Staff

Director
Ann Booth, Psy.D.

Associate Director
Mary Murphy, L.M.H.C.

Full-Time Personal Counselors
Leathe Allard, Ph.D.
Danielle DePalma, L.C.S.W.
Winnie Eng, Ph.D.
Kim Montagnino, Ph.D.
Sergey Profis, Ph.D.

Part-Time Counselors
Kristi Basile, M.A.
Brandon Beeler, Psy.D.
Jose’ Desiderio, L.M.H.C.
Samantha Escobedo, M.A.
Joanna Feinman, Ph.D.
Anna Ivanova-Tatlici, L.M.H.C.
Mark Lombardo, Psy.D.
John Lopez, L.C.S.W.
Catherine McMenamin, L.C.S.W.
Esther Mitnick, L.M.H.C.
Sandra Rodriguez, L.M.H.C.
Jonathan Spitz, Psy.D.

Psychatric Nurse Practitioner
Kathy Cilione, M.S., NP

Graduate Externs
Stephen Costello, BA
Akiva Gornish, BA
Kristen Parente, M.Ed.
Emma Routhier, M.A.
Yuliya Shteynberg, M.S.

Support Staff
Michele Karpeles, M.A.
Lisa Avila

Dr. Ann Booth, Psy.D., Director of the Counseling Center, is a New York State Licensed Psychologist. She holds a B.S. in Psychology, an M.S. in Mental Health Counseling, and a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Booth completed a clinical internship at Southern Illinois University Student Counseling Center, and also served as a Staff Psychologist at Stevens Institute of Technology.  In addition to clinical work, Dr. Booth has also served as a Senior Director of Student Services. Her clinical interests focus on trauma and survival, substance abuse, gay and lesbian issues, anxiety, and self-esteem strengthening. She works full-time at the Counseling Center and provides personal counseling for students.

Mary Murphy is the Associate Director of the Counseling Center and is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor.  She holds a  B.A. (Hons.) in Psychology from University College Galway, and an M.Sc. in Counseling Psychology from Trinity College, Dublin.  She is a Registered Psychologist of the Psychological Society of Ireland.  Ms. Murphy has over 20 years experience in clinical settings in the United States and Ireland.  Since 1994, she has served as a counselor both in this Center and the Office of Disability Services.  Ms. Murphy has a continuing interest in physiological factors that can influence psychological issues, and the range of methods used to train self-regulation.  She especially enjoys helping students identify and overcome issues that may hinder their academic success. She works full-time at the Counseling Center and provides personal and academic counseling for students.

Dr Leathe Allard is a New York State Licensed Psychologist.  She received her B.A. in Psychology from Boston College and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fordham University.  She completed an assistantship at Fordham University’s Counseling Center, a doctoral internship at California Polytechnic State University Counseling Center, and a post-doctoral fellowship at Loyola Maryland University Counseling Center.   Additionally she has worked extensively with at-risk older adolescents in the New York City foster care system.  Dr. Allard’s approach to therapy integrates psychodynamic, interpersonal, humanistic, and trauma-based theories. Her experience and clinical interests include: family of origin concerns; conduct problems, authority issues, childhood neglect, abuse and abandonment; LGBTQ and coming out; body image and eating problems; and depression.  Dr. Allard works full time at the counseling center and provides personal counseling for students.

Danielle DePalma received an M.S. in Social Work from Columbia University and a B.A. in Psychology from Cornell University.  She is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in the State of New York.  She has experience with assessment, case management, and outreach.  She has conducted counseling in areas such as developmental and learning disabilities. Ms. DePalma has worked for the Staten Island Mental Health Society and Legal Aid and currently works in a private practice New Jersey. She works full-time at the Counseling Center and provides personal counseling for students.

Dr. Winnie Eng is a New York State Licensed Psychologist, Clinical Specialty. She received her B.A. in Psychology and in Anthropology from Brown University, her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Temple University and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University Counseling Service at New York University. She has specialized training and research interest in the treatment of anxiety disorders and working with international students. Additional areas of interest include interpersonal relationships and multicultural/diversity issues. She has experience supervising Masters and pre-doctoral students at university counseling centers. Dr. Eng utilizes a psychodynamic approach in her treatment, and has extensive experience in crisis intervention and cognitive-behavioral interventions. She works full-time at the Counseling Center and provides personal counseling for students.

Dr. Kim Montagnino is a New York State licensed psychologist.  She received her B.A. in Psychology from Drew University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University.  Dr. Montagnino completed her clinical internship at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in New Jersey and worked as a Staff Psychologist at Seton Hall University Counseling Services.  She has specialized experience and interest in anxiety disorders, sexual assault survivors, multicultural counseling and the psychology of gender.  Dr. Montagnino's approach to counseling is informed by cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and family systems theories. She works full-time at the Counseling Center and provides personal counseling for students.

Dr. Sergey Profis is a New York State Licensed Psychologist, Clinical Specialty. He  received his B.A. in psychology from BostonUniversity, his M.A and Ph.D. from the Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Adelphi University. Dr. Profis completed his clinical Internship at Columbia-Presbyterian, The University Hospitals of Columbia and Cornell-Presbyterian Center.  Dr. Profis has specialized training in crisis intervention and has worked on a Psychiatric Mobile Crisis Team. His clinical interests include interpersonal relationships, multicultural issues, depressive and anxiety conditions. Dr. Profis employs an integrative approach to psychotherapy, combining psychodynamic, experiential and cognitive behavioral models of treatment. Dr. Profis works full time at the Counseling Center and provides personal counseling for students.

Kristi Basile received her BA in Psychology from SUNY Empire State College and her M.A. in Mental Health Counseling from the College of Staten Island. During her time at Empire State College she ran info sessions, where she offered guidance and advice to fellow students on their educational career.  Kristi also completed her graduate internship at the CSI Counseling Center. Kristi works part-time at the Counseling Center providing both personal and academic counseling for students.

Dr. Brandon Beeler is a New York State Licensed Psychologist who received his B.A. in Psychology from University of Michigan and his Psy.D from Yeshiva University, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Pratt Institute’s Counseling Center. His specialties include anxiety, depression, relationship and dating issues, self-esteem, and men’s issues and masculinity issues. He works from primarily psychodynamic theories such as self-psychology, object relations, and interpersonal theories, though he also integrates cognitive-behavioral therapy. Dr. Beeler works part-time at the Counseling Center and provides personal counseling for students.

José Desiderio is a NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor. He received his B.A. in Psychology and Sociology at the (SUNY) University at Albany. He also received his M.A. in Mental Health Counseling from the College of Staten Island. José completed his graduate internships at Curtis High School and the CSI Counseling Center. His clinical interests are interpersonal relationship issues, anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, and academic difficulties. José practices within the frameworks of cognitive-behavioral therapy, humanistic, and solution focused techniques. He works part-time at the counseling center providing individual and group academic counseling for students.

Samantha Escobedo received her B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the College of Staten Island. Samantha utilizes an integrative approach comprised primarily of several theoretical orientations such as psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral techniques. Her clinical interests focus on interpersonal issues, depression, anxiety disorders, and immigration concerns. She works part-time at the Counseling Center and provides personal counseling for students.

Dr. Joanna Feinman is a New York State Licensed Psychologist. She received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts, after attending Berklee College of Music and SUNY Binghamton. She received her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from New York University, and completed a doctoral internship at Kings County Hospital Center. She has worked extensively with college students in the Counseling Center at CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College, as well as in Community Mental Health Centers. Dr. Feinman’s clinical interests include recovery from depression and anxiety, exploring relationships and family, identity, multicultural issues, and improving self-esteem. Her approach to counseling integrates solution-focused, CBT, humanistic, and family systems, with insights from neuroscience. She works part-time at the Counseling Center and provides personal counseling for students.

Anna Ivanova-Tatlici is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor and National Certified Counselor. She received her B.A. in Psychology and M.A .in Mental Health Counseling from Brooklyn College. Anna has experience working in college, hospital and clinic settings providing individual, couples and group therapy, crisis intervention and supervision. She implements an eclectic therapeutic approach utilizing psychoanalytic, cognitive behavioral techniques, motivational interviewing and mindfulness therapy. Her clinical interests focus on stress management, anxiety, improving self-esteem and immigration issues. Anna works part-time at the Counseling Center providing personal counseling for students.

Dr. Mark Lombardo is a New York State Licensed Psychologist. He received his Psy.D. in Clinical Neuropsychology from Carlos Albizu University and an M.A. in Psychology from Morehead State University. He completed his clinical internship at the Bronx VA Medical Center and has worked for over 25 years in various hospital, residential, mobile crisis, private practice and clinic settings with specializations in hospital administration, suicide prevention, crisis management, employee assistance, clinical supervision, and athletic performance. He is trained in and employs a values and mindfulness based approach to psychotherapy that integrates Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy. Dr. Lombardo works part-time in the Counseling Center and provides individual, couples, and group counseling for CSI students.

John Lopez, LCSW is a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He received a BA in Economics from Brooklyn College, an MS degree in Health Care Management from Stony Brook, and a Master of Social Work from Touro College. He worked as a hospital administrator for several years in a variety of settings. John has provided services in juvenile detention facilities, colleges, and high schools throughout New York as a motivational speaker and mentor. In recent years, John has dedicated himself to psychotherapy and counseling. John utilizes a wide array of approaches to assist clients to achieve their very best. Techniques include CBT, Psychodynamic, and Humanistic applications to address anxiety, depression, anger, PTSD, difficulty in relationships and other life stressors. John works part time at the Counseling Center and provides personal counseling for students.

Catherine McMenamin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She has a BA in Psychology from Temple University and an MSW from Fordham University. She has worked as a clinician in outpatient and in-community treatment settings for more than 20 years. Catherine utilizes cognitive behavioral therapies along with solution focused and mindfulness techniques to address anxiety, depression and substance abuse. Her clinical focus in on creating a supportive, safe therapeutic environment needed to empower individuals to reframe and recognize their own strengths and resilience. Catherine works part-time in the Counseling Center provides personal counseling for students.

Esther Mitnick is a licensed mental health counselor. She received her B.A in Psychology from Touro college and her MA in Mental Health Counseling from the College of Staten Island. She works part-time at the Counseling Center providing personal counseling for students. Esther has experience working with substance abuse issues providing Motivational Interviewing and DBT techniques in personal and group settings. Her clinical interests include trauma, mindfulness interventions for depression and anxiety as well as fostering growth through relationships.

Sandra Rodriguez is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She received both her B.A. in Psychology as well as her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Queens College, CUNY. Sandra has experience working in clinical, private practice, educational, and online settings. Sandra has worked with a wide range of life situations and mental health issues with individuals, couples/families and groups. Sandra’s counseling style is warm and relational as she uses a psychodynamic approach with an integration of techniques tailor suited to each person. She finds strategies to address immediate concerns, symptom reduction & management as well as uncovering issues that may be affecting goal attainment. Her experience also includes work with anxiety & panic attacks, relationships, mood disturbances, life transitions, as well as a specialization in trauma. Sandra works part-time at the Counseling Center providing personal counseling for students.

Dr. Jonathan Spitz is a New York state licensed psychologist. He received his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and his M.A. and Psy.D in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. His clinical interests include working with people with concerns around trauma, depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationships, loss, and stress management. He uses an integrative approach to therapy incorporating constructivist, humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, and systems theories. Dr. Spitz works part-time at the Counseling Center and provides personal counseling for students.

Kathleen Cilione received a B.S. in Nursing from Villanova University and a master’s degree from Wagner College in nursing administration and child mental health.  She went on to obtain a post-master’s certificate from Columbia University in a psychiatric nurse practitioner program.  Ms. Cilione has over 30 years of psychiatric nursing experience.  She has worked as a clinician and administrator in outpatient, inpatient and psychiatric emergency settings. She also spent five years teaching at New Jersey City University. She works at the Counseling Center part-time and provides psychiatric medication evaluations and management for students.

Stephen Costello is a third-year PsyD student in the Clinical Psychology Program at William Paterson University. He graduated with a BA in psychology from Fairfield University. Stephen’s clinical interests include anxiety and mood disorders as well as developmental disorders and varying assessment methodologies. Stephen is a graduate extern in the Counseling Center where he provides individual and group counseling for students.

Akiva Gornish received his B.A. in Liberal Arts from Thomas Edison State University and a B.A. in Psychology from Kean University. He is currently pursuing a PsyD in Clinical Psychology at the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology in Yeshiva University. He is interested in a broad range of psychological distress and disorders and in tailoring treatment to the individual by drawing from evidence based treatments and theories. Akiva is a graduate extern in the Counseling Center where he provides individual and group counseling for CSI students.

Kristen Parente is a graduate of the College of Staten Island, having received her B.S. in psychology. She received a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology and is continuing towards her doctorate at Kean University in their combined School/Clinical PsyD program. She has particular interest in group dynamics, anxiety and depressive disorders, and empowering her clients through the therapeutic process. Kristen is a graduate extern in the Counseling Center where she provides individual, and group counseling for CSI students.

Emma Routhier received her B.A. in African-American Studies from Dartmouth College. She received her Master’s in the Art of Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the City College of New York. She is interested in supporting individuals across the lifespan with experiencing and managing their emotions, connecting in interpersonal relationships, and continuing their cultural and personal identity development. Emma is a graduate extern in the Counseling Center where she provides personal, group, and academic counseling for CSI students.

Yuliya Shteynberg received her B.A. in Psychology from Cornell University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of North Texas. She is interested in insight-oriented work, interpersonal relationships, and helping individuals cope with trauma. Yuliya is a graduate extern in the Counseling Center where she provides personal counseling for CSI students.

Support Staff   Michele Karpeles Lisa Avila