Meet our Clinical Leaders
Nikhil Nadkarni, MD
“Prior to becoming a doctor, I had spent time working in leprosy colonies in rural India and there I learned that the social consequences of illness can be profound and often more impactful than the medical consequences of illness. With this in mind, I found my way to Psychiatry, which is the discipline in medicine that I believe is the most attuned to the social determinants of health and the social consequences of mental and physical disorders.”
Caroline Mendel, PsyD
"I’ve known that I wanted to be a child psychologist since middle school! I had my sights set on this career because I naturally found myself supporting others, and I knew working with kids to help bring out the best in them would bring me joy."
Meet our Brooklyn care team
Tara Balin, LMSW
“What excites me most is being able to sit with kids and families through the highs and the lows of life, to foster and witness growth, healing, and change.”
Stephanie Eichler, LMSW
“ I am passionate about helping clients lead fulfilling lives, empowering them to discover their inner strengths and overcome challenges.”
Annie Elfers, LCSW
“I am a proud former ADHD kid who has had her own fair share of good and bad experiences in behavioral health settings. I aspire to provide the thoughtful, empathetic care that all children and families deserve, though many wish they could find.”
Sierra Freeman, LMSW
“I’m continually inspired by the resilience of the kids and families I serve. I strive to blend warmth, empathy, and evidence-based structure so every child feels supported, understood, and equipped with skills that will carry them forward."
Stephen Fox, PsyD
“What I love the most about this field is working with kids and teens and seeing them meet their goals, connect with their peers, and thrive in their individual settings."
Gina Foster, LMSW
“I was inspired to become a therapist after my experience providing one-on-one and group counseling to 6th-8th graders while pursuing my MSW. I find it energizing to watch individuals grow in confidence and self-understanding, while supporting them through such a formative time.”
Edward Merritt, PhD
“What excites me most about the field is being able to connect therapeutic skills to the interests or passions of my clients. It is very motivating when I see something that we have been working on finally click with a child.”
Sylvia Ryszewska, PhD
"I am most passionate about providing early intervention care as it can and does change the lives and trajectory of kids and families."
Nikki Vega, LCSW
"I’m passionate about helping families strengthen connection while building skills that support their child’s confidence and independence."
Sarah Wallin, LMHC
"Being able to provide a space where kids can express themselves openly, discover their strengths, and build skills that foster resilience is what inspires me every day."
Madelyn Williams, LMSW
“I’m passionate about giving kids tools they can carry throughout their lives, and I’m continually motivated by the courage youth and parents show each time they show up, share openly, and take steps toward greater confidence and connection.”
Meet our Long Island clinical providers
Julie Black, LMHC
“After every session, my hope is that kids, teens, and their parents leave feeling a little lighter, more hopeful, and more confident in their ability to weather life’s storms. I try to be the kind of person who sees the best in others and helps them discover that same light within themselves. When people truly begin to see the best in themselves, I believe they act in ways that honor that truth and stop getting in their own way.”
Karley Gabriel, PsyD
“ I have always had a genuine interest in each person’s unique story and a drive to help others reach their goals. I believe we all have our own strengths that can be best accessed when we are empowered and supported with compassion."
Lauren Moy, PhD
“I strive to meet kids, teens, and parents where they are. I work to tailor treatment to meet their needs, always considering each person’s unique social and cultural context and background."
Dawn Nero, PsyD
"I'm passionate about helping parents understand how to support their kids, providing them with information and tools through testing and ongoing treatment."
Michele Neuhaus, LMHC, LCAT, MA
“I enjoy helping people express their feelings. I am also passionate about helping my clients learn new ways to manage emotions and experiences that might feel overwhelming."
Subina Sharma, LMHC-DP
“What inspires me most about my work is helping families build resilience and connection while supporting kids as they develop confidence and emotional balance.”
Charlie Xiao, PMHNP
“I am passionate about making a positive impact on each child's life and helping them overcome their struggles and challenges. Their resiliency and successes, large and small, are what inspire me each and every day."
Meet our Manhattan clinical providers
Brittany Armstrong, LCSW
"My greatest professional passion is the delivery of high-quality mental health care. I am deeply committed to leveraging technology and human-centered design to scale effective, accessible mental health solutions that work for modern families."
Anthony Giammanco, LMHC
“My inspiration to become a therapist was born out of my desire to help others. While this is of course an obvious answer, I truly believe there is nothing more fulfilling than to try and help others to be their best selves.”
Jamila Mclaughlin, LCSW
"What excites me most about my profession is the opportunity to see lives transform in meaningful ways. I am passionate about helping kids, teens, and families recognize possibilities, develop greater awareness, and build confidence."
Jack Reibstein, LMSW
“ I’m inspired by the boundless capacity kids and teens have for imagination, creativity, growth, and change. My hope is that in our sessions, I can create a safe space for them to explore and discover more about themselves."
Zachary Seow, LMSW
“ I’m inspired by the moments where a stumbling block becomes a stepping stone for progress."
Carly Stern, PsyD
“ I’m passionate about providing evidence-based care to kids and their families and adapting interventions to benefit diverse, multicultural populations."
Charlie Xiao, PMHNP
“I am passionate about making a positive impact on each child's life and helping them overcome their struggles and challenges. Their resiliency and successes, large and small, are what inspire me each and every day."
Meet our online clinical providers
Emily Anastasio, PhD
"I have an abundance of love for working with neurodivergent kids and young people, especially those with autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, social skills deficits, and high anxiety."
Heather Buzbee, CPNP-PC, PMHNP-BC
“I love helping families find holistic, evidence-based solutions to improve the mental health and well-being of their kids and teens."
Rachel Havens, LMHC
“I bring 17 years of experience working with children, teens, and families in academic and clinical environments, having served as a tutor, educator, school counselor, and mental health therapist for ages 2 through 18."
Ephat Russcol, MD
“I truly love all my Brightline families and I value working as a team to help children be their best selves!”
Jessica Cohen, LCSW
Jessica Cohen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with focus areas of Anxiety, Depression, Disruptive Behaviors, Trauma, ADHD, Divorce/Separation, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, Child & Adolescent.
