Meet Our Faculty and Staff

Laura B. Kestemberg, and Laura L. Wood. Our courses are taught by highly-trained licensed mental health counselors and diverse faculty members with clinical experience in the mental health field. Our faculty commit themselves to making the graduates of our Clinical Mental Health Counseling program the most knowledgeable and best prepared professionals in the counseling field.

At Molloy, the faculty is committed to service learning, experiential learning and promoting a transformative experience. In our graduate program, courses are taught by highly trained and licensed mental health counselors. Our graduate counseling faculty understands the importance of the counselor professional identity and promotes the growth and development of each student as a professional counselor.

We emphasize the importance of scholarly excellence, compassionate understanding, and competent practice. We believe that an education should not stop with the granting of a degree, so we encourage the continued pursuit of knowledge, scholarly publication, and research as modes of increasing professional competence and contributing to the development of the mental health and counseling fields.

Laura B. Kestemberg is a bilingual Spanish-English NYS Licensed Psychologist with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and her Master's degree in Clinical and School Psychology from Adelphi University's Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies. She has post-doctoral training in neuropsychology. Dr. Kestemberg has worked in a variety of clinical, medical, research, and higher education settings for over 25 years. She joined the faculty at Molloy College in 2012 as an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Counseling, and is the Chair, Associate Dean and Director of the Master of Science Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Molloy College. She is the Clinical Director at the Center for Autism and Child Development at Molloy College. Her research and clinical interests include developmental and emotional disabilities and their effects on family members, stress and mindfulness, psychological and neuropsychological assessment of children and adults, multicultural counseling and psychology, parenting groups, and supervision and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students. She has presented at local and national conferences (ACES, ACA, APA) on the topics of parenting stress, group counseling, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. She maintains a part-time private practice providing individual and group psychotherapy and assessment services to children and adults. More...

Laura L. Wood graduated with her doctorate in Counseling and Counselor Education from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis and is a NYS Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Registered Drama Therapist-Board Certified Trainer. Additionally, she has her M.A. in Drama Therapy from New York University and is the current President of the North American Drama Therapy Association. Previously, Dr. Wood worked at an eating disorder treatment center as the Lead Therapist where she facilitated individual, group and family therapies. Her focus and research areas include the treatment of trauma and dissociation, eating disorders, attachment, grief and loss, and the use of drama therapy and creativity in counseling. Specifically, she is interested in how therapeutic theater can help individuals in eating disorder and addictions recovery (www.recoverythroughperformance.com). She has both lectured nationally and internationally and published in these areas. In 2015-16 she was awarded the Drama Therapy Fund Research grant and the Molloy College Student Faculty Recognition Award. In addition to teaching, Dr. Wood is also the Practicum and Internship Coordinator for the CMHC program and is passionate about working with students. Dr. Wood sees clients in private practice, supervises and consults nationally and internationally, and facilitates intensive healing retreats. In 2018 she will be giving the Key Note address at the New York Mental Health Counselors Association annual conference. More...

Tyce Nadrich is a NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor. He received a MSEd. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from St. John's University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Counseling at Montclair State University. He has worked predominantly with adolescents across a variety of settings, including inpatient hospitalization, partial hospitalization, outpatient, and within juvenile detention. He also currently operates a private practice. His research interests include understanding the experiences of racially ambiguous persons of color, the experiences of persons of color in academia, multicultural counseling competencies and best practices, and the prevalence and effects of microaggressions toward persons of color. More...

Adjunct Faculty

David Flomenhaft is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a doctoral degree in Clinical Social Work from New York University. He has over 32 years of professional experience. As Director Dr. David Flomenhaft of large hospital based Outpatient Behavior Healthcare Services he manages clinical operations and administrative services for NYS Licensed Mental Health Clinic, Partial Hospital Program, and Chemical Dependency Clinic. He has established clinical pathways, oversees performance improvement, and manages 40 professional and administrative employees. The Chemical Dependency Program was recognized in 2010 as an "Exemplary Program" by the NYS Health Foundation for Excellence for its integration of Mental Health Services in a program for co-occurring patients to address their co-existing psychiatric and substance abuse needs. He is also the Research Coordinator for International Early Lung Cancer Action Program at a local hospital.

Dr. Flomenhaft has expertise in Integrated Behavioral Health and Primacy Care services. He has obtained grants in 2011 from NYS Office of Mental Health (NYS-OMH) for Integrated Primary Care in Behavioral Health Setting, in 2013 from the NYS Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (NYS-OASAS) for the Permanent Supported Housing for Primary Substance Abusers and in 2016 by NYS-OMH for the OnTrackNY Program for First Episode Psychosis.

He conducted independent published research on the bereavement experience of the adult siblings of 2001 WTC attack victims. He has presented on this research and other mental health topics at NYU, FDNY, International Society of Traumatic Studies annual conferences, Association for Ambulatory Behavioral Healthcare annual conferences and appeared on internet radio program "Healing the Grieving Heart". He has appeared on Cablevision channel Telecare Health Source Program on several occasions from 2010-2015. Dr. Flomenhaft was an adjunct professor at Long Island University and taught courses at New York University.

Michele Rivas is a NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a Ph.D. in Counseling and Counselor Education from Syracuse University and a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University. She also has a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Disability Studies from Syracuse University. Dr. Rivas is currently an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Counseling in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Marist College. Dr. Rivas has worked in a variety of settings including clinical and higher education. Dr. Rivas is committed to professional engagement that strengthens counseling, counselor education, and clinical supervision of counselors. Her scholarly interests include multicultural counseling competencies, disability counseling competencies, counselor development, and disability rhetoric within the counseling discourse. Dr. Rivas has presented at multiple professional counseling conferences at the state, regional, and national level in topics related to counselor education and development, clinical supervision, and multicultural competencies of counselors in training. Her participation on multiple committees and professional associations has afforded her a broader understanding of how to promote the advancement of the counseling profession through mentorship, service, and advocacy. Dr. Rivas maintains a part-time private practice providing individual counseling and clinical supervision to pre-licensed counselors. She will be teaching courses in Developmental Counseling and Spirituality in Counseling for the CMHC Department.

Maureen Grissom is a licensed psychologist who received her M.A. and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Notre Dame. She completed a two year fellowship in Pediatric Neuropsychology in the Department of Health Psychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she remained as a faculty member until returning to Long Island. She is currently the Director of Behavioral Science, Research Coordinator and Director of Admissions for the Family Medicine Residency Program at Southside Hospital-Northwell. She is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra-Northwell. She has published numerous articles and book chapters in the fields of psychology and medicine. Dr. Grissom has presented nationally and internationally and enjoys working with undergraduate and graduate students as well as medical students and resident physicians. In 2015, she received a North Shore LIJ Health System Teacher of the Year award. Her areas of interest include children with neurodevelopmental disorders and their families as well as physician wellness and communication skills. Dr. Grissom is proud to serve as adjunct faculty for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Molloy College.

Professor Candice Crawford is a graduate of New York University's Mental Health and Wellness Counseling program and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Counseling from Montclair State University. Professor Crawford is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of New York and has served as a bilingual counselor working with children, adolescents, and their families. Also, she has served as a clinical supervisor in an outpatient substance abuse facility. Her research interests include multicultural competence in counseling and supervision, cross-racial supervision, and social justice advocacy. Currently, Professor Crawford is involved in numerous research projects and has presented at regional and national conferences. She is actively involved in her CSI chapter as President-Elect and was recently chosen as one of the 2017-2018 CSI Leadership Fellows and as one of the 2016 NARACES Emerging Leaders.

Johanna Gomez graduated with a doctoral degree in Counseling Studies from Capella University, and a Master's degree in Dr. Johanna Gomez CreativeArts Therapy from Hofstra University. She has expertise in working with military families in dealing with trauma, attachment issues, transitioning, and building resilience in multiple locations throughout the country. Dr. Gomez wrote her dissertation on "The Impact of Psychological Resilience on Army Active Duty Military Wives' Mental and Physical Health". She is a Spanish-English bilingual counselor who has been a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas and North Carolina and is approved for the LMHC in New York State. Her clinical interests include developmental disabilities, multicultural issues, parenting education, and grief and loss. Previously, Dr. Gomez maintained a full-time private practice providing assessment and therapy for individuals and families. She is looking forward to be teaching the course on Developmental Theories in Counseling at Molloy College for the summer of 2017.

Julianne De Lorenzo is a NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She received her Ph.D. in Mental Health Counseling at Pace University and received her EdM and MA in Mental Health Counseling at Columbia University. She has worked in homeless shelters, private practices, and children's programs providing individual and group therapy. She is currently employed as a trauma-informed therapist at a domestic violence program working with children and families who have endured various types of trauma as a result of abuse. During her time as a doctoral student, she was the lab coordinator for the Trauma, Social Processes, and Resilience Lab. Her research interests include trauma, microagressions, PTSD, attachment style, and romantic relationships.

Jonathan Procter is a NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS). He received his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Ohio University and his Master's Degree in Behavior Analysis from Swansea University in the United Kingdom. Dr. Procter has worked extensively with in-patient forensics crisis intervention populations, out-patient community mental health, and has served as the Clinical Director at a university in Southeast Texas. Most recently, he opened a small private practice in Rockville Centre, NY. His research interests include multicultural counseling competency development in counselor trainees, psychiatric rehabilitation, Relational Frame Theory (RFT) as it applies to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and research across the lifespan for members identifying with the LGBT communities. As a Counselor Educator, he is dedicated to mentoring and developing a student's professional identity as a Counselor. As such, students are regularly included in current research and state and national presentations. Dr. Procter remains active within the American Counseling Association (ACA) and subdivisions including: the Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Counseling (ALGBTIC), the Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW), the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselor (IAMFC), and the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA). He teaches the course on career counseling to our Molloy CMHC students.

Theresa Kill is the Administrative Assistant to the CMHC department and works to support both faculty and students alike.

Theresa N. Kill
Administrative Assistant
CMHC Department
tkill@molloy.edu
516.323.3844

Elizabeth Pignatelli

Elizabeth Pignatelli is a second year counselor-in-training at Molloy, and she is currently one of the two graduate assistants working in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling department. Her interests include gestalt therapy and the ways in which it increases client awareness, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and working with developmentally disabled teens and young adults outside of the classroom. After graduation, she plans to work as an addictions and substance abuse counselor.

Dani Bryant is a second year Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student, and is a new Graduate Assistant for the CMHC Department during her final year in the CMHC program. Outside of the classroom, Dani follows her passion and works as a theater maker, playwright, and arts educator. She also specializes in devised theater, and the creation of new work on the topics of gender parity and body positivity. After graduation, Dani hopes to work as a group counselor and registered Drama Therapist.

My name is Kaitlin Habekost and I am a second year graduate student in Molloy's Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. I am incredibly excited to begin the amazing opportunity of being the CMHC's Graduate Research Assistant and I am looking forward to assisting in doing research with faculty, helping plan events, and other tasks around the CMHC department. After graduating from the program, I plan on working for an inpatient or outpatient agency assisting individuals suffering from addiction, particularly substance use. I am also interested in working with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mood-related disorders. After enough experience and exposure to an array of clients with differing presenting issues, I may be interested in starting my own private practice. For now, however, I plan to continue to excel in all my classes and challenge myself and take more risks. I am truly looking forward to what is yet to come through this journey of self-discovery.