aliya agins, map

 Aliya has been practicing Applied Behavior Analysis for the last 10 years. Her education took place at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in both Child & Adolescent Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis. Her professional training started in the field at 360 Behavior Health in California for which she was an Associate Clinical Supervisor supporting families and their children with developmental disabilities in the home, community, and School settings. Most Recently her training and experience have been supporting teams in the education setting as an Instructional Assistant – Behavior Interventionist.

Areas of Focus: Parent Training, BIP (Behavior Intervention Plans) FBA (Functional Behavior Assessment), Social skills, communication, reading, and academics as well as adaptive learning skills, such as fine motor dexterity, hygiene, grooming, domestic capabilities, punctuality, and job competence. Age focus: early intervention into young adulthood.

Treatment Approach:  Positive Reinforcement, Negative Reinforcement, Prompting and Fading, DTT, PRT, Task Analysis, Generalization, Behavior Contracts, Video Modeling, Picture Exchange Communications Teaching, Errorless Teaching, Peer-Mediated Social Skills Training, etc.  

 Angie has over 13 years of experience working with people with developmental disabilities. She has been working as a behavior intervention specialist and a psychometrician for the last 7 of those years. She has experience in a clinic, day program, residential, and in-home setting. She has a Master's degree in Psychology from New York University and graduated summa cum laude. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Loyola College in Maryland. Angie is a New York City native and it's dedicated to helping support the community.

Areas of focus: Developmental Disabilities, Intellectual Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, skill development, crisis intervention, grief and loss, parent training, staff training, ABA, and CBT approaches. 

Christina received her Master’s degree in Community Psychology through Sage Graduate College with additional studies in the area of counseling and cultural diversity. She also has extensive training in alternative medicine and mindfulness. Christina has served families and individuals who carry mental health and ID/DD diagnosis for over 20 years. She applies a holistic and integrated approach to treatment, examining the relationship between all the parts of a whole being, to address symptoms and root causes. Christina has found this approach to be highly effective in symptom reduction and improvement in overall wellbeing. Christina’s work in the field includes intensive behavior support, case management, and management of community residences. She understands the nature of the system, as well as challenges and limitations that are often presented.  Christina holds space for others with deep compassion and  has a unique gift to bridge the mind-body-spirit connection. In her communities she offers classes, workshops, circles and sound healing ceremonies; these offerings are opportunities for self exploration, self- compassion and personal growth.

Areas of focus: health & wellness, mindfulness, social skills, transitional support, behavior modification & planning, coping skills, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, chronic illness, independent living skills            

Treatment approach: integrated/holistic, strengths based, person centered, play therapy.

Jolene has been a practicing school psychologist for the last 23 years. Her education and professional training took place at the State University of New York College at Oswego. Her first year of practice was a shared 1-year position at Trumansburg and South Seneca Elementary schools. She has been employed full-time by Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES ever since. Jolene is located at Newark Education Center in Newark, New York. Throughout her employment, Jolene has serviced students from ages 5-21 with varying disabilities such as Autism, Learning Disabilities, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Emotional Disabilities, etc. She provides individual, group, and crisis counseling, along with assessment to all students within her program. She also works collaboratively with parents/guardians, outside agencies, and physicians to meet the needs of every student.   

Areas of focus: building relationship and social skills, developing and utilizing coping skills, anxiety, building self-esteem, grief, managing emotions, and caregiver support. 

Treatment approach: problem-solving, wellness and prevention, person-centered, strength-based, and an overall collaborative and combined approach to meet the needs of each individual. 

Over a 15-year career Kimberly Powers LMHC has been serving patients in Oswego, Onondaga, and Madison County, supporting families and caregivers of persons dually diagnosed with Intellectual Disabilities and other barriers to mental health. She has been able to gain specialized access to families in the community by working with Presence Developmental for the past 2 years. Kimberly has availability for in-home services and has an office available for induvial and group sessions. 

Kimberly has successfully trained families and programs in understanding behavior as communication and implementing adaptive strategies for facilitating desired behaviors. Family counseling and Parental Skill development groups are available for supporting families coping with behavioral challenges exhibited by their loved one diagnosed with ID.

The Socio-Sexual knowledge and Attitude assessment Test (SSKAT) is available now to inform programs and families of persons with ID in supporting healthy relationship behaviors and sexuality competency. Groups are available in support of both people with ID considering how they can learn more about intimate relationships, and the persons advocating for them 

Areas of focus: understanding functions of behavior, Acceptance Commitment Therapy format, Parent Education/ Training, working with adults and children especially their family systems/ caregiver supports.

Lindsey has over 9 years of experience working with people with developmental disabilities. She received her Master’s degree in General and Forensic Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Albany. Lindsey has spent most of her time in the field working with adults and children in group-home and day-program settings. She has provided both group and individual therapies at the non-profit organizations she worked for. 

Areas of Focus: Lindsey’s areas of interest include developmental disabilities, proactive approaches, anxiety, ADHD, increasing independence with activities of daily living.  

Treatment Approach: DBT, problem-solving, positive reinforcement, sensory training, and crisis interventions.  Lindsey provides most support services through telehealth; however, community and in-home services are also available.  

  Lydia received a M.A. in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in Virginia, and completed her graduate school clinical hours with Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency in SE Washington D.C. Her clinical internship included counseling clients with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders, along with case management. While in the D.C. Metro area, Lydia also regularly volunteered with Jill’s House, a non-profit caring for children with special needs. Thereafter, in New York, She worked as a Medicaid Service Coordinator and currently as a Care Manager supporting people diagnosed with Developmental Disabilities. Lydia provided services to young children through older adults. Additionally, continue part-time work in an addiction treatment and drug rehabilitation center supporting people struggling with substance abuse, addictions, and other mental health diagnoses. Currently, she has a Limited Permit with NYS to practice Mental Health Counseling, and also has a CASAC II. I love helping others to better their lives and I truly enjoy seeing people succeed.

Areas of focus: She loves working with children, and is experienced supporting people with Developmental Disabilities, who may also have a mental health diagnosis. She has worked with all age ranges, and regularly works with families as well to support the person with a disability. Has experience helping people with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. Furthermore, she is very knowledgeable of leading groups, and actively leads Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous groups as well.

Treatment Approach: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, problem-solving, wellness, coping strategies, motivational support, and teaching/encouraging independence.

My strengths include working with children and adults with Developmental Disabilities, and I have worked with many families as well. I am very knowledgeable about ADHD, Depression, Eating Disorders, Substance Abuse, Addictions, Anger Management, Self-Esteem, and Anxiety.

 Meeting Locations: Rotterdam, Schenectady, Glenville, Troy, Duanesburg, Albany, Colonie, and Scotia.

I am a NYS licensed Mental Health Counselor with a post-graduate Certificate of Advanced Studies in Mental Health Counseling. I was trained in family therapy and continue to work with clients ranging from young children through adults. After 30 years in practice, I remain passionate in my desire to assist individuals in identifying needs and reaching their desired goals. 

My work in health care, both as a contractor in school systems and at various facilities revealed that I am skilled at working with individuals coping with a variety of intellectual/developmental disabilities. I have found these experiences to be very rewarding. I’ve also had the privilege to work with a wide variety of issues and currently carry a caseload of individuals coping with Autism, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, learning disabilities, epilepsy, and visual impairments.   Understanding the special needs of individuals with disabilities allows me to be a strong advocate for them. I am experienced at supporting people facing the challenges associated with hospital admissions, academic environments, workplace, or transitioning out of facilities. I also educate professionals (attorneys, school staff, physicians, and others) to understand the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive consequences of physical disabilities and developmental conditions.  

Each person and family I work with arrives with concerns as unique as each individual and there is no one “ready-made” therapy that works for everyone. The common thread among all, however, is the belief that there are obstacles that stand in the way of a more fulfilled life. The specific therapeutic approach used depends upon issues to be resolved and the needs of each individual or family. My focus is always to acknowledge existing strengths, resources, personal choice, and past solutions. Together we begin to transform ineffective thoughts, behaviors, and emotions to create the desired change. I utilize creative interventions to accommodate various learning styles and individual differences. Impact therapy for example, has been instrumental in working with various learning styles and individuals with disabilities as it utilizes movement, props, writing, drawing, fantasy, visuals, music, and sand play.  

Other specialized areas of experience and training are treating individuals who are coping with alcohol or substance abuse, individuals with dual diagnoses, emotional and behavioral regulation concerns, anxiety, depression, OCD, cognitive dysfunction, anger management, family conflict, parenting challenges, job-related issues, serious and persistent mental illness and phobias.  

Some of the therapeutic approaches I utilize are CBT, TF-CBT, Behavior Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Functional Behavioral Analysis, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, Family Systems, Cognitive and Somatic Relaxation Training, Solution-Focused Treatment, and Impact Therapy.  

Areas of focus: Behavioral change 

Emotional and behavioral regulation Change for patterns no longer servicing an individual well Reconstructing irrational thought patterns Reducing worry and rumination Adjusting to transitions Parent/child challenges Family conflict Social skills training Assertiveness training Increasing social support  Reduction in anxiety, depression, and OCD symptoms  Instilling hope and skills for families coping with intellectual disabilities 

Meeting Locations: Services are primarily provided in an office setting in Brighton, NY and under certain circumstances, services can be provided in the home or community.

Michael G. Kephart, MS, CAGS has 21 years of experience in a wide variety of settings working with individuals who demonstrate challenging behaviors.  He has significant experience with conducting Functional Behavioral Assessments, Developing Behavioral Support Plans, Providing Staff Development, Psychological Testing, Counseling/Treatment, and many other responsibilities.  

Michael has worked at Ontario ARC for the past 21 Years.  As well, he is a Mental Health Consultant for CCDP Our Children’s Place (Head Start/Preschool), (previous) Consultant with Seneca Cayuga ARC in the Autism Intensive Services Program, (previous) ABSS with FLUCP Happiness House and continues to work independently as a consultant for staff development and behavioral intervention programs.  

Also, Michael has spent the last 10 years creating and facilitating a Social Communication Skills Group for 15 young people with Autism.  

He completed a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology, Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Psychological Services, and the Applied Behavioral Analysis Graduate Certificate Program through the University of Cincinnati.   In addition to the above educational accomplishments, Michael has completed 64 hours of Leadership Training in Autism Spectrum Disorder.  

Rachael has been a community mental health counselor for over three and a half years. Her education and training were done at the University of Rochester, Warner School of Education’s Community Mental Health Counseling program. During graduate school, Rachael completed her internship with the Monroe County Correctional Facility while working full-time at Strong Memorial Hospital assisting individuals in need of one-on-one care. 

Currently, Rachael works in a local mental health agency, where she specializes in working with adults who have sexually offended and adolescents who have engaged in problematic sexual behaviors; some of which have developmental disabilities. Rachael’s weekly duties consist of: mental health evaluations, individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, utilizing crisis interventions and supervising other staff members as she is a program supervisor. 

Areas of focus: sexual issues of concern, stress, adjustment, anxiety, depression, anger, trauma, and self-regulation.

Treatment approach: Person-centered, CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, emotion-focused, and solution-focused therapies.