Clinicians
Dr. Lisa Dungate, Psy.D. LMHC - Limited Permit
Dr. Dungate earned a Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Antioch University Seattle, followed by a Doctorate in Psychology from California Southern University. She has worked in the mental health field for over 20 years providing therapeutic services to individuals, children/families, and in the area of organizational/employee wellness. She has worked in private practice, social service agencies, and the public school system. Dr. Dungate has also worked as a family life educator, parenting coach, and writer whilst raising her own children. She has lived and worked throughout the U.S. and Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Dr. Dungate brings a unique multicultural understanding to her counseling practice. Her theoretical basis is a combination of Solution-Focused, Strengths-Based, Developmental, Cognitive-Behavioral, Trauma-Focused, Family Systems, and (with children) Expressive Play therapies. She is also trained in the use of Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). Specific areas of specialty include: eating disorders, trauma, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and psychodiagnostic testing/evaluation. She works with children and adults of all ages offering individual, couples and family therapy. She tailors therapy goals to each person and family, in order that her patients attain the insight, healing, and wellness they desire. You can also learn more about Dr. Dungate through her parenting blog about raising courageous kids, www.lionswhiskers.com.
Dr. Michelle LoFurno
Dr. LoFurno obtained her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology through the University of Hartford’s Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology. She has broad training in treating individuals of all ages, though she has a specialization in working with children, adolescents, and their families. Dr. LoFurno has gained experiences providing individual and family therapy across a variety of treatment settings, including outpatient services, residential treatment facilities, inpatient psychiatric units, and intensive outpatient programs. She has a strong interest in working with survivors of trauma and abuse, as well as associated attachment disorders. She also enjoys working with people to assist with a wide range of difficulties. In working with children, Dr. LoFurno utilizes creative therapy approaches including play therapy, art therapy, and sand play. In addition to therapy services, she conducts psychological evaluations utilizing cognitive and academic assessments, neuropsychological screening measures, and a variety of personality assessments focused on evaluating emotional and behavioral functioning.
Janice J. James, LCSW
Janice earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from SUNY-Oswego and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Washington in Seattle. She has taught at the pre-school, elementary and middle school levels. She worked with children and families throughout graduate school in a variety of therapeutic settings. After receiving her Master's Degree in Social Work she worked at St. Clare’s Family Health Center providing mental health services to their adult and teenage patients and at Brattleboro Retreat Alternatives Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program doing both individual and group therapy. Janice’s work at ECS focuses on treating children and adults with anxiety disorders. She also treats individuals with depression, trauma related difficulties, and conducts couples counseling and family therapy. Janice has experience and a strong desire to work with women with Domestic Violence issues. Janice also has pursued additional training and experience in the area of Autistic Spectrum Disorders and works with children on the spectrum that have Obsessive Compulsive symptoms and social skill deficits.
Sharon Mattsson, LCSW
Sharon earned a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University at Albany. She has worked in the field of substance abuse and addiction earning a CASAC, in outpatient mental health, with individuals with developmental disabilities and within the criminal justice system. Sharon has a deep respect for the strengths and skills of the individuals and families she works with. She supports individuals to recognize and build on their strengths to create more satisfying lives. Sharon utilized a variety of approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy, and mindfulness. She tailors her approach to meet the individual needs of her clients. She enjoys working with children, adolescents, couples, and families.
Cynthia Metzger, LMSW
Cynthia graduated from Russell Sage College in 1993 with a Bachelors Degree in Sociology. She has a broad history of experience from working with high risk adolescents to providing social work services in area nursing homes. She has worked as the Director of Social Services in various local nursing homes coordinating Resident and Family Service Departments. She worked to complete her Masters Degree in
Social Work while functioning as the Director of an area Assisted Living Facility. Since obtaining her Master’s Degree from the University at Albany, she has worked in the Elementary School setting including the Mentoring Program and in Special
Education Services. Cynthia also has significant experience working with individuals struggling with addictions. At ECS Psychological Services, Cynthia enjoys working with clients of all ages with a range of diagnoses including addictions, depression, anxiety, and diagnostic evaluations.
Lauren Guest-O'Brien, LMHC, CRC
Lauren Guest-O’Brien earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at SUNY Albany in 2004 and went on to complete her Masters Degree in Counseling from SUNY Albany in 2006. She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Lauren has extensive experience in working with individuals with addictions, criminal backgrounds, and co-occurring disorders. She also has experience working with children and adolescents including a prior role as a volleyball coach. Her areas of expertise include trauma and loss, addictions, mood and anxiety related disorders. Lauren has a holistic approach to therapy and uses a more direct, solution-focused style to treatment. She aims to meet individuals where they are at while helping to foster motivation for change and personal growth. At ECS Psychological Services, Lauren enjoys working with individuals from an array of backgrounds including individuals of all ages, as well as couples and family counseling.
Sarah Lockhart-Palladino, LCSW
Sarah earned a Bachelor's and Masters Degree in Social Work from Siena College and the University at Albany. She has worked with children in the mental health field throughout college and post graduation. Prior to working as a private practitioner, she provided clinical services to children with serious mental illness in a residential treatment facility as well as a home based treatment program. She has special interests in trauma and attachment issues and is skilled in diagnostic assessment techniques. She also has an extensive knowledge of services available to support families and how to access them. Sarah enjoys individual therapy with people of all ages, couples counseling and family therapy.
Jaime Youngs-Hamelin, LCSW-R
Jaime grew up in the Middle East for the majority of her childhood and a portion of her adolescent years. This experience has given her the opportunity to explore different cultures and lifestyles. She attended undergraduate studies at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, New York obtaining a dual degree in Psychology and Human Services. She later graduated from The University at Albany as a Masters Level Certified Social Worker. Her experience includes working with individuals with developmental disabilities and severe mental illness. Over a period of more than ten years she has worked with children, adolescents, adults and their families to assist them in stabilizing their mental health needs. Her past experiences have provided her with exceptional skills to work with a wide spectrum of mental health issues. As a private practitioner she specializes in diagnostic assessments, adolescent issues, treatment resistant teens, family therapy, trauma, depression and anxiety. Jaime also specializes in working with children and parents around family stress, transitions and parenting skills.