Grace MONTES, MA, LPC, NCC, ACS
Hi, I’m Grace! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, but you might also call me a guru, confidant, or helper. Seeking out help is a huge first step, and I am so happy that you have made your way to our website! I have been there myself, and now I want to help you. I have over a decade of experience helping individuals work through their unique struggles. Whether you are dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, angst, or self-doubt, I believe that self-awareness and courage are powerful catalysts that lead to transformation.
Our therapeutic relationship will be unique and collaborative. “Kind, funny, tough” summarizes my approach to every session. You can expect me to listen non-judgmentally to your stories. I will help you feel safe, and guide you in our therapeutic process. I will meet you where you are in terms of your desire to change. But, I will also challenge you and explore the obstacles that hold you back from living the life you want.
My passion for learning and for community were combined when I entered my first class of Introduction to Psychology. I have always been fascinated by human behavior and I truly enjoy helping others, so combining these two seemed fitting. In my journey to becoming a professional counselor, I had to adapt, restore, become, optimize and rebuild. Going through these phases were not always clear or easy but becoming a counselor has been rewarding and meaningful. It is because of this personal experience that I know how rewarding it can be when you make it through to the other side of these transformative challenges.
I enjoy working with older adolescents and adults in either individual or group settings. My areas of expertise include life transitions, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. In my time off, I enjoy traveling, spending time with loved ones, reading, and watching movies.
Experience and Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from New Jersey City University
Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the College of Saint Elizabeth, with a concentration in Forensic Psychology
Advanced Counselor Training Certificate to provide clinical supervision for counselors seeking to attain licensure
Worked for a private mental health organization for over 10 years in Direct Care and Quality Management
Holds her School Counselor Certificate in New Jersey
Prior experience in treating anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief, traumatic reactions and sexual assault
Fluent in Spanish
Cynthia arnao, m.ed., lpc, ncc
Hello, I’m Cynthia. I’m a licensed Mental Health Clinician who works with children, adolescents, and adults. My path to becoming a professional counselor wasn’t easy or clear. It wasn’t until I entered college and began taking some Psychology courses that I started to realize what I wanted to do. When given the opportunity to work as a Psychology Intern, working with people from varying walks of life, I realized that I was a natural at relating to people and helping them to work towards their goals. My ability to talk with just about anyone and my desire to help people led me to the field of Psychology. My goal became to help people to empower themselves. I worked harder in school than I ever had before, and my commitment to my goals propelled me to not only finish school, but to then continue on to successfully pursue a Masters in Clinical Psychology, a second Masters of Education in Professional Counseling, and later becoming a licensed Mental Health Clinician.
I have more than 15 years of experience in the Mental Health field. My areas of expertise are working with children, adolescents, adults, and families with problems such as academic and behavioral issues, relationship issues, self-injury, suicidal thoughts and tendencies, and coping with trauma.
My approach is to collaborate with my clients, and demonstrating my commitment by doing the hard work alongside them. I believe in being flexible and adaptable because nobody can predict human behavior or outcomes. Being a good listener is paramount in my profession, and that is why both clients and colleagues find it easy to confide in me. And, because of the often serious nature of my line of work, I believe in the importance of laughing and staying upbeat as much as possible.
On the personal side, I stay active by training and running at least two to three times a week. I enjoy reading books, but I also love movies. I volunteer as a mentor at Teachers College, Columbia University, which is where I earned my Master’s degree.
Experience and Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from New Jersey City University
Master of Arts in Psychology in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University
Master of Education in Professional Counseling from William Paterson University
Psychology Adjunct Professor
Previously worked as a Clinical Coordinator at the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University
Prior experience in treating behavioral issues, family conflict, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, self-harm, suicidal ideations, and trauma.
Fluent in Spanish
Bartley Zucosky, Therapist, Clinical Social Worker
Welcome! I'm Bartley, and I'm passionate about helping adults of all ages navigate life’s ups and downs. Whether you're facing challenges with depression, anxiety, trauma, or navigating the complexities of bipolar disorder, work stress, or grief, I'm here to support you on your journey. I also have extensive experience working with LGBTQ+ individuals and those dealing with OCD.
In our sessions, I primarily use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which I find incredibly effective in helping clients manage emotions and build meaningful lives. I also integrate Solution-Focused Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Informed Care, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Psychodynamic principles to create a tailored approach for each individual.
When I’m not working with clients, you can find me exploring the great outdoors as an avid hiker, lifting weights at the gym, or enjoying a good board game with friends. I also love to write, and I find it a great way to express creativity and process experiences.
Experience and Qualifications
Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University
Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts
Experience working in acute psychiatric care and crisis management settings