Board-Certified Psychiatrists, Psychologists, & Therapists

About Us
Board Certified Psychiatrist. Board Certified Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist

Nicolas Sikaczowski, DO

Board Certified Psychiatrist

Board Certified Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr. Nicolas Sikaczowski is an ABPN Dual Board Certified Psychiatrist and Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist.  He is the founder of Peace Behavioral Health. He sees patients in-person and via telehealth from Saco/Biddeford Maine throughout the year with occasional seasonal availability at our Miami location. Dr. Sikaczowski is licensed in both Florida and Maine. He completed his Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at University of Miami, where he currently serves as a Voluntary Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, providing therapy supervision and mentorship to Psychiatrists pursuing their Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship.  He completed his General Psychiatry Residency in South Florida after completing medical school at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL.  Prior to medical school, Dr. Sikaczowski completed premedical training at Northwestern University and Harvard University after receiving his B.A in Commercial Music from Millikin University with a focus on classical guitar.  He specializes in treating child, adolescent, and adult patients with conditions including ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, OCD, Eating Disorders, and Schizophrenia.  In addition to clinical care, Dr. Sikaczowski provides Psychiatric Expert Witness Services as well as Court Ordered Mental Health Evaluations.

 

Ahley Shaw

Ashley Shaw, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Ashley Shaw has extensive clinical training in cognitive-behavioral (CBT) and dialectical behavioral (DBT) treatments for adolescents and adults, with a special emphasis on emotional disorders (including obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, depression, and hoarding). Dr. Shaw is licensed in both Florida and Maine. She received her B.A. from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and went on to receive her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in the adult division from University of Miami. She completed her clinical psychology internship training in the cognitive-behavior therapy elective at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. She completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in the child division at the University of Miami. Between 2019 and 2022, she was a Clinical Assistant Professor at Florida International University, where she was the Clinical Director of the Mental Health Interventions and Technology (MINT) Anxiety Program and founded and directed the MINT Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents Program. From Fall, 2022 to Spring, 2023, Dr. Shaw was a Visiting Assistant Professor at Bowdoin College. Dr. Shaw will be starting as a tenure-track Assistant Professor at University of New England in August, 2023. Dr. Shaw is passionate about helping adolescents and adults who struggle with strong emotions, such as anxiety and depression. She strives to help her clients gain self-efficacy about their ability to cope with strong emotions and stressors.

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Stephon T Martin Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist accepting patients now at Peace Behavioral Health.

Stephon T Martin, MD

Board Certified General Psychiatrist & Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

 

Dr. Stephon T. Martin is a Board-Certified Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist and General Psychiatrist and is licensed in both Maine and Massachusetts. He completed medical school at Boston University and his residency and fellowship training at the University of Miami. He has experience treating patients of all ages from childhood to those of advanced age. He utilizes patient focused care with therapeutic strategies that are current with the latest advancements in the field. In addition to medication management and psychotherapy Dr. Martin believes in a holistic approach which includes a focus on fitness and nutrition. He has extensive experience evaluating and treating a variety of conditions including ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD, autism spectrum disorder, and psychotic disorders.

Alixandra Buckvar, LCSW Experiences Maine therapist in EMDR, Trauma therapy, Child Therapy, CBT, DBT

Alixandra Buckvar, MSW, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Therapist

Alixandra Buckvar (Alix) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in children, adolescents and young adults. With 10+ years as a therapist for children and adults, she has worked extensively with teens and adults who have experienced trauma and mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, abuse/neglect, sexual violence, drug use, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.  Alix’s approach is rooted in empathy, mindfulness, and evidence-based practices, allowing her to create a safe and supportive environment where young people can explore their emotions and develop resilience.  Alix utilizes a holistic approach integrating techniques such as mindfulness and the use of creative arts to complement traditional therapeutic methods, such as, play therapy techniques, sandtray, CBT, DBT, and EMDR. Her approach has been proven effective in helping patients achieve greater self-awareness and emotional stability.  One of Alix’s core strengths is creating strong, trusting relationships with her patients, enabling them to feel heard, understood and supported. She works collaboratively with patients and caregivers in creating individualized treatment plans that address their unique circumstances and goals that are important to them. Alix is currently accepting new patients and has immediate availability for in-person (at our Saco, ME Office) or telehealth therapy visits.

 

Karen Kennedy, LCSW

Karen Kennedy, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Therapist

 

Karen Kennedy, LCSW has over 30 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families, helping them to achieve greater health and well-being.  She appreciates the uniqueness of each individual and enjoys the process of getting to know them, building trust and therapeutic alliance as they also get to know her.  She views each client as an expert on themselves while she is an expert on helping clients make change.   Karen helps each client identify treatment plan goals, supporting them in envisioning how they want to evolve their life.  These goals guide the work.  Karen’s primary evidence-based modalities include CBT, Motivational Interviewing, mindfulness and DBT.  She emphasizes a holistic approach that integrates mind and body.  She helps clients with a variety of challenges including anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, ADHD, obsessive/compulsive thoughts and behaviors, substance and behavioral addictions, psychosis, relationship challenges, grief/loss, and managing change.  She has specialty in trauma and addiction treatment.   While therapy naturally involves exploring difficult thoughts and feelings, Karen sees humor and joy as essential elements for healing.

Karen received her BA in political science from Gettysburg college, and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Vermont.  She is the mother of two adult children.  In her free time she enjoys reading, playing the keyboard, surfing and pickleball.

Robin Caron, DO a Board certified Adult and Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist at Peace Behavioral health with expertise in Woman's mental Health as well as transitional/college age youth

Dr. Robin Caron, DO

Board Certified General Psychiatrist

Board Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr. Robin Caron is a highly experienced, ABPN Dual Board-Certified Psychiatrist and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist who has been dedicated to the mental health and well-being of young patients since 2017. After earning a medical degree and masters in public health from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2012, Dr. Caron completed a rigorous Psychiatry Residency in 2015 and a Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in 2017 both at UMass Chan Medical School in Massachusetts.

Dr. Caron takes a comprehensive and individualized approach to mental health care, recognizing the importance of addressing emotional, physical, and developmental factors. By incorporating family dynamics and educational stressors into the treatment plan, Dr. Caron ensures holistic and effective care.

Offering expert diagnostic evaluations and medication management, Dr. Caron also provides strategic guidance and recommendations for broader treatment plans. Dr. Caron specializes in managing ADHD, anxiety, PTSD, depression, mood and behavioral disorders. Serving a diverse patient demographic from preschool age through adulthood, Dr. Caron is dedicated to supporting each person’s journey towards mental and emotional wellness.

 

Dr. Vincent Kennedy is an ABPN Dual Board Certified Psychiatrist and Forensic Psychiatrist at Peace Behavioral Health

Vincent Kennedy, DO

Board Certified Psychiatrist

Board Certified Forensic Psychiatrist

Dr. Vincent Kennedy is an ABPN Dual Board Certified Psychiatrist and Forensic Psychiatrist.  He is licensed in Florida, Pennsylvania, and California. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service degree at Georgetown University, followed by a Master of Public Health from the University of California, Irvine, and then attended medical school at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA. He completed his psychiatry residency training in South Florida followed by a Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of California, Davis. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at the Pennsylvania State University, where he provides supervision to psychiatry resident physicians in an acute adult inpatient psychiatric unit, testifies regularly in involuntary commitment hearings, and presents lectures on forensic psychiatry and medico-legal topics. He has delivered presentations at regional and national psychiatric conferences on topics ranging from bipolar disorder to methamphetamine-induced psychotic disorder. Dr. Vincent Kennedy works with Peace Behavioral Health in Forensic Psychiatry cases and providing expert witness testimony and services.

 

Jaana Leghinen PhD Psychologist at Peace Behavioral Health Saco, ME

Jaana Lehtinen, PhD

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Jaana Lehtinen is a licensed psychologist in Maine, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania, as well as a school psychologist in New Hampshire and Pennsylvania. Originally from Finland, she moved to California and began her academic journey at San Diego Mesa College, where she earned her A.A. in Psychology. She then received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, followed by an M.Ed. in Human Development and a Ph.D. in School Psychology from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked extensively with children, adolescents, and emerging adults in various settings, including private practice, college counseling centers, K-12 public and private schools, residential treatment facilities, and hospital clinics.

Her goal in therapy is to provide a supportive, non-judgmental environment where clients feel comfortable expressing themselves freely. She takes a holistic and integrative approach, tailoring evidence-based treatments to meet the unique needs of each client. Her areas of expertise include ADHD, learning disabilities, executive functioning skills, anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorder, behavioral disorders, stress management, and adjustment to life changes. Her therapeutic style is casual and approachable, and she believes humor plays an important role in fostering connection and growth throughout the therapeutic journey.

 

What Our Patients Say and Community Feedback

About Us
About Us

“Absolutely the most liberating experience i’ve ever had with a Psychiatrist , I felt heard, I felt seen, I have seen countless of Psychiatrists and I had never truly felt like someone was actually listening, analyzing and trying to ACTUALLY find a solution rather than just pick what was the easiest pick medication wise . Highly recommend 10/10”

- G.S.

“Dr. Sikaczowski was great! He takes time to understand my issues, which I really appreciate.  Super great vibe!”

- H. Chu

Dr. Shaw was the ideal therapist for me, as someone close to the mental health field! She delivered evidence-based care with integrity, and our work empowered me to reclaim parts of my life I didn’t think I could! The way we established clear goals and tracked my progress was very helpful, and she brought care and intention to every session. This was the kind of therapy I had been wanting for years!

“I would highly recommend peace behavioral health to anybody in the local Miami area. Dr. Valerstain has been such a good doctor to me. It is very apparent that he cares more than most. That is what every patient needs too! Patience, kindness, and an understanding doctor that doesn’t offer “blanket care” to us since everyone is a unique person. Thank you Dr. Valerstain! Dr. Nick!

- Brittney H.

“Dr Nicolas is an excellent professional, committed to his patients. He’s always there when you need him the most. His patience with teens is amazing and you can see good results with him. We tried with 3 other doctors before him and none came even close to Dr Nicolas.

- Imilseth A.

“Dr. Nic is the single best psychiatrist I‘ve ever had – and I‘ve had a lot lol. He‘s patient, understanding, kind, never judges, and always thinks of a solution or plan.

- Vicky R.