The Counseling Center Group
Presents:
The Counseling Center of
New York
Accepting Therapy Clients in-person or virtually
Counseling Center Group
Counseling Center Group
Transform Your Life with Evidence-Based Therapy
We are the Counseling Center of New York®. We specialize in providing evidence-based therapy to help improve your quality of life and mental health! Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or grief; our team will provide new insights that enable change at all levels.
Our NY Therapy Specialties and Services:
The Counseling Center Group® is a practice dedicated to providing professional counseling therapy services. Our skilled therapists bring many years of experience from a wide variety of specialty areas. It is our philosophy that many clients can benefit from specific tools and then use those tools in their everyday life. Therefore, we do our best to empower you to live your life without the need for prolonged therapy.
Individual Therapy
Couples Therapy
Group Therapy
Accelerated Resolution Therapy
The process is shorter than traditional therapy and is very effective in resolving trauma. The therapist guides the client through a series of eye movements that help to release the emotional impact of the trauma. The therapist also helps the client to reframe the event so that it no longer has the same emotional charge.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Children (DBT-C)
Eye Movement Desensitize/Reprocess Therapy (EMDR)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy-Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PE)
In DBT-PE, clients initially work with the therapist to establish safety and gain the skills needed to cope with addressing trauma. While continuing in all modes of standard DBT, DBT-PE then addresses memories and beliefs related to the client’s trauma history.
Parent Child Interaction (PCIT) Therapy
Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) Therapy
Gottman Method Couples Therapy
The Gottman Method is a form of couples therapy that was developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman based on over 40 years of research on what makes relationships work. It focuses on emotionally supportive communication and understanding each partner’s needs in order to foster a healthy relationship.
Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT) Therapy
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Therapy
Emotional Fitness Program (EFP) Therapy
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
ART draws from several existing therapeutic approaches in order to reprogram how our brain stores upsetting memories or images to reduce the severity of distressing reactions. It combines elements of traditional talk therapy with creative activities to help us process difficult experiences and learn healthier coping skills. ART focuses on the connection between our thoughts, feelings, behavior, and body sensations.
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Therapy
Our Therapists Near New York City
ALEXIS SANTIAGO-AUTAR
CLINICAL DIRECTOR NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY
To book an appointment with
ALEXIS SANTIAGO-AUTAR
Alexis is the Clinical Director for the Counseling Center Group of New York. She has 15 years of experience providing clinical services to children and families. Alexis’ approach to treatment is creating a non-judgmental and validating environment that promotes cognitive and behavioral change.
Alexis has been intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) through Behavioral Tech. Additionally, she has been trained in the DBT modification for children (DBT-C), also through Behavioral Tech. While well versed in DBT practice, Alexis is also trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and Prolonged Exposure. She has extensive experience working with children and adults who have experienced trauma. Having worked in the child welfare field for over 10 years, Alexis has worked with various types of traumas. This includes sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and child sex trafficking and exploitation. She has also integrated DBT practice into 5 child welfare programs. Prior to her work in the child welfare field, Alexis provided addiction counseling to adolescents and adults.
Alexis graduated from Union College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience and received her Master’s degree in Social Work from Fordham University. Alexis also is an adjunct professor at both Fordham University and SUNY Stony Brook teaching clinical classes to Master’s level students. These classes include CBT, Trauma, Suicide Assessment and Prevention, and Child and Adolescent Development. In addition to her teaching role at both schools, she is a trainer at Fordham and Stony Brook. Alexis trains other licensed professionals on various diagnoses and treatment modalities. She also consults for a not-for-profit agency that provides treatment for children and adolescents who have experienced sex trafficking and exploitation.
Alexis resides in the suburbs of NYC raising her two children and spending quality time with her family.
To book an appointment with Alexis Santiago-Autar, email info@ccgrouptherapy.com, or call us at 888-604-6776.
LAUREN MACKIE
SHE/HER/HERS
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LAUREN MACKIE
Lauren is passionate about working with adolescents and adults who are navigating stressful life changes, mood disorders, anxiety/panic disorders, depression, suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts, schizophrenia, personality disorders, and crisis intervention. Lauren enjoys working with clients individually and in groups, and she has experience working in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Through DBT, Lauren teaches skills to help her clients adapt to and stabilize dysregulated emotions. She uses a strengths-based approach, meeting the client where they are, while also allowing them the space and self-determination to create the changes they envision. She believes in a client-centered approach, acknowledging that her clients are the expert in their own lives. With this fundamental belief, she carefully and collaboratively searches for the understanding of complex internal issues, while offering the skills to overcome them.
Lauren also incorporates psychodynamic theories and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and feels her success with clients is strengthened by utilizing different skill sets and theoretical frameworks, as applicable. She believes that with a non-judgmental environment, deep empathetic listening, and honest exploration, her clients can experience profound change and make progress towards fulfilling, meaningful lives.
Lauren received her Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania after completing her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Emory University. She completed Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) training at the University of Pennsylvania and through Behavioral Tech.
To book an appointment with Lauren Mackie, email info@ccgrouptherapy.com, or call us at 888-604-6776.
SAM VAUGHN
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SAM VAUGHN
Crisis Intervention, Individual Therapy
Sam is a licensed social worker who has worked in various clinical, management, and supervisory positions in clinical and community settings. He previously ran the day-to-day operations of the Erie County Domestic Violence Rape Crisis Center and Non-Residential Domestic Violence provider for New York State, which serviced the statewide hotlines for Domestic and Sexual Violence.
While in this role, he coordinated crisis intervention at eight area hospital emergency rooms and provided support services 24 hours a day, 365 days a week. In addition, he started one of five PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) Hotline services in the country and helped develop a new way for incarcerated individuals to report sexual assault while incarcerated.
Following his departure from this position, he joined an agency doing forensic mental health evaluations and treatment for individuals and groups involved in the criminal justice process. He is trained in the globally-used, evidenced-based assessment actuaries: STATIC-99R, STABLE-2007, and ACUTE-2007.
In addition to working with patients individually, he also supervised forensic and chemical dependency clinics, which have more than 750 patients admitted yearly. He is in the process of completing an 18-month intensive course and practicum with the Linehan Institute to receive his certification in DBT.
To book an appointment with Sam Vaughn, email info@ccgrouptherapy.com, or call us at 888-604-6776.
MELANIE EISMAN
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MELANIE EISMAN
Individual Therapy, Group Therapy, Family Therapy
Melanie provides individual, group, and family therapy. She is extremely passionate about working with adolescents, young adults and adults dealing with life transitions, relationship and peer issues, and failure to launch. Melanie specializes in and is passionate about helping individuals navigate their anxieties, depression, dating and relationship concerns, work stress and career changes, and other monumental life transitions. Melanie also has experience working with patients to manage their OCD.
Prior to joining CCG, Melanie obtained years of experience working with children, adolescents and adults. She integrates traditional psychotherapy with a myriad of techniques to help clients channel their inner strength and make positive and desired changes in their lives. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Melanie also utilizes mindfulness, strengths-based, and eclectic approaches with her clients.
Melanie is warm and attentive, and she goes above and beyond in her work to meet her patients where they are. Melanie believes that rapport with a therapist is extremely important, and she strives to create a safe space where her clients feel comfortable to share and evolve. Melanie recognizes that coming to therapy is a big step for some, and she acknowledges that both everyday life and big transitions can be difficult to manage. She is here to help navigate these transitions and changes.
Melanie received her Bachelor of Science from Penn State University and Master’s Degree in Social Work from Columbia University. During her ten years in New York City, she gained significant experience working in school settings, outpatient mental health clinical settings, and Adult and Pediatric inpatient hospitals.
SHELBY WILLOUGHBY
SHE/HER/HERS
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SHELBY WILLOUGHBY
Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Individual Therapy
Shelby is a Licensed Master of Social worker in both Maryland and New York. She provides her services predominately through individual therapy but believes in bringing in chosen family systems to promote healing in the form of couples and family therapy. She primarily uses strength based/solution focused interventions, attachment and relational theories, and experiential therapy.
Shelby’s passion and strengths are working with the LGBTQIA+ community, eating disorders, self-discovery, anxiety, depression, grief, and relational and social difficulties. She enjoys working with individuals who identify in struggling with life adjustments and social connectedness.
Shelby’s experience is working with LQBTQIA+, eating disorders, trauma, anxiety, and grief. She firmly believes that understanding the body’s response to life experiences and being informed on how your body functions in times of stress is the basis of reforming and creating an authentic self. Shelby has over 5 years of experience working with adults and teens who have struggled with binge eating, purging, anorexia, orthorexia, excessive exercise, OSFED, ARFID and body image in settings like partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient. Shelby also completes evaluations to determine if you or your loved one is in need of more intensive/supportive eating disorder services. Her passion is to ensure that patients are supported, connected, and in the right level of treatment for recovery.
Shelby also offers bariatric evaluations that are required for the surgical process. She offers this service to help determine readiness, address any concerns for underlying eating disorder behavior, pre/post therapeutic support, and explore options outside of surgery. She also works with your current team to help support this journey.
As a social worker and trauma-educated therapist, Shelby believes it is imperative to utilize different modalities to create a safe, supportive, and trauma-aware space to begin healing. Shelby collaborates with teens, adults, and families to help build supportive communication, establish reconnection, problem solve, and make positive decisions. She is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy to continue to assist patients’ needs.
She received her Bachelor of Science in psychology, human services, and political science from Elmira College and her MSW from Keuka College. During her years of work, she has gained significant experience in outpatient, partial hospitalization, and substance abuse clinic settings.
JESSICA HADDAD
SHE/HER/HERS
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JESSICA HADDAD
Jessica is deeply passionate about working with children, adolescents, and adults who are experiencing anxiety, depression, suicidality, grief, trauma, substance use, mood disorders, personality disorders, relational issues, emotional regulation impairment, and life transitions. In addition, Jessica is experienced working with those who identify as part of the LBGTQIA+ community in all stages of life.
She has a strength-based approach, meaning she identifies her clients strengths and collaboratively assists in applying those strengths in various aspects of their lives. She also values a client-centered approach, which puts her clients first and prioritizes their needs and values. Jessica incorporates Mindfulness and Trauma-Informed practice into her sessions. Additionally, she embraces a holistic person-in-environment perspective in order to assess all aspects of her clients lives that interconnect. Jessica implements Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Theory (Attachment theory, Structural Theory), and Structural Family Therapy into her sessions.
Jessica is attentive, caring, and skillful. She values creating a nonjudgmental environment where her clients can be validated and have the space to both feel and speak freely. Jessica strives to empower her clients to achieve their most fulfilling goals. She believes that the client-therapist relationship is one of the most critical factors in therapy, and that it has a direct effect on the efficiency of the therapeutic work and its lasting outcomes. She acknowledges how difficult it can be to find the right therapist and commends you for your bravery in this process.
Jessica earned her Master of Social Work from The University of Pennsylvania. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Studio Arts from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Jessica completed Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) training through Behavioral Tech and at The University of Pennsylvania. She has experience working in various settings at multiple levels of care, including inpatient hospitals, outpatient care, partial hospitalization programs, substance use warmlines, and elementary schools.
To book an appointment with Jessica Haddad, email info@ccgrouptherapy.com, or call us at 888-604-6776.
LUCY NONAS-BARNES
SHE/HER/HERS
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LUCY NONAS-BARNES
Lucy knows that therapy is not one size fits all and is committed to creating a safe environment for her clients to process, accept, and grow. Lucy works with adolescents, adults, and families experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, mood disorders, personality disorders and is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and DBT for Children (DBT-C) through Behavioral Tech. For the past 6 years, Lucy has worked with clients who are involved in the child welfare system, incarcerated, and in a trauma intensive outpatient program (IOP).
Lucy is passionate, patient, and persistent. She encourages her clients to work toward change while learning to accept and love themselves through validation and encouragement. Lucy enters sessions with a non-judgmental mindset, encouraging clients to challenge judgments and reframe their thoughts when needed. Importantly, Lucy understands that every person has a different experience and values that the client is the expert in his/her/their own life.
Lucy earned her BA from the University of Michigan and her MSW from Columbia University School of Social Work where she graduated from the DBT Training Lab. Lucy is currently working toward her PhD in Social Work at Rutgers University.
To book an appointment with Lucy Nonas-Barnes, email info@ccgrouptherapy.com, or call us at: 888-604-6776.
RACHEL KOEHN
SHE/HER/HERS
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RACHEL KOEHN
Rachel’s expertise lies in helping clients who are struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma related stressors, personality disorders, life transitions, lack of motivation, navigating relationships, body image, and self-esteem. Rachel believes that therapy is a collaborative process built on trust, empathy, and acceptance. She aims to tailor a practice that is specific to a client’s needs while focusing on their existing strengths.
Her therapeutic style can be described as psychodynamic. She incorporates elements of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and is mindfulness trained and oriented. She is also certified in eye-movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) trauma therapy as well. She received her training through the Center for Excellence in 2021.
Rachel has extensive training and dedication to helping clients of all backgrounds who are struggling with disordered eating and body image issues through mindfulness, self-compassion, and loving kindness. She leads a Body Image Group at the Counseling Center Group. The is an open-ended process group focusing on issues related to the relationship between body image and self-esteem. The clients in this group will:
- practice mindful self-compassion
- complete creative activities and prompts
- set goals related to improving one’s body image and sense of self
- support one another in the accomplishment of these goals
This group is designed specifically for clients with concerns regarding their body image, disordered eating, body dysmorphia, etc.
Rachel received her Master of Social Work from Fordham University in New York after completing her bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Human Development Family studies at Penn State- Main Campus.
To book an appointment with Rachel Koehn, email info@ccgrouptherapy.com, or call us at: 888-604-6776.
