Our Family Bios

A man in sunglasses wearing a blue Hawaiian shirt and striped shorts sitting on a sailboat, smiling with water and boat equipment in the background.

BRIAN FREIDENBERG (He, Him)

PhD, MA, MSW

SERVICES: Evaluations; Support Groups; Individual, Partners, & Family Therapy; Professional Consultation, Clinical Supervision

SPECIALIZATIONS: Addiction, ADHD, Anxiety, Autism Spectrum, Childhood & Adolescence, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Depression, Grief, Trauma, Personality, Relationships

AGES served: 4+

One way I help CLIENTS BE FREE: By discovering their worth and learning what that looks like in the real world!

One way I help MYSELF BE FREE: Being authentic!

Something UNIQUE about me: I am a clinical psychologist who also has an MSW, thus, I offer a uniquely powerful blend of diagnostic expertise and systems-level perspective.  This dual credential allows me to assess and treat complex mental health conditions while deeply understanding and navigating the social, economic, and environmental factors impacting clients' lives. 

FUN FACT: I’m a Feminist!

A woman with short curly hair, wearing glasses, earrings, and a black and white patterned top. She is smiling and posing in front of a gray background.

CANDI GRIFFIN-JENKINS (She/Her)

LMSW, MA

SERVICES: Individual, Partners, and Family Therapy; Support Groups, Life Coaching; Public Speaking

SPECIALIZATIONS: Anxiety, Career Counseling, Coping skills, Depression, Family Conflict, Grief and Loss, Life Transitions, Parenting, Racial Identity, Relationship Issues, Self-Esteem, Stress management, Trauma and PTSD, Women’s Issues

AGES served: 18+

One way I help CLIENTS BE FREE: By supporting the identification of patterns that no longer serve them and assisting with connecting the dots, to build strategies to heal and thrive.

One way I help MYSELF BE FREE: Trusting the process!

Something UNIQUE about me:I am from a family of professional helpers including coaches, nurses, caretakers, educators and advocates.  Supporting others on their healing or transition journey is my superpower as I make meaningful connections quickly and help clients identify areas in need of healing, while serving as a beacon of light.  

FUN FACT:I used to build computers and worked in IT support!

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GERALDINE GUTIERREZ (She, Her)

LMSW

SERVICES: Individual, Partners, & Family Therapy; Support Groups

SPECIALIZATIONS: Addiction, Adult Children of Alcoholics, Anxiety, Childhood & Adolescence, Depression, Domestic Violence, First Generation, Generational Healing, Grief, Immigrant Experience, PTSD, Racial Identity, Racial Trauma, Relationships, Self Esteem, Spanish Speaking, Trauma. 

AGES served: 8+

One way I help CLIENTS BE FREE: By guiding them to tune into their wholeness and helping them align their thoughts, beliefs, choices and actions with the best version of themselves.

One way I help MYSELF BE FREE: Through radical acceptance and self-compassion!

Something UNIQUE about me: My love for psychology and mental health began as a young child afraid of dogs. I used strategies of what I now know to be “Exposure Therapy” to help decrease my anxiety and I began to look at dogs from afar, breathing through the distress, and progressing to being able to walk past them!

FUN FACT: I rode my bicycle 400 miles across New York State with the amazing help of Parks and Trails New York and I’m grateful for my body, the beautiful land, fellow cyclists, family, and friends who supported me along the way.

Close-up of a woman smiling with curly hair, wearing a nose ring and sunglasses on her head.

KATHRYN (KATIE) HELM (She/Her)

LMSW

SERVICES: Individual Therapy

SPECIALIZATIONS: Anxiety, Cancer, Caregiver Stress, Chronic Illness, Depression, Grief & Loss, Self Esteem, Transitions

AGES served: 18+

One way I help CLIENTS BE FREE: By breaking patterns that make them feel stuck so that they can enjoy a fulfilling life. 

One way I help MYSELF BE FREE: Trusting myself & letting go of perfectionism.

Something UNIQUE about me: I bring a unique perspective to therapy through my experience supporting people across every stage of life—from working in childcare to helping survivors of domestic violence, caring for hospitalized patients, and now walking alongside individuals navigating chronic illness. As both an oncology social worker and a mom to a busy toddler, I understand the balance between showing up for others and making space to care for yourself. 

FUN FACT: I used to be a preschool teacher!

Man with dark hair and beard smiling, wearing a light blue button-up shirt, standing in front of a blue door.

Josh McCormick (He, Him)

LCSW

SERVICES: Support Groups; Individual, Partners, & Family Therapy; Professional Consultation, Clinical Supervision

SPECIALIZATIONS: Addiction, ADHD, Anxiety, Autism Spectrum, Grief, Personality, Relationships, Sexual Addiction, Trauma

AGES served: 18+

One way I help CLIENTS BE FREE: Helping them discover the power of being honest.

One way I help MYSELF BE FREE: Playing my guitar.

Something UNIQUE about me: I am a clinical social worker that specializes in the treatment of substance and process addictions using cognitive behavioral therapy.  My style is direct with an awfully dry sense of humor.

FUN FACT: I’m an ally!

A close-up portrait of a woman with shoulder-length brown hair, brown eyes, wearing makeup, a denim jacket, and a silver necklace with a pendant.

MOLLY MCHALE (She, Her, Ella)

LMSW

SERVICES: Individual & Partner Therapy; Support Groups

SPECIALIZATIONS: Addiction, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Trauma, Personality, Relationships, Wellness

AGES served:12+

One way I help CLIENTS BE FREE: By helping them move away from negative thought patterns and experiences that get in the way of, and hold them back from, living their best life!

One way I help MYSELF BE FREE: Doing activities that sustain me and bring joy!

Something UNIQUE about me: I have over 30 years of experience working with children and families impacted by the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

FUN FACT: I am a dog mom of three.

A close-up portrait of a woman with light skin, shoulder-length brown hair, and blue eyes, looking directly at the camera against a beige background.

KAREN MONTGOMERY-JONES (She, Her)

LMSW

SERVICES: Individual & Family Therapy; Professional Consultation

SPECIALIZATIONS: Addiction, ADHD, Anxiety, Autism Spectrum, Depression, Grief, Medical Disorders, Motherhood, Personality, Relationships, Trauma

AGES served:15+

One way I help CLIENTS BE FREE: By becoming their authentic self, setting boundaries, and feeling good. 

One way I help MYSELF BE FREE: Scheduling Me Time!

FUN FACT: I love philosophy.

A woman with long brown hair wearing a black and white checkered shirt and black pants standing by a creek with rocks, trees, and a wooden bridge in the background.

KRISTEN PINK (She, Her)

LCSW

SERVICES: Individuals & Partners Therapy

SPECIALIZATIONS: ADHD, Anxiety, Autism Spectrum, Cancer, Chronic Illness, Coping Skills, Depression, Grief, Life Transitions, Relationships, Self Esteem, Stress, Trauma  

AGES served: 18+

One way I help CLIENTS BE FREE: By supporting them in letting go of negative self-talk and unhelpful thoughts. This shift allows for growth in self-esteem and anxiety.

One way I help MYSELF BE FREE: Being compassionate.

Something UNIQUE about me: I have been a medical social worker for the last 8 years and currently work in a cancer center during the day and provide therapy in the evenings. My experience in medical social work has helped me to develop a holistic and “person-in-environment” approach to therapy.   

FUN FACT: I enjoy crafting and have been getting into embroidery and cross-stitch.

A woman smiling with shoulder-length black hair wearing a light pink jacket and gold hoop earrings.

NELIA M. QUEZADA-HORNE (She, Her)

PhD, LMSW

SERVICES: Individual & Partners Therapy

SPECIALIZATIONS: ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions, Mindfulness, Relationships, Stress, Substance Use, Trauma

AGES served: 16+

One way I help CLIENTS BE FREE: By helping them build the confidence and skills to move through life’s challenges with greater peace and purpose.

One way I help MYSELF BE FREE: Practicing mindfulness and making time to recharge through self-care and meaningful connections.

Something UNIQUE about me: I believe therapy works best when it feels like a genuine partnership. I combine evidence-based practices with a warm, culturally responsive, and person-centered approach so each client feels heard, respected, and empowered throughout the healing process.

FUN FACT: I enjoy traveling!

A woman with curly hair, smiling, sitting outside near a table, with a modern building background and a sign that says 'PLAT'. She is wearing a greenish-brown dress and jewelry.

ASHLEY RODRIGUEZ – DE LA CRUZ (She, Her)

LMSW

SERVICES: Individual, Partners, & Family Therapy

SPECIALIZATIONS: ADHD, Adjustment Disorder, Anxiety, Autism Spectrum, Depression, Grief, Parenting, Trauma

AGES served:13 + 

One way I help CLIENTS BE FREE: By helping them achieve their dreams through recognition of their values, facing barriers with confidence, and identifying and making their right next move!  

One way I help MYSELF BE FREE: Staying true to what makes my heart sing! 

Something UNIQUE about me: As a Dominican social worker from New York City, I have experience walking alongside individuals of different life stages, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic status who are navigating challenging systems that impact their lives. I offer a supportive space where clients can be honest and find healing without fear of judgment!

FUN FACT: Baking is my self-care!