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.

Executive Director and Founder


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

  • Annie Jane

    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.

  • Joanna Freda

    Joanna Freda treats adult trauma survivors and those with conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD using CBT, DBT, and art/play therapy modalities.

  • Lena Pinzon

    Lena Pinzon provides therapy for LGBTQ+ clients, trauma survivors, neurodivergent individuals and diverse populations using CBT, mindfulness, and art/play therapies.

  • Paisley Falvo

    Paisley Falvo works with young children and adults with specific mental health conditions using psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, REBT, ACT, and solution-focused modalities.

  • Michelle Choy

    Michelle Choy works with teens, and adults using CBT, psychodynamic therapy, humanistic approaches, art/play therapy, and REBT.

  • Erica Thompson

    Erica Thompson supports children, teens, adults and couples with conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD using CBT, psychodynamic therapy, and art/play therapy modalities.

  • Chelsea Steiglitz

    Chelsea Steiglitz works with young children, older children, and teens using therapies, including CBT, humanistic therapy, and art/play therapy.

  • Crystal Calderon

    Crystal Calderon works with adult trauma survivors struggling with conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD using psychodynamic therapy, humanistic approaches, mindfulness, and narrative techniques.

  • Sarah Wallin

    Sarah Wallin provides therapy to young children, older children, teens, and trauma survivors using humanistic therapy, DBT, and art/play therapy approaches.

  • Nydia Channer

    Nydia Channer supports young children, older children, and teens using therapies like CBT, humanistic approaches, and art/play therapy.

  • Kelly Misevich

    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.

  • Vassiliki Pappas

    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.

  • Destinee Alden

    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.

  • Marisa Colombi works with children, teens and young adults and believes that therapy should be flexible and adaptable to each unique person. Her treatment strategies include play therapy, CBT and Psychodynamic, with an emphasis on empowerment and humanistic values.

  • Laura Peters

    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.

  • Celine Nullet

    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.

  • Elizabeth Han is a passionate mental health counseling student intern from Long Island University. She works with children, teens and adults on stress management, symptom reduction and more using strengths based approaches including CBT, art and play therapy.

Want to join our team? Click below to learn how!