MEET OUR COUNSELORS
Jacqueline Baer, PhD, LMHC, NCC
Dr. Jacqueline Baer is an experienced licensed mental health counselor who focuses on helping individuals, couples and families reach a state of clarity and empowerment. From this space, Dr. Baer supports clients to make new choices, overcome obstacles, and build their most fulfilling lives. Dr. Baer works with all types of clients. She specializes in working with divorced women of all ages and all others who are looking to define themselves from a new place of strength. Dr. Baer also has teaching, leadership, and research experience in the field of mental health.
Dr. Vanessa Persaud, PhD, LMHC, NCC
Vanessa is an experienced licensed mental health counselor that specializes in substance abuse counseling, trauma counseling, and grief counseling. She is a multicultural counselor who seeks to enjoy creating a positive relationship with clients struggling with life stressors, adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, eating disorders, and trauma. Vanessa uses a wide range of therapeutic interventions to assist clients depending on their needs. These include cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused brief therapy, person centered therapy, and motivational interviewing. Additionally, Vanessa has a desire to connect and assist counselors-in-training and permit holders struggling in adjusting into the counseling field, countertransference issues, and wellness/self-care issues. She is holding both individual and group sessions to assist clients in need of her care.
Kevin Scott, MS, MHC-LP
Kevin is a Mental Health Counselor-Limited Permit Holder. Kevin has vast experience building trusting relationships through out his career as he was a Relationship Manager for JP Morgan for nine years. Now, he is truly devoted to his work and putting his clients first. Kevin has fought through his own difficulties of acceptance to adapt to daily functions while being visually impaired. As a clinician he is excited to bring the wisdom he has learned through his journey to help show his clients the hope for a brighter tomorrow.
Charmain Falode, MS, MHC- LP
Charmain is a Brit now residing in New York. She has an extensive background and experience in the performing arts in London and New York. Charmain has a BSc in Psychology from the University of East London. As well as a Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Alfred University, NY. She has sat on juvenile prevention panels in London. Mentored drama programs for a residential treatment facility. Whilst recently working with juveniles as well as adult populations with mild to severe mental health challenges. Charmain decided she wanted a “change.” Charmain likes to describe her journey into the world of mental health counseling as “A leap of faith into the unknown.” She has found her therapeutic style in cognitive behavioral therapy infused with a person-centered approach, alongside the desire to challenge and change a positive outlook and mental betterment for all.
Suzanne Griesner, MS, MHC-LP
Suzanne is a Mental Health Counselor, Limited Permit Holder. She utilizes a person-centered approach and has experience working with a wide range of clients. She recognizes the
importance of listening and how guiding clients through their therapeutic journey can help with healing. She believes in empowering clients and creating a safe space to talk freely about what they are going through. Her own life experiences have led her to find her passion in life – helping others. Suzanne has a passion for helping families gain the knowledge and understanding they need to thrive. She has worked with children and families for many years and sees the importance of connection, communication, and consistency. Suzanne has an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has worked as a caregiver and a teacher. She is married with two young children, which enables her to understand and empathize with the trials and tribulations of motherhood. Suzanne believes parents can best help their children by learning and utilizing specific tools. Her goal is to educate and empower parents with these tools, which will help them build their knowledge and confidence in raising healthy, well-adjusted, and successful children.
Hazel-Ann Lewis, MS, MHC-LP
Hazel-Ann is devoted to providing clients with empathetic, person-centered therapeutic services. She is interested in working with a range of clients (singles, couples, professionals and college students) in a supportive and non-judgmental environment to address depression, anxiety and stress, and other life issues. Hazel uses a person-centered approach to collaboratively support her clients in accomplishing their goals and overcoming challenges related to balance and wellness.
She aims to provide a safe space for her clients while supporting clients with identifying barriers and encouraging skill development. Hazel-Ann is currently a permit holder in Mental Health Counseling under supervision and is committed to maintaining confidentiality and operating under ethical guidelines.
Shari Steinert, MS, MHC-LP
Shari’s therapeutic orientation is person - centered. With children, she uses a play therapy approach, creating space for clients to work through big feelings and express themselves with words or through play. Shari holds a firm belief that all individuals have the ability and the desire to work through their difficulties with the guidance and support of an authentic, empathetic counselor. Shari has adopted this therapeutic approach as a result of her experience and understanding that the strength of the relationship between counselor and client is the most powerful therapeutic tool for all individuals.
Katia Dauphin, MS, MHC-LP
Katia’s life work is dedicated to the holistic wellness and growth of others. She began as a general ed teacher, advanced her training to become a special education teacher, then a school counselor, and most recently chair of the Committee of Special Education. Her educational experience ranges from children to adults and spans across 15 years. Her dedication to the wellness and growth of others presents itself in her advocacy for children who are differently-abled. Acting as a liaison between parents, the school, and the district, she ensured the educational programs in her district were centered on the children’s academic, social, and emotional needs. In her counseling, Katia uses a Cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based approach to help her clients navigate the obstacles of life. She is eager to provide a non-judgemental space for self-exploration, believing that everyone deserves the opportunity and tools to become their best selves.
Isabella Ciullo, MHC Intern
Isabella's interest in mental health dates back to her childhood as her grandfather saw clients in the back room of her home. With a growing interest, she began to read the books he kept in our basement, fascinated by different theories of mental health and approaches that can be taken. She was inspired by the amazing stories of people’s incredible life changes and successes after their hardships. As her education brought her to the doorstep of Molloy College, her course load was filled with psychology courses from general psychology to experimental psychology and everything in between. Leaving college, she knew that Mental Health Counseling was the path for her and that is when she took her next step to becoming a Clinical Mental Health Counselor by returning to Molloy for their Masters program. With the therapeutic relationship as a foundation, Isabella will take an integrative approach to utilize the best tools to help her clients reach their full potential. Her approach includes a combination of Person Centered and Cognitive Behavioral ideologies, intended to promote self exploration, client lead therapy, and the creation of safe space while also allowing the client to challenge themselves to refute interpretations of life that are not serving them and take action for positive change.
Isabella Ciullo, MHC Intern
Vera began in the beauty industry as a licensed cosmetologist. What she could not foresee back then was that the years of working in the beauty industry and meeting different people would be one of the reasons she is going back to school to get her accreditation in mental health counseling. Vera had the privilege of servicing many clients throughout the years who would open up to her during their hair services. She was so surprised by how many lives were wrapped up in struggle, pain, and dilemma. She was moved by each story and wanted to find a way to be helpful. Years later, Vera decided to go back to school and equip herself get with the tools she needed to help those who were struggling and looking for help. Vera's therapeutic focus utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Trauma Informed Motivational Interviewing Tools, and Person Centered Approach to help her clients navigate through life's challenges.
Brittany D'Angelis, MHC Intern
Brittany is dedicated to creating a safe and non-judgmental space where you can freely share your thoughts and feelings. Using positive regard and empathic listening, she aims to truly understand your experiences. She believes that your experiences and traumas shape who you become, and overcoming these challenges requires compassion and understanding. Recognizing the profound impact our thoughts have on our emotions, she focuses on identifying the underlying emotions behind your beliefs. It's essential to explore how your past impacts your present, and together, you can work towards healing and personal growth. She aspires to guide, educate, and support you in improving your overall functioning in life. At the heart of her practice is a belief in the power of human connection. She is committed to offering a compassionate space where you can be authentic and vulnerable and you can work together towards healing and growth.
Maria Romano, MHC Intern
Maria is a compassionate and skilled professional with experience as a bilingual school psychologist. This has deepened her desire to collaborate with individuals, families, and multidisciplinary teams to implement effective solutions to influence personal growth and learning. She has worked extensively with multilingual and multicultural communities, building trust and providing culturally responsive support to students and their families. Maria’s experience spans both direct services for children and adolescents and research contributions, including co-authoring a publication addressing the lack of diversity in school psychology. Her research reflects a commitment to inclusivity and an understanding of systemic challenges in mental health and education. Maria is passionate about early intervention and reflective counseling practices. She seeks to leverage her skills and experiences as a bilingual school psychologist to further her impact on the lives of individuals and families. She aims to contribute meaningfully to mental health counseling through empathetic care, evidence-based strategies, and a dedication to fostering resilience and self-efficacy in her clients.
Isabella Wood, MHC Intern
Isabella is a compassionate and collaborative professional who is dedicated to helping others reduce and challenge their negative cognitions. Isabella also works as School Counselor specializing in working with the Special Education population. With a trauma-informed approach, she integrates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques to foster emotional resilience and growth in her students. Isabella holds a Master's degree in School Counseling and is currently pursuing an Advanced Certificate in Licensed Mental Health Counseling, both from Alfred University. As someone who works in a school, Isabella has seen how large of a need there is for counseling outside of school to help children and their families overcome past trauma and prevent those experiences from causing negative consequences in their lives.