Who We Are...

Melissa Pirnos, LPC, ACS
Melissa Pirnos is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 12 years of experience in the mental health field in various settings including hospitals, community agencies and school systems. She offers counseling to adults, children and adolescents. Melissa strives to provide a safe and nurturing environment and employs a variety of therapeutic strategies depending on the client’s needs, with an emphasis on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Play Therapy. Melissa has extensive experience with relational issues, anger management, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, divorce, ADD/ADHD, oppositional defiance and crisis.

Danah Rumble, LPC, ACS
Danah Rumble has been involved in the mental health field for over 13 years and is committed to providing excellent care and comfort to client's lives. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor by the state of New Jersey and trained to help people with any problems or issues. This includes but is not limited to family therapy, marital counseling, individual therapy for depression, anxiety, trauma, and personality issues. Her specialties include forensic psychology, chronic psychiatric disorders, dual diagnosis of substance abuse and psychiatric disorders, assessment and treatment of sex offenders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and family treatment. She provides individual, group, and family therapy, and has flexible office hours to accommodate anyone's lifestyle. Danah is dedicated to doing everything she can to help you with any problems or issues you may be facing, and to help you live a healthy functioning life.

Sparta Location:
Melanie Iacobino, LPC, ACS
Melanie Iacobino has over ten years of experience in the mental health field and is committed to providing quality of care to meet the needs of each individual that she works with. She offers individual and family therapy and has extensive knowledge in treating depression, anxiety, reactive attachment disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Her speciality includes working with adoptive families to enhance their attachment and bond to one another. Melanie is committed to helping individuals and families improve their overall well being of life in a supportive environment.

Joanna D'Agosta, LCSW
Joanna D'Agosta earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and her Masters of Social Work degree from Syracuse University. She has also completed requirements to earn her New Jersey School Social Worker certification, New Jersey License in Clinical Social Work and is an active member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). She has performed out-patient psychotherapy, in-community crisis intervention, case management and administrative responsibilities. For nearly 20 years, Mrs. D’Agosta has worked diligently and compassionately with adults, adolescents and children creating measurable treatment goals, coordinating appropriate service linkages and collaborating with essential mental health team members to facilitate their desired successful outcomes. Areas of therapeutic specialty include largely cognitive behavioral strategies to help reduce the intensity, frequency and duration of clients’ various mood and personality disorders, depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma/PTSD, grief/loss, domestic violence/abuse and individualized interpersonal and behavioral conflicts. Mrs. D’Agosta engages clients through an effective client-centered, thought-coaching philosophy that promotes respect and dignity throughout the therapeutic process.

Carmelo A. Colon, ACSW, LCSW
Carmelo Colon comes to us with nearly forty years of clinical experience in urban mental health settings. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey, having graduated in 1978 with a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the Columbia University School of Social Work in NYC followed by a Post-Graduate Fellowship Program in Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy. He retired as a Master Clinician from University Behavioral Healthcare in 2013 to pursue Private Practice, after a 33 year career in their Adult Outpatient Psychiatric Services in Newark. He possesses specialization in the treatment of Chronic and Persistent Mental Illness, Mood Disorders, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Grief and Loss, Substance Abuse and Sexual Disorders. He is fluent in Spanish, and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, the Academy of Clinical Social Workers, a Diplomate in Clinical Social Work and a Registered Social Work Supervisor with NASW. He is comfortable working the full life cycle, with individual, couples and family psychotherapy within a psychodynamic framework.
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​Jon Boschen LCSW, LCADC
Jon Boschen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol Drug Counselor with almost a decade of experience within the mental health and substance abuse fields in community-based and hospital settings. Jon has worked extensively with adolescents and adults during this time, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Professionally, Jon holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Seton Hall University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Rutgers University. Jon also serves on several professional advisory boards, task forces and committees within State of New Jersey. Clinically, Jon identifies himself as a “Strengths-based Solution-focused Clinician” that strives to empower his clients therapeutically to achieve their goals. Jon is trained in a variety of therapeutic disciplines, to meet his client’s therapeutic needs where they are in the moment, through a loving-kindness approach. Jon’s experience focuses on relational issues, divorce, low self-esteem/mood disorders, depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief/loss and substance abuse issues.

​Elizabeth Conran, LAC
Elizabeth Conran is a licensed associate counselor with experience working with individuals from an array of backgrounds. She has over six years experience working with the court system, specifically the criminal justice involved, individuals suffering from substance abuse, law enforcement, first responders, and military members. Within these populations, she has worked closely with trauma, recovery, stress, anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief & loss, domestic violence, and abuse. If nothing changes, nothing changes....Often times we can feel “stuck." It can be difficult to see a way out a stressful moment in life. Elizabeth believes in working collaboratively with clients to regulate anxiety while removing barriers that keep us from feeling our emotions. She is committed to helping you unlock the core reasonings for issues that negatively impact relationships, performance, and self-esteem. "When we are no longer able to change our situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” -Viktor Frankl

Meredith Holick, LPC, LCADC
Meredith Holick is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked in the field of mental health for more than 11 years. She has also been approved as a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and has been working in the field of addiction for 6 years. Meredith has worked with both adolescents and adults struggling with co-occurring disorders in partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient settings. Her experience has been working with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship issues, mood disorders, impulse control, life transitions, and substance use issues. Meredith is focused on providing a safe, compassionate environment where individuals feel free from judgment. She strives to empower individuals to look inward to start the process towards positive change. On this journey, Meredith’s role is to assist individuals to challenge and reframenegative thought processes and behaviors and build upon pre-existing strengths in order to allow individuals to feel more incontrol of their lives. Meredith will facilitate individuals in the development of coping mechanisms and techniques for more effective communication in order to sustain long lasting positive change and emotional wellness.

Phil Lane, LSW
​Phil is a passionate and devoted advocate for mental health. After studying English at the undergraduate level, he received his master’s degree in social work. As a licensed social worker in the state of New Jersey, Phil aims to help clients through challenges and always approach therapy and the therapeutic relationship from a position of empathy and understanding. Phil believes that all clients have a unique life story and that it is within this story that healing begins. Using a client-centered approach, Phil’s goal is to be a fellow traveler with the client through whatever unique challenges or problems present themselves. Phil has experience treating clients struggling with anxiety, depression, panic attacks, behavioral issues, and emotional challenges related to family and life circumstances. He has also worked in group and individual settings with children and adolescents.
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Cynthia Brusco, MA, LPC
Cynthia Brusco graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2013 with a Masters in Clinical Mental Health after changing careers from being a competitive swim coach for almost 20 years. Since 2011, she has had experience working with adolescents, and adults with a history of behavioral, emotional management, marital and substance abuse issues. Most recently Cynthia has worked at High Focus Centers as the Coordinator of the Chemical Dependency Program.
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Caitlyn Song, MA, LPC, NCC​
Caitlyn Song is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master of Arts degree in Mental Health Counseling from Caldwell University. Her experience includes working with children, adolescents, and adults who suffer from, or have suffered from, the following: anxiety, depression, domestic violence (survivors and perpetrators), trauma, anger management, crisis, parental difficulties, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as severe and persistent mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder. She has worked with individuals and groups in a variety of settings, including outpatient, intensive outpatient, and in-home settings. Caitlyn subscribes to a solution-focused, cognitive behavioral (CBT) modality, and is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). She believes in fostering a warm, supportive environment in which you can feel comfortable throughout the process of growth. Everyone has an innate set of coping skills, healthy or unhealthy. It is Caitlyn’s goal to help you identify those coping skills, and fine-tune them to assist you in building a better future for yourself, no matter what the situation or your past experiences. While she believes that briefly looking to your past can often be beneficial, her goal is to work with you on how to improve your present and future circumstances.

​Gina Barra, MA, LPC
Welcome to Lakeside Counseling. Life experiences are always changing. I am here to guide you and encourage you along your journey. My goal is to assist people develop skills for life change. Through a caring, warm, non- judgmental environment, I can help you explore your thoughts and feelingsand problem solve to develop new skills and insight to your current or past situation. I have over 20 years experience helping people with various issues. I am skilled in assessment, counseling techniques and treatment planning. I do not give advice, but instead support my clients to make their own sound choices. My current focus is individual therapy working with people ages sixteen to seniors. My work with individuals includes working together to develop goals based on what the client would like to achieve in therapy. I also conduct family therapy for children and families. My focus is to support the entire family, and to provide an alternate way of approaching a challenging situation. My main goal is to reduce confusion and frustration and increase the family’s ability to cope with their current difficulties. My experiences include helping people with anxiety, depression, Bipolar Disorder, self- esteem, life- transitions, drug and alcohol abuse, stress, transgender, women’s issues, anger management, codependency, chronic illness, domestic violence and family conflict and grief. I use an eclectic approach to therapy depending on the needs of the client. Cognitive behavioral, solution focused brief therapy and family systems are a few of the approaches I use. I listen attentively to my clients and offer them my time, empathy and respect. “I may not be where I want to be but thankfully I am not where I use to be” (Joyce Meyers).
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​Lisa Coppola, LPC
Lisa Coppola is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 5 years of experience working in the mental health field. Her experience includes providing individual, group and family counseling to adults and adolescents who suffer from anxiety, depression, substance abuse, co-occurring disorders and severe and persistent mental illness. Lisa strives to assist and empower each client in reaching their personalized goals by providing a warm and supportive environment. She utilizes a variety of therapeutic interventions, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Client-Centered Therapy. Lisa will help guide you to identify and build off your strengths, while teaching effective coping skills, communication and providing psychoeducation.

​Nicole Mattson, MA, LPC
Nicole Mattson is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master`s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Felician College. She has over 5 years experience working in the mental health field with a variety of clients in a hospital setting. She is a Behavioral Health Clinician in an Acute Partial Hospitalization Program, Intensive Outpatient Program, Co-Occurring Disorders Program, as well as a Crisis Intervention Program. She has provided therapy in individual and group settings. Nicole utilizes a wide array of therapeutic treatment approaches which are customized to the needs of the individual client. She is a trained facilitator in Mindfulness practices for self-care and clinical integration. "Symptoms are your body`s way of communicating that healing needs to happen;" allow that healing to happen. Nicole endeavors to manifest self-growth with her clients; to increase self-awareness and support in the healing process through laughter and realism.

​Noelle Wheeler, MA, LAC
Noelle Wheeler graduated from the College of Saint Elizabeth with a masters in Counseling Psychology. She has five years experience working with different populations, including children and adults, who suffer from anxiety, depression, schizo-affective disorder, bipolar disorder, substance use and severe and persistent mental illness. This experience is from a variety of settings including inpatient settings, crisis response and in home settings. Everyone has the strength to pull through their rough patches, sometimes we just need a shoulder to lean on. Noelle believes in a person centered approach that empowers each individual to find their inner strength. Noelle will help you find this strength while making you feel comfortable, assisting with coping skills, and showing respect for the individuality of everyone.

Maria Pisani, LPC, LCADC
Maria Pisani is a Licensed Associate Counselor and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor with a Master’s Degree in Counseling from St. John’s University. She has worked in the field of Addiction and Mental Health for the past 20 years. She has counseled various populations in different settings such as withdrawal management, inpatient treatment programs, outpatient counseling programs, prisons and high schools. She has worked with both adolescents and adults providing substance use awareness, prevention and intervention services. Intervention services include individual and group counseling along with educational groups that focus on co-occurring disorders; those that are dealing with an addiction and/or anxiety, depression, and/or post-traumatic stress. Finally, Maria has also worked with individuals that were in or are in domestic violence situations. Maria practices the use of motivational enhancement consistent with a person’s specific stage of recovery in both addiction and mental health. Other practices include contingency management, relapse prevention and cognitive-behavioral techniques.

Cara Pagan, LAC
​Cara is a Licensed Associate Counselor who specializes in working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families. Cara holds a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Caldwell University. Her experience includes providing in home therapy as well as 8 years experience as a School Counselor and Student Assistance Counselor in elementary, middle and high schools. Cara is passionate about helping clients break through barriers to improve overall wellbeing. She utilizes a variety of counseling techniques custom to fit each clients needs with an emphasis on Solution Focused and Dialetical Behavioral Therapy. Her areas of expertise include assisting clients with anxiety, behavioral and intellectual disabilities, eating disorders, substance abuse/addiction, self harm, LGBTQ and transition, parent/child relationship, and women's issues.

Josephine Schiff, LCSW
Josephine Schiff is a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years experience. She has worked as a school social worker and private practitioner. Josephine has a BA from the University of Delaware, and earned her Social Work degree from Fordham University. She is a member of NASW and NJSCSW. Specializing in trauma and grief, she is Level 2 EMDR trained. Josephine has specialized training in developmental trauma and attachment focused therapy. Josephine is dedicated to help children, teens and adults acknowledge and heal from wounds – not the “Band Aid” ones, but the kind that leave an imprint on your heart and psyche.

Post-Doc Fellow
This member of our staff is a Psy.D. permit holder in the state of New Jersey, specializing in evidenced-based treatment of anxiety, depression, anger management, stress management, emotional regulation, behavioral difficulties, substance abuse, attachment, personality disorders, and treatment of those involved with the justice system. She works closely with adolescents, adults, and couples presenting with a diverse range of challenges. She guides her clients to a sense of self and the capacity to fulfill his or her own potential through the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and mindfulness. In her clinical work, she has supported adolescents, adults, and couples struggling with substance abuse, domestic violence, assault, sexual assault, relationship difficulties, mood disorders, personality disorders, and involvement with the justice system. She develops the therapeutic relationship with her clients by demonstrating empathy and comprehension of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, leading them to feel valued and understood. She approaches therapy in a friendly, approachable, and empathic manner, in which she works to guide her clients in exploring their thoughts and feelings and how they impact behavior. Her focus is to help others self-explore and identify barriers that are impeding on their growth in order to become empowered to take control of their lives.

​​Elaine Villano, LAC
Elaine Villano is a Licensed Associate Counselor who has been working in the mental health and addictions fields for the past four years providing clinical services to both adolescents and adults with a diverse range of challenges. She believes in helping clients increase their self-awareness and identify barriers that impede on personal growth and overall well-being by utilizing empirically based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectal Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution-Focused Therapy, and mindfulness. As a priority she develops a therapeutic relationship with her clients by demonstrating empathy and understanding of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, leading them to feel valued and understood.She believes in providing a client- centered approach tailored to the needs of the individual in order to attain the personal growth they desire. Her specialties include anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADD/ADHD, relational issues, grief and loss, addictions/substance abuse, and reactive attachment disorder.

​Newton Location:
​Jodina Brizell, LPC, LCADC
Jodina Brizell is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol Drug Counselor who is approaching her fifth year of experience in the mental health and substance abuse fields. Her work has focused on helping adolescents and adults in both individual and group settings to increase their self awareness and overall well being as they address life transitions, grief and loss, substance abuse, depression and anxiety. Her therapeutic approach is client-centered and direct, working to meet clients where they are. Jodina works with her clients to build on their existent strengths in conjunction with appropriate therapeutic interventions that address the individual client’s needs. She strives to make her clients feel respected, comfortable, and empowered to make positive changes in their lives.

​​Deanna Wilpert, LMFT
Deanna received her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Seton Hall University and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of New Jersey. She has six years experience working in the mental health field in an urban outpatient setting. While treating a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues, specific areas of interest include: child and adolescent issues; couples counseling; co-parenting and family conflict; developmental transitions; and grief and trauma based therapy. She also possesses extensive knowledge in treating depression, anxiety, and personality issues. Deanna provides clients with a safe and warm environment to gain support in coping with life’s difficult challenges. She emphasizes treatment toward empowerment, insight and self awareness, increasing effective communication skills, implementing effective coping strategies, psychoeducation, and healing emotional wounds. Deanna is highly trained in multiple disciplines in order to treat the needs of the client and strives to assist clients to ultimately discover and engage in healthy relationships with themselves and others.
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Lydia Buchalski, LCSW, LCADC
Lydia Trojanowski is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor by the state of New Jersey who has been involved in addiction treatment and treatment of those struggling with co-occurring disorders for several years. She specializes in addiction counseling, counseling for depression, anxiety, trauma, and for those struggling with mental illness. She has experience in providing therapy in individual and group atmospheres. Lydia utilizes a non-judgemental, strengths-based, trauma informed approach to provide a supportive and positive therapy environment.
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Holly Aschoff, LCSW
Holly Aschoff is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with the children, adolescent and adult populations. She has experience working with children who experienced trauma and/or witness trauma, anxiety and depression, many of which use self-harm and unsafe coping mechanisms. She also works with adults who are survivors of domestic violence, substance abuse and addictions, anxiety and depression, along with many other mental health issues and diagnoses. Holly works from a strengths-based client-centered perspective through the power of positivity. She believes that changing the way a person thinks through the use of evidence based modalities such as DBT, CBT, TF-CBT, and Seeking Safety techniques can decrease suffering by living life in the present moment. Holly has worked in schools K-12, worked with dully diagnosed substance abuse and domestic violence. She uses individual and family therapy in order to best meet the needs of her clients. Holly is a graduate of Columbia University School of Social Work where she holds a Masters degree in advanced clinical practice with a concentration in school-based social work. She continues training to expand her knowledge and expertise in a wide variety of mental health issues helping a wide variety of people suffering from many different mental health diagnosis.

Jennifer I. Obermiller, MS, LPC
Jennifer is a licensed clinician who is passionate about empowering individuals to overcome difficult life stressors. She has worked in the mental health field for over 10 years. She has extensive knowledge working with individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, children and adolescents. Jennifer has a background in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, as well as Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and Social Skills training. She has also assisted with outreach and advocacy in the community. For the past 5 years, she has been working at St. Clare’s Hospital in Boonton Township in the Children’s Crisis Intervention Unit (CCIS), providing various styles of therapy to children and adolescents.

Michele C McEntee, LMFT
Michele McEntee is a strength based, solution focused therapist who draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a main method to treatment. Michele received her BA degree in Psychology and minor in Early Childhood Education at New Jersey City University and her Masters from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, CA. She has been practicing therapy with children, adolescents and families for over 13 years and has had great success in supporting families to improve communication, behaviors and overall functioning. Areas of expertise are trauma, PTSD, divorce and other life transitions. Michele is energetic and playful in her delivery of service and aims to support clients to explore the solutions by increasing what is already working in your life.

Kelsey Cox, LAC
​Kelsey Cox comes to us with a wide range of practice and specialties having worked as a mental health professional in private practice, hospital intensive outpatient, school systems and offender reentry facilities. Her fresh and open approach to difficult life stories forage a unique therapeutic bond built on trust and support with children, adolescents, and adults alike. Utilizing a warm, eclectic style and experience with all walks of life, it is her aim to tailor each session to suit the individuals’ needs. Her practice is dedicated to the emotional and relational wellbeing of her clients. A focus on skill development, wellness based practices, resiliency, and fostering healthy connections are harnessed to promote greater health and happiness.
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​ Ashley Allen, MA, LPC
Ashley Allen is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 7 years of experience in the mental and behavioral health field in a community agency setting. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and her Masters in Counseling Psychology from Centenary College. She has extensive history working with children and families in-community crisis interventions providing case management, psychoeducation and out-patient psychotherapy. Ashley has worked attentively and empathetically with her clients in order to help them achieve treatment goals that have addressed low self-esteem, learning new coping skills, co-parenting, and reducing anxiety. She offers counseling services to adolescents, adults, and families. Ashley uses a strength base approach and trauma informed. Her Therapeutic orientation includes Solution-Focused and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address client’s needs. Ashley has experience with Anger Management, Adjustment Disorders, Mood Disorders, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Grief and Loss, and Family Therapy.

Gina Marra, LPC
Gina Marra is a licensed professional counselor with over seven years of experience in the mental health and substance abuse fields. Gina has worked with a wide span of ages and topics, with most of her experience being with adolescents and adults. She has experience with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues providing services that span from therapy for depression and grief counseling to parenting support, trauma related, co-occurring disorders and beyond. In a comfortable and supportive atmosphere, she offers a highly personalized approach tailored to each of her clients individual needs to help attain the personal growth they’re striving for. In addition, she has an excellent working relationship and reputation with Sussex County schools and the criminal justice system.

Jeany Lally, LPC
​Jeany Lally is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of NJ with experience counseling adolescents and adults. She is passionate about helping youth and women find healing, health and reaching their goals. Her experience includes working in emergency services helping those experiencing a mental health crisis. As well as working with women and adolescents who have experienced trauma. Including those who have survived human trafficking and domestic violence. She has also helped individuals who are experiencing depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and/or a mental health diagnosis. She has worked in the hospital, jail, outpatient counseling and community settings with both adults and at risk youth.

Jordan O’Neill, MSW, LSW
Jordan is a devoted and passionate advocate for mental health and has over 20 years’ experience in a variety of settings. As a licensed social worker in the state of New Jersey, Jordan has worked with adolescents, individuals, couples and families both in a private setting and in home. She has an extensive history of working with families and individuals in crisis, running therapeutic groups for grief and loss and tailoring sessions to meet the individuals’ needs. The areas that she has worked with most closely are: depression, anxiety, self-esteem, trauma, grief and loss. Jordan is a graduate of Columbia University School of Social Work and holds certifications in domestic violence, mental health screening and is a Grief Recovery Method Specialist.

Tasha Wehrenberg, LAC
​Tasha Wehrenberg is a licensed associate counselor with experience providing individual, couple, and family counseling. She has a passion for working with children, adolescents, and young adults. Her experience includes working with individuals with behavioral concerns, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, depressive and mood disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders, as well as relationship and family conflicts. Tasha believes that each client is unique and has different needs. To best meet each clients’ needs, she uses an integrative approach to counseling to incorporate techniques from various theoretical approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, rational emotive behavior therapy, psychodynamic, and solution focused brief therapy. She works to provide a supportive, positive, and empowering environment in order to help clients work through their struggles, emphasize strengths, and achieve their goals.