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.”
Kendra Read, PhD
“It is our commitment to be good stewards of families’ resources: their time, energy, and financial commitment. If we’re going to recommend and offer an intervention, we want it to be something that we have confidence will work. Our goal is to bring every family we serve state-of-the-science care.”
Jen Regan, PhD
“I became a clinical psychologist because I am so inspired by the growth that occurs when kids learn new skills and start applying them in their own lives. Whether it’s helping kids and teens challenge their fears, slowly try out new activities or re-write their own narrative after a traumatic event, I love sharing the tools that we know work well to increase their confidence and adaptability and open their worlds to new possibilities.”
Meet our Brooklyn clinical providers
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 (Person)
“I have always been genuinely interested in learning about people and hearing their stories. I am passionate about helping clients lead fulfilling lives, empowering them to discover their inner strengths and overcome challenges.”
Gina Foster, LMSW
“I’m inspired by the resilience kids and families develop and show throughout the therapeutic process. I find it energizing to support people as they grow in confidence and self-understanding during their formative years.”
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.”
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.”
Bria Leyden, LMHC-D, LPC
“I am passionate about supporting kids and teens as well as collaborating with parents to support their families.”
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-D
“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.”
Nazanin Kavoussi, LCSW-R
“It is my core commitment to provide families with collaborative, evidence-based care that honors their unique strengths. Navigating mental health care for your child takes a lot, and my goal is to make sure parents and children always feel heard, respected, and deeply supported every step of the way.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
Stephanie Pichardo, LMHC
"What drives me is helping young people and families recognize that meaningful change can happen through practical, achievable steps. I enjoy creating a space where young people and their families feel heard, respected, and actively involved in the treatment process.”
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.”
Alba Reyes, LCSW, LICSW
“I am passionate about helping children and families thrive in life and mental wellness. Because kids don't always have the words for their struggles, I am dedicated to making them feel seen and heard. Let's normalize big emotions, listen without judgment, and ensure no child faces their mental health journey alone."
Christina Sampson, MSW, LCSW
“Behaviors labeled as 'bad' or 'challenging' are usually a child's body doing its best to stay safe based on past experiences. As a therapist, I'm passionate about using trauma-informed guidance to help children and their families move out of survival mode and build healthier, more resilient lives.”
Zachary Seow, LMSW
“I’m inspired by the moments where a stumbling block becomes a stepping stone for progress.”
Meet our White Plains 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.”
Danielle Gamar, LCSW-R
“My goal is to create a warm, nonjudgmental space where kids, teens, and families feel heard, supported and empowered, leaving with practical tools they can keep using long after therapy ends.”
Miki Lasher, PhD
“It makes me very happy when I see a child thrive, after appropriate interventions are put in place, because an accurate diagnosis has been given. It is always interesting and fulfilling work!”
Trish Pennix, LMHC-D
“I am passionate about empowering kids and families to overcome challenges, improve emotional wellness, strengthen relationships, and achieve meaningful, lasting growth. It is an honor to walk alongside clients as they build healthier, more fulfilling lives, and that privilege continues to inspire my work every day.”
Meet our Albany clinical providers
Kingsley Czermerys, LMHC-D
“What fuels my passion every day is the opportunity to walk alongside young people and families during critical pivot points in their lives. I am deeply inspired by witnessing clients build resilience, embrace their authentic identities, and gain practical skills that foster lasting healing. Whether guiding a family through a crisis or helping a young person navigate their neurodivergence or identity, I am honored to create affirmative environments where individuals can truly thrive.”
Carlen Hiciano, LMHC-D
“What excites me most about this field is being able to work with children, teens and families. It's amazing to watch clients discover their own strengths, reclaim their confidence, and realize just how resilient they truly are. I’m also deeply passionate about breaking down barriers to mental health care and providing bilingual (English/Spanish) therapeutic services.”
Jalen Parson, LMHC-D
“I am passionate about increasing access to high-quality mental health care for underserved communities and helping families build stronger, healthier relationships. What inspires me most about this work is helping children and adolescents recognize that difficult moments do not define who they are or what they are capable of becoming.”
Gillian Rice, MSN, PMHNP-BC
“Working with children and teens is a joy. They inspire me with their resilience and ability to find happiness in small moments. It's a privilege to witness the growth that happens when young people are truly supported.”
Meet our New Rochelle clinical providers
Alba Reyes, LCSW, LICSW
“I am passionate about helping children and families thrive in life and mental wellness. Because kids don't always have the words for their struggles, I am dedicated to making them feel seen and heard. Let's normalize big emotions, listen without judgment, and ensure no child faces their mental health journey alone."
Stephanie Pichardo, LMHC
"What drives me is helping young people and families recognize that meaningful change can happen through practical, achievable steps. I enjoy creating a space where young people and their families feel heard, respected, and actively involved in the treatment process.”
Meet our online clinical providers
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.”
Gabrielle Lee, LICSW
“My work is relational in nature; I believe in making each child feel comfortable so we can build a solid foundation of trust in the therapeutic relationship. I believe in the strength and individuality of every child.”
Ephat Russcol, MD
“I truly love all my Brightline families and I value working as a team to help children be their best selves!”
