Meet All Of Our Therapists

Natalie Buchwald, LMHC, Founder

Natalie Buchwald, LMHC (License #4643)

Online Therapy

Natalie Buchwald is the founder and clinical director of Manhattan Mental Health Counseling. As a practitioner of holistic psychotherapy, Natalie’s treatment approach places an emphasis on the mind-body relationship and is both experiential and pragmatic. Natalie specializes in the treatment of eating and mood disorders as well as culture-based identity conflict. She works with individuals and couples to help them develop deeper connections to themselves, and stronger more fulfilling relationships with others, resulting in increased vitality, liveliness and joy.

Following the completion of her undergraduate degree in psychology from Towson University, Natalie participated in research at Maquarie University in Australia before going on to complete her graduate work in mental health counseling at Brooklyn College. She is a graduate of the Center of Anorexia and Bulimia in New York City and received advanced training from the Hakomi Institute. Natalie completed a fellowship at the Karen Horney Institute. In addition to her clinical work, Natalie is also an accomplished public speaker in the field of psychotherapy. Her most recent talk, “Spirituality and Eating Disorders” was presented at the National Eating Disorder Conference.

Carol Black, LMHC

Carol Black, LMHC (License #7387)

Online Therapy

Carol Black, LMHC, sees counseling as a gentle collaboration that moves individuals along the path to their most energetic and purposeful selves. When the path is blocked by “stories” imposed by culture or influential others, retelling those stories with a compassionate counselor can illuminate one’s own passions and strengths. Carol has worked with adults of all ages, as well as families, to find and address the emotions, thoughts and behavioral patterns which block this process of discovery. Using both evidenced based practices such as CBT, DBT, REBT, and trauma-informed approaches, Carol collaborates with clients who struggle with many facets of the human experience from life transitions to anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, or a lack of connection with others.

Carol Black is a New York Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Hunter College. Carol is credentialed as a substance abuse counselor (CASAC-2) and holds a primary certificate in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy from the Albert Ellis Institute. She is fully trained in EMDR, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Mindfulness interventions, and is a Smart Recovery® facilitator.

Kristie Sneckenberg, LMHC

Kristie Sneckenberg, LMHC (License #3781)

Online Therapy

Kristie Sneckenberg is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor that believes in creating an environment of trust and acceptance for her clients. By understanding the cause of maladaptive behaviors, we can work through and develop new behaviors in alignment with wellness and fulfilment. Kristie uses an empathic approach to understand her clients and helps in developing a person-centered, strength-based plan for skill development that can be utilized long after therapy is complete. Kristie's eclectic approach draws from many modalities including CBT, Mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing.

Kristie has been practicing for 17 years and has experience treating mood disorders (including depression and anxiety), thought disorders, and personality disorders. Many times with a co-morbid substance use disorder. She has worked with a variety of clients including individuals with life-long serious mental illness, convicted felons, cognitively impaired and the LGBTQ community. Kristie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from SUNY Oswego and a Master’s degree in Psychology from Marist College.

Alyssa Sardis, LMHC

Alyssa Sardis, LMHC (#6595)

Online Therapy

Alyssa Sardis is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Alyssa strives to create a warm and inviting counseling setting that places a strong emphasis on rapport building. Alyssa's approach to therapy revolves around a Cognitive Behavioral modality. Alyssa also uses other modalities based upon a client's needs. Alyssa has experience working with clients who are dealing with Anxiety, Depression, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In addition, Alyssa has experience working with families experiencing a multitude of issues.

Alyssa believes that therapy is not a race to the finish line, but a process that takes commitment, time, cooperation, and work. Alyssa's goal from therapy is to help her clients obtain and maintain a toolbox of coping skills that they can use at their disposal in any given situation. She holds a Master's Degree from Long Island University in Mental Health Counseling.

Sandra Swartwout, LMHC

Sandra Swartwout, LMHC (License #10616)

Online Therapy

Sandra Swartwout is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor that believes in creating a safe, trusting, and relaxed counseling experience. Sandy believes in a client-centered approach which allows her clients the opportunity to be empowered to make the changes in their lives that they desire. Working collaboratively together, Sandy and her clients develop goals that are meaningful to them. Sandy has been providing counseling services for over 20 years. Her experience includes working with children, adults, couples, and families. Sandy has experience working with individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries and older adults experiencing cognitive changes.

Sandy received her master’s degree in School Counseling and Community Mental Health from St. Bonaventure University. Sandy has an Advanced Certificate in Mindfulness for Engagement and Wellness from the University of Buffalo. Sandy is skilled in Positive Behavior Supports and Intervention, Mindfulness Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Trauma Informed Care, and Solution Focused Therapy. She specializes in the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief. Sandy’s warm and caring personality provides a welcoming atmosphere that encourages healing and growth through her counseling services.

Mechelle Turner, LMHC

Mechelle Turner, LMHC (License #9940)

Mid East Location

Mechelle Turner a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, is a relationally-focused, trauma-informed therapist. She deeply appreciates the diversity of the human experience and how that shapes one’s identity. She integrates holistic care including mind-body connection, with a multifaceted approach consisting of mindfulness, insight-oriented psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

Her collaborative approach focuses on unearthing the root-cause of current emotional distress and gives a voice to the internal pain that has been unmanaged. She is passionate about helping others find their individual truths while establishing interpersonal autonomy and self-advocacy. Her clinical expertise includes utilizing a multicultural framework for treating individuals who have depression, anxiety, panic, biracial/interracial issues, cultural identity issues, complex trauma, PTSD, bereavement, self-esteem, life-transitions, work-life balance, partner-relational problems, and family conflict. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Intercultural Studies from the University of Northwestern-Saint Paul. Shortly after, she obtained her Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree from Wheaton College.

Frank Ledda, LMHC

Frank Ledda, LMHC (License #9538)

Online Therapy

Frank is a NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor. He has spent the majority of his career working as a mental health counselor and certified addictions professional in Florida and Washington State. He has many years of experience and is passionate about helping individuals, couples and families who are dealing with depression, anxiety, bipolar, PTSD and other trauma related difficulties, substance use, grief and loss, gender and sexual identity, interpersonal relationships and life transitions. He values the mind/body connection and is grounded in a strength-based, multicultural and social justice approach to helping people. He has experience working with people of culturally diverse backgrounds. In Florida, half of Frank’s practice was dedicated to serving people in the LGBTQPIA+ community in therapy and also by providing outreach and consultation to community providers of substance abuse and mental health treatment.

Frank’s mindful presence and empathic listening skills help create an ideal space that support an opportunity for clients to increase personal awareness, cultivate compassion toward the self, gain clarity about their personal struggle and develop a plan to work toward their stated goals. He takes an insight oriented eclectic approach to counseling using elements of evidenced based practices, such as, Humanistic, Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapies and IATP approach to trauma treatment and recovery. He understands and values the importance of the therapeutic alliance and client matching to a specific approach to counseling based on the individual.

Alyssa Jenkins, LMHC

Alyssa Jenkins, LMHC (License #11816)

Online Therapy

Alyssa Jenkins is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for clients to discuss their experiences and work towards their personal goals.

Alyssa is a graduate of New York University with an M.A. in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness. She believes that therapy is a collaboration between the therapist and client and incorporates CBT, DBT, and other therapeutic modalities with a person-centered approach to tailor the therapy experience to each individual client. Her goal is to create a space where clients feel supported and empowered towards change and growth, with a focus on building a strong therapeutic relationship. She welcomes the chance to work with a diverse range of clients and experiences, including anxiety, depression, trauma, family/relationship issues, and life transitions. She also holds a Post-Master’s Advanced Certificate in LGBT Health, Education, and Social Services.

Stecey A. Mohamed, LMHC

Stacey A. Mohamed, LMHC (License #11252)

Online Therapy

Stacey A. Mohamed is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Stacey is aware that starting therapy is often a difficult first step, as we may feel vulnerable doing so. As a result, she strives to create an environment that is safe and supportive. Therapy is not a one size fits all type of experience. A strong therapeutic relationship tailored to your individual needs is essential. Stacey sees psychotherapy as a creative, compassionate and collaborative experience. If you are searching for a voice, she will help you identify and give voice to your experiences in a non-judgmental environment. During our sessions you can freely express your emotions and understand how they impact you and how you can work towards creating a life you want to live. Overall, her goal is for you to be able to find greater satisfaction, authentic connection and engagement in your everyday life. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health and Stacey is here to validate your experience and help you move towards your goals.

Stacey received her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling at Brooklyn College. She has experience working with adults. She specializes in working with dual diagnoses and different mental health disorders such as, but not limited to mood disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD/trauma, grief/loss, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, personality disorders, addiction. Furthermore, she has experience working with domestic violence, providing anger management coping skills, self-esteem building and overall coping skills for life stressors. She utilizes primarily a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Gestalt Therapy Modality. She also draws upon Psychoanalytic Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy and Spirituality Counseling where appropriate.

Kristie Sneckenberg, LMHC

Chantal Amoussou, LMHC (License #12542)

Online Therapy

Chantal is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Substance Abuse Counselor. She provided individual and group therapy for many years and has experience working alongside people to facilitate positive change in their lives and communities. Chantal’s current practice focuses on supporting adults and teens navigating grief and loss, depression, trauma, anticipatory loss, substance abuse, life transitions, and relationships. Chantal’s style of therapy is informal, compassionate, and responsive to each person’s unique needs. She will guide you to explore your concerns and build a greater understanding of the different aspects of your experience, from the emotional, mental, and physical to the family, social, cultural, and spiritual dimensions.

Using various evidence-based techniques, Chantal will help you re-connect to existing strengths and cultivate additional resources that support progress toward the changes you wish to make. She has experience utilizing the person-centered, CBT, and relational-cultural theories approach and frequently uses mindfulness, body-centered, and creative interventions. Chantal considers cultural humility essential to therapeutic practice. Chantal wants you to feel safe, seen, heard, and understands and values the importance of the therapeutic relationship.

Kevin Cox, LMHC

Kevin Cox, LMHC (License #9584)

Online Therapy

Kevin Cox is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who strongly believes in the power of empathy in the therapeutic process, and utilizes a person-centered approach. As someone passionate with the field, Kevin believes that therapy is a journey in which a therapist works alongside an individual as they strive to develop a stronger sense of agency and independence. In addition to experience with working with individuals suffering from dual diagnoses, mood, and anxiety disorders, Kevin also has experience in Functional Family Therapy. Kevin utilizes elements of psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral (CBT), and gestalt psychotherapy, to aid and meet clients where they are in their journey. Kevin looks forward to pursuing his professional development with a postgraduate training in gestalt psychotherapy.

Kevin is native to Brooklyn, NY and received a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling, as well as a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Brooklyn College. In addition to his background as a psychotherapist, he is a Mental Health and Domestic Violence Consultant.

Sheila Mashack, LMHC

Sheila Mashack, LMHC (License #1396)

Online Therapy

Sheila Mashack is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor. She has extensive experience helping those experiencing depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anger, substance use and relational concerns. Sheila works with individuals using a holistic approach taking into account mental and social factors as they relate to health and wellness. Counseling is person-centered; trauma informed and integrates motivational interviewing with cognitive-behavioral therapies. She received her Master of Arts from New York University in Rehabilitation Counseling with a specialty in mental health and substance use. 

Calli Kosch, LMHC

Calli Kosch Pina, LMHC (License #8055)

Online Therapy

Calli Kosch Pina is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who brings authenticity, humor, and non-judgement to her practice. She firmly believes in meeting clients where they are at, in their process toward managing life's joys and hardships. Calli infuses a blend of clinical and theoretical approaches into her work, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. Most importantly, she believes that forming a strong therapeutic relationship is the most important element in creating a challenging yet fruitful experience in therapy. Calli has experience working with adolescents and adults who are experiencing life transitions, managing depressed mood, anxiety, substance abuse, and eating disorders.

Calli is a licensed counselor in the states of New York, Massachusetts, and California. Originally from Michigan, Calli has personally experienced many life transitions, including adjustment to living in New York City. Calli received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Boston College. There is an element of tough love that she incorporates into the therapeutic relationship. Honesty and willingness to try something new are all that she asks from her clients in order to foster greater insight and effect change.

Raquel Castillo, LMHC

Raquel Castello, LMHC (License #8208)

Online Therapy

You deserve to be heard and have a voice. Your time in therapy can be a journey that you have not experienced before. Raquel focuses attention to where you are right now and creates discussion on where you would like to be. With a collaborative and strength-based approach to therapy, Raquel will assess and evaluate which treatment modalities can work best with you, in order to provide effective and time-based therapy.

Raquel is a licensed mental health counselor registered in NYS and a certified clinical trauma professional. She has completed trainings in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma informed cognitive behavioral therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She also incorporates art interventions, chair yoga/mindfulness, implications on trauma in treating substance use disorders and oppositional, defiant and disruptive behaviors in children and adolescents. Raquel is a LGBTQ ally and is understanding of different cultures, religions and practices that can contribute to who you are. She is known for being present, patient and calm, which allows individuals to feel comfortable while addressing difficult topics and concerns.

She has been providing short term and long term therapy since 2012 and has worked in several settings including a residential treatment program, an intensive outpatient substance use program and in the inpatient and worked in an outpatient hospital setting with children, adolescents, families and adults. Raquel is a dog mom who enjoys yoga/tai chi/meditation, exercising, traveling to immerse into different cultures of other countries and art/music. She acknowledges the challenges you can be facing right now, in your past or projected future and provides for her clients a safe and non-judgmental space to be heard.

Dawn Knight, LMHC

Dawn Knight, LMHC (License #11387)

Online Location

Dawn Knight is a New York state licensed mental health counselor that believes in creating a warm, non-judgmental, and genuine safe space for individuals to explore themselves as well as unpack their struggles. She believes in using a collaborative, person- centered approach as individuals are the experts of their own lives, as well as tailor treatment to each individual, making their experience unique. Dawn believes in meeting individuals where they are in their life journey, while also exploring internal struggles that may be preventing them to live their life at their full capacity. She also believes in empowering individuals by providing tools to increase their self-sufficiency. Some approaches Dawn implements in treatment are CBT, narrative therapy, and solution focused brief therapy. Dawn has extensive experience working individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, LGBTQIA+, chronic substance use, complex trauma, survivors of intimate partner violence, and history of homelessness. She also has experience working with families through the Family Functional Therapeutic model.

Dawn received her MS in Education with a concentration in School Counseling and Advanced Certificate in mental health counseling from Alfred University. She has over 8 years working in diverse settings in the community including single room occupancies (SRO) and residential treatment facilities, as well as with child welfare which has strengthened her ability to work with high-risk populations and understanding the community from a macro level.

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