Our therapists are the heart of Expressive Connections
Our therapists are not only highly qualified, they are wonderfully relatable humans. We value authenticity and transparency at Expressive Connections and our clinicians make coming to therapy feel safe and comfortable by showing up as humans first so that you and your family can too.
Our Founder and Director
Christina DiBernardo, LMHC, MSED, BCB, ACS
Christina DiBernardo brings over a decade of experience as a licensed mental health counselor, founder of the therapy practice Expressive Connections, and an engaging keynote speaker on workplace wellness and mental health awareness.
She founded Expressive Connections in 2020, rapidly growing it to a team of 15 therapists focused on creative arts therapies for children, families, couples and individuals. Christina is passionate about destigmatizing and supporting mental health through clinical work, speaking engagements, advocacy and consulting organizations on customized wellness programs.
A sought-after speaker, Christina shares research-backed insights that equip audiences with motivation and tangible tools to boost resilience. When she’s not managing her successful practice or speaking, Christina serves on the boards of the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County and St. John’s University Counselor Education Advisory Council.
Our Practitioners
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Annie Jan specializes in working with adults, LGBTQ+ clients, veterans, culturally diverse clients, and those with specific mental health conditions (life transitions, anxiety, PTSD) through modalities like CBT, humanistic therapy, mindfulness, DBT, and ACT.
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Joanna Freda treats adult trauma survivors and those with conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD using CBT, DBT, and art/play therapy modalities.
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Lena Pinzon provides therapy for LGBTQ+ clients, trauma survivors, neurodivergent individuals and diverse populations using CBT, mindfulness, and art/play therapies.
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Paisley Falvo works with young children and adults with specific mental health conditions using psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, REBT, ACT, and solution-focused modalities.
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Michelle Choy works with teens, and adults using CBT, psychodynamic therapy, humanistic approaches, art/play therapy, and REBT.
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Erica Thompson supports supports children, teens, adults and couples with conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD using CBT, psychodynamic therapy, and art/play therapy modalities.
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Chelsea Steiglitz works with young children, older children, and teens using therapies, including CBT, humanistic therapy, and art/play therapy.
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Crystal Calderon works with adult trauma survivors struggling with conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD using psychodynamic therapy, humanistic approaches, mindfulness, and narrative techniques.
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Jemimah Bulos works in our Schenectady location with teens, adults, and diverse populations using DBT, art/play therapy, and somatic therapy and has additional trauma-informed care certifications.
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Sarah Wallin provides therapy to young children, older children, teens, and trauma survivors using humanistic therapy, DBT, and art/play therapy approaches.
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Nydia Channer supports young children, older children, and teens using therapies like CBT, humanistic approaches, and art/play therapy.
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Kelly Misevich supports adults, couples, parents, and those experiencing workplace stress and mental health challenges like anxiety and depression using CBT, mindfulness-based approaches, and ACT.
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Vassiliki Pappas supports older children, teens, young adults, and those with specific mental health conditions through modalities like psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness, ACT, and strengths-based approaches.
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Destinee Alden believes that each and every person has the potential to release old, unwanted energy and create the life they want by utilizing Mindfulness, DBT and ACT modalities.
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Laura Peters is a BCIA certified Neurofeedback practitioner and a Certified Executive Functioning Coach. Using these two modalities she helps client rewire their brain and develop new skills to improve their academic, professional, and personal lives.
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Celine Nullet is a motivated mental health counseling intern from St. John’s University. She works with children, teens and adults build self trust, resilience and emotional awareness through CBT, Mindfulness and strength focused skill buiding.
