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. Most recently, Nina received intensive training in DBT. 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 20 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. Robin is also intensively trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and is the Team Lead for Lotus’ DBT program. Additionally, Robin is a DBT Skills trainer and facilitates adult and teen DBT skills groups. Using an integrative approach infused with mindfulness skills teaching, Robin specializes in helping survivors work through traumatic events including early childhood traumas. Robin loves to spend time with her family and her dogs, as well as hike and garden, and give of her time volunteering in her community.

Our Team

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 trauma, anxiety, depression, stress, grief, as well as academic and social issues, Additionally, Brittany has recently completed intensive training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Prior to her work at Lotus, Brittany worked with young children 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, and spend quality time with her dog, family, and friends.

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.

Sean Buckley - MHC-LP

Tessa Viserto, MHC-LP

Tessa graduated with her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Pace University in 2020. With a passion for psychology and mental health, Tessa was compelled to continue her education. In 2022, Tessa obtained her Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling from Pace University. She believes that fostering a person’s sense of self, and helping to increase one’s self-awareness are key ingredients in the therapeutic process. Tessa believes that genuine human connection is necessary for a successful counseling relationship When she is not working, Tessa loves to journal, explore new art exhibits, visit museums, and listen to music.

Brittany Gentilcore, MHC-LP

Sean recently earned his Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Pace University. Sean spent several years developing a career onstage, after obtaining a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in Theatre from Western Michigan University. Though his love of theater never diminished, he began to feel a calling toward a more meaningful career path. After committing to a daily meditation practice and diving into stimulating mental health research, Sean felt compelled to pursue a life promoting mental and physical wellness. Equipped with his rigorous training and an open heart, he hopes to collaborate with clients in their therapy journey. Sean has a deep love and appreciation for the natural world and enjoys hiking, camping, canoeing, rock climbing and slack-lining.

Nicole is a recent graduate of Pace University’s Mental Health Counseling Program. After a decade-long career in the contemporary art world, she craved a deeper understanding and connection of herself and others, leading her to complete her 200-hour yoga teacher training and graduate studies in mental health counseling. Today, Nicole is an E-RYT (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher) with over 2,000 teaching hours. Through her past experiences and current studies, Nicole strives to support her clients skillfully navigate life’s challenges and develop a sense of both empowerment and peace. Nicole loves to spend time in nature, work in her garden, travel, visit art galleries, and be with her family and friends.

Luna Porcaro - MHC-Candidate

Luna is a graduate student at Pace University in the Mental Health Counseling program. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in psychology and quickly returned to continue her education at a master’s level. She has experience working in community mental health as a psychosocial rehabilitation provider where she empowers and supports clients with increasing independent functioning and connects them to community resources. Luna promotes a non-judgmental, strength-based, and trauma-informed approach encouraging all voices to be heard. She believes a key component of therapy is meeting the client where they are and working together to model a stable and trusting relationship. Luna is passionate about human rights, increasing accessibility, and destigmatizing mental health care. In her free time, she enjoys exploring nature with her dog, spending time with family and friends, listening to music, playing with her cats, and practicing mindfulness and self-care.

Meg Barnett - Office Manager

Nicole is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her Master’s degree from Hunter College School of Social Work in 1998. As part of Lotus Psychotherapy, Nicole specializes in maternal mental health as well as anxiety and depression, trauma, parenting issues, feelings of being stressed, loss/grief and life transitions. Nicole has been trained in treating Complex PTSD and is intensively trained in DBT. She currently co-leads our Lotus Adult DBT Skills Group. Nicole finds it extremely gratifying to be able to guide and nurture others as she knows that her support can ease hearts and minds. Prior to joining Lotus Psychotherapy, Nicole spent over 20 years working with children and families as a Social Worker in school-based mental health programs. She also is a Certified Postpartum Doula. Born and raised in the Midwest, Nicole lives in the Hudson Valley with her husband and two daughters.