Meet The Cedarhurst Team

Dr. Finman is a graduate of the Arizona School of Professional Psychology and the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, and has been in private practice since 2011. Dr. Finman completed a Psychology Fellowship at the Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, as well as residencies at the Northern Arizona VA Hospital, Southwest Behavioral Health Services, the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections, and the Chicago Public School system. Previously a faculty member at the Colorado School of Professional Psychology and the American School of Professional Psychology, Dr. Finman currently holds faculty positions at Adelphi Univeristy and St. John's Episcopal Hospital, a  SUNY Downstate affiliate.

Alexandra completed her clinical training at NSLIJ Glen Cove Hospital’s Women & Children’s Program and the Town of Babylon’s Youth Institute. She also completed post graduate training for substance use disorders and is currently a Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). Alexandra specializes in co-occurring disorders and facilitating individual, family/couples, and group therapy sessions.

Alexandra is currently an adjunct faculty member for Nassau Community College. Alexandra utilizes a person-centered, eclectic approach of psychotherapy, focusing on using evidenced-based treatment modalIties (incorporating CBT, dialectical behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing) to empower children, adolescents, and adults to begin the healing process.   

Melissa completed her Master of Education in Psychological Counseling and Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University. Melissa completed her training with Family and Children’s Association as a Mental Health Counselor. She has experience providing individual counseling to the adult and geriatric population struggling with chronic and acute mental illness.

Melissa works with individuals to develop and implement coping strategies to improve their emotional and behavioral wellbeing. She provides a safe and non-judgmental environment for individuals. Her clinical experience includes case management and in-home counseling. She has experience working with clinical issues like anxiety, depression, substance use, relationship issues, adjustment disorders, and emotional distress. Melissa utilizes a CBT and other therapeutic approaches that include mindfulness, Person Centered, and grief/ bereavement counseling when working with individuals.

Samantha is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Hofstra University and when she graduates this upcoming December 2021, will be staying on with Nassau Psychology, PC as a MHC-LP. Samantha was a D1 athlete with coaching experience in field hockey and swimming. Samantha had the opportunity to coach athletes from early childhood to adolescents, all the way though the collegian level! Samantha is currently specializing in sports psychology and mental performance training. She previously completed clinical training at Mercy Medical Inpatient Psychiatric Unit and provided mental health support to other students as part of her position as a graduate assistant at Hofstra University.

Tasha received her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. She completed her Internship at Reality House Inc, where she assisted male residential clients struggling with substance use issues and co-occurring disorders. However, recognizing the unique needs of outpatient female clients at the facility, she wanted to support and empower them. Therefore, she restarted and facilitated a weekly Women’s Recovery Group.

Tasha is confident each client possesses the tools necessary to navigate the maze of life but may be unaware of or unsure how to manifest them. Therefore, she works collaboratively with each client to help them uncover and dissect the root cause(s) of their inability to progress. Her goal is to help her clients tap into their full potential, be their best selves, and live a life of fulfillment. Tasha utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as well as Social Learning Theory as the basis of her approach, yet also implements Mindfulness Techniques. She has experience helping clients suffering from anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, grief, PTSD, and substance abuse.

Cynthia received her Master's degree from Brooklyn College and has over 5 years of experience in the field of counseling; treating clients for matters such as: depression, anxiety, PTSD, codependency, family conflicts, anger management, substance abuse, low self-esteem. Her theoretical orientation is integrative and eclectic. She is bilingual and also has her CASAC certification.

Cynthia meets her clients where they are at, always being empathic and sensitive to their unique concerns, taking their cultural worldview into account, and incorporating from a diverse selection of treatment modalities to fit each individual's needs.

Brianne received her Master's degree from Stony Brook University and has worked with the psychiatric population coordinating aftercare plans for patient’s discharge, therapy and medication management appointments, transportation services, and housing needs. Brianne's training also includes working with the substance use population; conducting drug and alcohol assessments as well as anger management assessments.
Brianne has also co-facilitated DBT based group, suicide assessments, and individual therapy.  Brianne utilizes CBT, MI, and psycho-dynamic theory in addition to DBT and trauma-informed care. She focuses on understanding the symptoms her clients are experiencing. Brianne helps her clients using mindfulness and motivational interviewing.

Cassandra received her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Hunter College in New York City. She trained at Boston Road Medical Center in the Bronx, NY where she provided diverse mental health services to both children and adults in need of emotional, mental and behavioral support. In addition to providing individual counseling, Cassandra also served as a group counseling facilitator to at-risk adolescent girls, experiencing profound behavioral and emotional distress.

Prior to her training at Boston Road Medical Center, Cassandra served as a dedicated professional providing services to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Working in collaboration with individuals, staff and supervisors, Cassandra assisted in the planning and implementation of treatment plans designed to improve the overall mental health of clients as well as enhance their individual strengths, choices and capabilities.

Utilizing a Person-Centered Approach, Cassandra believes that it is important to forge solid relationships with the individuals that she supports by serving as an outlet of encouragement and positive reinforcement. Her treatment focuses on the goals of the client with the aim of enhancing their understanding of themselves while mitigating feelings of distress. Cassandra’s theoretical orientation employs the use of interventions and strategies of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy as a way of facilitating the personal growth and development of each client.

Carolyn is currently pursuing her master’s degree at Hofstra University in the Mental Health Counseling program. She has been working in the mental health field periodically since 2015 with multiple agencies and Proud Moments ABA.  Carolyn's most recent experience was working in the inpatient Psychiatric Unit at Mercy Medical Center under the supervision of the director of the psychiatric unit. She led group sessions for the patients, provided psychiatric consults on the medical floor, as well as provided one on one therapy with patients. Her experience ranges from working with individuals with physical disabilities as well as those with mental health challenges. Carolyn utilizes CBT since it helps one work through both the mental and behavioral aspects of themselves. She also utilizes the psychodynamic theory as well and believe that many times the choice of intervention is based on the type of client Carolyn is working with.  Carolyn caters to adolescents and adulthood such as Hebrew Academy for Special Children HASC. It’s important for her to build rapport with her clients, by allowing them to feel supported and comfortable with and throughout the therapeutic process. Carolyn's goal as a counselor is to encourage her clients to recognize their own strengths and acknowledge that growth and improvement is possible.