Jessica Dogali

LMHC, CASAC, MAC, BC-TMH

Jessica is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Adelphi University. She is also a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC), Master Addiction Counselor (MAC), and a Board Certified TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH). Jessica also has a Master of Arts in School Counseling from Alfred University and is a School Counselor in New York State. Jessica has experience working in community agencies, addiction treatment settings, mental health clinics, hospitals, school districts, and on college & university campuses. She has experience working with families, couples, adults, adolescents, and children. Jessica’s experience and training has prepared her to work with patients from a variety of backgrounds with a wide range of needs. Jessica specializes in working with family members and children who are impacted by someone in their life who struggles from addiction. She also specializes in couples and family counseling in which she has been extensively trained in.

Jessica is certified in Motivational Enhancement Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MET-CBT5) which is a cutting edge practice that enhances your motivation to change and provides you with the confidence to achieve your goals. Her background and training is in Psychodynamic Therapy where she can help you grow interpersonally and move forward in your life by taking a careful look at your past and exploring how it may be impacting you presently. Jessica identifies her therapeutic style as integrative with a mix of Psychodynamic Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Family Systems Theory. Her clinical work is specifically tailored to your needs so you can get the most from your work together.

Jessica has been very involved in the Mental Health community. She was a member of the Executive Board for the New York Mental Health Counselors Association Long Island Chapter (LINYMHCA) for five years where her position focused on advocating for the importance of mental health. She has supervised many new clinicians and has helped them expand on their clinical counseling skills. Jessica is a Professor at Adelphi University in the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology where she teaches in the Masters in Psychology and Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs. Jessica has been teaching graduate level courses for the last eight years.

Jessica has been in private practice since 2013 and has had the opportunity to work with individuals, couples, and families. Jessica is a dedicated, empathetic, and passionate therapist who is committed to helping you grow and flourish.

Frauke Dittel, LMHC

Frauke is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with a Masters in Mental Health and Behavioral Medicine from Boston University. Frauke has experience working in community agencies, public school districts, and in universities and colleges. Frauke has extensive experience in treating substance use disorders, creating leadership development for student-athletes, and in providing performance-focused work with athletes.

Frauke’s therapy approach is client-centered and sees each client as unique. Her therapeutic style is integrative, where she utilizes strength-based psychology and positive psychology while combining cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and motivational therapy. Frauke values teaching her clients relaxation and meditation as a way to cope with the different stressors in life. Frauke believes that the majority of growing and healing is found in connecting her clients with their inner self and the dynamics of their various parts.

In addition to practicing as a clinician in the practice, Frauke is also a clinical supervisor for our clinicians working towards licensure.

Sara McLaughlin, LMSW

Sara is a New York State Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and a New York State Certified School Social Worker. Sara completed a Masters degree in Social Work from Stony Brook University’s Graduate School of Social Welfare. Sara has experience working with children, adolescents and families. She has worked in several community agencies, school districts, social service organizations, and in foster care agencies. Sara has experience and expertise in social/emotional learning, crisis intervention, behavior management, violence prevention, substance use.

Sara’s goal as a therapist is to create a warm and inviting atmosphere where she provides her clients with support and guidance. Sara works collaboratively with her patients to identify the appropriate strategies for managing life stressors.

Jaqueline Finch, MHc-lp

Jaqueline is a Mental Health Counselor (MHC) who graduated from the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology at Adelphi University. Jaqueline has extensive experience working with the adolescent population and has treated individuals who have a comorbid mental health diagnosis..

Jaqueline has experience working with children and adolescents in various capacities and settings. Jaqueline completed an internship at Alberta B. Gray Schultz Middle School in Hempstead, NY as a school counselor where she provided counseling services to mandated and non-mandated students in both group and individual therapy settings. She has experience in implementing and executing Too Good for Violence, an evidence-based violence prevention program for children. Jaqueline recently completed her post graduate training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy at Adelphi University. Jaqueline is also a member of the New York State Mental Health Counselors Association Long Island Chapter.

As a clinician, Jaqueline’s goal is to provide clients with the best possible therapeutic care through understanding each person in the context of their own unique culture, values and life experiences.

Sheila Mathew, MHC-lp

Sheila is both a clinical in the practice, as well as our intake coordinator. Sheila is a Mental Health Counselor (MHC) who received her Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Nyack College. She has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Sheila tailors her treatment style to meet the specific needs and preferences of her patients. Sheila is currently an active board member for the Pastoral Counseling Center where she has worked specifically on the importance of community development and outreach.

Sheila has specific training in nutrition and fitness and the connection it has to mental health. Sheila utilizes various counseling techniques including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Sheila is empathetic and intuitive and is dedicated to building a strong therapeutic relationship with her clients in which they feel uniquely validated and heard.

Ria Kopanos, LMHC

Ria is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Adelphi University. Ria currently works as a Program Director for a Non-Profit organization where she works with adults, children, and families. Ria’s work focuses on empowering her patients to overcome barriers, reach their true potential, and achieve success through education, mentoring, and social justice advocacy. Ria has experience working in school districts, residential settings, hospitals, and in community programs. She has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, adults, families, couples, and trauma survivors. Ria is trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Crisis Management, Anger Management, Rape Crisis Counseling and Motivational Interviewing (MI).

Ria is a dedicated and passionate therapist who believes in meeting her patients exactly where they are. Through collaboration, education, and empowerment, Ria is dedicated helping her patients achieve their therapeutic goals and develop skills that can lead to an overall healthier lifestyle.

Karla Moreno, LMHC

Karla Moreno is a New York State Mental Health Counselor (MHC) who received her Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology at Adelphi University. Karla received her concentration in children and adolescents and has experience working for non-profit community agencies and outpatient mental health clinics.

Karla has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. She has experience treating individuals with anxiety, depression, history of trauma and/or abuse, behavioral disorders, substance use disorders, and other mood disorders. Karla completed her internship at YES Community Counseling Center where she provided both individual and group psychotherapy to mandated and non-mandated patients. Karla utilizes a variety of treatment modalities with her clients including Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, and Play Therapy. Karla is currently an active member of the New York State Mental Health Counselors Association Long Island Chapter.

As a clinician, Karla’s goal is to provide her clients with empathy and understanding by ensuring that the care of each client is focused on their own specific needs. Karla acknowledges the importance of meeting her clients where they are at in order for her clients to feel validated and understood. Karla emphasizes the importance of collaboratively working with her clients thereby allowing them to develop insight into their own issues and/or stressors.

Lauren O’Rourke, LCSW

Lauren is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her Masters in Social Work from Simmons College. Lauren has experience history of working in hospital settings, outpatient settings, schools and within child and family services. Lauren holds a Permanent Certificate in School Social Work with New York State. As a school social worker, Lauren collaborates with teachers and families to create a safe and supportive learning environment for every child. Lauren’s clinical skill set combined with my compassion, energy, and cultural competence cultivates students’ social, emotional, and behavioral needs in the academic setting to produce lifelong success.

Lauren creates a nonjudgmental, safe environment for her clients in efforts of supporting them in better navigating all of life’s ups and downs. Lauren has experience working with a broad variety of individuals including adults, adolescents and families who are experiencing difficulties with life transitions, anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, trauma, life stressors and low self-esteem. She is experienced in a variety of treatment modalities such CBT, Mindfulness, & Strengths-Based Approaches.

Joann Guglielmo, LMHC, CASAC

Joann is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling from LIU Post. She is also a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). Joann has experience working with adolescents and adults treating depression, anxiety, domestic violence, trauma, and addiction. Joann utilizes various counseling techniques including Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Joann is passionate about helping clients gain insight and self-awareness while providing a non-judgmental and safe space. Joann’s goal is to provide the best care possible so the client can learn the tools to help take control of their life.

Rachel lee, lmsw

Rachel is a Licensed Master Social worker who received her Master’s in Social Work from Quinnipiac University. Rachel has experience working in home settings and schools within child and family services. Rachel holds a Permanent Certificate in School Social Work with New York State. At her school in Harlem, NY, Rachel supports and collaborates with teachers, families, and stakeholders to ensure the well-being of each child in their learning environment and beyond. Rachel educates and encourages the social, emotional aspects of student’s daily lives to promote lifelong skills.

She has experience in treating individuals with anxiety, depression, trauma, and abuse as well as behavioral disorders. Rachel applies a variety of treatment modalities which includes CBT/DBT, Talk Therapy, Motivational interviewing, Mindfulness and Play therapy. As a clinician, Rachel’s goal is to create a calm and empathetic space to ensure each client feels supported. Rachel recognizes the work and effort it takes to better yourself. Rachel focuses on validating and working with each client to improve their overall well-being. In her free time for her own self care, Rachel enjoys cooking, organizing and listening to music.

Jennifer giacco, lcsw

Jennifer sawicki, mhc-lp,

pSYD Candidate

Jennifer Sawicki is a Mental Health Counselor (MHC) who graduated with her Masters in Mental Health Counseling from the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology at Adelphi University where she is currently a PSYD candidate in the school psychology doctoral program. Jennifer has extensive experience working with children and adolescents from diverse backgrounds and within various settings in different capacities.

Jennifer has previously worked within community agencies and is currently an extern at the Derner Hempstead Child Clinic where she works with children and adolescents within a school-based mental health clinic. Jennifer's background training includes a wide range of Psychodynamic Therapy modalities which she utilizes in both play and talk therapy to help her clients to grow insight into the underlying causes that may be impacting their beliefs, behaviors, patterns of thinking, and interpersonal relationships. Jennifer does not believe that there is a "one size fits all" approach to therapy and considers the entire individual within their particular context. She has an integrative style which also includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mentalization Based Therapy, and mindfulness techniques that she utilizes to fit the specific needs of each client. As a clinician, Jennifer strives to provide her clients with an empathetic and validating environment to work collaboratively with them to better understand themselves in a meaningful way.