Finger Lakes

Denise has been a clinical social worker for many years with experience working in community-based & residential services for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. She is a Diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine as a Certified Lifestyle Medicine Professional, specializing in mental health. Denise primarily provides counseling from her office in a handicap-accessible building in Rochester, NY. In-home and community-based services are also available.  

Areas of Focus are helping people through depression, anxiety, and trauma, especially as they relate to overall health, including weight management. This training, coupled with experience supporting people to build emotional growth and resiliency helps to inform an approach tailored to the needs of each individual or family. 

Treatment Approaches: She uses a combination of techniques that include elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and positive Psychology, Informed by Self Determination Theory and person-centered Approaches.

 Mary Gomez DeSantis is a Licensed Social Worker who has worked in the field of mental health and substance abuse treatment for nearly 25 years. She has worked with adolescents, adults, men, women, couples, families, and LGBQQI & T persons in a variety of areas including inpatient, outpatient, correctional and private settings. I have a strong background in Mental Health and addictions and am a native Spanish speaker.

Areas of focus: Anxiety, depression, adjustment, coping skills, behavior, anger, self-esteem, relationship and personal safety, grief, and loss.

Treatment approach: Person-Centered Care, Motivational Interviewing, Holistic Approach, Empowerment, CBT/DBT.

Stacie has been a practicing social worker for the last 10 years. She received her education at the Greater Rochester Collaborative of SUNY Brockport and Nazareth College. Stacie received her Certification as a Clinical Trauma Professional through the International Association of Trauma Professionals. Stacie has worked with individuals with disabilities for 13 years. 

She has worked with foster/adoptive children and their families for 8 years. Stacie has worked with agencies developing programs specific to individuals with disabilities and programs for at-risk youth. 

Areas of Focus: Stacie’s focus is on the person as a whole and helping the person and/or family system function at their highest potential. Stacie’s approach is holistic. Areas covered include, but are not limited to, anxiety, depression, coping skills, behavior, self-esteem, social skills, grief/loss, and adjustment to new situations.

Treatment Approach: solution-focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, trauma theory, attachment theory, mindfulness, and skill-building/coaching.

Roxanne has had diverse experience in the child welfare system and extensive experience working with family systems. She studied at Keuka College and received her master's in social work from Roberts Wesleyan College. 

Roxanne worked for several years in foster care and adoption and is currently working in Early Intervention where she has been for the past three years. Roxanne has worked with clients struggling with mental health issues and families who have a child with significant medical concerns. She is very familiar with working with individuals who have a disability and enjoys coming alongside the client to reach their goals. 

Roxanne is trained in Trauma-Informed Care and attachment theories. Roxanne is highly knowledgeable about resources available in the community and how to assist clients in accessing those resources and working through different systems. Roxanne considers herself a lifelong learner and is consistently attending training and expanding her skill set. 

Areas of Focus:  Roxanne's focus is on the person as a whole and helping that person and/or family system function at their highest potential. 

Treatment Approach: Roxanne utilizes play therapy techniques, solution-focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, trauma theory, attachment theory, and skill-building. 

Occupational therapists provide “skills for the job of living,” using meaningful tasks to restore, rebuild, and enhance the lives of individuals with physical, mental, developmental, and emotional disabilities.  

Darcy Herron has been providing exceptional occupational therapy services to individuals ages 1-101 across multiple settings for the past 25+ years.  She graduated manga cum laude from Keuka College in 1998 with a BS in occupational therapy.  Since then, Darcy has worked in a variety of clinical settings including short-term rehabilitation, where she functioned as the Rehab Director for 5 years, long-term care, school-based, early intervention, and home health.  Darcy has enjoyed working solely with individuals with developmental disabilities for the past 5+ years.  She is committed and passionate about her ongoing professional development, maintaining NBCOT certification and NYS licensure requirements. 

Darcy’s holistic approach, creativity, and ability to establish rapport with her clients and their caregivers create positive therapeutic experiences and successful outcomes. She is a strong advocate for her profession and the individuals she has the privilege of working with. 

Darcy lives in Seneca Falls with her husband, children, and dogs and is proud to be an operating member and occupational therapist for Presence Developmental Services.  Darcy provides in-person occupational therapy services to individuals in Seneca County and telehealth services outside of Seneca County.   

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.  Michael 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, a 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.  

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. 

Rebecca has been a practicing social worker for a little over 2  years but has a wide range of experiences. She went to Niagara University for her bachelor’s degree in social work(BSW) and gerontology, and Roberts Wesleyan College for her Master of Social Work program, with a concentration in mental health. Both of her internships were at schools, working with students with various disabilities, and needs. She has worked at daycare centers, respite facilities, and group homes, and continues to work with individuals with developmental disabilities, through community habilitation and respite care. She also has a wide range of experiences with all different ages, as her passion has always been working with those with different abilities, the elderly, and those who are homeless or in poverty. After graduation, during the pandemic, Rebecca began working as a substitute teacher at different schools. Her family has been heavily involved in different organizations serving those with disabilities as she has her family member with a disability. Rebecca’s first social work job was at a crisis center, serving those 18+, facing mental health crises, dealing with substance use, or just needing support. She helped connect many of those individuals to the right resources and assisted them further if they needed a higher level of care. She currently works as a school-based therapist, providing individual and family therapy services, to clients with different mental health needs; many of those with ADHD, anxiety/depression, different disabilities, and trauma.

Areas of focus: ADHD, adjustment, anger, anxiety and depression, behavior, coping skills, self-esteem, relationships and social skills, and trauma.

Treatment approach: CBT, DBT, family systems, interpersonal, mindfulness, play therapy, problem-solving, self-care, and trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy.

Rebecca provides services in a confidential space in client’s homes, and possibly in the community if need be.  

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 to 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 in supporting people facing the challenges associated with hospital admissions, academic environments, the 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 the issues to be resolved and the needs of each individual or family. My focus is always to acknowledge existing strengths, resources, personal choices, 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 Webster, NY, and under certain circumstances, services can be provided in the home or community.

Erika has been a social worker for over 20 years. She graduated with her BSW from Nazareth College in 2002 and began her career working at Wayne ARC. Erika held numerous positions during her time at ARC including Residence Manager of 2 group homes for adult females with developmental disabilities, ISP Coordinator at a group home for individuals with both physical and developmental disabilities, and also served as MSW Program Coordinator in the Medicaid Service Coordination Department. Erika then began working at Strong Memorial Hospital as a Medical Social Worker in the Emergency Department while returning to further her education and obtain her master's in social work through the Greater Rochester Collaborative Master of Social Work Program (SUNY Brockport and Nazareth College). In 2010, Erika began working at Wayne Behavioral Health, in Lyons, NY as a Staff Social Worker in the Adult Mental Health Clinic. Erika conducted intake and lethality assessments and provided individual mental health therapy to adult clients. Erika also co-facilitated mental health groups such as the Men’s Alternatives to Violence Group and CBT/DBT groups while employed at WBHN. Since 2016, Erika has served as a School Social Worker through WFL-BOCES at a Social Skills Development Program for school-aged children struggling with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Erika provides individual and group counseling services as well as crisis intervention.

Areas of focus: Domestic violence, Personality Disorders, Trauma, social and coping skills, anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, behavioral challenges, anger management, and relationship/family challenges.

Treatment approach: Crisis Intervention, CBT, DBT, Solution

Heather has been a practicing social worker for over a year, providing individual, couple, and family therapy sessions. Before receiving her Master's in Social Work from Fordham University, she gained over 10 years of experience working with people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. This experience includes working in residential programs, a summer camp, care coordination, community habilitation, and respite services.

Area of Focus: Anxiety, depression, ADHD, adjustment, anger, self-esteem, grief, personality disorder, relationship skills, and deaf.

Treatment Approach: Coping skills, problem-solving, collaboration, CBT, DBT, SBT, Strength-based, and coaching. 

Mandy has worked in Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities for over 20 years. She started off working with special needs preschoolers through the Happiness House and from there worked in a residential setting for teens with developmental disabilities and emotional and mental health struggles. She managed numerous homes and provided support to clients with developmental disabilities. She also has experience in running Transitional Community Residence for adults with mental health and substance abuse. She recently completed an internship through Seneca County Community Counseling where she began her work as a therapist for mental health and substance abuse. During this internship, she also facilitated numerous recovery and mental health groups. 

Areas of focus: anxiety, depression, adjustment, coping skills, behavior, anger, self-esteem, 

relationship and personal safety, grief and loss, trauma, behavior modification, and substance abuse treatment. 

Treatment approach: Client-focused therapy, family systems, CBT, DBT, relational, interpersonal, problem-solving, crisis management, mindfulness, psychodynamic therapy, art therapy, and group therapy.

Maria has been working in the field of social work for over 20 years. She is fluent in Spanish and English and has years of experience working with the Latino community in the local Rochester area. Her education and professional training took place at SUNY Brockport with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and she received her Master's degree in social work from SUNY Buffalo. She worked 8 years as a service coordinator at Continuing Developmental Services and then Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth, providing case management services, advocacy, and support for children, adults, and families with Autism, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Maria has also worked as a regional resource development specialist through the Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver program, qualifying individuals with brain injuries for the program and monitoring the services they received.

Since 2018, she has been working at Unity Hospital’s Outpatient Dialysis Clinic, as a member of the multidisciplinary Nephrology team, providing direct patient and family assistance to solve frequently occurring problems related to end-stage renal disease and its treatment. Before this, she worked in the inpatient unit at Unity Hospital as a medical social worker, providing direct patient and family interventions, including counseling, crisis intervention, education, and referral to impact problems related to medical and physical health needs, environmental needs, family and interpersonal conflict, substance abuse and mental health issues.

Areas of focus: adjustment, anxiety, chronic illness, coping, depression, domestic violence, grief and loss, life transitions, relationship issues, trauma, women's issues, workplace issues.

Treatment approach: collaborative, culturally competent, CBT, solution-focused, family systems, motivational interviewing, person-centered, health and prevention.

Maria is available to provide support services from her office which is spaced in a handicap-accessible building in Rochester, New York. She is also available to provide services in the client’s home or the community based on the client's needs.

  Amanda has been working with individuals with intellectual disabilities for the past 21 years. Her education and professional training took place at SUNY Oswego and University of New England.  She interned at an assisted living facility, and a psychiatric unit, as well as a residential facility for women with addictions. Amanda has advocated for children, adolescents, adults and families with various challenges including mental health and traumatic brain injuries. She has also worked with individuals with extremely high medical needs. Throughout her time as a case manager, she has experience working with individuals with mental health crisis, offered support, linking individuals and families to services, and completing referrals.  

Areas of focus: anxiety, depression, adjustment, coping skills, behavior, self-esteem, relationships, grief, and loss

Treatment approach: Coaching, family systems, CBT, interpersonal, problem-solving, wellness and prevention, collaborative, mindfulness

Amanda primarily provides service supports in the family home in Wayne, Ontario and Monroe Counties. 

Kimberly is originally from Long Island, NY Kimberly moved to Wayne County in the summer of 2014 to pursue a job opportunity overseeing residential programs for people with Developmental Disabilities in the county. Kimberly has been working in the fields of Developmental Disabilities and mental health services for over 20 years in various roles. Kimberly’s passion for the field and behavioral supports stems from both her practical work and educational experiences. She utilizes her MS degree in Applied Behavior Analysis to provide a balanced approach to adjusting undesired behaviors and patterns. 

Areas of Focus: Behavior supports, Autism spectrum disorders, mental health disorders, adults and teens, Family supports.

Treatment Approaches: Person Centered treatment, Passion for all behavioral supports and implementing ABA principles, Understanding function of behavior, replacement behaviors, parent / care taker tools.

Kimberly provides services in the client’s home or other agreed upon location in Wayne County and possible surrounding areas. 

Sydney has 5 years of experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She earned her Bachelor in Social Work from Brockport University in 2017. She then worked with children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities at Happiness House from 2018-2021. When the pandemic surfaced, Sydney saw the need for licensed mental health therapists. She then returned to graduate school and worked for 1 year with the substance abuse population. Sydney earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University at Buffalo and became a Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) in 2022. Sydney then spent the next 1.5 years as a clinician, serving children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in foster care, at Hillside Children’s Center. During this time, Sydney worked with an interdisciplinary team to treat depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and trauma with children. Sydney is continuing her passion for this population with her new position at Presence Developmental Services and is serving youth, adults, and families using a person-centered approach. Sydney has training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), and motivational interviewing (MI). She also has experience with dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), play therapy, and family therapy. While Sydney utilizes some manualized approaches to treatment, she also uses an eclectic style when applicable, pulling from various treatment models to best fit the client or family. 

Areas of focus: depression, trauma, anxiety, adjustment, coping skills, behavior, anger, self-esteem, intellectual/developmental disabilities.

Treatment approach: CBT, TF-CBT, DBT, problem-solving, mindfulness, person-centered

  Sydney primarily provides services in the home or community in the Rochester and Irondequoit, NY area.

Natalie has spent the past 8-10 years working with advocating for clients of all ages and families struggling with mental health, safety, trauma, developmental delays, or disorders by meeting others where they are at and empowering them to make the best choices to better their lives. Natalie supported Person Centered Services, allowing people space to spend time to Process Emotions, and staying Solution Focused. She enjoys working with individuals and families, using strength-based approaches to enhance the things that are helping and use/teach problem solving skills to address struggles. Everyone deserves personalized care tailored to individual needs. One of her favorite things about empathy, is you don’t know what it is like to be in someone else’s shoes, however she will sit, walk, and support you as you heal from it.  

Erika has obtained her undergraduate degree from SUNY Empire State College in Community and Human Services. Currently, she is in the MSW program at Utica University. Erika has experience working with children for 13 years; ages ranging from birth to 21 years of age. Recently, she worked as a social worker in the family court unit and was involved in custody disputes, Child Protective cases, foster care, paternity cases, juvenile delinquent cases, and severed as a family support in times of crisis.

Areas of focus: anxiety, coping skills, adjustment, and personal safety.