, Nia worked with high-school students in Newark, New Jersey, aiding them in their own research to increase mental health awareness in their school, and interviewing them about their feelings of belongingness. This experience, along with many others, was instrumental in Nia's decision to become a Marriage and Family Therapist.