Meet our Faculty and Staff

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Department

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.

Meet our Faculty

Faculty

Kellyanne Brady, Ph.D., LMHC, NCC | Director and Chairperson of the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling|Assistant Professor

Discipline: Master of Science Program, Clinical Mental Health Counseling

E-Mail: kbrady1@molloy.edu

Website: https://molloy.elsevierpure.com/en/persons/kellyanne-brady

Biography:

Kellyanne Brady, Ph.D., 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. Following her master's degree and working in the mental health field for several years she completed 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. As an educator, Kellyanne is passionate about counselor education and values being a mentor for the next generation of counselors. Kellyanne has also 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 at national and state-level conferences. Kellyanne is passionate about advocating for the profession and actively participating in professional organizations. Kellyanne presently serves on the board of ACA NY as treasurer.
Laura B. Kestemberg, Ph.D. | Founder of the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Department | Associate Professor

Discipline: Graduate Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling

E-Mail: lkestemberg@molloy.edu

Website: https://works.bepress.com/laura-kestemberg/

Biography: Dr. 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 completed extensive post-doctoral training in neuropsychology. Dr. Kestemberg has worked in a variety of leadership roles in clinical, medical, research, and higher education settings for over 30 years. She has recently trained in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Integrative Couples Therapy, as well as other clinical and leadership areas. She joined the faculty at Molloy University in 2012 as an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and was hired to develop and lead a new Master of Science Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC).

Dr. Kestemberg has been teaching psychology and counseling courses since 1992 at the doctoral, graduate, and undergraduate levels at Adelphi University, Fordham University, and now at Molloy in the areas of psychological assessment, psychopathology, psychodiagnostics and treatment planning, counseling theories, multicultural counseling, practicum, and internship. Dr. Kestemberg served as the Chair, Associate Dean and Program Director of the New York State registered and CACREP accredited Master of Science Program in CMHC at Molloy University for 9 years since its inception until September 2021. Dr. Kestemberg served as the Clinical Director at the Center for Autism and Child Development at Molloy University from 2013-2016. She was awarded Molloy University's Research Achievement Award in 2015, the Distinguished Service Award in 2021, and the Ten Years of Service Award in 2022. In 2019, Dr. Kestemberg founded the Mental Health and Wellness Center (MHWC)at Molloy University. The MHWC is a state-of-the-art community clinic providing low-cost mental health services to children and adults and counseling training for our practicum and intern students under live supervision.

In 2021, Dr. Kestemberg was awarded and became the Project Director of a 4-year, $1,166,668 million U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant under the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program for Professionals and funded through the American Rescue Plan Act. Our HRSA-BHWET Grant focuses on meeting the mental health needs of diverse youth and their families in New York State. This meaningful project increases the number of multiculturally trained practitioners in our graduate program and expands partnerships with healthcare providers serving vulnerable children and transitional-age youth in high need, high demand communities in Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, and Suffolk counties.
Ray Blanchard, PhD, LMHC-D, ACS | Clinical Coordinator | Assistant Professor
Discipline: Master of Science Program, Clinical Mental Health Counseling

E-Mail: rblanchard@molloy.edu

Website: https://works.bepress.com/raymond-blanchard/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raymond-blanchard-phd-lmhc-lpc-ncc-43a47035?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Area(s) of Specialization: School Based Mental Health Counseling, LGBTQ Affirming Counseling, Clinical Supervision, Leadership in Counseling

Education:
- PhD, Montclair State University, 2023
- MSEd, The College of Saint Rose, 2014
- BA, State University of New York at Albany, 2011
Biography:

Dr. Blanchard is a graduate of Montclair State University’s PhD in Counseling program where he specialized in school mental health and LGBTQ issues in counseling. Serving as a Fellow for the Department of Counseling, Dr. Blanchard engaged in scholarly work and research under the supervision of Dr. Michael Hannon. During his time at MSU, Dr. Blanchard was an active member of his Chi Sigma Iota chapter serving as President from 2019-2020. Additionally, Dr. Blanchard was a CSI Leadership Fellow for the 2020-2021 academic year having served on committees for CSI and conducted important leadership research. Given his specialization during his studies, Dr. Blanchard’s dissertation focused on the concept of induction applied to the experiences of licensed mental health counselors working in New York City school based mental health clinics.

He has over a decade of bilingual clinical and supervision experience working with children and adolescents in school based mental health clinic settings across New York City schools. In addition to his clinical and doctoral work, Dr. Blanchard is passionate about service and leadership. He has served on boards such as American Counseling Association of NY (Past President) and the North Atlantic Region of ACA (Chair). Additionally, he continues to be active with CSI serving on their Professional Members Committee, the Association for Children and Adolescent Counseling, Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, and developing an affiliate organization for school based mental health counselors. He has presented at local, state, and international conferences and published in various counseling journals and magazines within the field.

Courses Taught:
- MHC 5260: Assessment in Counseling
- MHC 5300: Group Counseling
- MHC 5160: Developmental Theories
- MHC 5220: Social and Cultural Counseling
- MHC 5350: Community and Crisis Counseling
Publications:
- Blanchard, R. (Accepted). Imposter syndrome in school based mental health services. In Williams, C. & Mikolon, T. (Eds.), The making of a mental health professional: Inspirational, motivational, and humorous stories of challenges, victories, and wisdom. Cognella Publishing.
- Blanchard, R. A. & Stevens, M. (2023). Strength based approaches. In Dermer, S. B. & Abdullah, J. R. (eds.), the SAGE encyclopedia of multicultural counseling, social justice, and advocacy. Sage Publications, Inc.
- Hannon, M.D., Ferguson, A. L., Blanchard, R. A., & Santiago, J. E. (2023). Otherfathering and Black men’s mental health: A phenomenological study. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.12289
- Blanchard, R. A. (2023). Understanding the induction experience of licensed mental health counselors working in New York City school based mental health clinics. [Doctoral dissertation, Montclair State University].
- Farrell, I., Harrichand, J., Gilfilan, E., Blanchard, R., & McCurach, J. (2023). Advocacy lessons from Chi Sigma Iota’s heroes. Journal of Counselor Leadership and Advocacy,1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/2326716X.2023.218734
- Johnson, T., LaFauci Schutt, J., Messinger, E., Blanchard, R., Saunders, R., LaFever, C. & DuFresne, R. (2022, Summer). Why CSI?: Revisiting the importance of professional organization membership. Chi Sigma Iota Exemplar, 37(2), 14-17.
- Stevens, M., Blanchard, R. A., & Harrichand, J. J. S. (2021, Summer). Excellence in the field- From master’s student to professional counselor: Research engagement across the counseling profession. Chi Sigma Iota Exemplar, 36(2), 1-31. Retrieved from https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.csinet.org/resource/resmgr/publications_exemplar/Summer_2021_Exemplar.pdf
- Blanchard, R. A. (2021) Review of Counseling children and adolescents: Working in school and clinical mental health settings. The Counselors' Bookshelf: Professional Books. Chi Sigma Iota International
- Tapia-Fuselier, J. L., Rabess, A., Gay, J., Blanchard, R., Morton, F., Bowser, T., Stevens, M., & Sapp, T. (2020). COVID-19 counselor education and supervision resource list. Joint Collaboration between Association for Counselor Education and Supervision and Chi Sigma Iota International. Retrieved from https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.csi-net.org/resource/resmgr/publications/CSI_ACES_Resource_List.pdf
- Hannon, M. D., Blanchard, R., & Storlie, C. (2019). Microaggression experiences of fathers with children with autism spectrum disorder. The Family Journal, 27(2), 199-208. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480719832512
Recent Presentations:
- Blanchard, R. (2024). Clinical supervision needs of licensed professional counselors working in school mental health settings [Education session]. NARACES 2024, Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Peer-reviewed).
- Blanchard, R. (2024). Clinical approaches when working with children and adolescents: A skills-based approach. HRSA Clinical Internship Training Series, Molloy University. (Special Invitation).
- Blanchard, R. (2024). Clinical supervision approaches when working with children and families using the discrimination model approach. HRSA Supervisors Training, Molloy University. (Special Invitation).
- Blanchard, R. & Sheets, S. (2024). Long term solutions for the myriad problems plaguing child and young adults in mental health and SUD. Behavioral/Mental Health and SUD Innovations for Medicaid, Medicare, and Duals. (Special Invitation).
- Blanchard, R. (2024). A discussion focused on counseling children and adolescents and understanding concepts of human sexuality and high risk behaviors. Coun 611/813 Human Sexuality, Mercer University. (Guest Lecture).
- Blanchard, R., Duffey, M., Washington, D., Andre, L., & Messinger, E. (2024). Building community between counselor educators & site supervisors for excellence in supervision. Chi Sigma Iota Spring 2024 webinars. (Special Invitation).
- Blanchard, R. (2023). Inducting licensed professional counselors to work in school mental health settings [Poster session]. Association for Counselor Education and Supervision 2023 Conference, Denver, Colorado. (Peer-reviewed).
- Blanchard, R., Farrell, I.C., Gilfillan, B., McCurrach, J., & Harrichand, J. J. S. (2022) Professional advocacy: A content analysis of interviews from CSI leaders [Poster session]. Chi Sigma Iota Sponsored Poster Session at the American Counseling Association 2022 Conference and Expo, Atlanta, Georgia. (Peer-reviewed).
- Blanchard, R. & Protivnak, J. (2022). Preparing clinical mental health supervisees for work in a school mental health setting [Virtual conference presentation]. American Counseling Association 2022 Conference and Expo, Atlanta, Georgia (Peer-reviewed).
Natalie A. Nieves, PhD, LPC, NCC | Assistant Professor
Discipline: Master of Science Program, Clinical Mental Health Counseling

E-Mail: nnieves@molloy.edu

Website: https://works.bepress.com/natalie-nieves/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-nieves-ma-lpc-ncc-642032122/

Area(s) of Specialization:

Latino/a/x mental health, women’s mental health, multicultural counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Theory, and contemplative practices in counseling.

Education:
- PhD, Counselor Education & Supervision, Montclair State University, 2026 (CACREP-accredited)
- MA, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Fairleigh Dickinson University, 2018 (CACREP-accredited)
- BA, Psychology School of Arts and Sciences, Fairleigh Dickinson University, 2016
Biography

Natalie A. Nieves, PhD, MA, LPC, NCC, is a Tenure-Track Instructor in the Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Molloy University and a recent doctoral graduate of Montclair State University’s CACREP-accredited Counselor Education and Supervision program. Her scholarship centers on Latinx mental health and emotional well-being, culturally responsive teaching practices, and mindfulness and contemplative practices in counseling. Her dissertation, “Understanding How Latinx Millennials Attend to Their Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being: A Phenomenological Study,” was designed to advance culturally grounded counseling practice with Latinx communities.

In addition to her faculty role, Dr. Nieves is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice, providing telehealth mental health services with a primary clinical focus on women of color, the Latinx community, and the intersections of cultural identity and mental health. She integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with mindfulness and restorative practices to honor clients’ intersecting identities.

Dr. Nieves is an active contributor to the Molloy University community, serving on the Graduate Academic Policies and Programs Committee (GAPP), the Mentorship & Support Committee, and the Mission Integration Committee. She also serves as Faculty Advisor and is a member of the Latinx Affinity Group. Professionally, she is affiliated with the American Counseling Association (ACA), NARACES, the American Educational Research Association (AERA), the New York Mental Health Counselors Association (NYMHCA), and Chi Sigma Iota (CSI), and she regularly presents peer-reviewed research at regional and national conferences.

Courses Taught
- MHC 5100 – Counseling Orientation and Ethics
- MHC 5200 – Methods of Research
- MHC 5300 – Group Counseling
- MHC 5400 – Spirituality and Counseling
- MHC 5440 – Marriage and Family Counseling
- MHC 5470 – Human Sexuality
- MHC 5500 – Practicum
Publications

Nieves, N. A., & Sheely-Moore, I. (2026). A mindfulness approach to address racial microaggressions in the classroom. ACES Teaching Practice Briefs, 7.

Hannon, M. D., Adams, L. M., Nieves, N., Ceballo, E., Ford Jr, D. J., & Vereen, L. G. (2024). Black people’s reasons for becoming professional counselors: A grounded theory. Professional Counselor, 14(2), 164–180.

Recent Presentations

Brady, K., & Nieves, N. (2026). Growing Together: Building Resilience and Professional Identity through Supervision. NYMHCA Biannual Convention 2026. Albany, NY.

Blanchard, R., Brady, K., & Nieves, N. (2025). Current Events in the Classroom: Broaching and Promoting Brave Space in Counselor Education Programs. Association of Counselor Education & Supervision (ACES) Biannual Conference. Philadelphia, PA.

Blanchard, R., Brady, K., & Nieves, N. (2025). Broaching Controversial Current Events in Counseling: A Clinical Perspective from Counselor Educators. American Counseling Association National Conference. Orlando, FL.

Sheely-Moore, A., & Nieves, N. (2024). Just Breathe: What Counselor Educators Need to Know Teaching a Mindfulness Course. North Atlantic Region of the Association of Counselor Education & Supervision (NARACES) Biannual Conference. Atlantic City, NJ.

Brady, K., & Nieves, N. (2024). Start Spreadin’ the News: Intentionality in Supervision and Counselor Identity. NYMHCA Convention 2024. Albany, NY.

Hannon, M. D., Adams, L., Ceballo, E., Ford, D. J., Nieves, N., & Vereen, L. G. (2024). Black Peoples’ Reasons for Becoming Professional Counselors: A Grounded Theory. NBCC Bridging the Gap Symposium. Washington, D.C.

Nieves, N., & Petrocelli, R. (2023). DEI Information Abound – Now What? Integrating DEI in Peer Supervision and Consultation for the Everyday Counselor. NJCA Virtual Conference.

Hannon, M. D., Vereen, L. G., Ford, D. J., Nieves, N., Adams, L., & Ceballo, E. (2023). So What Brings You to Counseling? Black Counselors’ Reasons for Joining the Profession. American Counseling Association (ACA) Annual Conference. Toronto, Canada.

Nieves, N. (2023). Latinx Connection and Culture: Creating Community within Counseling Graduate Programs. LMHANJ Conference: Latinx Representation in Mental Health.

Nieves, N., & Adams, L. (2022). Cross Racial Supervision between BIPOC Supervisors and White Supervisees. North Atlantic Region of the Association of Counselor Education & Supervision (NARACES) Biannual Meeting. Pittsburgh, PA.

Nieves, N. (2022). Exacerbated Disparities: COVID-19’s Impact on Mental Health and the Hispanic/Latinx Community. Eastern Sociological Society Mini-Conference: Latinx Experiences & the Pandemic. University of Boston.

Nieves, N. (2021). Exacerbated Disparities: COVID-19’s Impact on Mental Health and the Hispanic/Latinx Community. Build & Broaden Conference: Long-Term Impacts of Covid-19 on Latino Communities in the Tri-State Area.
Orsolya Varkonyi, Ph.D. | Assistant Professor
Discipline: Master of Science Program, Clinical Mental Health Counseling

E-Mail: OVarkonyi@molloy.edu

Office Location: 30 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre, NY

Website(s): https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-orsolya-varkonyi-phd-837663298/

Area(s) of Specialization: Clinical Supervision, Diagnostics, Multicultural Counseling and Leadership in Counseling

Biography:

Dr. Orsolya Várkonyi is an accomplished counselor educator, scholar, and clinical practitioner whose work sits at the intersection of student well-being, educational equity, and counselor preparation. She earned her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision following graduate studies in Counseling Psychology at Columbia University. Drawing on more than two decades of combined clinical and academic experience, she has served across hospital, college counseling, and university settings-providing evidence-based care while supervising and mentoring the next generation of clinicians.

Dr. Várkonyi’s scholarly agenda addresses the mental health and wellness experiences of immigrant-origin and community college learners, Latina student experiences, inclusive teaching practices, microaggressions in counselor education, and the role of advocacy and leadership in the counseling profession. Her research has appeared in peer-reviewed journals and been showcased through national conference presentations, contributing meaningfully to conversations about student well-being, counselor preparation, and higher education equity. She has authored numerous publications and continues to shape the field through ongoing scholarly work. A landmark achievement in her scholarship is the co-authored textbook Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Community College Learners: Implications for Administrators and Counselor Educators (Cognella, 2026)-the first text of its kind to center community college student mental health as a distinct and urgent area of inquiry. A companion practical workbook is forthcoming in 2027, ensuring that her research translates directly into tools practitioners and educators can use.

As President of ACA-NY, Dr. Várkonyi leads one of the profession’s most vibrant state-level advocacy organizations, championing policies and initiatives that support both counselors and the communities they serve. Her professional service includes active roles on multiple editorial boards, where she contributes to shaping the field’s most significant scholarly conversations.In her role as CACREP Liaison at Molloy University, she ensures that the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program upholds the highest standards of accreditation and professional preparation. As Co-Faculty Advisor of the Mu Chi Nu chapter of Chi Sigma Iota—counseling’s premier international honor society—she invests directly in the professional identity and leadership development of high-achieving graduate students. Dr. Várkonyi brings the full weight of her scholarship, leadership, and clinical wisdom to every dimension of her work. Whether through her teaching, her research, her editorial stewardship, or her advocacy, she remains unwaveringly committed to a more equitable, more compassionate, and more rigorous counseling profession.

Recent Publications/Presentations
- Varkonyi, O. (2024, April 12). Exploring Wellness of Immigrant College Learners [Poster presentation]. American Counseling Association, New Orleans, LA, United States.
- Varkonyi, O. (2024, September 13). Workshop and Protocols for Assisting College Students with Trauma and Race Based Trauma [Online Presentation]. American Counseling Association, Virtual Professional Practice Summit, United States.
- Varkonyi, O. (2024, December 6). Training Future Counselors and Social Workers: Providing Multiculturally Sensitive Counseling to Immigrant-Origin Community College Students [Workshop presentation]. Molloy University, Rockville Centre, NY, United States
- Varkonyi, O. (2025, January 4). Exploring the Wellness Needs of Immigrant College Learners [Presentation]. Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI, United States.
https://iicehawaii.iafor.org/presentation/submission87666/
- Varkonyi, O. (2025, January 4). Psychosocial Stressors Latinas Face in Education [Presentation]. International Conference on Arts and Humanities in Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, United States.
https://iicahhawaii.iafor.org/presentation/submission87644/
- Varkonyi, O. (2025, March 28). Exploring Relations of Identity and Psychological Distress among Latina University Learners [Presentation]. American Counseling Association, Orlando, FL, United States.
- Varkonyi, O. (2025, January 24). Training Future Counselors and Social Workers: Addressing Trauma, Race-Based Trauma, and Microaggressions in College Classrooms and Counseling Centers [Workshop presentation]. Molloy University, Rockville Centre, NY, United States
- Varkonyi, O. (2025, February 21). Multicultural Counseling Strategies for Immigrant College Learners [Webinar]. NARACES Wellness Committee, United States.
- Varkonyi, O. (2025, February 28). Exploring the Mental Health Needs of Immigrant College Learners [Presentation]. NBCCF Bridging the Gap Symposium, Atlanta, GA, United States.
- Varkonyi, O. (2025, March 28). Exploring Relations of Identity and Psychological Distress among Latina University Learners [Presentation]. American Counseling Association, Orlando, FL, United States.
- Haddad S., Bartell, T., & Varkonyi, O. (2025, June 10). Improving Gen Z Educational Outcomes: A Mental Health and Well-Being Approach [Presentation]. The Paris Conference on Education, Sorbonne University, Paris, France.
- Varkonyi O. (2025) Psychosocial Stressors Latinas Face in Education ISSN: 2432-4604 – The IAFOR International Conference on Arts & Humanities – Hawaii 2025 Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 113-117) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2432-4604.2025.10
- Varkonyi O. (2025) Exploring the Lived Experiences of Wellness of Immigrant Community College Learners ISSN: 2189-1036 – The IAFOR International Conference on Education – Hawaii 2025 Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 265-269) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2189-1036.2025.23
- Várkonyi, O. (2025, April 10). Are you frustrated with how the current climate is affecting our work as counselor educators? [Webinar]. NARACES Wellness Committee, United States.
- Várkonyi, O., & Malott, K. M. (2025, May 16). What can we do? Supporting students in uncertain times. [Webinar]. NARACES Wellness Committee, United States. https://multibriefs.com/briefs/aces/ACES043025.php
- Várkonyi, O., & Haddad, S. (in press). Addressing the mental health needs of community college learners: Implications for administrators and counselor educators. Cognella.
- Várkonyi, , & Haddad, S. (in press). A practical workbook for addressing the mental health needs of community college learners. Cognella.
- Varkonyi, O. (2025, June). Inclusive andragogy: Fostering Classroom Environments Free of Microaggressions through Humanistic-Oriented Learning. ACES Teaching Practice Briefs, 6(6), 47-57. https://acesonline.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ACES-TPB-i6-Inclusive-Andragogy_Fostering-Classroom-Environments-Free-of-Microaggressions-through-Humanistic-Oriented-Learning.pdf
- Varkonyi, O., & Haddad, S. (2025, October 12). Empowering voices: Navigating the unique challenges of people of color with disabilities [Presentation]. ACES Conference, Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
- Varkonyi, O. (2025, October 9). Mental Health Needs of Immigrant College Learners [Presentation]. ACES Conference, Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
- Varkonyi, O. (2025, December 3). Understanding the Mental Health Challenges Faced by Immigrant Students in Higher Education
- [Presentation]. NBCC Mental Health Connections Conference, National Board for Certified Counselors, Virtual National Conference, United States.
- Varkonyi, O. (2025, December 5). Holding Space: Trauma-Informed Presence in the Classroom [Workshop presentation]. Molloy University, Rockville Centre, NY, United States
- Varkonyi, O. (2026, January 4). Inclusive Andragogy: Addressing Microaggressions Through Humanistic Learning [Presentation]. International Conference on Arts and Humanities in Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, United States.
- Varkonyi, O. (2026, January 8). Wellness and Resilience: Immigrant Community College Students’ Lived Experiences [Presentation]. Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI, United States.
- Hartman, J., Varkonyi, O., & Haddad, S. (n.d.). Social justice and advocacy as a grief intervention [Unpublished manuscript]. In Integrative approaches to grief counseling. Routledge.
- Varkonyi, O. (2026, February 6). Empowering Voices: navigation the Unique Challenges of People of Color with Disabilities[Workshop presentation]. Molloy University, Rockville Centre, NY, United States
- Varkonyi O. (2026) Inclusive Andragogy: Addressing Microaggressions Through Humanistic Learning ISSN: 2432-4604 – The IAFOR International Conference on Arts & Humanities – Hawaii 2026 Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 273-278) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2432-4604.2026.24
- Varkonyi, O. (2026, April 10). Exploring Immigrant Learners' Mental Health in Two-Year Colleges [Presentation]. American Counseling Association, Columbus, OH, United States.
- Varkonyi, O. & Haddad, S. (2026, April 11). Making the Invisible Visible: Counseling People of Color with Disabilities [Presentation]. American Counseling Association, Columbus, OH, United States.
- Várkonyi, O. (2026). Immigrant student wellness in community colleges: Implications for inclusive leadership and practice. Journal of Applied Research in the Community College, 33(1), 55–69. ISSN: 1068-610X https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/montezuma/jarcc
- Varkonyi, O. (in press). Identity speaks: Racial-cultural and gender identities can mediate sexism-related distress among Latina college students. Counseling Today. Scheduled for publication May 2026.
- Cannarozzo, A., Blanchard, R., & Várkonyi, O. (2025). Reigniting the Molloy University CSI chapter in a time of advocacy and need in the Long Island communities. CSI Exemplar, 40(1). https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.csi-net.org/resource/resmgr/publications_exemplar/Fall_2025_Exemplar.pdf
- Várkonyi, O., Baker, E., Burton, K., Holleck, M., Kivikoski, J., Lee, K., & Worley, K. (2026, January 20). CSI chapter focus! 40 ways to engage your community [Webinar]. Chi Sigma Iota.
- Hartman, J. R., Várkonyi, O., & Haddad, S. (in press). Social justice advocacy as a grief intervention. In C. Park & A. Randolph (Eds.), Integrative approaches to grief counseling. Routledge.
- Várkonyi, O., & Haddad, S. (2026). Addressing the mental health needs of community college learners: Implications for administrators and counselor educators. Cognella. ISBN: 9798823390682
- Varkonyi, O. (2026). Identity speaks: Racial-cultural and gender identities can mediate sexism-related distress among Latina college students. Counseling Today, 69(3). https://ct.counseling.org
- Várkonyi, , & Haddad, S. (in press). A practical workbook for addressing the mental health needs of community college learners. Cognella.
- Várkonyi, O. (2025, April 17). University-wide dialogue circle [Facilitated session as Chair]. Employee Training and Development Subcommittee, Mission Integration Committee, Molloy University.
- Varkonyi, O. (2025). Psychosocial stressors Latinas face in education. IAFOR Journal of Arts & Humanities, 12(1), 113–117. https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2432-4604.2025.10
- Varkonyi, O. (2025). Exploring the lived experiences of wellness of immigrant community college learners. IAFOR Journal of Education, 13(1), 265–269. https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2189-1036.2025.23
- Varkonyi, O. (2025). Inclusive andragogy: Fostering Classroom Environments Free of Microaggressions through Humanistic-Oriented Learning. ACES Teaching Practice Briefs, 6(6), 47-57. https://acesonline.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ACES-TPB-i6-Inclusive-Andragogy_Fostering-Classroom-Environments-Free-of-Microaggressions-through-Humanistic-Oriented-Learning.pdf
- Cannarozzo, A., Várkonyi, O., & Blanchard, R. (2025). Reigniting the Molloy University CSI chapter in a time of advocacy and need in the Long Island communities. CSI Exemplar, 40(1). https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.csi-net.org/resource/resmgr/publications_exemplar/Fall_2025_Exemplar.pdf
- Varkonyi, O. (2026). Addressing microaggressions in counselor education. IAFOR International Journal of Arts & Humanities, 2432(4604), 273–278. https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2432-4604.2026.24
- Várkonyi, O. (2026). Interpreting mental health: Immigrant-origin community college learners’ academic and cultural understandings. Journal of College Academic Support Programs, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.58997/8.1fa3
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Meet our Staff

Marcie Siciliano, LMHC, Clinical Director of The Mental Health and Wellness Center

Discipline: Graduate Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling

E-Mail: msiciliano@molloy.edu

Biography: Marcie Siciliano is a licensed mental health counselor and has been practicing since 2012. She holds a Master of Education from Hofstra University with a specialization in school counseling and a Certificate of Advance Study in Mental Health Counseling. She holds additional certifications in anger management and family interventions. She has been an adjunct instructor at one of the local universities teaching at the undergrad and graduate level. Prior to coming to Molloy, Marcie was a former clinical director, for a nonprofit agency working with various populations. Her focus was working with clients and families who struggle with addiction. She also worked within the Suffolk County Correctional Facility working with inmates with various mental health and substance abuse concerns. Marcie is an instructor with New York State University Police and teaching about mental health and wellness. Marcie is passionate about mental health, and it should be accessible to everyone who may need services and working with the Clinical Mental Health students to develop future mental health counselors.
Michelle Collura, LMHC, NCC, Clinical Supervisor of The Mental Health and Wellness Center

Discipline: Graduate Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Office: The Mental Health & Wellness Center

E-Mail: Mcollura@molloy.edu

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellecolluravaldner/

Area(s) of Specialization: Clinical Supervision

Biography: Michelle Collura is a NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor (#006710). She holds a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from St. John’s University.

Throughout her career, Michelle has specialized in treating a variety of psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and adjustment disorders, utilizing evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Mindfulness. She has a particular passion for fostering professional development and growth of counseling students and new clinicians, having run an internship program, where she trains and supervises mental health counseling graduate students. Michelle currently operates Live Happy Counseling, an online telehealth practice where she provides psychotherapy to individuals of all ages.

Additionally, Michelle served as an adjunct professor, having taught Group Dynamics and Internship II courses at St. John’s University. Michelle remains an active participant in professional organizations including: the New York Mental Health Counselors Association (NYMHCA) and the American Counseling Association (ACA).
Marlena Zayas, Administrative Assistant for Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program and The Mental Health and Wellness Center

Office: The Mental Health & Wellness Center

E-Mail: Mzayas@molloy.edu

Meet our Graduate Assistants

Gianna Aiello

Discipline: Graduate Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling

E-Mail: GAiello@lions.molloy.edu

Biography: Gianna is currently in her second year of pursuing a master's degree in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. She is working as a graduate assistant at the counseling center, where she assists with various tasks and research. Her volunteer work has equipped her with skills in crisis intervention and de-escalation of high-risk situations. Additionally, she is currently employed, gaining valuable expertise in managing referrals for children and adolescents diagnosed with severe emotional disorders. Gianna looks forward to starting her practicum/internship experience in the Summer of 2025, furthering her clinical experience in the mental health field.
Amanda Cannarozzo

Discipline: Graduate Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling

E-Mail: acannarozzo@lions.molloy.edu

Biography: Amanda is a second-year student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. She is an active student member of the New York Mental Health Counselors Association (NYMHCA) and presented a poster with two of her colleagues titled “Body Dysmorphia in Adolescents as a Negative Result of Social Media” at the NYMHCA conference in Albany in 2024. Amanda is excited to begin her internship experience in the Summer 2025 semester. She also enjoys pursuing research with her professors through her position as a graduate assistant.