Matthew Arras, MHC-LP

Matthew is a dedicated and ambitious MHC (supervised) with CommonSense Wellness Network with a lot of passion in the mental health field. He graduated from the University at Albany, State University of New York with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is currently completing his master’s degree in mental health counseling at the same university. Matthew strives to make a positive impact on the lives of his clients by creating an environment where they can feel safe and comfortable allowing them to grow in a beneficial direction. He works corroboratively with his clients and meets them where they are in their readiness to change. Matthew values that everyone is unique and will experience life in a different way. He puts a high importance on allowing his clients to be the person they are, letting them be the captain of their own ship while taking on the role of their navigator, listening warmly while suggesting different avenues to explore to help them hone their own self-healing capacities to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

He has experience in the addiction field but loves working with people from all walks of life with diverse life experiences. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outside in nature, and going for long walks.

Elvira Horbata, MHC-LP 

Elvira Horbata is a supervised MHC within Common Sense Wellness Network. She graduated from the University at Albany with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in neuroscience. Currently, she is in her Mental Health Counseling program, working towards her master’s degree.

Mental health has always been a passion for Elvira. Life comes with many hardships, and there’s no denying that facing those challenges alone can be difficult. Elvira creates a safe space to discuss the hardships and struggles that one endures. She helps address these struggles and find ways to persevere. Elvira believes that using a strengths-based approach can help individuals discover their true capabilities, bringing more meaning into their lives. With that being said, she helps foster resilience so that her clients can unlock their full potential.

Elvira focuses on building therapeutic relationships with her clients, demonstrating empathy and maintaining full engagement. She is dedicated to providing an inclusive environment for individuals of all demographics and walks of life, irrespective of background, ethnicity, gender, or life experiences.

Megan Philip, MHC-LP 

Megan is a Mental Health Counselor with a love and passion for helping others in various capacities. She graduated from the University at Albany with her Bachelors Degree in 2013. In the years to follow, she discovered her passion for mental health and will complete her Masters in the Clinical Mental Counseling Program at the College of Saint Rose in 2024. 

Megan is particularly passionate about bridging the gap between mental health care and faith communities as well as communities of color, especially in the Caribbean where her family is from. Additionally, Megan has helped countless individuals and families dealing with a wide variety of issues for almost a decade in the non-profit sector. She is also an ordained minister in the state of New York. 

Megan believes that the mind is  like a garden – whatever is planted, watered and cultivated will grow. She desires to help people to grow the best and most beautiful gardens in their lives possible, that individuals can fully enjoy and be nourished by. Megan brings dedication and passion to the therapeutic setting as she desires to see her clients live the most meaningful lives they can dare to imagine. 

Contact her today to help you with living the life you desire!

Kelly Benjamin, LMHC, Clinical Supervisor

Kelly is a Mental Health Counselor who is based in Albany NY and works as a Clinical Supervisor under Timothy Crumley, LMHC. Kelly has been working in the mental health field for over the past ten years, starting his career specializing in substance use disorders. Kelly began his career working as a full-time therapist at an intensive residential substance use treatment program located in Albany NY. Kelly is also employed by St. Peter’s Health Partners as a Behavioral Health Counselor. 

Kelly’s theoretical orientation is Person-Centered with the utilization of cognitive behavioral techniques which helps his clients reexamine their unhealthy belief systems. He believes that therapy is a collaborative process and guides clients to increase self-awareness, gain new perspectives, decrease symptoms, and increase personal strengths to have a more meaningful life experience. He believes that Person-Center Therapy can promote empowerment while helping individuals increase self-awareness and self-reliance. Kelly believes that all individuals possess the ability to fulfill their true potential and live a life of peace and prosperity.

Darin Roy, LMHC, Clinical Supervisor

As your therapist, Darin sees you as a whole person and will help you discover which pieces of your story are authentically your own and which pieces no longer (or never) served you. Mindfully integrating narrative and existential approaches to therapy, you and Darin will work towards identifying realistic solutions to your stressors.

Darin is excited to embark with you on this path towards gaining a sense of lasting wellness. You and Darin will do this while respecting the fact that you are indeed the expert on your narrative. You will transcend those harmful internal and external factors in your life by looking towards effective and practical solutions that employ your strengths.

Your journey to the point of being here and seeking help is one that shows a strength that is not to be underestimated. Finding a therapist that is the right fit for you is of paramount importance. To enable this, Darin offers a free 15-minute phone consultation so you can get to know each other and discuss your goals. Darin invites you to reach out if you have any questions.

Darin has been a tennis, skiing, and alternative building instructor for most of his life. He believes that living in harmony with the world around us is important for one’s well-being. He will work with you to help balance that enables authentic peace of mind.

Danica Salamun, MHC Intern

Danica is currently pursuing a Masters in Counseling at Russell Sage University, after a successful career in veterinary medicine. She appreciates creating the same close relationships with her clients that she previously enjoyed counseling pet parents for over twenty years. 

Danica uses a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and person centered therapy (PCT) to help clients gain better insight into their current belief systems and to consider their own potential for personal growth. 

In her free time, Danica enjoys reading, playing games with friends and family, and spending time with her dog, Phoebe. She believes in the power of nature to help quiet our racing thoughts, and can often be found walking Phoebe with a pair of binoculars and birding app in hand.

Jordyn Kossow, MHC-LP

Jordyn earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Human Development at the University at Albany, where she is now pursuing a graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling.

Her therapeutic approach is rooted in psychodynamic therapy, exploring the connection between past and present experiences to foster deeper self-awareness, uncover patterns, and create lasting change. She takes a warm and thoughtful approach, focusing on the subtle depths and intricacies of each person’s life. Through your narrative, she aims to guide you toward meaningful growth and healing. 

Together, we will work to gain insights that empower you on your path toward self-discovery and fulfillment.

Alexis Johnson, MHC-LP

Alexis Johnson is a current Master's student in Mental Health Counseling at the University at Albany, where she completed her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Human Development. Alexis believes that the human experience is filled with complicated challenges coming from various internal, external, and greater societal factors that impact everyone. Therapy serves as an unique place to sort through the emotions that come from it all and to not have to do so alone. Alexis believes that people need to feel heard and to be able to vent in a space that is reserved to be all about them and their needs, goals, emotions, and self-fulfilment.

Through an integrative lens and a holistic perspective, Alexis aims to offer a therapeutic space through counseling that allows people to process feelings in a space to that they may not have in the hustle and bustle of other spaces, to find coping mechanisms to bring with you outside of the therapeutic room, and altogether find what steps can be taken for an ideal and happier life so goals can be set to get there.

Alyssa Leva, MHC-LP

Alyssa completed her bachelor's degree in psychology and health sciences: public health from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. She is currently part of the Mental Health Counseling master's program at the University at Albany. Her approach focuses on collaborating with individuals, providing a safe space for clients to share their struggles, and helping them through difficult times and transitions in life. 

Alyssa approaches each session with a genuine curiosity, striving toward a warm, safe, and supportive environment where clients feel understood and valued. She works from a client-centered perspective, incorporating elements of gestalt and cognitive behavioral therapy, placing an importance on emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. She considers past and present influences to better support each client's worldview and unique perspective. Along with the idea that every individual has what they need within them and through building one's self-awareness and exploring their true sense of self, change can occur. Leading individuals through their journey of self-exploration and helping them live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

Life is not easy, but I will be here alongside you to help you when things get difficult; you are not alone. 

Keni Zhang, MHC Intern

Keni (she/her) is a counselor-in-training in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s program at Syracuse University. Grounded in a person-centered (client-centered) perspective, she believes counseling should meet each person where they are while nurturing new perspectives, insight, and autonomy. Her style is warm, empathic, and collaborative.

Keni integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based strategies (anchoring in the present, reducing anxiety, strengthening emotion regulation), and solution-focused techniques to help clients identify strengths, set clear goals, and take small, meaningful steps between sessions. She works with adolescents and adults around anxiety and stress, self-esteem concerns, life transitions, identity exploration, and family or relational dynamics..

As a trilingual clinician (English / Mandarin Chinese / Cantonese Chinese), Keni brings cultural humility and lived sensitivity to the experience of moving between languages, cultures, and expectations. As an international student herself, she understands the complex emotions that can arise when existing between different versions of “home,” identity, and belonging. Her background also includes research experience in Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD, informing her trauma-aware and paced approach under supervision.

Rawan Baalbaki, MHC Intern

Rawan (she/her) is a counselor in training who is passionate about creating a supportive and collaborative space where clients feel understood and empowered to grow. Coming from a Middle Eastern background, she brings a culturally responsive perspective to her work, recognizing how culture, identity, and lived experiences influence both challenges and strengths.

Her therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Relational-Cultural Theory, and Existential perspectives. Rawan values the therapeutic relationship as the foundation for healing and strives to meet each client with authenticity, empathy, and curiosity. She works with clients to explore the roots of presenting concerns while fostering resilience and meaningful change.

Rawan has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, identity development, interpersonal relationships, and life transitions. Her training has also included supporting individuals on the autism spectrum and those facing difficulties that impact daily functioning.

She is committed to walking alongside clients as they take steps toward greater self-understanding, balance, and well-being. Rawan is currently completing her clinical training under supervision at CommonSense Wellness Network.

Nikki Turrisi, MHC Intern

Nikki in her own words: "My name is Nikki, and I am a counselor-in-training in the Mental Health Counseling master’s program at the University at Albany. I approach the counseling process with care, curiosity, and respect for each person’s unique experiences. 

I believe therapy should be a supportive and collaborative space where individuals can feel safe to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences without judgment. I value building trust and offering a steady, thoughtful environment that allows for reflection, insight, and personal growth at a pace that feels right for each client. 

I welcome clients of all backgrounds, ages, and life stages and value creating a space that feels safe, respectful, and supportive to everyone. I am interested in supporting people as they navigate emotional challenges, stress, life transitions, relationship concerns, and the impact of past experiences, including how earlier life events may continue to shape the present. 

I am attentive to the ways identity, culture, and lived experience shape a person’s perspective and well-being. I strive to meet each person with openness, empathy, and humility, honoring their strengths while learning alongside them in the therapeutic process."

Sophia Flaherty, MHC Intern

Sophia completed a Bachelor of Science in Human Development at the University at Albany. She is currently a part of the Mental Health Counseling program at the University at Albany. She views counseling as collaborative, a way to improve well-being, and a way to not only heal individuals but to heal the world. 

Sophia has always been drawn to the mental health field. She comes with an empathetic and warm approach to those she works with. Sophia is interested in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to integrate mindfulness, acceptance, and awareness within her work. She hopes to create a safe space and support clients on their therapeutic journey.

Saba Zahid, MHC Intern

Saba in her own words: "I, Saba Zahid, am a mental health counselor in training at UAlbany’s master’s program for counseling psychology. My pronouns are she/her. I was always very fond of helping others

through their dark times and just being there when people needed. So, I took my interests and

made it into a career. Therapy has always been something special to me as I have a different

outlook on life due to my cultural norms. I personally believe therapy can be very useful when it is accommodated to correctly.

I believe therapy should be a welcoming, all-inclusive, safe space for everyone to feel important

and valued. I would work to make my clients feel heard, respected, in charge of their own lives,

and help them know that they are important. I will use compassion, cultural humility, mutual

trust, and lots of positive factors to create an environment in which my clients can grow, heal,

and explore their true selves without any judgment with every experience.

I welcome all clients of all backgrounds to come work with me as I help guide them through

these tough times. I strive to offer my support, encouragement, and motivation while every

person takes their time developing and navigating through their lives. Together, we will work at a

pace that feels comfortable, fostering insight, resilience, and meaningful growth while protecting

each person’s unique experiences and strengths.

I will go into every session with an open-mind ready to understand my clients and build rapport

amongst us. I am a big believer of cultural norms and outside factors impacting a person and

their state of mind. I also understand how difficult it can be sometimes so I will pay attention to

my clients, their identities, their backgrounds, and who they truly are. I will approach each

person with an amiable, empathetic, and professional personality, prioritizing respect, emotional safety, and genuine human connection. Through active listening, compassion, and nonjudgmental engagement, I aim to develop trust, support, open communication, and create a therapeutic environment conducive to healing and personal growth for everybody."