Meet Our Team & Book an Appointment

Nelson Romero, PMHNP (he/Him)
Prescriber
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Nelson is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC). He is fluent in Spanish and English and is passionate about providing quality, compassionate, and comprehensive mental health services to adolescents and adults. Nelson possesses strong clinical skills, enhanced by his natural ability to build rapport with patients and families. He follows evidence-based guidelines blended with clinical experience, personal observation, and intuition. As a PMHNP, Nelson’s role is multifaceted, including educator, mental health advocate, therapist, and scientist. Nelson values interdisciplinary education and inter-professional collaboration for a whole person patient-centered approach to health and healthcare. Nelson is always advocating for innovations in healthcare and has special interests in the integration of behavioral medicine, trauma-informed care, suicide prevention, and addressing child and adult relationship health.
Note: Engage Psychotherapy LCSW PLLC does not provide stand-alone prescribing and medication management appointments. You must be an existing psychotherapy client in order to have appointments with a prescriber in our practice.

Hunter Harrow, LMSW (she/her)
Staff Clinician

Hunter works with adolescents and adults who find themselves dealing with challenging life circumstances. She utilizes a client-centered approach to provide a safe and supportive space, allowing clients to navigate through their emotions.
 
Hunter specializes in interpersonal psychotherapy, which helps if you find yourself struggling with maintaining or strengthening relationships, both within and outside the family. This helps with developing healthy perceptions of ourselves in the world.
 
Hunter also specializes in grief counseling, which helps when you are struggling to cope with previous or current loss. Grief counseling is designed to help us cope with the wide range of feelings that come along with loss such as sadness, guilt, shame, and anger, and teaches coping skills to be able to move forward in our lives.
 
In addition, Hunter works with self-esteem rebuilding to help create a positive sense of self. This includes taking inventory of your positive attributes and identifying and working through the experiences that may have compromised your own self-esteem and self-perception.
 
Lastly, Hunter works with trauma processing, which invites you to walk through and relieve the intensified emotions surround traumatic experiences while incorporating your current coping skills in an empowering environment.
Hunter has a Masters in Social Work from Fordham University, as well as a BS in Animal and Food Science from the University of Delaware. Additionally, to the private practice, she is clinician at an outpatient mental health clinic. She has spent many years understanding the correlation between human and animal interaction, and the long lasting impact animals (companion animals to farm animals) have on our mental health.

Natalie Diaz, LMHC (she/her)
Staff Clinician

I am a bilingual (Spanish and English) Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of New York. I have over 8 years of clinical experience working with individuals in various settings such as outpatient clinics, community centers, nursing homes, and domestic violence/sexual assault survivors’ centers.
 
I provide a place where you can feel safe, secure, and validated, a place where you can truly feel understood, a haven where you don’t have to feel so alone. My approach has been utilizing my vast experience and eclectic style in providing personalized therapy in attempt to help a multitude of individuals varying in age, culture, and life experiences.
 
My specializations include working with the LGBTQ+ Community, sexual assault survivors, intimate partner violence (Domestic Violence), life transitions, relational issues, multigenerational and vicarious traumas, as well as with depression, anxiety, and grief.
To book, contact David Shipper at: 

Rèka Foster, LMFT (she/her)
Staff Clinician

Reka has extensive experience in providing individual, couples, marital and family therapy. She specializes in interpersonal, systemic emotional and communication issues, including infidelity, power dynamic conflicts, and socio-cultural relationship challenges to help people of all ages and genders to be able to focus on their self-growth and overcome depression and anxiety.
 
Reka personalizes psychotherapy techniques and methods such as Emotional Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-based therapeutic methods and sex therapy for the individual need to develop assertive skills in the most challenging and complex circumstances.
Reka is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and worked on her Postgraduate studies in Clinical Psychology in Hungary. Reka is a lifetime member of Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology; member of AAMFT American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy; AFTA American Family Therapy Academy; IAMFC International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors and the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists.

Jackie Kelly, LMSW (SHE/HER)
​Staff Clinician

The experience of being human is quite interesting, to say the least. Navigating the ups, downs, and the transitions that we all encounter can be challenging, and can result in feeling disconnected, stuck, frustrated, and scared. Jackie provides a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore and process whatever it is you are struggling with. She believes that understanding the role your personal history has had in shaping your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, is the path toward fostering self-acceptance and living a more peaceful and present life.

Jackie believes you are your own expert, and works with you to identify and build upon your strengths and innate wisdom to move forward in your healing journey. She prioritizes the mind-body connection and aims to increase awareness of your body and your experience of emotions, drawing on concepts of mindfulness and meditation. Her overall goal is to build insight around your experience and to strengthen the connection you have with yourself and others. She uses a person-centered, collaborative approach that aims to empower you for life’s hurdles.

Jackie works with adolescents and adults that are dealing with anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, trauma recovery, grief, and relationship/family issues. She integrates concepts from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Insight-Oriented Therapy and Internal Family Systems within her work.
Jackie earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Sacred Heart University, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies from Siena College. In addition to private practice, Jackie is a clinician at an outpatient mental health clinic. 

Colleen Gallagher, LMSW LSW MBSR (SHE/HER)
​Staff Clinician

Colleen specializes in Mindfulness, MBCT/MBSR, Compassion-Focused Therapy, DBT and cognitive, Integrated Mind-Body approaches helping you shift towards real change that can be both practical and deep. She has years of experience training others in stress/anxiety reduction, meditation, communication, and holistic practices. A former teacher and professional actor, she’s a mother, artist, student of Buddhist Psychology, and long-time meditator.
 
Sometimes there’s a time in your life when you can see what’s working, or perhaps what’s holding you back. Colleen uses the latest neuroscience and humanistic approaches to teach tools to regulate emotions, change habits, improve relationships, build positive self-regard, and live with more ease. Being seen and heard by someone who joins with you in support is amazingly helpful. People who work with Colleen describe her as “accessible, warm, nonjudgmental & compassionate." She provides a sense of safety, bringing insight, patience, humor and presence in relation with others. Her expertise and down-to-earth approach help others navigate career, school, dating, relationships, family dynamics, trauma, habits/patterns/addictions and grief/loss/change.
A NY and NJ Licensed Master Social Worker, Colleen holds an advanced certification in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) through the University of Massachusetts Medical School Center for Mindfulness, with additional advanced certifications in trauma, anxiety, compulsion/addiction, mind-body medicine, meditation, mindful communication, CBT/DBT, yoga and expressive arts therapies.

Miosha Bryant, LMHC (she/her)
Staff Clinician

​Using empathy, active listening, a person-centered approach and other therapeutic techniques which include Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and mindfulness, I assist people in navigating through the therapeutic process by helping them to gaining better understanding of their emotions, feelings and behaviors in the midst of challenges. I provide an environment that is safe and healthy for people to have freedom of expression without feelings of guilt, discomfort or judgement.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of New York. I have over 8 years of experience in the mental health field assisting individuals with a variety of psychiatric, cognitive and behavioral disabilities in working through their mental health issues to develop coping, social and life skills that they can utilize to achieve their personal goals and live independently and productively within their communities.

I specialize in women’s issues, anxiety, depression, behavioral modification, cultural and systemic oppression, cultural sensitivity, family conflict, Internal family systems, life transitions, body image issues (Body Dysmorphia), and multigenerational trauma.
Call to book:

Jamie Hopper, LMFT (SHE/HER)
​Staff Clinician

Jamie works with a range of individuals from preteen age to older adults. She specializes in working with individuals who are dealing with depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, trauma, bereavement/grief, and couples work.
 
Jamie uses a collaborative approach drawing from various modalities such as CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy. Jamie provides a safe, welcoming space for people to feel comfortable and heard.
 
Jamie can assist with developing your ability to better understand yourself and form a healthier, positive self-image, even when that may seem unreachable. Jamie has helped many people to create healthier relationships with family members and significant others and enable people to set emotional boundaries to limit or eliminate toxic influences in their lives. Jamie works with many individuals who, like so many of us, are faced with the many challenges of living through a global pandemic and how it has impacted so many aspects of our emotional and mental well-being.
Jamie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in NY. She attended Ramapo College of NJ, where she obtained her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Mercy College where she obtained her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. Jamie has worked in various therapeutic settings including in outpatient substance abuse treatment, CBT play therapy, grief services at United Hospice of Rockland and in community mental health.

Jill Torrente, LMSW (SHE/HER)
​Staff Clinician

Jill believes that understanding yourself is the key to having agency and control of your life. We all struggle at times to make sense of our feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Many of us worry that the problems in our lives may be due to issues with us as an individual, and that maybe there is something broken inside of us. In our society where self-promotion is rewarded, it is common to want to hide the tough stuff. It is common to assume that we are alone and will seem broken or weak if we are honest with others.
 
The fact is that life is difficult and complex, and everyone experiences difficult emotions. Identifying what you are experiencing and why it is happening is the medicine to heal your pain and create the change to make things better. Jill has a passion for empowering people to develop the gift of self-awareness and insight, which not only relieves self-doubt and fears about one's emotional world, but also helps to make sense of why the feelings, thoughts and behaviors are there in the first place. The power of understanding ourselves becomes the foundation that makes self-acceptance and ultimately true change possible.
 
Jill believes that the strong and trusting connections developed in the therapeutic relationship, and the opportunities within that for honesty and authenticity, form the key to becoming empowered with clarity and provide the tools to move forward. 
 
Although Jill pulls from a variety of modalities, she finds the combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy to be a very effective and powerful approach. If you are experiencing patterns of stress, anxiety or worry and find it difficult to identify the source or make things better, this approach helps to make sense of the emotional triggers in your environment to create desired and lasting change.
Additionally, Jill’s use of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) tools can help with pinpointing emotional styles and patterns. Your emotional style dictates how you respond in difficult situations; developing tools to control your reactions allows you to achieve desired peace and control in your day-to-day experiences and relationships. If you are having difficulties in relationship(s) or having a hard time communicating your needs in emotionally charged situations, you can benefit greatly from this type of work.
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Born and raised in the tri-state area, Jill brings with her experience from the corporate world, the philanthropic world and, most notably, the parenting world. She received her MSW from Fordham University and works locally in an outpatient mental health clinic. In addition to her experience and education, Jill is well-informed in the areas of mindfulness, overall holistic-wellness and the mind/body connection. Jill employs an inclusive and multi-faceted approach to mental health.

Jamer Linares, LMSW (HE/him)
​Staff Clinician

We may struggle getting to a place where we take the step asking for help. After shouldering challenging periods where we have felt stuck, anxious, upset, hurt, and scared; it can take an immense amount of courage to consider asking for help.

​Regardless of what brings you to therapy, you can expect a warm, welcoming, non-judgmental, and safe environment, where you will be heard and supported. We will gradually create a space together where you can feel safe enough to share your personal experiences.
 
Jamer’s goal is to bring a gentle, sincere, and non-judgmental, safe pace; where together, you can explore what has shaped your identity, and brought you to where you are currently. Jamer offers insight-oriented therapy to help deepen your understanding on the dilemmas you are enduring, and help guide you to the insight needed to help move you forward.
 
Jamer works with young and older adults, teens, and families. His overarching goal is to empathically listen, offer help in reconnecting areas of disconnect, provide insight on the impact of trauma within impacted families, and support in resolving adjustment challenges to new socio-living environments.
 
Jamer uses an eclectic approach where he blends modalities and tailors them to meet your needs and goals. Jamer brings a strength-based perspective into the process to assist individuals, teens, young adults, and families, to support uncovering strengths that reside behind perceived weaknesses.

​Jamer works with trauma recovery, anxiety, issues of attachment, shame, relationship issues, depression, grief, family issues, and vulnerability. He incorporates insight-oriented therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, internal family systems, grief therapy, and motivational interviewing. 

Brianna Morrell, LMSW (SHE/HER)
​Staff Clinician

Each of us exists in the world with a complexity and story exclusively our own. Through an eclectic, client-centered approach to therapy, Brianna offers you the opportunity to explore the parts of your story unique to your identity, develop and nurture self-compassion, and integrate those parts into the fullness of your human experience. At the heart of her work, Brianna strives to create an empathic and safe environment that fully allows you to show up with vulnerability and honesty as your authentic self.

Brianna uses aspects of insight-oriented therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy with a trauma-informed approach to aid you in understanding the impact of previous experiences on your current life circumstances. Brianna is also a firm believer in honoring the mind-body-spirit connection.

​Through the use of somatic awareness and mindfulness techniques, Brianna aims to increase your awareness of the connection between bodily and emotional experiences and focuses on creating understanding about the ways in which your experiences impact your life decisions, relationships, and overall well-being.

Brianna has a background in working with adolescents, young adults, and aging individuals. She specializes in the areas of childhood trauma and emotional abuse/neglect, which may show up in adulthood as feelings of shame, difficulty with vulnerability, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, mistrust towards others, and problems in interpersonal relationships. 
Education and Background
Brianna received a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in child and adolescent psychology from Montclair State University, where she performed graduate-level research on the connection between spatial- and social perspective-taking and the impact on human empathy. Most recently, she earned her Master of Social Work from Rutgers University where she was a research assistant at the Center on Violence Against Women and Children and aided in developing a measure for current social work students to assess competency of working with survivors of abuse and trauma. In addition to private practice, Brianna has also worked as a volunteer crisis counselor and is currently employed as a clinician at an outpatient mental health clinic where she provides individual psychotherapy services and clinical supervision.

Migdalia Valdes, LMSW (SHE/HER)
​Staff Clinician

Migdalia works with individuals and couples interested in exploring their histories, allowing for understanding of self and healing; insight and recovery, while making space for continued growth and creation of new opportunities by building healthy, safe, satisfying relationships with each other, other and important people in their lives.
 
Insight and communication are at the core of Migdalia's work. She creates an emotionally honest and safe environment allowing for the vulnerability of recovery and self-care often needed to continue. Migdalia's insight-oriented work respects each person's experience and perspective as unique and valid. She uses CBT modalities in her work with adults to help them understand and then manage their histories, feelings and goals.
 
Migdalia has the unique talent of being able to hold people’s struggles, confusion, and curiosity with tenderness and good humor/energy. She will deeply explore life, its experiences and lessons, analyzing meaning and intent. Over time, Migdalia will help you understand yourself and the world around you; she will help you reconnect and engage everyday life with self-confidence.
Migdalia has a master’s degree in social work from San Francisco State University, a Masters Degree in Art and Photography from the San Francisco Art Institute, and a Bachelor of Science from Ithaca College.

Dana Treacy, LMSW (SHE/HER)
Staff Clinician

​Life is a journey shaped by our history, experiences, thoughts, feelings and actions.  From time to time this journey can create challenges for all of us, leaving us feeling stressed, overwhelmed and anxious. Dana has dedicated her life to helping people.  She has a great compassion for those going through life’s challenges and transitions and is grateful for the opportunity to partner with those pursuing support.

Dana works with teens, individuals, and couples to support them in their journey by providing a safe, interactive, neutral space that encourages inner awareness, growth and promotes healing.

Dana uses a strength based, person centered therapeutic approach to support clients in finding balance, discovering their strengths, and learning to love and accept themselves. She believes that the client is the expert of their life and does hold the answers to their challenges, but may need some guidance, support and education to identify the answers.

Dana is trained in the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Psychotherapy, Trauma Informed Approaches and Mindfulness Techniques.
Dana has a Masters of Social Work from Fordham University, and a Bachelors of Social Work with a minor in Gerontology from Ramapo College.  She also brings many years of experience from the nonprofit sector working with teenagers, adults and older adults.   

Kathy Carty, LMHC MS (SHE/HER)
Staff Clinician

Kathy has over a decade of working with teens and young adults in a supportive, caring and validating environment. She specializes in helping teens and young adults navigate social and emotional struggles of those trying transitional years.
 
Young people often feel overwhelmed, unheard, and alone. Kathy utilizes a person-centered approach to therapy by providing a safe space for young people to say what they want and be who they are – no judgment, no criticism and no repercussions. Sometimes young people become anxious and depressed and are not sure how to manage those intense feelings. Kathy assists with making sense of those feelings while also helping with emotional regulation.
 
For parents, this time can be just as challenging. Young people might be angry or irritable and lash out regularly. This can leave us as parents feeling helpless, concerned and scared. Raising a happy, healthy young adult often requires a team of caring individuals. Kathy understands and supports parental involvement in the therapeutic process, so she facilitates family sessions to support problem resolution and more effective communication.
Kathy has a Master of Science degree in School Counseling, Advanced Certification in Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. In addition to her private practice, Kathleen is the Youth Program Coordinator in an community mental health clinic.

Julie Fadl, LMSW (SHE/HER)
Staff Clinician

​Julie's work focuses on grief and loss with adults. She defines grief not only by death but by the loss of anything or anyone that impacts your life. This can be a job, a relationship, your health, an experience, an opportunity, something physically important, or any type of transition. 

​In addition to grief counseling, Julie specializes in Humanistic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Motivational Interviewing. However, she has a wide range of methods to suit each individual client. She believes that grief and any type of therapy is and should be unique to all of us and can't be defined by any one method. It's a journey many of us need help navigating.

Julie puts strong emphasis on psychoeducation so her clients can understand why we as humans feel and behave the way we do. Acceptance and closure can be a comforting or scary notion however Julie invites you on this adventure with compassion, understanding, nonjudgement, and an unbiased ear. She believes you already have everything you need to free yourself from pain and trauma but through proven methods she can help you learn skills to cope, heal, and find peace.
Julie received her Masters Degree in Social Work from Columbia University and carries an Addiction Treatment Certification from Yale University. Prior to becoming a psychotherapist, Julie spent several years as an educator and carries an additional Masters degree in Secondary Education. Some of Julie's clinical experience includes working at the psychiatry unit at NYU Langone Hospital, substance use clinics in Upstate NY, and non-profit outpatient clinics.

Stella Farrell, LCSW (SHE/HER)
​Clinical Supervisor

  We all need someone we can turn to when feeling overwhelmed by life events, family conflict, or self doubt. Allow me to help you explore these feelings in a supportive and encouraging environment.
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Education and Background
  In addition to my private practice, I supervise psychotherapists and provide individual therapy at an outpatient mental health clinic. I earned my Master’s degree in Social Work from NYU.
  My experience includes working with in-patient teens at Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center and over nine years helping a diverse population in the greater New York area. I work with clients of different ages, religions, and sexual orientations from various socioeconomic backgrounds.
Approach and Specialties
  My approach to therapy focuses on building a trusting relationship with an emphasis on ensuring the client’s comfort in sharing his or her experience with no fear of judgment. I offer a positive, empathetic, and productive atmosphere that centers on individual and family needs.
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Felicia Asch, LCSW (SHE/HER)
Clinical Supervisor

  Maybe things haven't been going well for you recently, or perhaps there are some unresolved relationship or personal issues that are keeping you from having the life you envision for yourself and it's causing you to feel depressed or anxious. Maybe you feel stuck in old patterns that you know are holding you back and just can't figure out how to make the necessary changes but you are motivated and ready to get to work. I can offer you a safe, non judgmental place to explore what is holding you back or causing you pain.

Approach and specialties
  My approach to therapy is based in a strong, trusting, and honest relationship with my client. I strive to create a collaborative environment where clients feel supported and validated. My clients can count on me not to tip toe around them and to challenge them in ways that I feel will help them reach their goals because I really care about their progress.
  I believe therapy is most successful when a variety of approaches are used. I utilize talk therapy to help clients gain insight into their behavior as well as behavioral strategies and mindfulness to give client's tools that they can use in the moment to feel better. If you are looking for a therapist to really be "in it" with you, then let's get started!
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Education and background
  I have a Master’s Degree in Social Work from New York University. In addition to my private practice I am a clinician at an outpatient mental health clinic.  I am also trained in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).
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Eva Hernandez, LCSW-R (SHE/HER)
Consulting CLinician

  I have been passionate about serving communities as a social worker for over 20 years. For the past five years I’ve worked with adults in a mental health clinic. I have also worked in school settings helping students of all ages overcome struggles as well as provide them tools to thrive.
  My goal is to help clients improve their mental health and move forward in life with positivity.
  I am also LGBT friendly and helped start an LGBT parent support group in Rockland. My education, training, experience and multi-cultural background helps me work with people of all cultures and ethnicities.

Approach and specialties
  I create a genuine, warm, supportive and safe environment.  Clients have said they were able to share experiences they had not shared before as they knew they would not be judged.  I work collaboratively with clients to select goals they want to achieve, make changes in their thinking.
  My goal is to help clients recognize their strengths and have hope for change and healing. 
  Based on the client's goals and needs, I use evidence-based and strength focused treatment modalities such as Cognitive behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Gestalt, Solution-Focused, Interpersonal and Narrative therapy.
  I have vast experience working with young and adult people who have a diagnosis of anxiety, panic disorder, depression and Bipolar. I am also LGBTQ friendly and have experience working with Transgender youth.​
Education and Background
  Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Canisius College, a Jesuit University. Masters in Social Work from CUNY Hunter College School of Social Work. I was born in Mexico City and moved to New York’s Lower East Side when I was 9 years old.  As an Immigrant, I bring a rich culture and understanding for inclusion and acceptance of different beliefs and/or views.

Siempre he tenido pasión de servir a mi comunidad como trabajadora social por más de veinte años. Los últimos cinco años he trabajado con adultos en una clínica de salud mental.  También he trabajado en escuelas ayudando a los estudiantes as combatir sus luchas y al igual prepararlos con técnicas para que triunfen.  Mi meta es el ayudar a los clientes a mejorar su salud mental y vivir siendo más positivos.  Yo tambien tengo experiencia trabajando con la población de la comunidad homosexuales y transgenero (LGBTQ) para quienes  comenze un grupo de apoyo.  Mi educación, entrenamiento y experiencia y el trabajo con gente multicultural. ​
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David Shipper, LMHC (he/him)
​Clinical Director

  The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger. Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. How you respond to the outbreak can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community you live in. If you have feelings of numbness, disbelief, anxiety or fear, changes in appetite, energy, or activity levels, or have difficulty sleeping, therapy may help.
  With today's challenges, we need more effective and efficient strategies for managing our lives. Whether it is a lifetime of worry, reoccurring depression, or a recent crisis; my gift is empowering people to overcome their obstacles.

Education and Background
  I am EMDR trained, my training includes working with issues surrounding depression, anxiety, trauma, impulse control, and various life adjustments. Insight alone is not sufficient to generate change. Lasting change comes from addressing core beliefs which originate in childhood, which are buried under the muck - the stuff of life that has accumulated over the years.
Approach and Specialties
  I am an open, nonjudgmental and compassionate listener who is an active participant in the therapy process. I will support you as you identify your goals and start on your journey to a happier, healthier and more successful life. I believe therapy is about hope, and that it is an act of self-care. I believe individuals have the answers that are best for them.

Personal Website
www.davidshipper.com
Call to book:

 Ian Laidlaw, lcsw-r BSc MA (he/him)
​Clinical Director

  Ian specializes in working with adults who are in recovery from childhood trauma, or difficult relationships with parents, which can show up as an adult as struggles in interpersonal relationships, carrying a sense of inadequacy or shame, feeling unworthy of love, never feeling quite able to reach sufficiency, or feeling like even when you make it to a place of success you don't really belong there.

  Ian also specializes in interpersonal psychotherapy, which helps people who struggle to form satisfying stable close relationships with other people, or who find vulnerability in relationships to be frightening, through safely exploring how this presents in the therapeutic relationship and finding creative ways to work through whatever might be making the connection difficult to create opportunities for more satisfying relationships.
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  Lastly, Ian provides insight-oriented work, which helps with making sense of our thinking or behavior. Many of us go through the world feel there is something inherently wrong with us, but insight-oriented work helps with making sense of our thinking and behavior to begin to recognize that it makes sense based on your life and experiences, thereby reducing shame and self-judgment, and providing opportunities for change.
Education and Background
  Ian is originally from New Zealand and has also practiced in Japan and England. In addition to his private practice he also directs an outpatient mental health clinic, teaches a university trauma course for graduate social work students, produces a psychotherapy podcast, and supervises and trains psychotherapists. He has a Master's Degree in Social work from Fordham University and a Masters of Arts and Bachelor of Science from Otago University in New Zealand

Bill DeSiena, LCSW (he/him)
Clinical Director

Bill focuses on working with adults, and extensively with men who are confronting issues of shame and vulnerability and seeking new ways of communicating. At times, adverse childhood experiences impact how we function and connect as adults – the way we show up in the world - in our relationships with others, and ourselves. The degree to which we can attach securely to loved ones, and how safe it feels to be authentic with others about our feelings, stands as a measure of how comfortable we feel in our own skin.
 
The truth: most of us will experience one or more traumatic events at some point in our lives. Bill embraces a trauma-informed approach to determine whether post-traumatic stress is present and affecting his client’s everyday existence. Bill’s practice is also relational and integrative, goal-oriented, and may combine talk therapy with CBT tools, somatic (body) awareness and meditation to access mindfulness, presence and focus.
 
Bill is trained in Somatic Experiencing (SE), an intervention that helps organize, reconnect and integrate our thoughts with the felt sense in the body, and re-regulate the nervous system. A common misconception is that our thoughts alone are the gateway to desired change. Yet when we rediscover the emotions and feelings experienced within the body, we can unlock the inner wisdom we possess to experience wholeness, find clarity and heal. Bill’s core strength is his ability to connect with clients in a supportive, nurturing, non-judgmental manner from the outset.
In addition to his private practice, Bill is an adjunct professor at the graduate level teaching a core course in evidence-based treatment models for children and families. Bill is continuing training as a certified Somatic Experiencing (SE) practitioner, participates in men’s group work, co-hosts a psychotherapy podcast, serves as a clinician at an outpatient mental health clinic, and supervises and trains psychotherapists. Bill holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from Fordham University.
 Engage Psychotherapy
719 West Nyack Road, Suite 43
West Nyack, NY 10994
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