MEET THE TEAM AT GHIRAJ COUNSELING
Dianne Ghiraj-Castor, LMHC
Founder + Clinical Supervisor
Dianne is a non-judgmental, compassionate, culturally competent psychotherapist who utilizes eclectic therapeutic approaches that includes psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, motivational interviewing, solution-focused strategies, and client centered therapy. Dianne specializes in treatment of individuals ranging from childhood to adulthood as well as couples. She works with individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship stressors, behavioral issues as well as other difficulties. Dianne fosters a safe and welcoming environment that gives clients the space they need to openly discuss their challenges. Dianne believes that therapy is a collaborative approach in which she guides clients toward their identified goals.
Katherine Estevez, LMHC
Clinical Supervisor
My educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development from SUNY Binghamton University and a Masters in Mental Health Counseling from SUNY Albany University. I started my career in 2015 as an addiction counselor. Counseling is the passage to help my clients learn solutions to their problems. With an interactive, warm, and accepting approach I have been helping clients find healthy perceptions of themselves. No single approach is the right one for everyone, and so I have been trained in a range of modalities including motivational interviewing, CBT, and REBT amongst several others.
Hillary Hartnett, CMHC-LP
Therapist
Hillary Hartnett earned her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Canisius College. Hillary’s experience includes higher education, telehealth, and non-profit outpatient clinics. She is a humanistic person-centered, eclectic therapist. Hillary is well versed in working with clients across the lifespan, with diverse backgrounds, and a wide range of client concerns. Rooted in self-compassion work, Hillary helps to identify self-critical narratives in self-dialogue to help clients unblock stuck points and begin to reach their full potential. She believes in treating every person as a whole, taking into account the multifaceted mental, physical, and social factors, rather than just treating symptoms at face value. Her belief in the mind-body connection gives Hillary unique and effective insights into the counseling process overall. Her work is carefully tailored to each client's needs. By working together, you can begin to spark authentic positive changes that can be implemented right away. Hillary is being supervised by Dianne Ghiraj-Castor.
Brittany Nicholson, MHC-LP
Therapist
Hello, my name is Brittany Nicholson. I have a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Delaware State University and a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University.
Everyone deserves the right to heal. I am here to assist you in believing that. By providing a warm, non-judgmental space, I strive to create an environment where you will build your emotional intelligence, challenge distorted thoughts, and encourage critical thinking. Utilizing a strength-based perspective in conjunction with my vast years of experience will allow you to feel a sense of control. My specialties include working with outpatient and inpatient populations as well as generalized anxiety, depression, trauma and psychosis. I believe there is no one size fits all approach to mental health therefore I utilize a variety of techniques such as Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, CBT, Narrative therapy, and Psychoanalysis. With a warm and affirming approach, our sessions will be a collaborative learning process. If this aligns with your needs, I look forward to starting your journey with you.
Diana Talavera, MHC-LP
Therapist
Diana offers an authentic therapeutic style that is compassionate, empathic, supportive, and provides individualized approaches to counseling that is collaborative, personalized, and nonjudgmental where clients can feel safe to explore and gain deeper insight into their emotions, feelings, thoughts, and relationships. Prior to moving into private practice, Diana worked with diverse populations of clients ranging from young to late adulthood dealing with substance abuse, anxiety, depression, short and long-term mental health issues, psychosocial stressors, and trauma in both community inpatient and outpatient mental health settings. Diana blends elements of cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic therapy, strength-based, and mindfulness strategies to best serve clients and their unique interests, needs, and goals as they embark on their therapeutic journey. Client's will be supported in deepening their understanding of themselves and finding new ways to navigate life challenges, transitions, obstacles, and stressors that come along the way. Diana is passionate about working with clients from all cultural backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, races, religions, lifestyles, and committed to enacting meaningful change and developing healthy coping skills with clients as they go through different stages of life. Diana received her MSEd master's degree in mental health counseling and bachelor's degree in psychology from Hunter College. Diana is being supervised by Dianne Ghiraj-Castor.
Elyse Fox, MHC-LP
Therapist
Elyse is an open, empathetic, and warm-hearted therapist. Elyse focuses on asking open-ended questions to allow you to lead your session, and to better tailor each therapeutic plan to the individual. She focuses on here-and-now mindfulness techniques; Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy; and Humanistic Therapy. Elyse will provide you with a warm, inviting space to explore your life challenges and make sense of your current situations. She is a careful listener who will help you better understand yourself and how to tolerate stressful thoughts. Elyse earned her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling and her Master’s in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She has worked in inpatient facilities, and community-based settings, conducting group and individual counseling. Her most recent work has focused on assisting individuals in crisis and working with incarcerated individuals suffering with severe mental illness.