Innerspace Counseling Expands Mental Health Care Team with Acclaimed Providers

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Mar 20, 2025, 14:41 ET

Enhancing Mental Health Care Through Expertise and Compassion

OLD BRIDGE, N.J., March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At Innerspace Counseling, we are committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate, and individualized mental health care for children, teens, and adults. To further this mission, we are excited to welcome two esteemed medical providers: Dr. Elizabeth Lobel, MD, and Dr. Gloria Akunna, DNP, PMHNP-BC, APN. Their extensive experience in psychiatric care and medication counseling will enhance our ability to offer personalized treatment plans within our mental health Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP).

Dr. Lobel and Dr. Akunna specialize in evaluating and managing medications to support individuals struggling with mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, or any other mental health concerns. They join our dedicated psychiatric nurse practitioner, Ololade "Lola" Ekwere, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC. Their role is essential in ensuring that patients receive the appropriate medical support while also benefiting from the therapy and structured treatment programs provided in our intensive outpatient and partial care programs.

Meet Our New Medical Providers

Dr. Elizabeth Lobel, MD – Medical Director

Dr. Elizabeth Lobel is a double board-certified psychiatrist specializing in child, adolescent, and adult mental health. With over a decade of experience across private practice, hospital-based clinics, community health centers, and telepsychiatry, Dr. Lobel brings a holistic and patient-centered approach to psychiatric care.

Dr. Lobel's passion for psychiatry began early. "I knew I wanted to be a child psychiatrist when I was 13," she shares. "I love talking to people and getting to know them. I am fascinated by how our bodies work, especially the brain." This curiosity led her to pursue extensive training in mental health, with specialized expertise in early childhood and peripartum mental health. She works closely with patients and their families to develop treatment plans tailored to their unique needs, ensuring that each individual receives personalized, evidence-based care.

Her expertise extends to medication counseling for a wide range of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and ADHD. She collaborates closely with therapists and counselors at Innerspace Counseling, integrating medication management with therapeutic interventions such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Ololade "Lola" Ekwere, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, shares, "One thing I admire about Innerspace Counseling is the strong sense of teamwork and cohesion. Everyone collaborates to ensure the best care for the patients. Dr. Lobel is passionate about her role, highly thorough, and supportive."

Dr. Gloria Akunna, DNP, PMHNP-BC, APN

Dr. Gloria Akunna is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with extensive experience in inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, addiction recovery, and PHP and IOP settings. With advanced nursing degrees from Rutgers University, Walden University, and Chatham University, Dr. Akunna has dedicated her career to providing compassionate and inclusive psychiatric care.

Dr. Akunna's journey to psychiatry was driven by personal experiences. "I was inspired by my personal experience of family members with mental health struggles," she explains. "Growing up in an area with no awareness and lack of resources to support, I knew I wanted to be a part of the solution." Her previous career in computer science left her unfulfilled, and she found meaning in psychiatric nursing, where she could make a tangible difference in people's lives. "Working with underserved and vulnerable populations is my passion," she adds. "This work is meaningful and purpose-driven."

She specializes in prescribing and managing psychiatric medications for individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and psychotic disorders. She takes a collaborative approach, working alongside therapists to ensure each patient receives comprehensive care tailored to their needs.

Lola further highlights, "Dr. Akunna's enthusiasm for patient care is truly admirable. As a team, we are all committed to ensuring that every patient receives optimal treatment, regardless of whom they are assigned to."

Outside of work, Dr. Akunna enjoys cooking, traveling, working out—especially Zumba—and spending time with family and friends.

A Collaborative Approach to Mental Health Treatment

At Innerspace Counseling, we believe that effective mental health care involves both psychiatric support and structured therapy. Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) provide a comprehensive approach that integrates medication counseling with individual and group therapy.

Through close collaboration between our psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, therapists, and counselors, we ensure that every patient receives a well-rounded treatment plan. While our prescribers oversee medication counseling, our clinical team delivers therapy, DBT skills training, and CBT interventions to help individuals develop long-term coping mechanisms and emotional resilience.

This multidisciplinary approach is particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing severe mental health issues, such as suicidal thoughts, mood disorders, and chronic anxiety or depression. By addressing both the biological and psychological aspects of mental health, we help individuals achieve stability, growth, and long-term well-being.

A Mission Strengthened by Leadership

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Lobel and Dr. Akunna to our team at Innerspace Counseling," said Ajita Shah, LPC, NCC, ACS, PMH-C, Owner and Program Director. "Their expertise in medication counseling allows us to provide a more comprehensive and integrated treatment approach for our patients. By expanding our team, we can ensure that individuals receive the right psychiatric care in combination with the therapy and support they need to thrive."

Lola adds, "At Innerspace Counseling, teamwork is at the heart of everything we do. We work together to ensure that each patient receives the best possible care, and I'm grateful to be part of such a dedicated team."

Comprehensive Mental Health Care for All Ages

At Innerspace Counseling, we provide specialized mental health care for children, adolescents, and adults. Our PHP and IOP programs are designed to support individuals who need more structured treatment than traditional therapy but do not require inpatient hospitalization.

Our programs incorporate:

Psychiatric evaluation and medication counseling
Individual and group therapy
DBT and CBT-based interventions
Coping skills development and emotional regulation strategies
Support for individuals and their families

By offering a balance of psychiatric care and therapeutic interventions, our programs provide individuals with the tools, support, and guidance they need to navigate mental health challenges effectively.

A Future of Hope and Healing

With the addition of Dr. Elizabeth Lobel and Dr. Gloria Akunna, Innerspace Counseling continues to strengthen its ability to offer high-quality, evidence-based mental health care. Whether you or a loved one is struggling with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, or any other mental health concerns, our team is here to provide compassionate support and personalized treatment options. And our clients agree, with 100% of clients who completed out programs reporting that they would recommend Innerspace Counseling to others.