Meet Our Therapists

  • Elizabeth Smith, LMSW
    Psychotherapist
                   
  • Joseph Iannotto, LMSW
    Psychotherapist
  • Alexandra Poje, LMSW
    Psychotherapist
  • Laurie Simms, LMHC, LMSW
    Psychotherapist
  • Claire Olsen, LCSW-R, CASAC-M
    Psychotherapist
  • Christine Cantrell, LMSW, CASAC, MAC, SAP, CPI
    Psychotherapist
  • Joan Stong, LCSW, CASAC
    Clinical Director

    Joan Stong, LCSW, CASAC is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor. Joan utilizes her years of experience in mental health and substance use treatment providing therapy to children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples. She has worked in many areas of the behavioral health field giving her the unique ability to effectively work and connect with clients of all ages, backgrounds, and life experiences. A highly skilled therapist, Joan is known for her engaging personality, caring demeanor, and quick wit! As NHR’s clinical supervisor, Joan provides weekly supervision to our other therapists and has a passion for working with mental health providers. As a supervisor, her goal is to foster an environment of collaboration for personal and professional development. 

    Joan’s clinical work emphasizes the development of communication skills, successful navigation of life transitions, stress management, and personal development. Joan has worked extensively with those experiencing depression, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma and PTSD, family conflict, adult children of alcoholics (ACOA), adverse childhood experiences, communication challenges, and work/school-related pressures. One of her additional areas of focus includes working with the LGTBQ+ community, including providing specialized support to transgender individuals. Joan has expertise in working with individuals with substance use disorders and their families, recognizing the impact that addiction has on the entire family dynamic. She facilitated New Hope Rising’s Families Rising Group, free weekly support, and education group for those coping with a loved one’s addiction, for over 3 years. Additionally, Joan has extensive experience working with couples and uses Gottman Method Couples Therapy in her work. Taking a strengths-based, person-centered approach, Joan pulls from a variety of treatment modalities to meet the specific needs of the individuals, couples, and families she serves.  She enjoys taking a holistic approach, incorporating mindfulness practices into sessions. Joan feels truly privileged to witness her clients create long-lasting changes. No matter the age or circumstance of her clients, Joan creates space for an authentic therapeutic connection that leads to positive change and growth. Works with: Adults, Adolescents, Children, Families, and Couples
  • Mary Alyce Rogers, LCSW-R
    Psychotherapist

    Mary Alyce Rogers is a seasoned Licensed Clinical Social Worker in practice since 1998. She received her Masters of Social Work degree from Columbia University School of Social Work, and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Her clinical experiences over the years are varied and include working in community and private counseling centers, residential and day treatment substance abuse treatment programs where she served as Program Director.

    She has extensive experience working with those inflicted with anxiety related disorders, depression, mood disorders, trauma, addiction/recovery, grief and loss, spirituality and chronic medical illness. Mary Alyce’s other areas of expertise include infertility, post-partum depression, family conflict resolution and couples’ therapy.

    Mary Alyce utilizes a strength-based, trauma informed approach and is guided by the individual needs of her clients. She uses a variety of therapeutic interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). Mary Alyce is a deeply spiritual person and enjoys using a holistic approach to treatment, incorporating mindfulness practices into session.

    Mary Alyce takes a gentle, genuine approach to the therapeutic relationship, offering a warm and supportive space. She welcomes each new client with the respect and dignity that they deserve, as they take their first steps towards a healthier life. Mary Alyce believes strongly in providing clients with an understanding and compassionate environment, as well as helping them develop skills that can empower them to make positive, lasting changes in their lives.

    Works With: Adults, Young Adults, and Couples

  • Alison LaMonica, LCSW-R, CASAC
    Psychotherapist

    Alison LaMonica is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker- R, CASAC-T with over twenty-four years of experience working with mental health and substance use disorders. She is a graduate from Adelphi University with both a bachelor’s of Social Welfare and a Master of Social Work. Alison has had the privilege to work with adolescents, families, individuals and groups in various settings, such as public schools, community outpatient clinics, rehabilitation facilities, and the criminal justice system. These vast experiences have enabled Alison to have a unique perspective and evidence-based success in the recognition and treatment of co-occurring disorders.

    Through a Person-Centered and Trauma-Informed approach, Alison incorporates integrative and evidence-based approaches while fostering a safe and confidential environment for personal growth. Alison specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma/PTSD, family conflict and relationship issues, grief/loss, addiction/recovery and co-occurring disorders.

    Alison is easily known for her passion and her ability to engage clients in a therapeutic relationship. She believes wholeheartedly at providing psychoeducation around the needs and meeting her clients where they are at so they can be empowered to make long lasting change. She has developed a positive working relationship with many community-based providers and is recognized for her compassionate and direct approach with those she works with.

    Works With: Adults, Adolescents

  • Linda Lattanzaio, LCSW
    Psychotherapist

    Linda Lattanzio, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned her masters degree from Columbia University.  She has been working in the mental health field since 2011 and has completed specialized training as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.  Linda has extensive experience working with diverse populations of individuals facing a variety of physical, emotional, and social issues. Linda believes that people have endless potential to learn and heal. As a therapist, she has made it her mission to partner with each of her clients in their journey to build the life they want.

    Linda has dedicated her career to providing the highest of level of care, focusing on the overall wellness of her clients. She excels at developing trusting and productive relationships, in assessment, crisis intervention, and goal-oriented, strengths-based therapeutic interventions. She utilizes a person-centered approach, drawing from Cognitive-Behavior Therapy and other modalities to best meet her client’s unique individual needs and goals. 

    Linda specializes in treating issues related to trauma with individuals of varied ages, races and ethnicities, gender expressions and sexual orientations, and physical and cognitive limitations. She believes that trauma is frequently the root cause of the issues that bring many clients to therapy and has been successful in addressing the causes and effects of traumatic experiences.  Linda's other areas of expertise include mood disorders, anxiety related disorders, substance use, coping skills, grief, sexual assault and domestic violence.

    Linda provides a supportive, non-judgmental and empathetic environment to facilitate change, encourage healing and growth, and develop healthy, adaptive strategies to navigate through life’s challenges. She is consistently motivated by her work and focuses on using that enthusiasm to fuel client empowerment and help individuals create and build confident decision making.

    In addition to her clinical work, she has experience in supervisory roles with licensed clinicians and clinical interns.  She has conducted educational workshops and informational sessions on Domestic Violence, the Neurobiology of Trauma, and Trauma-Informed Care for groups, organizations, and multidisciplinary conferences.

    Works with: Adults, Young Adults, Adolescents, Children, Families

  • Charlene McAleavey, LCSW, CASAC
    Psychotherapist

    Charlene is a skilled Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in the behavioral health field. She is passionate about working with individuals, couples, and families using evidence-based practices that are empowering and trauma-informed. Charlene is known for her down-to-earth style, helping her clients feel at ease. Through her compassionate, supportive, and solution-focused style, she helps people to achieve their goals. She enjoys taking a holistic approach to healing and wellness with the belief that each person has a unique journey.

    Charlene’s areas of expertise include the treatment of depression and mood disorders, anxiety-related disorders, trauma/PTSD, adverse childhood experiences, family of origin issues, grief and loss, relationship conflicts and communication, stress management, and adjustment to life transitions. She is experienced in working with union/EAP members, as well as first responders and their families. Her goal is to partner with you to create a more satisfying, meaningful life, so you can start living the life you desire and deserve.

    Throughout her career, Charlene has developed a specialization in the treatment of substance use disorders. Her vast experience with addiction comes from her former position as the Program Director for an OASAS licensed inpatient program on Long Island. She is passionate about her work with families and individuals impacted by addiction and is well versed in the philosophy of the Twelve-Steps.

    If you are struggling with difficult symptoms, feeling overwhelmed, experiencing problems in a relationship, or just a lingering feeling that things can be better in your life, you don’t have to go through this alone. Psychotherapy can help you get things back on track. Charlene believes that it is her job to help her clients connect to the inner wisdom that is within them and address not only areas of desired change but their areas of strength, as well. Her goal is to facilitate insight and self-awareness to promote well-being, positive growth and change, and personal empowerment.

    Works With: Adults, young adults, couples.

  • Paul Alexander, LCSW-R
    Clinical Social Worker

    Paul is an NYS Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University in 1985 and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from LeMoyne College in 1979. He is a seasoned therapist with 35 years of experience in the behavioral health field with a specialization in bereavement counseling. Over the years he has worked in medical, school, and hospice settings as well as agency and private practices. Paul strongly believes that change is a process, with insight and renewed interest in life shifting as one engages in the art and practice of therapy. Having worked in private practice for over 25 years, Paul is practical and compassionate as he guides you to navigate solutions and insights.

    Practicing from an individualized, strengths-based approach his clinical work is geared toward assisting adults and adolescents with making positive changes and promoting growth in their lives. Using traditional modalities, such as psychoanalysis, Paul helps his clients understand the roots that drive their thoughts, motivations, and behaviors, leading them to create healthy, lasting changes in their lives. Paul also uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help his clients to break free of repetitive patterns that prevent happiness and to develop a sense of self-understanding, coping skills, renewed energy, and hope. He also integrates spirituality into his practice using mindfulness, energy work, music, and meditation along with hypnotherapy techniques, if applicable to the individual.

    He has extensive experience working with anxiety, depression, lack of direction, relational issues, stress management, work-related stressors, transitional/adjustment concerns, communication, spiritual crises, processing chronic health issues, and terminal illness. Paul considers it to be a privilege to be invited into his clients’ inner lives and to accompany them on their journey through healing, change, and self-empowerment. Exploring one's emotional and psychological process will open the path to freeing inner turmoil, indecision, and personal struggle, while also finding solutions for better communication within relationships and navigating one's life path and career.

    Grief and loss may affect us in many ways, often unacknowledged. Paul has worked as a bereavement coordinator and therapist in hospice, offering training and retreat programs to assist with navigating life after the death of a loved one. Paul’s specialization in grief counseling also includes the following issues: anticipatory grief and caregiving, job loss/change, breakup/divorce, and loss of employment/identity. Additionally, his work with grief is featured at griefsong.com and represents a part of his work.

    Works With: Adults

  • Michael Diforti, LMHC
    Psychotherapist

    Mike is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has been working passionately in the field for over 12 years with adolescents, young adults, adults, and couples. He has worked in numerous facets of the mental health field including mental health clinics, inpatient rehabilitation centers, and private practice.

    Mike’s specialized areas of focus include anxiety, depression, panic disorders, PTSD and trauma-related disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), relationship and family conflict, grief and loss, communication challenges, personal growth, stress reduction, and life transitions. Additionally, Mike has developed a special niche over the years in working with couples, young adults, and middle-aged adults navigating life transitions and the LGBTQ+ community. 

    Mike focuses on your strengths with compassion, empathy, and above all, treating you as an individual. He is skilled in implementing evidence-based and alternative therapeutic interventions, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, mindfulness/meditation, couples counseling, bereavement counseling, and decision-making skills. Mike’s clients describe him as being open, compassionate, and an empathetic listener with the ability to help you discover your inner strengths and find solutions together. He will teach you techniques to challenge unhelpful beliefs and behaviors and find calmness again through mindfulness, so you can reach your goals.

    Mike understands the courage it takes to make that initial phone call and believes that saying, “I don’t know” or “I need help” are some of the bravest and most powerful words we can speak. Growth and healing are often born from vulnerability and Mike is committed to sharing that journey with you.

    Whether you want to gain a deeper understanding of yourself, are experiencing a life transition, or are feeling stuck and seeking to regain direction in your life, Mike is excited to hear from you. 

    Works with: Adults, Young Adults, Adolescents, Couples

  • Tegan Hulse, LCSW
    Psychotherapist

    Tegan Hulse, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been working in the Social Work Field supporting individuals to reach their goals and full potential. She earned her master’s degree in social work from Adelphi University in 2012 and has clinical experience providing individual, group, and family therapy in inpatient, outpatient clinics, and private practice settings. 

    As a therapist, Tegan recognizes the importance of self-advocacy and meeting individuals where they are at in their healing process. Tegan strives to provide support and feedback to her clients to create a safe space to explore and grow. Tegan’s passion in her life’s work is to help her clients create goals and a sense of self-worth to lead fulfilling lives. 

    Tegan’s areas of focus with adults include grief, loss, trauma, anxiety, depression, relationships, substance use, and LGBTQ+ issues. Tegan has worked with adults who have been impacted by legal discourse, family/relationship conflict, those seeking personal growth, and those who have experienced a loss of a family member.  She has served individuals who are supporting an aging parent or spouse, survivors of suicide loss, and those impacted by the loss of a loved one to overdose. She has worked extensively within the recovery community, hospice, and LBGTQIA community.  

    Tegan utilizes a variety of evidence-based treatment modalities to meet the individual needs of her clients, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness techniques.  She supports her clients as they identify their goals while providing psychoeducation to help achieve those goals and addressing the framework and patterns that have supported their behaviors in the past. Tegan creates a safe, trusting space and utilizes a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach to ensure her clients feel heard and understood, as they build clarity, confidence, motivation, and direction.

    Works with: Adults, Young Adults, Adolescents, Couples

  • Dr. Stephen Taylor, PhD, Supervising Clinician
    Supervising Clinician

    Dr. Stephen Taylor was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1988.  He earned his MA in School Psychology in 1990 and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Hofstra University in 1992. Dr. Taylor has been a licensed psychologist serving the Long Island community for 27 years.

    Dr. Taylor works full time in the Wantagh School District as a psychologist, where he started a special needs summer program. He also maintains a private practice in Wantagh and has been teaching future school psychologists at Adelphi University for the past 10 years.

    Dr. Taylor speaks to parent groups on topics including anxiety, special needs programming, attention and peak performance in sports. He also provides services for special needs students and adults at local area summer camps.