Alexia Ford, LCSW

Penny Clark is a Licensed Professional Counselor, who earned her Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey in 2004. Penny also completed a one-year training to become a Certified Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York in 2017. Penny has more than 20 years of counseling experience and has worked with individuals, couples and families, beginning by working with 9/11 displaced workers and recovery workers, including police, firemen and EMTs, and then Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy families, after which she worked with bereaved military families, homeless veterans, and other homeless men. Penny has done individual, couples, career and relationship counseling. Penny has worked in various levels of care including inpatient, outpatient, intensive outpatient and partial care programs. Penny has answered the National Suicide Prevention Hotline 800-273-TALK, has worked in a psychiatrist’s office, and in her own private practice. Penny also worked at a drug and alcohol detox and rehabilitation program.  Penny has worked with individuals with Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, health and medical challenges, substance abuse, and the specific challenges that seniors face.

Penny provides a safe, therapeutic environment in which clients can share and process their thoughts and feelings, gain insight, and set and reach realistic and achievable goals. Penny’s primary goal is to develop a trusting relationship with her clients and helping them to improve their lives.

Penny uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, (CBT,) Positive Psychology, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Psychoeducation while working with clients. Penny enjoys assisting clients in determining where they are and where they would like to be, the steps they need to take to get there, and in identifying and overcoming any obstacles that may be in their way.

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Alexis Lanzillo, MA BC-DMT, NCC, LPC (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Pennsylvania and Dance/Movement Therapist. She received her master’s degree as a Dance/Movement Therapist from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is also board certified through the American Dance Therapy Association. She has over 15 years of experience working with adolescents and adults of various demographics, living with a vast array of mental health needs.

Alexis is a humanistic therapist, maintaining a clinical focus of a trauma-informed lens. She uses a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches, rooted in dance/movement therapy principles, while integrating elements of additional evidence-based therapies including CBT, DBT, and other mindfulness-based techniques, all with a deep commitment to creating a supportive and non-judgmental space for her clients. She encourages clients to use their voice, verbally and non-verbally enable self-expression to help people build and maintain a positive sense of self.

Meet people where they are at, is always her focus. Alexis believes in the power of the relationship, to self and others, and works with each motivated individual to explore one's own unique experiences, challenge negative beliefs, while gaining a deeper understanding of the mind-body connection. Alexis will be there to support clients in reaching personal goals, challenge beliefs that no longer serve a purpose, encourage healthy risk taking, and establishing healthy boundaries with self and others.

Sibi Selvarajah is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) renowned for his compassionate approach and dedication to fostering emotional well-being. Sibi's career in mental health has been marked by a dedication to evidence-based practice and a client-centered approach. His experience working as a group and individual counselor at a private substance abuse outpatient treatment center in Manhattan provided him with invaluable knowledge and insight into helping individuals struggling with substance use disorder, anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues, among others. Sibi earned his Bachelor's degree in Psychology from New York University, where he developed a strong foundation in psychological theories and practices. He went on to complete his Master's degree in Social Work at Yeshiva University, gaining advanced knowledge and hands-on experience in therapeutic techniques. As a licensed clinical social worker, Sibi is known for his empathetic listening skills and his ability to build strong therapeutic alliances with his clients. His therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing from multiple modalities to tailor treatment plans that best meet the unique needs of each individual. Outside of his professional work, Sibi is dedicated to continuous learning and personal growth. He regularly attends workshops and conferences to stay abreast of the latest advancements in mental health therapy. Sibi also believes in the importance of self-care and encourages his clients to engage in practices that promote overall well-being. Through his work, Sibi Selvarajah continues to make a profound impact on the lives of those he serves, helping them navigate their mental health journeys with hope and resilience.

Nekeisha Hutchinson, LPC, earned her Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Post University in 2017 and has worked with a diverse demographic in a clinical capacity including outpatient and in-home settings conducting both individual and family therapy, within the Department of Corrections with clients struggling with substance use challenges and crisis services over the past seven years. Prior to becoming a therapist, Nekeisha spent 10 years working in early childhood education and seven years working as a Family Support Specialist in homes with both prenatal and postnatal mothers providing support in attachment building and assisting them in securing community resources. Nekeisha has experience working with adolescents, adults, senior citizens and families. Nekeisha uses a variety of evidence-based interventions including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) to help clients develop appropriate tools to address their challenges and live more fulfilling lives.

Nekeisha Hutchinson has experience working with youth, adolescents, adults, the elderly and families. She specializes in treating anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, parenting challenges, stress management and conflict resolution. Nekeisha utilizes evidence-based practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and solution focused therapy (SFT) to enable clients to develop effective coping skills to overcome their challenges. She provides a safe and judgement free environment that supports exploration and healing. Please allow me to assist you in your journey of self-discovery and wellness.

I believe that establishing a healthy therapeutic alliance begins with communication and establishing trust. My communication style is direct and assertive, and I use open-ended questions and active listening so that clients can express themselves freely. I enjoy providing a safe environment for clients so that they can share their narratives while receiving empathy and positive regards. I place great effort in fostering collaboration in an effort to gain understanding of the situation and the symptoms in order to form an appropriate diagnosis, identifying goals, working together in treatment planning and monitor progress. I encourage clients to participate in their care through commitment, shared decision-making and reflective listening.

Joseph Smith, LMHC, earned his Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Eastern Kentucky University in 2015 and has worked with patients in a clinical capacity for the past six years. While in graduate school, he was exposed to various clinical and research experiences, where he found his passion in examining the motivational factors of human behavior. Joseph's academic work strengthened his interest to work with individuals in a therapeutic capacity, which ultimately led to advanced experiential training in crisis interventions and the treatment of individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Before relocating to New York City, he worked with individuals in under-served communities in the Appalachian region. Joseph subscribes to a humanistic, motivational enhancement, and cognitive behavioral framework. Understanding the benefit of therapeutic rapport, Joseph fosters an environment of self-acceptance and self-awareness while promoting intrinsic motivation for patients to act as their own catalyst of change. In addition, Joseph has a passion for working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, the LGBTQIA+ community, women with reproductive challenges, and victims of domestic violence.

Brittney is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of New York. She attended SUNY Buffalo where she obtained a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master's in Education with a Certificate of Advanced Study in School Counseling and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Mental Health Counseling. Brittney started her career as a School Counselor before transitioning full-time to Mental Health Counselor. Brittney is an empathetic and open-minded clinician, striving to meet her clients where they are, build trust, and maintain a safe, non-judgmental environment. She is experienced and passionate about working with teens and adults with various forms of trauma. Additionally, Brittney utilizes SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) for families impacted by anxiety and OCD to help them understand the impact these experiences have on their lives, ultimately finding the resolutions and outcomes they hope for. While EMDR therapy is her primary treatment approach for individuals, or SPACE for families, she also utilizes ACT, Parts Work, Motivational Interviewing, CBT, and others.