ABOUT
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in the bud
was more painful than the risk it took to blossom"
-Anais Nin-
Leslie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with extensive clinical experience ranging in various ages from children, teenagers and adults. Leslie can provide support for both individual and couples seeking counseling. Leslie's clinical experience includes working within a residential facility for at-risk youth and a community mental health clinic. This experience has allowed her to become therapeutically versatile within a wide range of populations. She has a particular interest in helping those struggling with life transitions, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, chronic illness, grief and health and wellness. She is also able to provide collaborative care through working within the community to include; medication management providers, other mental health professionals, integrative providers, school social workers and traditional medical doctors in order to help the client be supported as a whole. Like they say, it takes a village!
Leslie's training was deeply rooted in person-centered therapy and other evidenced-based theories which ground in the basic thoughts that the client knows themselves best and the importance of creating an authentic relationship for healing to flourish. She is focused on working with her clients through a holistic approach, and holds the belief that we are all a sum of all our experiences, thoughts, feelings, systems, supports and health. She works to help clients build skills and strategies that they can utilize to manage current struggles and discomfort. Leslie supports her clients through a strength-based approach, including psycho-education and reflection related to understanding our choices and how they manifest in our lives and interactions with others.
Leslie personally brings a dedication to the holistic model of wellness and dedication to self-care as a practitioner. She works hard to model wellness and remains committed to her own healing journey and willingness to take risks and continue to grow as a person. She is a mother, a lover of warm weather and sunshine, dance classes, cooking gluten-free and exploring alternative methods of healing such as essential oils, crystals and Reiki.
Education
State University of New York at Oswego
Masters of Science, Mental Health Counseling
State University of New York at New Paltz
Bachelors of Arts, Communication & Media
Memberships
-
New York Mental Health Counselors Association (NYMHCA)
-
American Counseling Association
Certifications & Professional Development
-
Certified Mandated Reporter
-
Certified First Aide Responder
-
Specialized Sexual Abuse Services trained (SSAS)
-
Residential Child Care Project (CARE) trained through partnerships with Cornell University
-
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) trained through partnerships with Cornell University
-
Risking Connection: Transforming Your Work with Survivors of Childhood Abuse
-
Co-facilitator for a graduate level course: Play Therapy I
-
Calming the Brain through Mindfulness: Rewire Emotions with the Power of Neuroplasticity
-
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) Certificate Course
-
Better Habits, Better Health: Preventing & Managing Chronic Illness
Media
-
In Good Health, Stressed-Out Kids: http://www.cnyhealth.com/features/stressed-out-kids/
-
Bloom Where you are Planted Podcast, Discussing Seasonal Affective Disorder:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bloompodcaster/Ep19_BWYAP_Leslie_Hereba.mp3
Maggie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with experience primarily working with young adults in the college setting, particularly undergraduate and graduate students. Maggie's training is rooted in a person-centered, humanistic and social justice-informed approach to therapy and this helps guide her when making connections with clients. Her experience's include working with individuals with presenting struggles such as anxiety, career counseling, codependency, depression, domestic abuse, life transitions, mood disorders, relationship concerns, and eating disorders. Maggie also has extensive experience working with individuals in the LGBTQ+ community and helping support individuals struggling with mental health concerns that arise as a result of societal oppression and marginalization.
Maggie has a deep belief that the human spirit is capable of infinite resilience. She believes the pain we feel and struggles we face do not have to define us. Maggie works to create a strong therapeutic alliance in order to foster trust, compassion, and safety necessary to begin the healing process. She believes there is is no "one size fits all" for healing and growth, so she works to personalize your therapeutic experience. Maggie works with clients to help them define their goals and illuminate avenues to work toward those goals in ways that a person may not have previously seen. In addition, she helps clients explore strategies to help people cope with the stressors of their lives and skills to engage in healthier patterns that improve their well-being.
Maggie personally connects to the idea that because life can challenge us with various struggles and pitfalls, that finding self-care strategies to keep you afloat is essential. Maggie connects with activities such as snuggling with her bear-sized puppy, going for a run, or cooking a delicious meal. She believes that identifying what makes us feel whole and working diligently to find breathing room to engage in those rejuvenating activities is so deeply important in the healing and growing process we're all a part of.
Education
State University of New York at Oswego
Masters of Science, Mental Health Counseling
State University of New York at Oswego
Bachelors of Science, Wellness Management
Memberships
-
International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Foundation
-
American Counseling Association
-
American College Counseling Association
Certifications & Professional Development
-
Certified Mandated Reporter
-
Certified Mental Health First Aide Trainer
-
When Violent Death Occurs: Supporting Grief Process for Individuals and Families
-
Subtle Discrimination and Microaggression: What Does it Mean for our Clients?
-
Empowering and Supporting the Engagement of Black Males in Their Own Treatment
-
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) for On-Campus Eating Disorders and Depression
-
Building Bridges through Group Work: Facilitating Courageous Conversation
Media
-
Bloom Where you are Planted Podcast, Teens, College & Anxiety: http://traffic.libsyn.com/bloompodcaster/Ep12_Bloom_Where_You_Are_Planted.mp3
Gillian is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) with experience working with children, teens, and adults in settings including school-based and in an outpatient community mental health and substance abuse clinic. Being able to work in these settings has allowed Gillian to work with people from a variety of backgrounds and with different presenting challenges. Gillian has experience working with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, personality disorders, substance use/abuse, self-esteem, stress, and goal attainment, while honoring and acknowledging each person’s unique experience.
Gillian’s training and therapeutic framework is trauma-informed and oriented in Person-Centered Therapy, allowing for each person to be their own catalyst for change, while supporting them on their journey toward healing and growth. She also incorporates other various evidence-based practices as well as mindfulness techniques in the effort to make each person’s experience unique and special. Gillian believes that one of the most important aspects in therapy is the therapeutic rapport and will make every effort to provide a safe, compassionate, and healing atmosphere.
Gillian believes the most important relationship we have is the relationship we have with ourselves. She subscribes to the notion that mindfulness and self-care are deeply important to feeling connected and grounded to the present moment. Gillian likes to devote some of her time to traveling, hiking, reading, writing and spending time with loved ones.
Education
St. John Fisher College
Masters of Science, Mental Health Counseling
Niagara University
Bachelors of Arts, Sociology
Memberships
-
National Board for Certified Counselors
Certifications and Professional Development
-
Certified Mandated Reporter
-
Teen Mental Health First Aid Certified
-
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Skills Course
-
Play Therapy Skills Course
-
Ethics for Addiction Counselors Certification
-
Cracked Not Broken: The Art of Living Mentally Well
Kimberly is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with experience working with children, teenagers, and adults in both individual and family therapy settings. Kimberly has gained clinical experience working across various settings including an outpatient mental health clinic, school-based mental health program, treatment focused foster care, and a child advocacy center. Kimberly has a specialized interest in working with clients who are seeking support for managing anxiety and depression, mood disorders, coping with chronic illness, processing grief/loss, navigating life transitions, exploring identity and self-worth, and with survivors of sexual abuse and individuals who have experienced societal oppression and marginalization.
Kimberly’s training is rooted in person-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed interventions, which recognize and honor the innate resilience and inner wisdom of her clients. With a background in visual arts and music she also appreciates incorporating the healing power of the creative arts into her practice. She believes that healing can come in many different forms, with therapy being one part of a whole. Kimberly is interested in helping her clients identify and incorporate complementary forms of healing into their life using a holistic framework. Through the process of building a trusting and compassionate therapeutic relationship, Kimberly works to create a safe space where her clients can examine their values, thought patterns, behaviors, coping strategies, and goals in order to connect to the most authentic version of themselves.
Personally, Kimberly works hard to nurture her own growth and self-care, by engaging in activities that bring her joy and remind her of our interconnectedness with the natural world. In her free time, you can find Kimberly singing, creating art, snuggling with her cat, gardening, reading a good book, walking in the woods, practicing yoga, and cooking plant-based meals for her family and friends.
Education
Arcadia University
Masters of Arts, Mental Health Counseling
State University of New York at Fredonia
Bachelors of Arts, Visual Arts & New Media
Memberships
-
American Counseling Association
-
Association for Creativity in Counseling
Certifications and Professional Development
-
Certified Mandated Reporter
-
Graduate Certificate in Child/Family Therapy
-
Graduate Certificate in Trauma: Clinical Bases of Treatment and Recovery
-
Child Centered Play Therapy 2-Day Intensive Training
-
TF-CBT Web-Based Learning Course
-
3-Day Intensive Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Community Intervention Project
-
Story & Stretch Yoga for Children 2-Day Workshop
-
Introduction to the Nurtured Heart Approach for Professionals
ABOUT
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in the bud
was more painful than the risk it took to blossom"
-Anais Nin-
Leslie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with extensive clinical experience ranging in various ages from children, teenagers and adults. Leslie can provide support for both individual and couples seeking counseling. Leslie's clinical experience includes working within a residential facility for at-risk youth, a community mental health clinic and private practice work. This experience has allowed her to become therapeutically versatile within a wide range of populations and treatment focus. She has a particular interest in helping those struggling with life transitions, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, chronic illness, grief and health and wellness. She is also able to provide collaborative care through working with other practitioners and medical providers in the community in order to help the client be supported as a whole. Like they say, it takes a village!
Leslie's training was deeply rooted in person-centered therapy and other evidenced-based theories which are grounded in the basic principal that the client is the expert in themselves and the belief that each one of us has access to our own inner wisdom given the right environment to explore it . Leslie believes in the importance of creating an authentic and safe relationship for healing to flourish. She is focused on working with her clients through a holistic approach, and holds the belief that we are all a sum of all our experiences, thoughts, feelings, systems, supports and health. She believes that the mind cannot be separate from the body and utilizes interventions that helps support that connection. Leslie uses an eclectic approach to treatment from psychoeducation, skill building, cognitive behavioral strategies and strength-based interventions to deep dives into family systems, psychoanalytical approaches, dream work, art therapy and existentialism.
Leslie personally brings a dedication to the holistic model of wellness and dedication to self-care as a practitioner. She works hard to model wellness and remains committed to her own healing journey and willingness to take risks and continue to grow as a person. She is a mother, a lover of warm weather and sunshine, dance classes, cooking gluten-free and exploring alternative methods of healing such as essential oils, crystals, sounds healing and Reiki.
Education
State University of New York at Oswego
Masters of Science, Mental Health Counseling
State University of New York at New Paltz
Bachelors of Arts, Communication & Media
Memberships
-
New York Mental Health Counselors Association (NYMHCA)
-
American Counseling Association
Certifications & Professional Development
-
Certified Grief Counseling Specialist
-
Certified Mandated Reporter
-
Certified First Aide Responder
-
Specialized Sexual Abuse Services trained (SSAS)
-
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) trained through partnerships with Cornell University
-
Risking Connection: Transforming Your Work with Survivors of Childhood Abuse
-
Co-facilitator for a graduate level course: Play Therapy I
-
Calming the Brain through Mindfulness: Rewire Emotions with the Power of Neuroplasticity
-
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) Certificate Course
-
Better Habits, Better Health: Preventing & Managing Chronic Illness
-
Forbidden Conversations: Sex, Death & Money
-
Safe & Connected: A Polyvagal Guided Path for ReImagining our World
-
Internal Family Systems: A step-by-step Procedures for Healing
-
Psychedelics in Therapy: MDMA, Psilocybin, Ketamine, MicroDosing & More
Media
-
In Good Health, Stressed-Out Kids:
http://www.cnyhealth.com/features/stressed-out-kids/
-
Podcast Guest: Bloom Where you are Planted,Seasonal Affective Disorder:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bloompodcaster/Ep19_BWYAP_Leslie_Hereba.mp3
-
Podcast Guest: NEXT STEP Leadership:
https://youtu.be/CiqmlGpvbtU
Maggie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with experience primarily working with young adults in the college setting, in addition to adults within various ages and stages of life. Maggie's training is rooted in a person-centered, humanistic and social justice-informed approach to therapy and this helps guide her when making connections with clients. Her experience's include working with individuals with presenting struggles such as anxiety, career counseling, codependency, depression, domestic abuse, life transitions, mood disorders, relationship concerns, and eating disorders. Maggie also has extensive experience working with individuals in the LGBTQ+ community and helping support individuals struggling with mental health concerns that arise as a result of societal oppression and marginalization.
Maggie has a deep belief that the human spirit is capable of infinite resilience. She believes the pain we feel and struggles we face do not have to define us. Maggie works to create a strong therapeutic alliance in order to foster trust, compassion, and safety necessary to begin the healing process. She believes there is is no "one size fits all" for healing and growth, so she works to personalize your therapeutic experience. Maggie works with clients to help them define their goals and illuminate avenues to work toward those goals in ways that a person may not have previously seen. In addition, she helps clients explore strategies to help people cope with the stressors of their lives and skills to engage in healthier patterns that improve their well-being.
Maggie personally connects to the idea that because life can challenge us with various struggles and pitfalls, that finding self-care strategies to keep you afloat is essential. Maggie connects with activities such as snuggling with her bear-sized puppy, going for a run, or cooking a delicious meal. She believes that identifying what makes us feel whole and working diligently to find breathing room to engage in those rejuvenating activities is so deeply important in the healing and growing process we're all a part of.
Education
State University of New York at Oswego
Masters of Science, Mental Health Counseling
State University of New York at Oswego
Bachelors of Science, Wellness Management
Memberships
-
American Counseling Association
-
American College Counseling Association
Certifications & Professional Development
-
Certified Mandated Reporter
-
Certified Mental Health First Aide Trainer
-
When Violent Death Occurs: Supporting Grief Process for Individuals and Families
-
Subtle Discrimination and Microaggression: What Does it Mean for our Clients?
-
Empowering and Supporting the Engagement of Black Males in Their Own Treatment
-
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) for On-Campus Eating Disorders and Depression
-
Building Bridges through Group Work: Facilitating Courageous Conversation
Media
-
Bloom Where you are Planted Podcast, Teens, College & Anxiety: http://traffic.libsyn.com/bloompodcaster/Ep12_Bloom_Where_You_Are_Planted.mp3
Natasha Cunningham, MSED, MHC, received her Master’s level education from Lynn University. She then pursued further education from Saint Bonaventure University, obtaining her second masters in Mental Health Counseling. She has been dedicated to assisting and advocating for vulnerable populations, with clients across the lifespan, for the last 7 years. Natasha spent a few years working in a residential setting, with clients who were dually diagnosed and unable to remain safe in their homes. She then spent time working as a behavioral specialist, providing therapy for clients who were diagnosed with an intellectual developmental disability. For the last few years, Natasha has been working with Central New York’s mobile crisis unit and has contributed to the success of our regions crisis system as well as coordination of care. She has worked alongside EMS and Law Enforcement using a dual response modal to help clients who are experiencing crises. Natasha has also served in the military. From her previous experience, she brings a vast knowledge of resources that are available to our community.
Natasha has developed her therapeutic style using a psychodynamic approach. Natasha is experienced in working with client’s who have a trauma history. She is passionate about working with clients who are from different cultural backgrounds. Natasha is also experienced in working with client’s who are suffering from anxiety, depression, substance abuse concerns and mood disorders. Natasha is passionate about working with underdeveloped, underserved, marginalized communities. She has spent time volunteering in East Africa, where she worked at Port Reitz Sub-County Mental Hospital, trying to advocate for change. While in East Africa, she also volunteered in local orphanages, and conducted mental health clinics at primary and secondary schools.
Natasha believes deeply in taking care of herself using her own personal self-care techniques. She loves to spend time in the gym, going for nature hikes, reading psychological thrillers, snuggling with her cats, playing with her dog, and spending quality time with her family.
Education
Saint Bonaventure University
Masters of Science, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Lynn University
Masters of Science in Applied Psychology, specialization in Industrial Organizational Psychology
Columbia College
Bachelors of Arts, Psychology
Memberships
-
American Counseling Association
-
Chi Sigma Iota
Certifications and Professional Development
-
Certified Mandated Reporter
Michaela is a Masters level therapist. Michaela comes to us with experience working in human service agencies in the Oswego community for 10 years. Michaela spent several years working for Oswego County Opportunities, with clients across the lifespan. Michaela assisted clients in accessing housing, community services, resources, as well as reproductive and mental health care. Often working with clients in crisis, Michaela has intimate knowledge of resources that are available in this county and beyond.
Michaela is passionate about working in our community to advocate for clients’ rights in all areas of their life. Michaela is experienced in working with client’s with an extensive trauma history, as well as clients experiencing challenges in the areas of sexuality, family dynamics, and eating disorders, as well as helping break shame and anger cycles. Michaela also as experience working with tweens and teens with suicidal ideation or self harm
Michaela enjoys movement and mindfulness activities and loves incorporating them into work with clients who desire to connect to their body. Michaela is person centered and trauma informed in her approach to working with clients, while bringing in solution focused techniques to help clients who desire to break through old patterns, habits, and beliefs. Michaela believes we possess infinite potential, and that we could all benefit from more connection to our body, and belief in our own intuition. In her free time, Michaela enjoys spending time out in nature with her daughter, usually looking for waterfalls, or de-stressing with movement like dance or yoga.
Education
State University of New York at Oswego
Masters of Science, Mental Health Counseling
Certificate of Advanced Study, Interdisciplinary Trauma Studies
Certificate of Advanced Study, Behavioral Forensics
State University of New York at Oswego
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
Memberships
-
AASECT (American Association of Sexuality Educators Counselors and Therapists)
Certifications and Professional Development
-
Gottman Level 1 Trained
-
Yoga for All instructor
-
Kidding Around Yoga instructor
-
Mental Health First Aid Trained
-
Center for Radical Healing Trauma Informed Yoga Practitioner
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Graduate of Yoga Farm Ithaca 200hr Yoga Immersion Program
-
The Body Project Facilitator
-
Treating Complex Trauma Beyond Competency
-
Nutritional Ethneogens & Integrative Medicine for Mental Health Professionals
-
Somatic and Energy Therapies
-
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Skills Course
Emily received her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Antioch University. Her education placed emphasis on social justice and person-centered approaches. She also received a certificate in trauma counseling through her concentration. She has experience working with clients dealing with traumatic experiences, anxiety, OCD, and depression. Emily has previously interned with a therapeutic after-school program for children aged 7 to 12.
Emily believes that we all create our own meaning from life's challenges. She is dedicated to honoring a person's background and culture while working with clients to achieve their goals. She adapts her approach to the client's needs while exploring ways to change the patterns that keep people stuck. Emily believes that we are all incredibly resilient and aims to assist clients on their journey towards their version of healing.
Emily believes that self-care must include being true to ourselves and engaging in activities that fuel us. For her, this includes spending time with her loved ones, exploring the great outdoors, caring for her houseplants, and working on craft projects.
Education
Antioch University New England
Masters of Arts, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Certificate in Trauma Counseling
Bridgewater State University
Bachelor of Science, Psychology
Memberships
American Counseling Association
Certifications and Professional Development
Certified Mandated Reporter
John Hopkins Psychological First Aid Course
Kerry is an intern pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Cazenovia College. She gravitates toward cognitive behavioral therapy, using mindfulness and strength-based techniques. It’s important to her that clients feel heard, validated, and encouraged throughout the therapy process. This type of support can be experienced through a person-centered approach.
Previously, Kerry has interned in a college counseling center where she worked with her supervisor and students in individual and group settings. The goal was to alleviate the challenges that are common among college students such as anxiety, depression, OCD, college stress, self-esteem, friendship/relationship concerns, and stressors at home. She currently works with young children in an early childhood development program where she enjoys helping them learn and watching them grow.
In her free time, Kerry loves to get outside, play with her puppies, do small craft projects, relax with her family, and travel. During her undergraduate, she was able to experience two winter semesters abroad in Mexico and Belize. In Mexico, she took Spanish courses and was fortunate to be able to experience Latin American culture through exploration and weekend excursions. In Belize, Kerry worked as an intern at a community non-profit whose mission was to spread awareness and provide support for common issues in the community. The organization focused on those affected by hunger, poverty, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, and financial challenges that prevent proper education.
Education
Cazenovia College
Master of Science, Clinical Mental Health Counseling (in progress)
State University of New York at Buffalo
Bachelor of Arts and Sciences, Social Sciences Interdisciplinary: International Studies
Minor in Business Management, Jacobs School of Management
Memberships
-
American Counseling Association
Certifications and Professional Development
-
Certified Mandated Reporter
-
Foundations in Health and Safety, NYS Office of Children and Family Services
Katherine is an intern from Walden University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program. Katherine’s concentration at Walden is in trauma and crisis management. She believes in holistic wellness and treating one’s physical, emotional, and spiritual health. During her undergraduate work, she completed an internship working with adults struggling with substance use and addiction. During this time, she gained experience and knowledge related to the unique challenges of those battling addiction including, co-existing mental health conditions, barriers to treatment, associated stigma, and the importance of a holistic approach to treatment. She has also worked with neurodiverse children and adolescents as a horseback riding instructor and is interested in gaining more experience working with individuals on the spectrum, with ADHD, and other neuro-developmental challenges.
Katherine believes in acceptance and will meet you where are to help guide you on your path to mental wellness. She is eager to learn and gain more experience working with individuals of all ages, and those seeking support with a variety of concerns including, anxiety, depression, relationships, families, and more.
In her free time, Katherine enjoys spending time with her teenage son and two cats. She has a green thumb and loves to garden and care for her plants. She practices mindfulness and enjoys exploring nature.
Education
Walden University
Masters of Science, Clinical Mental Health Counseling (in progress)
Walden University
Bachelor of Science, Psychology
Memberships
-
American Counseling Association
-
Chi Sigma Iota
Certifications and Professional Development
-
Certified in Suicide Triage, QPR
-
Certified in Basic Life Support
-
Certified Mandated Reporter