My Philosophy: I believe that as a therapist it’s super important for us to understand who we are, not only as therapists but as people. This includes our own thoughts and emotions that we experience each day. One of the most difficult and vulnerable parts of therapy is to better understand ourselves so we can be the best we can.

What Sessions With Jamie Look Like: During my initial sessions with clients, I believe that building strong working relationships is vital to this treatment. If we are unable connect with one another than it can be difficult to work through the behaviors that they are living with on a day-to-day basis. Honesty is also important for clients, but I also hold myself accountable to be as transparent as I can be with my clients. DBT treatment has been effective in ways where I can hold myself accountable as well as help my clients achieve a life that’s worth living.

More about me: Growing up I was constantly told I was an emotional and sensitive person, which up until recently I held the belief that this was a “bad thing” and needed to quiet my emotions for the benefit of others. This was extremely hard growing up being a sensitive person, ultimately leading to other problems later in life with my relationships and my own ability to regulate my emotions. When I went away to college this was something that became more apparent as my main source of support were not in the rooms next door. Unfortunately, this was not when I sought out therapy for myself. It took me another two years and a rejection letter from my school’s nursing program that I was hoping to get into before I realized that I could no longer continue to suffer and began seeing a therapist. After learning this was something that was actually really helpful I realized that so many others can benefit from therapy. I then decided to pursue my own journey to become a Mental Health Counselor once I completed my bachelor’s degree.

During my graduate studies I fell more and more in love with counseling and the profession I would begin. It brought me back to when I was growing up and how a younger version of me would have benefited from counseling services. I threw myself into my work and made a promise to the version of me who needed it most that we were going to make a difference in someone’s life. When I was introduced to DBT during this time I honestly wasn’t a fan and if you told me that this is where I would end up, I would have said you were lying. When I was in my internship and soon to be first job after graduation, I would do my own research on CBT and behavioral therapy which inevitably led me to an interest in DBT as a career. I have been granted such a wonderful opportunity at Suffolk DBT and cannot wait to see how much I can grow here.

Shirly is a Licensed Master of Social Work in New York State. Shirly completed the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work Program at Columbia university, and attained her New York state licensure shortly afterwards. She is currently accruing hours towards her clinical licensure. She completed her Bachelor of Social Work Program at the City University of New York. Shirly completed her graduate level field placement, and beyond, at The Asperger/Autism Network (AANE) where she began to specialize in working with individuals and groups with an Asperger or similar profile. She completed her undergraduate level field placement at the Addabbo Family Health Center, an ambulatory clinic, in case management. Prior to undertaking full time studies, Shirly had worked as a direct service professional for the intellectually and developmentally disabled community for several years. 

Shirly also has a background in theater and the performing arts. She finds a great connection between social work and acting, as they share “trying to step into someone else’s shoes” and developing empathy. Shirly first started learning about DBT in one of her Master’s level clinical classes. She was immediately drawn to this structured yet versatile therapy, as she believes its components deliver much needed support to many different populations, as well as the BPD community that it was originally designed for. Shirly sought out, and is thrilled to be working at Suffolk DBT, as part of a unique team. Shirly strives to ensure that every individual feels “seen” and “heard,” and that they feel supported in meeting their full potential.

My Philosophy: Ann Marie abides by the philosophy that everyone deserves an empathetic therapist who will treat them with respect and dignity, while providing a safe and open environment where clients feel like they belong.

What Sessions With Ann Marie Look Like: Ann Marie seeks to create an environment where clients feel comfortable to express themselves in a nonjudgmental environment. She strives to support her clients to the best of her ability and teach DBT skills along the way, with a possible reference or two from TikTok.

More About Me: As an adoptee herself, Ann Marie knows just how hard it can be for those who are adopted to feel supported when intense feelings arise. She guides families and individuals through these feelings from the perspective of an adoptee. During her internship, Ann Marie saw tremendous growth in her clients and witnessed the power of DBT and its influence. She found her passion working with children, adolescents, and families and works with clients to be an advocate for them and an active member of their support system. She strives to be a part of every client’s journey towards creating a life worth living.

My Philosophy: Erika believes that getting to know ourselves can be uncomfortable and hard, but necessary work to better understand who we are and what mark we want to leave on the world around us.

What Sessions With Erika Look Like: Erika ensures that the relationship and rapport between herself and a client is mutual, as it is vital for clients to feel comfortable enough to be honest in sessions to facilitate the necessary work to build a better life. She makes an effort to continuously check in throughout sessions about how a client is feeling and remove any form of miscommunications or misinterpretations that might occur while utilizing DBT tools.

More About Me: Growing up in an environment where she consistently felt invalidated and unheard was a painful experience. Erika struggled with self-esteem, relationships, behavioral issues, and personal trauma. She was lucky enough to find a few safe adults that saw she was struggling and were patient in teaching her valuable skills on how to survive emotionally, mentally, and physically. Once she found her own way to therapy and began to experience what it felt like to be heard, understood, and cared for, Erika’s outlook changed for the better. Erika’s lived experience continues to motivate her to help others suffering with their mental health. Life is too short to spend sufferring being unhappy and unfulfilled. Being able to show clients a healthy, supportive and educational relationship is one of her favorite things about being a therapist. Erika hopes to help clients the way she was helped so that they too can experience life being happy, feeling heard and understanding that they matter.

Erika has experience providing mental health treatment in a variety of settings including a family shelter in the Bronx, a women’s shelter in Suffolk County and a skilled nursing facility. She has worked with families and individuals to provide therapy, workshops, and guided group meditations to people with varying diagnoses ranging from ages 10-65+.

My Philosophy: Starting your therapeutic journey can be extremely challenging. At the same time, creating a foundation of trust and mutual respect with your clinician can make all the difference. As a clinician, I see myself walking along side my clients through their journey. I strive to make everyone who walks into my office feel comfortable, accepted and understood.

What a session with Bridget looks like: At the beginning of treatment, we will focus on building rapport and commitment to the treatment. With that as the foundation, we will explore the different behaviors that are interfering with you living the life that you desire. From there, we will learn and practice new skills together so you have the support to build mastery and thrive. I am well aware that we do not always show up to every session as committed as we would like and I will partner with you to keep you motivated even on days where that is wavering. In addition to my training in DBT, I have been trained in DBT Prolonged exposure and EMDR. If you have experienced trauma, we will discuss utilizing these treatments as needed.

More about me: DBT has truly changed my life. As an emotionally sensitive person, I was never aware of how to truly manage my emotions and this typically resulted in me feeling out of control in my day to day life and relationships. Since adopting DBT skills into my daily routine, I have grown to love my emotional sensitivity and see it as a strength and I hope to show you that it can be a strength for you as well! Before I became an LMHC I completed my training as a registered yoga instructor. My work as a yoga instructor provided me with a strong foundation of mindfulness prior to becoming a DBT therapist and I am so grateful to be able to incorporate that in my work at Suffolk DBT.

Victoria Nielsen is a Licensed Social Worker in New York State. Victoria began her journey into the mental health field by completing her undergraduate education at The State University of New York at Oswego where she studied psychology and cognitive science. This is where Victoria first became interested in DBT and took it upon herself to further dive into Marsha Linehan’s research and development of DBT. Victoria continued her education, receiving her Master’s degree in Social Work at Stony Brook University.

She has since fulfilled NYS requirements to gain licensure. Victoria has worked in a multitude of settings, including psychiatric hospitals, mental health outpatient facilities, community residency programs, emergency foster care settings, and private practice. Victoria has provided individual and group therapy to individuals living with a wide range of diagnoses and symptomatic behaviors. During these experiences, Victoria would often work with client’s wanting to learn healthy ways to manage their emotions, and maladaptive coping skills. It was with these clients that Victoria would find herself returning to DBT skills as other forms of therapy were helpful, but she could sense the need for a more specific therapeutic approach designed for these individuals particular needs. She also started to see the complexity of the clients who required the full DBT treatment. She came to learn that adherent DBT requires, individual, diary cards, skills group, skills coaching, and for the provider to be on a consultation team. This is when she pursued employment with Suffolk DBT.

Victoria greatly values the diversity of clients and is open to working with individuals at all stages of their lives. Victoria welcomes individuals of all ages, genders, race, and all members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Victoria believes a key component of therapy is providing a warm, safe environment for individuals seeking mental health treatment. Victoria firmly believes it is best to practice with compassion, empathy, understanding, and acceptance. She believes this is a vital aspect in assisting individuals to gain a better understanding of their symptoms, and guide them towards enhancing their strengths, and independence.

Nelida Deleon is a seasoned, companionate, empathetic, down to earth bilingual therapist who brings a broad range of clinical experience to our practice. Nelida’s therapeutic journey began in 2013, she attended Long Island University CW-Post to earn her Master of Science degree in Counseling, and then went on to obtain her Counselor License and Provisional Certification in School Counseling.

Nelida’s passion for working with children, adolescents and families stemmed from working with at-risk adolescents and families at a residential setting; it was there that she decided to further pursue her career in the mental health field. Since then, Nelida has worked with a mission and passion to help children, adolescents, adults, individuals, and families overcome life barriers in order to rebuild a life worth living. Nelida has worked with a diverse population and welcomes working with individuals from all walks of life.  Ranging from early intervention to Juvenile court system.

Currently, she is motivated and committed to the application of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Nelida has invaluable experience with addiction, domestic violence, anxiety, depression, ADHD, conduct disorders, borderline personality disorder and other mental health-related pathologies. She has used several different modalities to aid clients in overcoming life changes, barriers, trauma, and crises, including crisis management, behavior modification, cognitive behavioral therapy, Trauma Exposure, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and psychotherapy.

Nelida is committed to continuedly expanding her expertise and has attended the following trainings through Behavioral Tech; DBT-intensive foundational training, DBT-C training,  Advanced Case Conceptualization,  DBT and Eating disorders and Trauma exposure to name a few.  Additionally, Nelida attends our weekly consultation team meetings.

Denise is a long-standing and invaluable member of the Suffolk DBT team. She joined the team in 2012 and with her unmatched work ethic, Denise was quickly promoted to the position of Office Manager. As the Office Manager, she handles all client intakes, appointments, insurance verification, filings, billing, and oversees the schedules of the entire team.

Denise’s down-to-earth nature ensures that everyone who visits the office feels comfortable and at-ease. Denise is passionate about making every person, especially clients, feel welcome and at home at every Suffolk DBT office. She is more than just the Office Manager, she is Jeanette’s right hand, a friend to every member of the staff, and an integral part of the Suffolk DBT team.

My Philosophy: Alexandra strongly believes that every individual deserves to have the ability and access to seek mental health treatment in order to work towards a life worth living, free of suffering.

More about Me: After being exposed to DBT through working at Suffolk DBT, Alexandra realized the passion she had for helping children and their parent’s navigate the challenges of life through the use of DBT skills and therapy She is is currently pursuing a specialization in DBT-C to learn more about DBT therapy for children.