Western NY

 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 where 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. 

  Laura has been a practicing social worker for the past 12 years. Her education and professional training took place at the University at Buffalo. She worked for 6 years at Community Services for Everyone, as a Direct Support Professional. In this position, she taught life skills and coping mechanisms to adults with developmental disabilities. She also worked as a mental health counselor at Endeavor. In this position, she provided counseling services to children, adolescents, and families. Furthermore, Laura has several years of experience providing grief counseling and end-of- life education. She also has a developmentally disabled sibling.

Areas of focus: anxiety, depression, coping skills, OCD, life skills, trauma, anger management, self-esteem, grief and loss, interpersonal relationships, and adjustment to new situations.

Treatment approach: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP), anger management, family interventions, and behavioral therapy.

I earned my master’s degree in social work in 2011 from the University of Buffalo and have been practicing mental health treatment for 10 years with a specialty in trauma-focused therapy. My full-time job consists of a multidisciplinary team approach working with children and families who have experienced trauma or abuse. I also have experience working with children and families in residential placement as well as using a wraparound approach to supporting families with children who needed extra support in the home, community, and school. 

Area of focus: Trauma, anxiety, depression and family issues, behavioral needs, problematic sexual behaviors, social skills, and coping techniques. 

Treatment approach: Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Problematic Sexual Behavior- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (PSB-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eco systemic Structural Family Therapy.

Pam's career began in the human service field for OPWDD for 20-plus years, some of which included residential/case management/intake. Her educational journey includes obtaining her MSW from the University of Buffalo in 2020 and is currently the Coordinator of Children's Mental Health Services. Pam has worked with adults and children of all ages over the years. Pam is passionate about meeting the person where they are to assist and guide them through their behavior change process.

Areas of Focus:  Anxiety, depression, social skills, life skills, interpersonal relationships, couples counseling, coping skills, anxiety, grief and loss, psychoeducation, self-esteem, health and wellness. 

Treatment approach: Coaching, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Person-Centered, Strength-Based Approach, tailoring the approach to fit the needs of the person. Pam refers to the latest research and peer-reviewed articles to expand knowledge and understanding of diagnosis and treatments as applicable to the individual. 

Julie received her bachelor’s degree in social work in 2001 from Buffalo State College and went on to earn her master’s degree in social work in 2004 from the University of Buffalo. She has worked as a Clinical Social Worker for over 15 years providing individual, family, and group therapy to children (ages 4-18) and their families.  She was a therapist in an outpatient mental health agency for over 10 years before transitioning to her current role as a School Social Worker in Lancaster, NY. She is a very personable person and believes in building on individual strengths.  

Areas of Focus are working with children and adolescents and their families in treating a multitude of areas including but not limited to anxiety, depression, adjustment, behavior, grief/loss, trauma, and crisis intervention.    

Treatment Approach: Solution-Focused, Strength-based, Cognitive Behavior Therapy. I utilize a lot of Mindfulness and Coping skills in my sessions along with education when needed.   

 Lauren J. Clark, MS, CCC-SLP has been a passionate speech-language pathologist since 2009. Lauren hails from the Buffalo area and is passionate about her work and the connections that it makes (as well as all things Buffalo...Go Bills!) Lauren believes fully in the power of therapy and loves what she does. She attended Buffalo State College and completed her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2007. From there, Lauren went on to Syracuse University for her master's degree in the same area and graduated in 2009. She completed her Clinical Fellowship and proudly holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. Lauren has worked with all age ranges from 18 months-99 years of age and works diligently and mindfully in developing effective treatment plans for individuals in Early Intervention, CPSE, CSE & ISP populations. She makes sure to keep up licensure, completes continuing education courses and has had the distinct honor to mentor new speech-language pathologists. Lauren is a basketball and bowling coach for the Unified Sports Program (a division of Special Olympics) helping High School Students with and without developmental delays play on one team and achieve their goals. Lauren has two young children (Lennox, 3 years & Bruno, 3 months). She looks forward to continuing working with families in her area!

Elizabeth attended Canisius College for Mental Health Counseling and graduated in 2015. She worked for Autism Services Inc beginning in 2011 as a Direct Support Professional and Self-Advocacy Facilitator as well as 8 years of experience as an In-Home Behavior Clinician. Elizabeth has worked with both adults and children with developmental disabilities and with their families. 

Areas of Focus: Autism, Anxiety, Family Issues, Behavioral Needs, Coping Skills and Life Skills. 

Treatment Approach: Solution Focused Trauma Informed Care, CBT, Positive Behavior Supports, Mindfulness. 

Elizabeth provides services in home in Erie and Niagara County