Our Team Members

Shari B. Kaplan is the founder and clinical director of Cannectd Wellness. With over 30 years of experience in NYC and Florida, Kaplan creates integrative mental health programs using trauma protocols to facilitate mind, body, and soul healing. She also develops plant extract formulations for enhancing cannabis to target specific disorders/diseases. As a leading mental health and plant formulation expert, Kaplan uses a transformative approach emphasizing the power of blending traditional therapy and medicine with innovative practices like plant medicine, ketamine therapy, trauma mind/body work, nutrition, fitness, and personal transformation. Her integrative protocols aim to empower individuals on their path to improved mental health and well-being.

Kaycie is a mental health counselor and photographer who brings creativity, compassion, and diverse experience to her integrative practice. With a background in sport psychology, she takes a holistic approach to mental health—treating the mind, body and spirit. Kaycie’s eclectic training allows her to meet each client where they are and customize treatment using modalities like talk therapy, EMDR, somatic work, ketamine-assisted therapy, and plant medicines when appropriate. She views every person as a whole, helping them process past pains, shift limiting perspectives and design lifestyles that honor their unique needs. Though she treats many conditions, Kaycie specializes in depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, and end-of-life care. Having overcome her own mental health challenges, she deeply understands the courage it takes to seek help. Kaycie creates a warm, non-judgmental space for clients to feel safe, seen, and valued as they rediscover their best selves.

Sheila Hernandez, a bilingual professional fluent in both English and Spanish, integrates holistic modalities with trauma-informed clinical tools to lead clients toward processing the adverse life experiences that are hindering their development in the present. She guides her clients through their chronic stress responses that are associated with anger, burnout, people-pleasing, chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and PTSD/C-PTSD. Sheila believes in the importance of harnessing each client’s innate wisdom and healing power. She utilizes her Psychology and Social Work degrees, Health and Wellness Coach certificate, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) certificate to inform her practice. She considers each client's unique needs, environment, culture, and lifestyle to tailor her approach. Her expertise includes training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma Incident Reduction (TIR), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). In addition to traditional methods, Sheila offers sound healing, ketamine-assisted therapy, and plant medicines when appropriate to help open doors to hidden chambers of the mind, where profound shifts occur and nervous system regulation becomes possible. A former nanny and homeschool teacher, she is especially passionate about guiding parents and individuals toward self-actualization– igniting a ripple effect of healing for their children and future generations.

Dr. Maria Del Sol is a highly skilled functional psychiatrist who adopts a holistic approach to mental health. By merging traditional psychiatric practices with a thorough understanding of biological, psychological, and lifestyle factors, she aims to foster overall well-being. Dr. Del Sol has extensive experience in psychiatry for adults, adolescents, and children, supported by her education and specialized training in functional medicine. She effectively blends evidence-based practices with a patient-centered approach. With close to 20 years of experience, Dr. Del Sol emphasizes the importance of understanding mental health within the context of each individual's unique life circumstances. Her comprehensive evaluation process assesses genetic history, medical conditions, medication effects, emotional states, and cognitive functioning. This multifaceted methodology allows her to develop personalized treatment plans that target the root causes of mental health issues rather than merely managing symptoms. Specializing in neuroimmune conditions and neuroinflammatory disorders, Dr. Del Sol acknowledges the crucial role neural inflammation can play in mental health. She investigates how these factors may contribute to mood disorders, cognitive challenges, and various psychiatric conditions. By harmonizing her insights into neurobiology with functional psychiatry, she provides extensive care to patients grappling with these intricate issues. A passionate advocate for lifestyle interventions, Dr. Del Sol highlights the significance of nutrition, exercise, and sleep in enhancing mental wellness. Collaborating closely with her patients, she cultivates sustainable habits that nurture both mental and physical health, promoting a holistic sense of well-being. Additionally, her practice includes screenings for toxins and infections, as she believes identifying underlying health issues can greatly improve mental clarity and emotional stability. Dr. Del Sol is dedicated to educating her patients and the wider community, as she believes that knowledge empowers individuals to take control of their health. Her empathetic and approachable demeanor fosters open communication, establishing a supportive environment where patients feel comfortable sharing their concerns. In her practice, Dr. Maria Del Sol is committed to advancing functional psychiatry by bridging the gap between mental and physical health. Beyond her clinical work, she enjoys writing about mental wellness and actively participates in various community health initiatives aimed at improving mental health outcomes. Dr. Del Sol prioritizes understanding each patient as a whole, ensuring they receive compassionate, comprehensive care tailored to their individual needs.

Dr. Sarah A. Walker is an EMDR therapist, hypnotherapist, and a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She completed her training and education at Nova Southeastern University. For the past decade and a half Dr. Walker has provided personalized therapy to individuals, couples, and families in South Florida who are looking to improve themselves, their relationships, and their communities. At heart Dr. Walker is a lifelong learner and a creative. She brings these skill sets to her specialties and expertise in the integration of creative endeavors as part of the whole of a mind-body innovative approach to mental health and total well-being. Current programs and projects she is working on include classes in yoga for trauma for adults and youth in foster care as well as therapeutic blacksmithing. Dr. Walker views the therapeutic process and relationship through the lens of exploration and utilization. She invites clients to view their lives and experiences through a perspective of curiosity in order to elicit possibilities.

Renée Burwell, LCSW, MPA, CST-S, CSE is a skilled psychotherapist and educator with specializations in couple’s work, sex therapy and trauma.  Her goal is to help individuals, families, and communities heal and become more authentically themselves.  She has trained with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies and believes strongly in the power of plant medicine and other forms of psychedelic medicines in healing current and generational trauma. Renée holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Spelman College, a Master of Social Work and Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California, a Post Graduate Certificate in Sex Therapy and Education from the University of Michigan, and is AASECT certified as a sex therapist, supervisor and educator.

Dr. Dana Dragone is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Aromatherapist. She has a passion for all things health and wellness and has dedicated her life to educating herself and others on how to heal through food and holistic methods. After completing her undergraduate degree in nutrition and dietetics at the University of Vermont she moved on to West Virginia University to complete a master’s in human nutrition and a Dietetic Internship. She spent the next 3 years working as a clinical dietitian in a hospital before attending the New York School of Aromatherapy to become a Certified Aromatherapist. Shortly after that, she completed the Doctorate of Clinical Nutrition program at the Maryland University of Integrative Health where she studied functional and integrative approaches to nutrition and wellness. She now combines her knowledge of aromatherapy, functional medicine, and holistic healing to specialize in gut health, specifically the gut-brain connection, and detoxification. Beyond focusing on human health, Dr. Dragone has a passion for sustainability and emphasizes environmentally friendly approaches to well-being. She also incorporates spirituality and the mind-body-soul connection into her patient care for a complete holistic take on health.