A Brief Introduction to Rosie Pettway, LCSW My social work career began long before I actually earned the degree. It began during my transition from corporate paralegal to elementary substitute teacher in the NYC Public School System. Teaching had placed me in a position to witness firsthand the deep emotional needs of children, which were being neglected and unmet by a system that promised nurturance, support and protection. I noticed the absence of much needed school based social workers. There was only one assigned to that particular school and she was overburdened with duties related to IEP’s for those children identified as having special educational needs. Coupled with (1) my desire to bridge the gap between strengthening mental health resources to children/families/teachers and (2) the physical and emotional trauma related to 911, I knew my path would lead me to becoming a clinical social worker. A total revelation to me! With my heart leading, I applied for social work school the next year and was accepted for the term beginning August 2002. In much the same way I felt called to the field of social work, I also felt called to working with the aging. As I sat next to the chairs of patients receiving their dialysis treatments, I heard stories similar to the ones I’d heard in my work with children – histories of unacknowledged, unresolved trauma they’d been carrying/dragging across the lifespan: generalized anxiety and fear, immigration status concerns, systemic racism, sexual orientation, physical violence, teenage pregnancies, forced marriages, incest/rape/sexual abuse, partner violence, common feelings of unworthiness – unwanted and unloved, and stigmas related to learning disorders and mental health diagnoses. The main difference between the two populations is that the aging adults had carried their burdens and distress over a much longer period. Over lifetimes, and now many are finding themselves existing in a society where their needs are undervalued, thus unprotected. It is my belief that within each of us resides an inner child, still longing for that never received attention (to be seen, to be heard), and still acting out to his/her own self-detriment, often manifesting chronic pain, illness and disease. Armed with this knowledge and now an older person myself, this presents an opportunity for me to participate and assist in the totality of healing for this population – mentally, emotionally and physically, including the child within, bringing unity, integration, stability and peace with Self-Love as the overarching goal. I began my social work career working directly with the youth; and in working with the adult aging population, I continue to touch the youth. For me, this is the best of both worlds. In this, I am fully grateful and satisfied.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Therapist in Long Island, New York with 22 years of experience. As a Columbia University graduate I have a well balanced Social Welfare foundation which allows me to work in a multitude of disciplines with diverse clientele. I practice diversity and cultural competence and am committed to providing open, honest, non judgemental and effective therapeutic services, meeting each individual where they are. I want you to feel comfortable sharing in a safe and engaging but casual fashion. My approach to therapy will be drawn by what is most effective for you. Affective therapy is about exploring and learning how to connect to your emotions, enabling affective coping to improve your life.

I have earned my B.S. in Human Services/Counseling. I graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University, with my master’s degree in clinical counseling with a major in Addiction Counseling, May 2004. In September 2006 I was grandfather in as a New York State, License Mental Health Counselor. On 3/31/16, I was grandfather in as a Master Addiction Counselor from the National Certification Commission for Addiction Counselor. I have 20 years’ experience of substances use therapy, 15 years’ experience with individuals with dual diagnosis, 5 years’ experience working in transitional housing with individuals with chronic medical conditions. I am a Credential Alcoholism Substance Abuse Counselor. I attended Narco Freedom Institute for my 60-hour Compulsive Gambling Training, and I received my Specialty in Gambling Designation. I have obtained not only a theoretical base to go along with my practical knowledge of human behavior, but also, I have developed the skills necessary to help others to empower themselves. My approach to therapy is motivational interviewing along with cognitive behavioral therapy, most importantly I use a client-centered approach to meet the client where they are. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Maya Angelou

My passion is helping hurting people regain their lives, sense of direction, and wellness. I assist clients in discovering the roots of their present-day issues and work to foster healthy self-perceptions and relationships. When people experience trauma, pain, or mental illness in their lives, it can feel difficult to cope, let alone function. My path to becoming a psychologist was a clear one for me; I always had a desire to help people in distress. If someone was upset, I seemed to know it (even without a word) and wanted to do something. I worked as a professor for about seven years early on in my career but preferred working one-on-one with people in private practice. Starting counseling can be challenging. Talking about trauma, flaws, and imperfections is sometimes not what we want to do. However, when we've been hurt by people and circumstances, we need someone to talk to. I believe counseling is a wonderful place for people to finally work through issues and problems that have been bothering them. I am nonjudgmental and feel comfortable letting a client lead in sessions if we are making good progress. I am a stickler for confidentiality because, without that, no one would want to come to therapy. I focus on creating a meaningful and safe working relationship where clients can talk about their history as well as what is going on in the moment. I take an eclectic approach depending on the reasons for referral. I offer EMDR as one modality for treating trauma, and also have experience in providing Christian counseling.

I am licensed in New York with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. I have extensive experience working with people in recovery from addiction (including teen/adult children from addictive families), clients navigating grief and loss and working with people in all career stages (beginning through retirement). I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Hello! I am a queer licensed mental health counselor in New York State with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in working with a wide array of clients, including those with stress and anxiety, LGBTQIA+ related issues, relationship issues, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment and we can collaboratively work towards their specific goals when appropriate. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process and hope I can be of assistance.

I am licensed in New York with 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in New York with 24 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with depression, stress and anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in New York with 25 plus years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & anger management. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in New York with 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, anger management, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in New York with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in New York with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in mental health counseling in the state of New York. I am a trauma-informed, person-centered therapist who specializes in trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, relationship issues and navigating being a human! I offer a person-centered approach to therapy while also being able to challenge clients to reach their best potential and work towards achieving their goals and becoming the version of themselves that they wish to be.

My professional view of counseling is that it is a journey of self exploration by the client, using therapy as a guide to self understanding & self awareness. I, as a marriage and family therapist, use the skills that I have learned and developed throughout my education and clinical experience to facilitate growth in my clients. I am not an expert in any of my clients’ lives, but I strive to learn who they are from them and allow them to make decisions for themselves. I allow the client to guide the session so we can talk about the deep rooted problems when they are ready & tackle the daily struggles that cause anxiety & depression. I use talk therapy as a means of bringing dialogue and relationships to the forefront of the session. Reviewing presenting problems, past therapy experiences, and their goals will determine which theory or framework to use moving forward. In my experience, DBT, CBT, ACT, SFT and Motivational Interviewing have proven to be successful among my clients. I remain empathetic, supportive, and validating through each session and applaud clients as they grow and learn. Whether the goals are big or small, we will tackle each one and the obstacles that may arise. My philosophy is to teach each client that they are worthy of unconditional acceptance regardless of anything that would lead them to think otherwise.

Hi, I’m Shakira Maldonado, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York and Florida, dedicated to helping adults and teens navigate life’s challenges. With three years of experience in individual therapy, I specialize in providing a safe, supportive space where clients can explore their thoughts and emotions without judgment. My approach is highly personalized, blending evidence-based techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness practices with a compassionate, client-centered focus. I work with teens to address challenges such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, and the pressures of school and social life. Together, we build coping skills, improve emotional regulation, and foster resilience during this critical stage of development. For adults, I am committed to helping build healthier relationships, enhance self-esteem, and navigate significant life transitions. Whether you’re seeking to manage stress, develop healthier coping skills, or process unresolved emotions, I’m here to guide you on your journey toward self-awareness and emotional well-being. Let’s work together—whether you’re a teen or an adult—to achieve the balance and peace you deserve.