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Tara Pavone, LMHC

Staff Therapist
Languages
English
SPECIALTIES
Talk Therapy

Education and training

  • Long Island University Master of Science (MS)

Get to know

Tara Pavone, LMHC

Tara Merchant is a person-centered, nonjudgmental, relationship-based LMHC (licensed mental health counselor) who recognizes the intrinsic value of all people and holds positive regard for all her clients. Tara views counseling as a collaborative effort that provides psychoeducation and coping skills for the obstacles with which clients may be struggling, and clients provide insights as experts on themselves. She believes that all thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected and have valid underlying factors. Tara seeks to help clients connect the dots, from both past and present, to have a greater understanding of themselves and their environments. She also fosters a safe space for clients to identify and embrace their feelings toward emotional catharsis. Tara received her Bachelor's Degree from Purchase College, State University of NY, and her Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University. She has an eclectic style that utilizes Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and psychodynamic modality. Tara aims to uphold cultural humility for ongoing learning and awareness that supports racial and social equity. She is experienced in working with relationship issues, anxiety, depression, and child development. Tara is a big proponent of self-care and encourages you to find whatever it is that fills your cup. She, for example, loves to watch TV and sing in her spare time.

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Rachel Jones, LPC

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During the first session, Rachel focuses on listening and understanding each client’s story. Through gentle guidance, she helps clarify what brings them to therapy and collaborates to identify meaningful goals. Together, they create a personalized treatment plan that serves as a roadmap for ongoing sessions, building skills and insights that support lasting change.

Joni Courtney, LCSW

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During the first session, Joni starts with brief introductions and explores the challenges the client is facing. Together, they develop goals and a treatment plan, which they continue to refine in follow-up sessions. Joni tailors her approach using techniques from multiple therapeutic models to best support each client’s unique journey.

Nicole Martinez, LCPC

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Dr. Nicole Martinez received her Master's and Doctorate from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and completed her pre-doctoral and post-doctoral fellowship at Gateway Foundation in Lake Villa, Illinois. She earned a double major in Psychology and Therapeutic Recreation at the University of St. Francis. Dr. Martinez has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in individual, family, and group treatment. Her therapeutic approach is integrative, combining Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy (CBT) with holistic methods, emphasizing Solution Focused Therapy, Reality Therapy, and Positive Psychology. She believes in the mind-body connection and that exploring various areas of an individual's functioning is essential for optimum physical and emotional health. Dr. Martinez emphasizes a collaborative therapist-client relationship, where both act as partners in designing treatment goals. She values identifying ineffective past modalities to avoid frustration and ensure personalized care. Recognizing that each person is unique, she adapts to the patient's evolving needs, ensuring they feel heard and supported for positive outcomes. Her areas of expertise include health psychology, complex trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, social anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, LGBTQIA populations, bereavement, forensics, substance abuse, couples work, MISA, co-occurring disorders, domestic violence, sex offenders, special needs populations, and chronic medical issues and rare diseases. She is skilled in the evaluation and assessment of these populations.

Rebecca Johnson, LCSW

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Rebecca Johnson, LCSW, is a dedicated mental health professional with experience in a variety of settings. With a MSW from Louisiana State University and licensure in multiple states, she brings a well-rounded, evidence-based approach to therapy.

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Jennifer Phillips, LCSW

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Waded Baquerizo-Mahuad, LPC

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Waded Baquerizo-Mahuad is an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) in the state of Pennsylvania. She received her Master's (M.A.) in Mental Health Counseling from Kutztown University in 2016. She is also a Clinical Psychologist in her home country of Ecuador. She has provided mental and behavioral services to children and their families as a therapeutic staff support and mobile therapist, providing in-home services and services in the community. She has worked in Community Mental Health and Private Practice where she has gained experience treating various Mental health diagnoses that include PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, OCD, Grief, Adjustment Disorders, etc. As an experienced bilingual counselor, she utilizes an eclectic approach in her practice, taking into consideration the stage and uniqueness of her client's psychological, emotional, and social needs. Some of her approaches in therapy are the person-centered approach, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic approach, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused approach. She integrates Sensory Motor techniques as well as Mindfulness and Grounding techniques. In her practice, she also applies a Strength-Based Modality and Trauma-informed Focus. She also implements Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) interventions.

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Specialties
Talk Therapy
States
New York
Languages
English
Takes insurance
Virtual visits
years experience