About Us
Meet the professional providers at Lotus
An integrative approach to mental health.
Our Story begins back in 1999. As two young women, fresh out of graduate school, we embarked on our careers in the mental health field. We met at P.S. 188 on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. With the support of our host agency, Partnership with Children, we worked to support the children and families, teachers and school administrators of Public School 188. We dedicated ourselves to combatting the effects and influences of drugs, violence, poverty, and marginalization on children’s ability to learn.
Over the next few years, our individual work with children and families, and our group projects in classrooms throughout the school, helped to foster and strengthen a foundation of emotional safety and well-being from which children and parents could learn and thrive.
Nearly 20 years later, as professional colleagues, spiritual sisters, and now as the founders of Lotus Psychotherapy, we remain aligned in the roots of our professional orientation, our hopes for our patients, and our core belief that resiliency is inherent to the human experience.
Our Founders
Nina Chaifetz, LCSW-R
Nina is a licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her Master’s degree in Social Work from New York University in 1995. Over the last 20 years, she has worked in a variety of settings with children and adults. Nina maintains certifications in Holistic Health Counseling, Gestalt Therapy, and as a Daring Way™ Facilitator. As a therapist, Nina helps adults and couples to move through life’s challenges with a greater sense of ease. She specializes in treating issues related to anxiety, depression, life transitions and relationships. In addition to being a founder of Lotus Psychotherapy, Nina provides clinical supervision in our practice and also facilitates SoulCollage® groups with clients. Nina is intensively training in DBT and brings her DBT knowledge into her work with clients. She has an integrative approach and incorporates mindfulness, nutrition and lifestyle considerations to create healthier emotional and physical well-being. She loves to travel, enjoys nature, and spending quality time with her friends and family.
Robin Friedman, LCSW-R
Robin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her graduate degree from Hunter College School of Social Work in 1996. Over the past 25 years, she has worked with people of all ages, from children and adolescents to adults and older persons, individually and in groups. Robin specializes in treating individuals presenting with complex trauma. She is a seasoned clinician whose orientation is shaped by her experience as a Certified Gestalt Therapist and a Certified EMDR practitioner and is trained in IFS-informed EMDR. Robin is also intensively trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Using an integrative approach infused with mindfulness skills teaching, Robin specializes in helping individuals impacted by early childhood traumas or with histories of chronic and sustained mistreatment and abuse to ultimately live with centeredness, self-connection, and embodiment in their present day. In addition to her professional work, Robin loves to spend time with her family and her dogs, and enjoys painting and embroidery.
Our Team
Nicole Wagner, LCSW-R
Nicole is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20+ years of experience. She received her Master’s degree from Hunter College School of Social Work in 1998. As part of Lotus Psychotherapy, Nicole works with individuals and couples utilizing a variety of modalities. Nicole specializes in anxiety and depression, trauma, relationship issues and maternal mental health. Nicole has been trained in treating Complex PTSD and is intensively trained in DBT, currently co-leading our Adult DBT Skills Group. Most recently, Nicole has focused her work on training in Integrative Relationship Therapy. Prior to joining Lotus Psychotherapy, Nicole spent many years working with new mothers as a Certified Postpartum Doula. She also worked for many years with children and families as a Social Worker in school-based mental health programs. Born and raised in the Midwest, Nicole now lives in the Hudson Valley with her husband and two daughters. In her free time she enjoys being in nature, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Brittany Gentilcore, LMHC
Brittany graduated with her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Pace University in 2021. Prior to joining the staff of Lotus Psychotherapy, Brittany interned with Lotus where she provided therapy and counseling services to a wide range of clients including adults and adolescents. Brittany’s focus with clients includes addressing issues related to trauma, emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, OCD, stress, grief, as well as relational and social issues. Additionally, Brittany is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and provides comprehensive DBT therapy, as well as facilitates DBT groups. Prior to her work at Lotus, Brittany worked with adolescents helping them to express their thoughts and feelings verbally and through art. Brittany is passionate about her work in the mental health field and is excited to continue to incorporate her knowledge and skills into practice. When she is not working, Brittany loves to read, sing, be in nature, and spend quality time with her dog, family, and friends.
Tessa Viserto, MHC-LP
Tessa earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology in 2020 and her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling in 2022, both from Pace University. She is passionate about fostering self-awareness and personal growth, believing that genuine connection is essential to the therapeutic process. Trained in EMDR through an EMDRIA-accredited program, she specializes in trauma work and also supports individuals struggling with body image, self-esteem, disordered eating, depression, and anxiety. Tessa tailors her approach using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to meet each client’s unique needs. Outside of work, she enjoys reading about psychology and personal development, exploring new cuisines, and spending time with family.
Nicole Hudson - LMHC
Nicole is a mental health counselor, life coach, and yoga educator with over 10 years of experience sharing mindfulness practices and working with clients. After more than a decade of working in the contemporary art field, Nicole reassessed her goals, changed careers, and dedicated herself to health and wellness full-time. As a therapist, Nicole supports individuals and couples in navigating life's challenges and cultivating self-awareness through various therapeutic modalities. She specializes in mindfulness-based approaches, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Nicole enjoys spending lots of time in nature, exploring new places, being with family and friends, and sharing yoga with her community.
Sean Buckley - MHC-LP
Sean received his graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling from Pace University in 2023. Over the past few years Sean has gained experience working with folks of all different ages, backgrounds, and life experiences. Though he welcomes and enjoys variety in his work, Sean’s special focus is on men’s mental health and well-being and working on life adjustments for college aged individuals. Sean has training in Person Centered Therapy (PCT), Dialectal Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and working with substance use disorders. Relying upon these trainings and his clinical experience, Sean collaborates with clients to develop an approach to therapy that is personalized to address their specific therapeutic needs. When he’s not practicing therapy, Sean loves to spend time painting landscapes, writing songs, playing guitar, and rock climbing.
Meg Barnett - Office Manager
Meg has been in healthcare since 2015, and has experience in direct patient care, admin support, and clinic management. She has a passion for connecting people with resources and improving client experience and clinic functioning. When not working she enjoys cooking, hiking and watching movies with her family and two dogs.
