Fulltime Faculty

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 30 years.

She joined the faculty at Molloy College in 2012 as an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Counseling, and has been the Chair, Associate Dean and Director of the Master of Science Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Molloy College since its inception. She has been teaching counseling courses at Molloy College since 2012, at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

She served as the Clinical Director at the Center for Autism and Child Development at Molloy College from 2013-2016. She won Molloy College's Research Achievement Award in 2015. Her research and clinical interests include stress reduction and mindfulness techniques, developmental and emotional disabilities and their effects on family members, multicultural counseling, parenting groups, and supervision and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students. She has presented at local and national conferences (ACES, NARACES, ACA, NYMHCA, APA) on the topics of mindfulness techniques for counseling students, the effects of group therapy on parenting stress, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. She maintains a part-time private practice providing individual and group psychotherapy and assessment services to children and adults. 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 his Ph.D. in Counseling from 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...

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. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of New York and has worked in various capacities as a bilingual counselor working with children, adolescents, and their families. Also, she has served as a clinical supervisor and program director in outpatient substance abuse facilities. Currently, she owns a private practice in the Bronx where she works with women of color who have endured trauma. Her research interests include multicultural competence in counseling and supervision, cross-racial supervision, and social justice advocacy.  She is involved in numerous research projects and has presented research findings at regional and national conferences. Additionally, she is active in the counseling honor society, CSI, where she was elected Chapter President at Montclair State and was also chosen as one of CSI's international leadership fellows.

Clinic Director

Kellyanne Brady is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of New York and a Nationally Certified Counselor. She received a master's degree from Adelphi University in general psychology and later went on to receive her master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from New York Institute of Technology. Presently, she is completing her doctoral degree in Mental Health Counseling at Pace University. Kellyanne also has certification in alcohol and substance abuse counseling. Kellyanne has a wide-variety of experience in clinical settings, including extensive experience working with individuals diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness in inpatient and outpatient settings. She presently maintains an online telehealth practice providing individual counseling. For the past several years, she has worked extensively with clinical counseling students and new counselors, providing clinical supervision and training. Additionally, Kellyanne has provided clinical training to medical and mental health professionals on topics including active listening and motivational interviewing. Kellyanne's present research involves developing an understanding of the professional identity of counselors and ways to improve identity development. Kellyanne is involved with several professional organizations and has presented research and participated in a discussion panel for counseling students at the New York Mental Health Counselors Association conference in 2018.

Adjunct Faculty

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.

Dr. Fisher is currently an inpatient staff clinical psychologist, clinical instructor and supervisor at Elmhurst Hospital Center/Mount Sinai Services in Queens, New York. He earned his Psy.D. and M.S. in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University, and additionally earned a Masters of Science in Education Degree (MS.Ed.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from St. John's University. He specialized his studies and training in Long-Term Mental Illness (LTMI). He has worked predominantly with adults diagnosed with a broad range of DSM 5 disorders, including Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD and Personality Disorders. He has worked in several clinical settings including inpatient hospitalization, partial hospitalization, and outpatient settings at well-regarded hospitals in the New York area including Mount Sinai St. Luke's and West Hospitals, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, and Queens Hospital Center. Dr. Fisher has received a wealth of training in providing individual therapy, group therapy, and couples and family therapy.

His research interests include race and aggression and their impact in psychotherapy, and implicit and explicit bias and their effects on diagnostic decision-making of clinicians when working with minorities. He has presented posters and served on several panels and symposiums at both national and international conferences.

Dr. Fisher is honored to be a member of Molloy College's Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program as an adjunct professor.

Angelica Terepka, Psy.D.
New York Presbyterian/Columbia University
New York Cognitive Therapy and Wellness Center   

Dr. Terepka is a NYS licensed clinical psychologist trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy, trauma focused CBT, and acceptance and commitment therapy. She specializes in working with diverse populations, particularly with LGBTQIA+ and religious populations, and received the NYS Psychological Association Diversity Award for both her clinical and research contributions to the field of therapy. Dr. Terepka has specialized training in providing therapy to young adults and has held appointments at several university counseling centers where she developed and facilitated numerous workshops and therapy group focused on LGBTQIA+ support. She currently works as a psychologist for a hospital where she provides individual and group therapy to teens and young adults and their families; she also sees clients in private practice. In addition, Dr. Terepka is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medical Psychology at Columbia University Medical Center, and maintains adjunct faculty appointments in Fordham University's Graduate School of Education Counseling Psychology program, Long Island University's Counseling and School Psychology program, and Molloy College Mental Health Counseling Program. 

Terry S. Audate has a license in Clinical Social Work and is a graduate of Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. She is a doctoral student at New York University with a concentration in Spirituality and Clinical Social Work. Ms. Audate is the owner and a practitioner at Autesh Therapy Services, LCSW, PLLC. Ms. Audate uses an eclectic approach in her practice with a focus on Mindfulness and Spirituality. She is also a school social worker with the NYC Department of Education. Prior to that, Ms. Audate directed programs in mental health/substance abuse programs, developmental disabilities residential programs, and the health care integration department in foster care. Ms. Audate is also a certified domestic violence specialist and a certified anger management specialist. She was one of the pioneers of Project Hope after Hurricane Sandy at Transitional Services of New York Inc. and continues to work in the community to assist others. Ms. Audate works with children, families, and adults and facilitates couples' seminars and workshops in her community.

Mary L. Affee, LCSW, RPT-S, CHC, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York, North Carolina, and Connecticut. She is also a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and a Holistic Health Coach. Mary earned her MSW from Fordham University. Mary is currently pursuing her Ed.D in Organizational Leadership in Education from Gardner-Webb University. Mary also earned a second masters in Educational Leadership from Gardner-Webb University. She is Licensed School Administrator and has spent more than 12 years in public education serving as a School Social Worker. Mary has extensive clinical experience in trauma informed practice, and earned an award of excellence from the National Institute for Trauma and Loss in 2014. She is also a frequent guest speaker locally and nationally, and she is the owner and Clinical Director at Horizon Integrated Wellness Group, PLLC, a private practice that specializes in expressive therapies for children, teens, families, and adults.

Vanessa Persaud is a NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. She obtained her MSEd. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from St. John's University and is currently pursuing her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at Capella University. Vanessa also has her certification in alcohol and substance abuse counseling and in trauma counseling. She has predominantly worked with adolescents and adults in an outpatient setting providing both individual and group counseling to individuals struggling with Substance Use Related Disorders, co-occurring issues, relapse prevention and Personality Disorders. Vanessa also has experience providing individual counseling in a private practice setting where she has worked with adults diagnosed with a wide range of DSM 5 disorders, including Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Major Depressive Disorder, Eating Disorders, Anxiety Related Issues, PTSD and other trauma related issues, and Adjustment Disorder. Her treatment modalities include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. For the past several years, Vanessa has also taught as an adjunct instructor at St. John's University's Counselor Education program teaching beginning counselors' courses in Assessment, Research, Orientation and Ethics, and field courses for Mental Health Counseling students.

Her research interests include: Coping Strategies Counselor Educators Use to Adjust to Death Within the Counseling Field, Understanding How Minority Cultures (the Indo-Guyanese population and North Indian cultures) Deal with Death, Gatekeeping Related Issues Related to Beginning Counselors and the Counseling Field, and How Substance Use Effects New York City Adolescents and Society today. She has presented for the Board of Education, Psychologists-In-Training and for the New York State Mental Health Counselors Association. Vanessa is delighted to serve as an adjunct faculty for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Molloy College.

Staff

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

Theresa N. Eaves
Administrative Assistant
CMHC Department
teaves@molloy.edu
516.323.3844

Amy Weinstock is a first year counselor-in-training at Molloy and currently a graduate assistant for the CMHC program. She has taught swim for the past ten years to students of all ages and abilities. Upon graduation, Amy wants to work with children and adolescents. She also wants to research Aquatic Mental Health Counseling techniques and harnessing the power of an everyday physical activity as a form of therapeutic aid for clients."

Nouna Jalilzadeh is currently a third-year Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student and is a Graduate Research Assistant at CMHC's Department. She is a counselor in training at Molloy's Student Personal Counseling Center. Nouna's interests are in helping individual's with Eating Disorders, Personality Disorders, and Couples and Marriage-related issues. She is planning to apply for Ph.D. in Counselor education and supervision and hopes to open her private practice. 

Emma Giordano is a first year counselor-in-training at Molloy and is currently a graduate assistant for the CMHC program. She was an intern for the National Eating Disorders Association and often creates presentations to speak to local students and teens about mental health awareness. After graduation, Emma hopes to work with adolescents and young adults with depression/eating disorders and has dreams to open her own private practice.