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Psychological and metal health Services providers

Our Dedicated Staff

Dr. DeSantis’ career started as an emergency and trauma registered nurse. She left the nursing field because of a strong desire to help others in a different way and she attained her doctorate in clinical psychology from Adelphi University in 2004. She established this practice in 2006 to focus on both clinical and forensic areas. Her clinical areas of expertise are mood disorders, anxiety disorders, relationship problems, couples counseling, post-traumatic stress, personality disorders, stressors unique to law enforcement personnel, addictions of all types, and sexual issues. 

On the forensic side, her specialty is in all types of criminal behavior, profiling, psychological assessments, psychosexual assessments, risk to the community assessments, and treatment of mandated clients who present with substance abuse problems, mental health issues, or sexual crimes. The treatment she provides is eclectic based where various empirically proven approaches are used that are solely dependent on the client’s individual needs and abilities to achieve a positive outcome. Dr. DeSantis selects staff members carefully and they all believe that people deserve to be treated without judgment regardless of their racial, ethnic, cultural, sexual orientation, or presenting problem is. “People do not fit neatly into textbook theory or pre-constructed boxes. Every person is unique and that needs to be respected by clinicians without bias. One person’s needs and issues are not the same as someone else’s.”

Theresa DeSantis, Ph.D. - Director

Dr. DeSantis’ career started as an emergency and trauma registered nurse. She left the nursing field because of a strong desire to help others in a different way and she attained her doctorate in clinical psychology from Adelphi University in 2004. She established this practice in 2006 to focus on both clinical and forensic areas. Her clinical areas of expertise are mood disorders, anxiety disorders, relationship problems, couples counseling, post-traumatic stress, personality disorders, stressors unique to law enforcement personnel, addictions of all types, and sexual issues. On the forensic side, her specialty is in all types of criminal behavior, profiling, psychological assessments, psychosexual assessments, risk to the community assessments, and treatment of mandated clients who present with substance abuse problems, mental health issues, or sexual crimes. The treatment she provides is eclectic based where various empirically proven approaches are used that are solely dependent on the client’s individual needs and abilities to achieve a positive outcome. Dr. DeSantis selects staff members carefully and they all believe that people deserve to be treated without judgment regardless of their racial, ethnic, cultural, sexual orientation, or presenting problem is. “People do not fit neatly into textbook theory or pre-constructed boxes. Every person is unique and that needs to be respected by clinicians without bias. One person’s needs and issues are not the same as someone else’s.”
John joined the practice in 2012. He oversees both office locations, assists the Director with administrative tasks, takes care of all insurance matters and billing, and he provides important administrative functions that serve as support for the therapists staff.

John Ratonel - Office Manager

John joined the practice in 2012. He oversees both office locations, assists the Director with administrative tasks, takes care of all insurance matters and billing, and he provides important administrative functions that serve as support for the therapists staff.
John received his Mental Health Counseling Degree from Adelphi University and he is also a Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). John joined the practice part-time in 2011. He has many years of experience working with all aspects of psychological distress, mood disorders, anxiety, relationships, domestic violence, addictions, and the criminal and sex offender population. He assists clients to gain insight toward how stressors interact with the environment, personality, and behavior. Through achieving this understanding, clients are able to implement the necessary tools to minimize symptoms and/or addictive behaviors. John believes that effective therapy stems from a trusting relationship between the therapist and client, and the clinical approach taken is dictated by each individual’s need.

John Marino, LMHC, CASAC

John received his Mental Health Counseling Degree from Adelphi University and he is also a Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). John joined the practice part-time in 2011. He has many years of experience working with all aspects of psychological distress, mood disorders, anxiety, relationships, domestic violence, addictions, and the criminal and sex offender population. He assists clients to gain insight toward how stressors interact with the environment, personality, and behavior. Through achieving this understanding, clients are able to implement the necessary tools to minimize symptoms and/or addictive behaviors. John believes that effective therapy stems from a trusting relationship between the therapist and client, and the clinical approach taken is dictated by each individual’s need.
Christina received her Mental Health Counseling Degree at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Some of her specialties include anxiety, mood disorders, depression, relationship issues, trauma, personality disorders, addictions, and sexual problems. Christina’s approach to treatment is using research based Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques to assist clients who are motivated to reach goals for positive change. She believes that, when a client enters treatment, they are functioning at the highest level possible at that moment and, through effective therapy, the client will make consistent positive progress until their ultimate goals are achieved.

Christina Minervini-Bertin, LMHC, CCHP

Christina received her Mental Health Counseling Degree at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Some of her specialties include anxiety, mood disorders, depression, relationship issues, trauma, personality disorders, addictions, and sexual problems. Christina’s approach to treatment is using research based Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques to assist clients who are motivated to reach goals for positive change. She believes that, when a client enters treatment, they are functioning at the highest level possible at that moment and, through effective therapy, the client will make consistent positive progress until their ultimate goals are achieved.
Valerie received her degree in Forensic Mental Health Counseling from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She specializes and has experience working with personality disorders, mood disorders, trauma, anxiety, depression, sexual problems, family and relationship problems, crisis intervention, developmental and intellectual disabilities, the LGBTQ population, and treatment and rehabilitation of forensic populations. Valerie uses a biopsychosocial approach that is supplemented with psychoeducational information. She assists clients to build awareness and enhance their social, behavioral, and emotional well-being. Services include individual, couples, family, and group counseling.

Valerie Gelo, LMHC

Valerie received her degree in Forensic Mental Health Counseling from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She specializes and has experience working with personality disorders, mood disorders, trauma, anxiety, depression, sexual problems, family and relationship problems, crisis intervention, developmental and intellectual disabilities, the LGBTQ population, and treatment and rehabilitation of forensic populations. Valerie uses a biopsychosocial approach that is supplemented with psychoeducational information. She assists clients to build awareness and enhance their social, behavioral, and emotional well-being. Services include individual, couples, family, and group counseling.
Kayla received her Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree from Adelphi University. Some of her specialties include addictions, intellectual disabilities, mood disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma, and personality disorders. Kayla’s approach is client-centered and consists of a variety of treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Psychodynamic Therapy. She believes in tailoring therapy to each client’s needs and goals in order to make sure that the client is the key in their treatment. Kayla’s goal is to assist clients with exploring their life challenges, as well as gaining more insight into the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in order to create positive lifestyle changes.

Kayla Moffitt, LMHC

Kayla received her Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree from Adelphi University. Some of her specialties include addictions, intellectual disabilities, mood disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma, and personality disorders. Kayla’s approach is client-centered and consists of a variety of treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Psychodynamic Therapy. She believes in tailoring therapy to each client’s needs and goals in order to make sure that the client is the key in their treatment. Kayla’s goal is to assist clients with exploring their life challenges, as well as gaining more insight into the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in order to create positive lifestyle changes.
Saudia received her Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University. She specializes in depression, anxiety, mood disorders, personality disorders, trauma, and relationship issues. Saudia uses evidence-based treatment modalities that include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, and mindfulness. She provides a solution-focused approach and believes that everyone deserves a space where they feel safe, not judged, supported, and understood.

Saudia Garnette, LCSW

Saudia received her Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University. She specializes in depression, anxiety, mood disorders, personality disorders, trauma, and relationship issues. Saudia uses evidence-based treatment modalities that include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, and mindfulness. She provides a solution-focused approach and believes that everyone deserves a space where they feel safe, not judged, supported, and understood.
Duke received his mental health counseling degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. His clinical specialties include anxiety, depression, compulsive behaviors, trauma recovery, and addictions.  Duke is non-judgmental and uses various empirically proven treatment approaches to provide a trusting and comfortable enviornment. The approach chosen will depend on the client's needs to produce positive  incremental changes until all treatment goals are met and a healthy and balanced lifestyle is achieved.

Wayne "Duke" Becker, M.A., MHC-LP

Duke received his mental health counseling degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. His clinical specialties include anxiety, depression, compulsive behaviors, trauma recovery, and addictions. Duke is non-judgmental and uses various empirically proven treatment approaches to provide a trusting and comfortable enviornment. The approach chosen will depend on the client’s needs to produce positive incremental changes until all treatment goals are met and a healthy and balanced lifestyle is achieved.
Lindsey received her Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree from Adelphi University. Some of her specialties include anxiety, depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, trauma, addictions, mood disorders, personality disorders, and the autism spectrum. In her treatment session she uses a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic theory, and psychoeducation. Through a non-judgmental and supportive approach, Lindsey helps clients gain insight into their thought patterns, emotions, and behaviors. Each approach taken is specifically geared toward each client’s specific needs because she believes that there is no "one size fits all" treatment modality. Through unconditional positive regard, consistency, and obtainable goals, each client will achieve a fulfilling and balanced lifestyle.

Lindsey Rosenberg, LMHC

Lindsey received her Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree from Adelphi University. Some of her specialties include anxiety, depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, trauma, addictions, mood disorders, personality disorders, and the autism spectrum. In her treatment session she uses a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic theory, and psychoeducation. Through a non-judgmental and supportive approach, Lindsey helps clients gain insight into their thought patterns, emotions, and behaviors. Each approach taken is specifically geared toward each client’s specific needs because she believes that there is no “one size fits all” treatment modality. Through unconditional positive regard, consistency, and obtainable goals, each client will achieve a fulfilling and balanced lifestyle.

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