OUR THERAPISTS

SHAKIRAH EWELL, M.S., LPC, NCC

Psychotherapist, Jersey City Office, Telehealth

Shakirah works with adults and teens, helping clients cope with trauma, depression, anxiety, and postpartum or infertility concerns.  She specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing techniques and is both a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor.  Shakirah also has certificates in Perinatal Mental Health, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Spiritual Competency Training. Her practice is informed by her own experiences as a mother and by her spiritual orientation.  For clients who wish to do so, Shakirah can integrate Islamic principles and beliefs along with therapeutic techniques in session.  She has her Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University and works Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00am-5:00pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am-4:00pm and 6:30pm-8:30pm and Fridays from 9:00am-12:30pm and 2:30pm-5:00pm. Currently Shakirah is offering telehealth only due to COVID-19 but normally offers both in-person and video sessions.

MADELINE SALERNO, M.S., LSW

Psychotherapist, Jersey City Office & Telehealth

Madeline works with children, teens, and adults, using modalities like art therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Relief, and CBT to help people move toward happier, healthier lifestyles.  She has a special focus on grief and loss as well as perinatal and postpartum experiences and developmental disabilities.  In addition to experience in counseling settings, Madeline has also worked in hospital-based labor and delivery settings supporting women and families facing all kinds of loss and difficulty.  She is also a certified yoga teacher and offers meditation and body-based work in addition to talk-therapy.  Madeline obtained her Masters in Social Work from New York University and works Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 7:00am-3:00pm and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12:00pm-8:00pm. Currently Madeline is offering telehealth only due to COVID-19 but normally offers both in-person and video sessions.

KAMESHA WALKINS, MSW, LSW

Psychotherapist, Bloomfield Office & Telehealth

Kamesha works with couples, adults, teens, and families. She specializes in providing affirming and restorative therapy to LGBTQ+ youth and adults.  In her work with couples, Kamesha draws on the Gottman Method, an evidenced-based therapeutic approach that increases effective communication and emotional connection. She also has experience supporting individuals and families in overcoming substance abuse and healing from trauma or family violence.  Kamesha employs a trauma-informed lens and utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, Skill Building and Solution-Focused techniques to assist clients in identifying and working toward their goals. In her work with kids and teens, Kamesha uses Hip Hop, Spoken Word and other creative arts and pop culture activities to promote engagement.  She received her masters from Florida Atlantic University and is a Licensed Social Worker.  Kamesha works with clients Monday-Wednesday from 10am-8pm and Thursday-Friday from 9am to 2pm.  Currently she is offering telehealth sessions only but will also offer in-person appointments at our Maplewood and Bloomfield offices once they re-open.

DANA LONGSTREET, M.S., LSW, LMSW

Psychotherapist, Jersey City Office & Telehealth

Dana works with youth, teens, adult individuals, and couples.  Her professional interests include working with LGBTQ+ youth and adults and with women navigating life transitions. She draws on art therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and coaching to help clients reach their goals.  In her work with couples, Dana utilizes an attachment lens and is also guided by the Gottman Method, an evidence-based approach that begins with a thorough relationship assessment and a tailored growth plan.  With children 8 and up, Dana uses a mix of play therapy, parent coaching, and family systems work to support positive behaviors.  She received her masters from Rutgers University and is a Licensed Social Worker in New York and New Jersey.  Therapy is a second career for Dana and her earlier years spent as a writer and editor have developed her ear for people's stories and her enthusiasm to walk alongside as they write the next chapter  Dana works Monday-Wednesday 11:30am-8pm and Thursday and Friday 8:30-5pm.  Currently she is offering telehealth sessions only but will also offer in-person appointments at our Jersey City office once it re-opens.

KAREN MITCHELL, MSW, LSW

Psychotherapist, Bloomfield Office & Telehealth

Karen works with teens, adults, couples, and families.  In her work with adolescents and families, she utilizes a Bowen Family Systems lens, emphasizing the family as a unit where helping one person helps the whole.  In couples work, Karen draws on the Gottman method and Imago therapies to increase emotional connection and improve communication.  With adult individuals, she uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, and narrative therapies. Karen specializes in work with trauma as well--she is certified in EMDR, a research-based treatment for traumatic memories, and incorporates this technique and other body-based work to treat survivors of abuse and sexual assault.  She received her masters from Rutgers University, graduating with top honors, and is a Licensed Social Worker.  Karen works Mondays 12pm-8:30pm, Tuesdays & Wednesdays 12pm-9pm Thursday 9am-5pm, and Friday 9am-3pm.  Currently she is offering telehealth sessions only but will also offer in-person appointments at our Maplewood and Bloomfield offices once they re-open.

TERRI WATKINS, M.S. LAC

Psychotherapist, Telehealth Only

Terri earned her masters degree in Mental Health Counseling from Alliance Graduate School of Counseling at Nyack College and is also a Clinical Trauma Professional.  Terri’s couples counseling approach is guided by the Gottman Method, an evidence-based treatment for couples that begins by thoroughly assessing each relationship and using the results to create tailored growth plans.  Terri also works with teens and adults from a cognitive-behavioral framework, which helps to identify and change patterns of thinking that negatively impact emotions and behaviors.  With children, she uses play therapy techniques and other evidence-based interventions.  Terri is passionate about helping her clients improve their well-being and realize their full potential.  She boasts over 30 years of experience working with children and families.  Terri offers telehealth sessions on Mondays 12:30-8:30pm, Tuesdays 2:30-8:30pm, and Saturdays from 3-7pm.

DINA NIEWOOD, M.S., LCSW

Psychotherapist, Jersey City Office & Telehealth

Dina is a licensed clinical social worker with over twenty years of experience working with adults and couples. She earned her masters at the University of Pennsylvania, gained additional training in family therapy at the Ackerman Institute for the Family in New York, and is a certified clinical supervisor as well.  Dina specializes in supporting clients through challenges with anxiety, depression and post-partum depression, fertility, grief, relationships, and career changes.  Dina works with adults and couples to help them gain insight into the struggles they are facing – both internally and within the context of their relationships – and to develop coping skills to help them manage them.  Her work is founded in positive, solution-focused principles and she combines approaches ranging from cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT), mindfulness, holistic/integrative psychology and psychodynamic treatment based on client need.  Dina works Sundays from 8-4pm and Monday-Thursdays from 9am to 5pm.  Currently she is offering telehealth sessions only due to COVID-19 but normally offers in-office appointments as well.

AUDREY AUGUSTAVE, M.A. LAC, NCC

Psychotherapist, Telehealth Only

(Offers Sessions in English or French)

Audrey earned her master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at New Jersey City University, is a Licensed Associate Counselor, a National Certified Counselor (NCC), and is currently finishing certification as a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor.  In addition to her therapeutic work, Audrey is also an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Union County College.  Audrey draws on extensive experience in the substance abuse field, which is really about creating personal change, and uses it in her work with couples and families to strengthen and rebuild connection. Audrey also works closely with adolescents, particularly those with a history of behavioral issues, helping teens and their families gain stability and strength. Audrey’s approach with adults focuses on effectively resolving trauma from the past and working to build a satisfying life and future.  In her work with couples, she uses the Gottman Method as well as a family systems approach.  Audrey is fluent in French (in addition to English) and is eager to be of service to the Francophone community of Hudson county. Audrey offers telehealth sessions on Mondays 11:00am – 8:30pm, Tuesdays 12:00pm – 4:00pm, Wednesdays 11:00am – 8:30pm, Thursdays 10:00am – 6:00pm, and Sundays 11:00am – 6:00pm.

JAIME ELLIOTT, M.A., LAC

Psychotherapist, Telehealth Only

Jaime holds a Masters in Psychology from New York University, a Masters in School Psychology from Hofstra University, and is a certified school psychologist and licensed associate counselor in the state of New Jersey.  Jaime is an experienced therapist who works with couples, adults, teens, and children.  In her work with couples, she draws on the Gottman Method, an evidenced-based therapeutic approach that increases effective communication and emotional connection.  Jaime brings years of experience as well as a research-informed lens to her work with adults, children and adolescents.  She uses a cognitive behavioral approach to psychotherapy with her clients and also offers psychological testing, which means she is trained to administer and interpret the kinds of assessments used to establish IEPs, 504 plans, gifted and talented capabilities, IQ scores, and more.  Jaime offers telehealth sessions on Tuesday 9:30am-2:30pm, Wednesday 11:30am-8:30pm, Thursday 12pm-8:30pm, Friday 9:30am-6pm, and Saturday 9am- 5pm.

MAX LAFFEND, M.S., LSW

Psychotherapist, Jersey City Office & Telehealth

Max earned their masters from Seton Hall in Social Work.  They are a Licensed Social Worker who specializes in work with couples and individuals to maximize strengths and develop practical strategies for moving forward.  In their work with couples, Max draws on the Gottman Method, a research-based approach for helping couples heal and connect.  With individuals, they use cognitive-behavioral and solution-focused modalities.  Max’s work emphasizes evidence-based practices and customized treatment plans to help clients meet their goals.  They also work with LGBTQ teens and adults at our local Hudson Pride Center.  Max works on Mondays from 3-8:30pm, Thursdays from 8am-noon, and Saturday from 8am to 2pm.  They are offering telehealth only during COVID-19 but normally offer both in-person and video sessions.

ROSA GOMEZ, M.S. LMFT

Psychotherapist, Jersey City Office & Telehealth 

Rosa earned her masters from Seton Hall University in Marriage and Family Therapy and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works with couples, families, individuals, and teens, assisting them on their path to growth, healing, and happiness. In her work with couples, Rosa specializes in the Gottman Method, a research-based approach that offers practical tools to improve communication, engage in healthy conflict, and increase emotional connection. She has extensive experience working with couples who are struggling to connect, as well as families dealing with the stressors of life transitions, and individuals who want to address anxiety, depression, racial-related trauma, and substance abuse. In her work with individuals, Rosa draws on modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), contextual therapy, and solution-focused therapy. When working with families, Rosa draws on modalities such as structural family therapy (SFT) and emotionally-focused family therapy.  Rosa always tailors her approach to help clients meet their goals as she believes therapy is a collaborative effort. She works Mondays from 10-2, Tuesdays from 10-8, Wednesdays from 10-3/6-8:30, Thursdays from 10-8:30, and Fridays from 10-7.  Rosa is offering tele-health sessions only during COVID-19 but normally offers both in-person and video sessions.

TOVA MCCALL, M.S. LSW

Site Director, RCC's Family Wellness Support Center, Jersey City Office

Tova is a Licensed Social Worker who works with couples, families, individuals, teens, and children.  She earned her masters from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, has experience in school counseling, and has completed her certificate in Perinatal Mental Health. Tova specializes in work with new moms and women who are pregnant or post-conception, supporting them in the challenges that can arise in these stages of life. In her work with couples, Tova uses the Gottman Method, an evidenced-based therapeutic approach that increases effective communication and emotional connection. With children and teens and their families, Tova uses play therapy and narrative therapy methods within a family systems lens.  Tova values a holistic perspective in therapy, using the approach that will help each client most effectively, from CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) techniques to trauma repair to practical supports like goal-setting and self-care ideas. She is fluent in French and English (and speaks Spanish at an intermediate level).  Tova works Monday through Friday from 10:00am – 5:00pm.  Currently Tova is offering telehealth only due to COVID-19 but normally offers both in-person and video sessions.

JOEL LEVINE, M.S., LCSW, LPC, LCADC, LMFT

Executive Director, Bloomfield Office

Joel completed his Masters in Social Work at Fordham University and has been in the field for twenty years.  He runs our weekly treatment team meetings, providing clinical supervision and guidance to our staff therapists.  Joel is licensed as a Family Therapist, Clinical Social Worker, Professional Counselor, and a Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor.  He is also certified as a Master Addiction Counselor, Advanced Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor, Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, as well as a Nationally Certified Counselor.  He currently works as a therapist, agency director, and educator and is an invaluable member of our team.  (Joel does not see clients at RCC but instead supervises our clinical team drawing on his wealth of experience).

MELISSA SCHNEIDER, MSW, LCSW

Practice Owner, Jersey City Office

Melissa is our practice owner as well as staff therapist and a seasoned speaker and trainer.  After getting her masters in Clinical Social Work at Columbia University, she worked as a Wall St. wellness counselor and consultant for many years.  Melissa is trained in the Gottman Method, a research-based approach to strengthening relationships.  Some very smart people have spent decades studying what factors matter most in happy relationships and Melissa specializes in teaching the tools, strategies, and mindsets people can use to heal, gain clarity, make decisions, and grow a great relationship.  She launched Resolution Counseling Center in 2019 to create a user-friendly place for local couples, individuals, and teens to get excellent care from a hand-picked staff of caring professionals.  She is not taking on new clients in 2020 to focus on growing the business, but she is available to speak at conferences, workshops, retreats, or community events.