OLGA GONITHELLIS, MA, EdM, LMHC Founder of Creativity Mental Health Counseling Olga has been working with artists, performers, and other creative clients since 2013. Prior to specializing in the mental health needs of this population, she attended the Counseling and Clinical Psychology Masters program at Columbia University. Upon graduating, she gained a wide range of clinical experiences in group practices, mental health clinics, school, and substance abuse treatment settings. She has received advanced and continuing education training through courses at William Alanson White Institute, Zur Institute, the Creativity Coaching Association, PESI Behavioral Health Continuing Education, and clinical supervision groups with Dr. Mark Sehl. Her diverse clinical experiences, as well as her own background in singing, songwriting and performing, crystallized her strong desire to assemble a team of qualified counselors to help those who struggle with their creative goals and the demands of an artistic lifestyle. Olga is the author of Counseling for Artists, Performers, and Other Creative Individuals published by Taylor & Francis Group.
CYDNI KANTOR, MA, LMHC Cydni is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) with experience providing psychotherapy to children, adolescents, adults and families. Cydni has a BA from Trinity College where she majored in Classic Civilizations and minored in Women, Gender and Sexuality. Cydni earned her MA and EdM from Columbia Teachers College in mental health counseling. Cydni is currently in the process of completing a 3-year certificate program in Child & Adolescent psychotherapy at the William Alanson White Institute. In addition to working with children and adolescents, her clinical experience includes working with adults from diverse backgrounds including performing and visual arts. Cydni specializes in anxiety, depression, relationships, trauma, exploration of identity and self esteem.
RACHEL LEE, MA, LMHC Rachel has over seven years of experience working with individuals struggling with addictions and other mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and career issues. She has also been a graduate school professor for the past 5 years. Her varied experience in both clinical and academic settings gives her a unique perspective on the frustrations that many people face and some creative tools to move past those frustrations. She also specializes in vocational and career counseling and can help you take the first steps toward healthy career development. Rachel has a passion for helping those with creative and non-traditional careers explore the unique challenges they face and work to overcome them. She believes that everyone has the right and ability to find meaning and fulfillment through creative expression and self-acceptance.
GABRIELLA MASTRONARDI, MA, LMHC Gabriella Mastronardi is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who works with clients of diverse backgrounds and varying interests. She strives to provide an honest, judgment-free space that encourages creativity and individuality. Gabriella completed a two-year specialty training program at the Center for the Study of Anorexia and Bulimia (CSAB), a division of the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy (ICP) in New York. Many of her clients were in artist-related occupations and studies. As part of the program at ICP, she received education in both cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in the psychotherapy of eating disorders. A member of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the Academy of Eating Disorders, Gabriella looks forward to working with clients at CMHC.
YUNTIAN (TAMMY) ZHANG, MA, LMHC After receiving her B.A in psychology, Yuntian pursued her studies at NYU, first completing an M.A. in Child and Developmental Psychology and then the clinically-focused M.A. in Mental Health Counseling and Wellness. After graduating, she has worked with diverse populations in both the United States and China, including clients in the visual arts and musicians. In addition to general issues of anxiety, depression, and career decisions, her specialties include trauma-related issues, grief, and cultural adjustment. She places the search for personal truth at the core of her therapeutic approach, helping clients move beyond self-defeating thoughts and feeling stuck or lost. She believes in helping clients improve their autonomy and acceptance of themselves.
CAITLIN KELLY, LMHC, RPT, MSEd Caitlin is an experienced counselor, having counseled patients for a decade and a half, including adults, children and adolescents, suffering from anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, trauma and grief. She is especially knowledgeable about the unique challenges facing performing artists of all ages. Artists are unique because they recognize that all interactions or events are learning experiences, tucked away in their “Who Am I?” toolbox. “Who Am I” lies at the very foundation of what it means to be creative. To be creative is to discover and present what makes all of us human. Caitlin’s humor, creativity and eclectic approach to solving problems helps clients to gain a better understanding of their feelings, thought processes and behavior. As a New York Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Caitlin Kelly holds additional certification in Play Therapy and Grief Counseling. Caitlin also holds a primary certificate in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy from the Albert Ellis Institute.
