MEET OUR TEAM

WE’RE HERE WHEN YOU’RE READY

OUR THERAPISTS

Claire Burnham, LCSW

Claire (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 6 years of experience providing mental health treatment for adolescents and adults.
She is a person-centered, strengths based therapist who also uses evidence based interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, dialectal behavioral therapy (DBT), and trauma informed approaches. By implementing these different techniques, Claire is passionate about helping others find meaning and fulfillment in their lives.
With a prominent focus on establishing compassionate and supportive therapeutic relationships, Claire hopes to foster a new sense of growth and self-esteem with her clients. Recognizing the profound impact of racial, economic, and social injustices on mental health, Claire strives to help her clients cope with these issues in the best way possible.

Jacquelyn (she/her) is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with extensive experience supporting adolescents, adults, and families.
Having worked in a variety of mental health settings, she is dedicated to creating a safe, culturally sensitive space where individuals can explore their experiences and navigate their healing journeys meaningfully.
Jacquelyn takes a person-centered approach to therapy, empowering clients to achieve their counseling goals and grow into their best selves. As a native Spanish speaker, she is also able to provide therapy sessions entirely in Spanish upon request.

Jacquelyn Genus, LMHC

Meg Grandy, LMSW

Meg (they/she) is a New York Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with diverse experience across social work and therapy settings.
Their work includes supporting individuals transitioning from houselessness to community living, guiding people in recovery toward self-defined success, and assisting individuals and families as they navigate mental health diagnoses.
Meg uses a variety of therapeutic approaches, such as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and person-centered therapy to create a supportive and collaborative healing space.
Deeply aware of how societal systems create different experiences and mindsets for each individual, they work to dismantle the systems of injustice that create inequity in their community and beyond.
*Supervised by Claire Burnham

Briana Gruspier, LCSW-R

Briana (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-R) and Certified Grief Counselor with over 9 years experience working with adolescents, adults and the families of individuals with mental health and substance abuse disorders.
She specializes in addiction and recovery, grief and loss, codependency, and depression, as well as anxiety, interpersonal conflicts, life transitions, and self-esteem concerns. During sessions, Brianna integrates a variety of treatment modalities into her practice, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), strengths-based therapy, motivational interviewing, and narrative therapy.
As a therapist, Briana is dedicated to providing a judgment-free space where clients feel supported in working toward their goals. She focuses on helping clients recognize their existing strengths while developing new skills to manage emotions in healthier, more positive ways.

Natalie Capasse Modasra, LCSW

Natalie (she/her) is a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with experience supporting adults facing anxiety, depression, mood disorders, trauma, and life transitions.
She creates a warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental space where clients can explore their thoughts and emotions openly. Taking an integrative, person-centered approach, Natalie utilizes acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and motivational interviewing to meet the unique needs of each client.
With all of her experience, Natalie is passionate about helping individuals build on their strengths to navigate challenges and achieve meaningful growth.

Kelsey Venditto, LCSW

Kelsey (she/her) is a NYS Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) specializing in helping adolescents and young adults (ages 10-25) navigate personal relationships, stress, and past trauma.
She provides a compassionate, non-judgmental environment for clients to build self-esteem, develop coping strategies, and improve decision-making skills. By integrating approaches such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing, Kelsey supports clients in managing anxiety, depression, family conflict, and trauma.
As her clients’ therapist, she is committed to helping individuals build confidence, strengthen relationships, and navigate life transitions with greater resilience.

Gia Recco, LMSW

Gia (she/her) is a New York State Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with experience supporting school-aged children, families, and adults.
She meets clients where they are on their unique journeys toward mental well-being, guiding them as they work toward meaningful progress. By helping individuals who currently feel stuck, Gia believes that everyone has the capacity for growth and personal transformation.
Through all of her efforts, Gia offers a compassionate and non-judgmental space for clients to process emotions, develop coping skills, and foster personal development. She specializes in CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, as well as Exposure and Response Based Prevention Therapy (ERPT) for OCD.
*Supervised by Claire Burnham

Kelly Lefsyk, LMSW

Kelly (she/her) is a New York State Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) who is experienced in helping adults, caregivers, and families.
As a therapist, she is passionate about empowering clients to learn healthy coping and communication skills to manage stress and anxiety, address traumatic experiences, and improve relationships with themselves and others
Kelly’s approach values the importance of building and maintaining a supportive and collaborative therapeutic relationship with her clients. To do so, she uses a combination of person-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approaches.
*Supervised by Claire Burnham

Hannah Christopher, LMSW

Hannah (she/her) is a New York State Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with experience supporting adolescents and adults in outpatient therapy.
She utilizes person-centered and strengths-based practices, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and other evidence-based interventions to support individuals navigating anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, trauma, and more.
With a strong focus on how trauma and oppression can impact well-being, Hannah emphasizes building self-worth and helping her clients develop positive coping skills to overcome the challenges they face.
*Supervised by Claire Burnham

Michael Longhini, LMSW

Michael (he/him) is a New York State Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with experience supporting adults in various settings.
He is passionate about empowering individuals to seek meaningful change by harnessing their strengths, knowledge, and self-determination to collaboratively establish stability, safety, and success.
Michael specializes in managing depression, anxiety, trauma, impulsivity, emotional distress, and substance use. Using evidence-based tools, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), parts work, and motivational interviewing, he helps clients work toward becoming the best version of themselves.
*Supervised by Douglas Roest-Gyimah

Sarah Randall, LMSW

Sarah (she/her) is a New York State Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with experience helping individuals navigate challenges such as depression, anxiety, substance use, personality disorders, relationship difficulties, anger, low self-esteem, grief, trauma, and more
Her goal as a therapist is to provide a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore life’s challenges. From this foundation, Sarah adopts a non-judgmental, affirming, collaborative, trauma-informed, and attachment-based approach to guide her clients toward meaningful progress in their mental health journey.
Additionally, she also utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), narrative therapy, emotion focused therapy (EFT), motivational interviewing, among other interventions.
*Supervised by Claire Burnham

Kaylin Pafumi, LMSW

Kaylin (she/her) is a New York State Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) who has experience supporting individuals facing anxiety, depression, grief, and major life transitions.
She is passionate about helping her clients foster personal growth while regaining balance and reliance within their lives.. By using a compassionate and collaborative approach, Kaylin wishes to uncover the patterns that may be holding her clients back and equip them with tools to face challenges with clarity and confidence.
With a strong emphasis on self-discovery, Kaylin supports her clients every step of the way. By working together, she strives to create a life for her clients that feels balanced, meaningful, and authentically theirs.
*Supervised by Douglas Roest-Gyimah

Noah Poust, LCSW

Noah (he/him) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with experience providing therapy for adolescents and adults facing a variety of mental health challenges.
He takes an integrative and person-centered approach, drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, and other evidence-based interventions to meet the unique needs of each client. Noah is passionate about helping individuals navigate anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, work-related stress, and body image concerns. He also creates a safe and open space for clients who wish to explore spirituality and faith in their therapeutic journey.
With a strong emphasis on collaboration, Noah works alongside his clients to identify strengths, develop coping strategies, and foster personal growth. He believes that reaching out for help is a courageous step and is committed to providing compassionate, attentive, and effective support every step of the way.

Shianne Cooke, MHC-LP

Shianne (she/her) is a Mental Health Counselor-Limited Permit (MHC-LP) who provides therapy for individuals, couples, and families. She specializes in working with people of color and those navigating challenges related to depression, anxiety, trauma, and PTSD.
Shianne takes a trauma-informed approach, incorporating evidence-based interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). She believes in the importance of creating a space free of expectations, where clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences authentically.
With a strong focus on building a genuine and supportive therapeutic relationship, Shianne empowers her clients to embrace their individuality and take control of their healing journey. She is passionate about helping people leave the roles and pressures of daily life at the door so they can focus on what truly matters—themselves.

OUR ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

Douglas Roest-Gyimah, Executive of Upstate Counseling in Albany, NY, dedicated to providing a positive work environment for therapists. Pictured enjoying a moment of connection with his dog.

Douglas Roest-Gyimah, LCSW

Douglas (he/him) is a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and has over a decade of experience working in human-services settings.
His experience ranges from addiction treatment to therapy in both prisons and schools. From there, Douglas has had the pleasure of starting a mental health practice from the ground up. His new passion is to create a thriving counseling center where therapists provide excellent services.
In addition to running Upstate Counseling, Douglas is an avid woodworker, and also coaches other small business owners.

Tina Capitly, Upstate Counseling’s Clinical Director, committed to providing compassionate mental health services.

Tina Capitly, LCSW

Tina is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and has worked in the field of mental health for the past 14 years. With a diverse background that includes experience in public relations, Tina discovered her passion for working in human services.
Throughout her social work career, Tina has worked as a clinician and supervisor in various settings, including a comprehensive psychiatric emergency department at a top NYC hospital.
Tina endeavors to provide compassionate and nonjudgmental mental health care, with a special interest in working with the geriatric population and the psychotic disorders.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, cooking, photography, and running.

Elizabeth Wilson, Practice Manager at Upstate Counseling, helps oversee our mental health experts.

Liz Wilson

Liz (she/her) is the Administrative Manager at Upstate Counseling, bringing over 20 years of experience in healthcare and leadership. She is passionate about leading a team committed to delivering exceptional customer service and compassionate care to clients.
Outside of work, Liz loves spending time with her family and friends, supporting her daughter at sporting events, and indulging in cooking and crafting.

Jack (he/him) is the Marketing & Design Coordinator at Upstate Counseling who contributes to the company’s website upkeep, social media content, and advertisements. He assists the executive staff with website design and researching new marketing strategies.
As a senior attending University at Albany, Jack continues to further his education in Business Administration and Marketing while contributing to Upstate Counseling’s Mission.
In his free time, Jack is an avid drummer and loves creating video content on YouTube.

Jack Bruce

Shelly Hulett

Shelly (she/her) is the Intake Coordinator at Upstate Counseling who has worked within various medical specialties for over a decade. She is a major advocate for mental health treatment and has seen first-hand how beneficial it can be. Shelly takes pride in being able to help people get the support they want or need.
In her free time, Shelly loves reading, hanging out with her dog, being creative, and being in nature.