OUR STAFF CHANGES LIVES

Angel L. Bosques Jr., MA
Substance Abuse Counselor

Angel currently works under the ATI Drug Courts project.  In addition to having earned his Master’s in Forensic Psychology, he is pursuing a second Master’s in Social Work at Hunter College.  Angel enjoys the ATI Drug Courts project where he can contribute to the great shift of the Criminal Justice system toward ATI programs.

Saad Butt, LMSW
Therapist

Saad graduated from the NYU Silver School of Social work in 2007.  He specializes in working with the Criminal Justice population, helping clients from NYS Parole, Federal Probation, and City Probation, as well as Mental Health.

Lourdes Charles-Blake
Substance Abuse Counselor

During her career as a Substance Abuse Counselor, Lourdes has worked with several different populations, including ACS, CPS, NYC and Nassau County Probation, NYS Parole, Queens TASC, Felony Treatment Court, EAP, Family Court, WORC Program, EAC, Momma’s House, Bridges of Long Island, and Federal Probation.  She is currently attending Adelphi University School of Social Work and will be pursuing training in the Bi-Lingual Social Work Program.  Lourdes is also interested in receiving additional training as a counselor for victims of Domestic Violence.

Charles Clark, CASAC
Substance Abuse Counselor

Charles is a NYS Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). He has worked in the addiction field since 1998.  Over the years, he has worked in Community Based Organizations, Residential Treatment Facilities, Crisis Centers, Detoxification/ Rehab, and Outpatient Treatment Programs. Charles graduated from the Outreach Training Institute CASAC Program in 2001. Shortly afterwards, he passed the NYS OASAS CASAC Exam. He has also completed two years of College at La Guardia Community College, and has taken over 70 state trainings in reference to mental health, substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS. Currently, Charles is assigned to work with our Comalert Program that services Brooklyn parolees.

Nelson Colon, CASAC
Substance Abuse Counselor

Nelson began his career in addiction counseling in 1998, and since that time, he has worked with the Drug Treatment Alternative to Prison program, Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, The Manhattan Treatment Court and the NY State Division of Parole.  Nelson began his career at CSEDNY in 2004 where he has been working with Parolees, clients referred by NYC Office of Probation, ACS, Brooklyn Treatment Court, and Brooklyn TASC.

Patricia Duffet, LMSW, MA
Therapist

Patricia has been with CSEDNY since January 2010.  She works primarily with clients referred by the treatment courts as an alternative to incarceration.  An honors graduate of Hunter School of Social Work, Patricia strives to bring a social justice lens to individual and group work.  In addition to substance abuse, Patricia’s professional interests include mental health, identity development issues related to race, gender, sexuality, and traumatic loss.  Patricia also has a Master of Arts in Philosophy.

Lindsay Dunnells, LCSW, CASAC-T
Substance Abuse Therapist

Lindsay is a graduate of Columbia University.  Her clinical focus are the areas of Substance Use and Criminal Justice. Lindsay works with clients from Federal Probation and BOP referrals.  She is attending a SIFI program to become a Social Work student supervisor  and has attended trainings on REBT at Albert Ellis Institute.

Orsline Fraser, LMSW, CASAC
Drug Courts Coordinator

Orsline joined CSEDNY staff in 2007 and while working full time she completed her MSW from the Hunter School of Social Work in 2010. During the past four years Orsline has been committed to the growth and success of the Alternative to Incarceration treatment track at CSEDNY. She has a special clinical interest in young adults and women in the criminal justice system. In addition, Orsline has recently focused on the issues of trauma and the impact it has on mental health and substance use the clients she serves. Orsline supervises clinicians who work with clients referred by Brooklyn drug Courts, BTC, MBTC, STEP, Red Hook Community Justice Center and has a caseload of clients as well. She has gone on to further her education at the Hunter School where she attends the Post Master Program in Administration.

Sean Harrington, LCSW
Therapist specializing in MICA

Sean graduated from Fordham University in 2007.  He works with DSS, Nassau Probation, NYS Parole, and Nassau Treatment Court.  He believes that treatment for Substance Abuse and Mental Illness are rooted in the understanding that our perception of life determines how we behave in life.  Therefore, Mr. Harrington focuses his clinical interventions on  the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and other behavioral approaches..  In addition to working at CSEDNY since January 2010, Mr. Harrington also has a small private practice since January 2011.

Henry Hill, CASAC-T
Substance, Abuse Counselor

Henry attended the American Institute of Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy NY.  He graduated in 2006 and is currently working on the Clinical Screening and Assessment of the impaired Driving Offenders and Criminal Justice drug users.

Carin Klinger-Margies, CASAC-T, CHHC, AADP
Substance Abuse Counselor

Carin works primarily with legally involved clients varying from Parole, Probation, Family Treatment Court, and Child Protective Services.  She specializes in addiction, as well as the nutritional impact on addiction and the recovery process.  She received her BA in Social Work and subsequently trained at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where she earned her certification as a Holistic Health Couselor.

Meredith Korsen, LMSW
Therapist

Meredith graduated from New York University in 2010. She has become increasingly interested in mental health and substance abuse as they present within the criminal justice system. This includes trauma experienced before, during, or after incarceration, as well as how mental health and substance abuse issues are linked.  In addition to her interest in moving toward change, using evidence-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused Therapy,  Meredith has become interested in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and how it can be used to help clients move toward acceptance when change is not possible, and is currently participating in a Mindfulness Group for Clinicians.

Melina Lalor-Rose, MSW, CASAC
Clinical Supervisor

Melina Lalor-Rose graduated from the Hunter School of Social Work in 2001.  She began her career with CSEDNY as an intern in 2005, completing both her undergraduate and graduate internships prior to her hire date of June 1, 2005.  Melina’s is interested in Domestic Violence and social justice issues surrounding African American men in the criminal justice system.

Mo’Nique Murray, MHC, CASAC-T
Therapist

Prior to joining CSEDNY, Mo’Nique worked at Columbia University Support System where she helped clients in Harlem with both substance abuse and mental illness.  Mo’Nique developed an interest in substance abuse during her undergraduate studies at St. John’s University, where she earned her BA in Psychology.  Currently, Mo’Nique works with clients who are mandated by the courts.  She is interested in working with the outpatient population and is looking forward to a private practice in the near future.  Mo’Nique has her MA in Mental Health Counseling from The City College of New York.

Michele Nelson, LCSW
Clinical Director

Michele began her career with CSEDNY as an intern in 1991, while working towards her Masters Degree in Social Work. She graduated from Fordham University in 1994 and has seen the agency’s development and growth first-hand. She is an experienced clinician and seasoned director. During the 20 years of work at CSEDNY Michele has supervised many social work students and helped write bids for contracts and grants. Recently, based on Michele’s expertise and effort CSEDNY was awarded a grant to provide Trauma Informed Treatment to court involved clients in Queens.

Yashia Paul, BS, CASAC
ACS Services Coordinator

Yashia completed her Undergraduate Studies at  New York City College of Technology Human Services majoring in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Therapy. She has been with CSEDNY since 2006. She currently supervises the ACS testing operation at CSEDNY and enjoys the administrative aspect of social work. Yashia currently attends Hunter College School of Social Work and is studying for her Master’s in Social Work with a concentration in Individuals and Family Therapy (anticipated graduation January 2012).

Anne Petraro-DelGrosso, LMHC, CRC, CASAC
Outreach Coordinator and Therapist

Anne earned a BA with specialization in Psychology, English and History from Hofstra University in 2000. She then graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hofstra University in 2002 with a Master of Science, Mental Health Counseling/Rehabilitation Counseling. She attained her CASAC from Molloy College in 2007.  Anne specializes in Motivational Interviewing, Eating Disorders, Grant Writing, Grief & Loss Counseling, Interventions, developmental disabilities and learning disabilities, and the young adult population.

Daniel M. Peyser, LMSW
Therapist

Daniel graduated from Columbia University in 2009 prior to starting his career at CSEDNY.  He specializes in REBT and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.  As a clinician, he is interested in the combination of CBT and hypnotherapy, trauma treatment, psychotherapy and other Axis II disorders.

Stephen Poole, CASAC
Substance Abuse Counselor

Stephen received his training from Bronx Community College and continues to stay interested in the field of Substance Abuse Counseling.

Heather Ragnauth, LMSW
Substance Abuse Therapist

Heather received her Masters of Social Work from New York University.  She is currently focusing her interests on the areas of Substance Abuse and Trauma.

Angela M. Rine, LMHC
Quality Assurance Coordinator and Therapist

Angela received her BA in Psychology from George Washington University in 2004 and then went on to complete her studies at Adelphi University where she earned her Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2006.

Joseph Rogate, LMSW
Criminal Justice Program Coordinator

Joseph Rogate graduated from Long Island University – C.W. Post in 2010.  He is interested in substance abuse and criminal justice.  His clinical approach is a strengths-based perspective, which focuses on finding the potential and the resources in each individual that will facilitate health and change.

Kelly Shanley, LMHC, CASAC
Therapist

Kelly joined the CSEDNY staff in 2011. She works with the clients mandated through the Federal Bureau of Prisons.  Kelly’s clinical style is based on several different counseling approaches; namely Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Reality Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Psychodrama.  She is currently in training to become a psychodrama/experiential group specialist.  She received her MA in Mental Health Counseling from Florida Gulf Coast University and her BA in Psychology from University of South Florida.  She also works in private practice offering individual, group, and family psychotherapy in Manhattan.

Rebecca Shechter, LCSW
Clinical Director

After receiving her MSW from Fordham University, Rebecca began her career as a clinician specializing in dual diagnosis treatment.  She went on to enhance the development and implementation of the MICA programming in Hempstead.  Subsequently, she was promoted to Assistant Clinical Director then Clinical Director.

Nadine Simmonds, BA, CASAC
Substance Abuse Counselor

Upon completion of her undergraduate degree at Brooklyn College, Nadine took an interest in the filed of Social Services.  She began her career with CSEDNY as an intern in 2008 and subsequently was offered a position at the end of her internship to work primarily with the ACS population.

Ruschelle Smiroldo-Khanna, LMSW
Assistant Clinical Director

Ruschelle graduated from Columbia University in 2005 before joining the CSEDNY staff in 2009.  Her central area of focus is Mental Health.  In addition to working as Assistant Clinical Director and treating clients, she has also begun training as a supervisor for social work students and attends the NYU SIFI program.

Lauren Szerlip, LCSW, CASAC
Clinical Director

Lauren Szerlip is the Clinical Director of the 180 Livingston Street Site. Ms. Szerlip received her Master’s Degree in social work from Boston College with a specialization in the field of forensic social work. Ms. Szerlip is responsible for the creation of the Young Adult Program, which serves individuals between the ages of 16 to 25 who are involved in the criminal justice system and have a chemical dependence diagnoses.

Daniel Tolbert, LCSW
Clinical Director

Dan has been a longtime CSEDNY employee, starting his career in 1996.  With just over 15 years tenure at the agency, Dan has been instrumental in establishing ComALERT CSEDNY as a preferred treatment provider for reentering populations on Parole and Federal Probation. He helped to fortify the collaboration with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and increased client census by 300% since 2004, when the ComALERT program began.  Dan is a graduate of Fordham University with experience in CBT, Psychodynamic Therapy, REBT, and Schema Therapy.

Rachelle D. Veasley, LMSW
Therapist

Rachelle is a Social Worker and Substance Abuse Counselor with CSEDNY.  After working several years with the Brooklyn Parole contract, she was recently transferred to offer therapeutic services for the ATI drug courts.  After graduating from Columbia University with a BA in Psychology and Philosophy in 2007, she continued her education and graduated from Hunter College with a Master’s in Social Work.  She is especially interested in the intersection between social work and criminal justice, as well as the larger policy issues surrounding substance abuse and re-entry concerns.  Professionally, she wishes to combine her passion for academia with that of social work and eventually pursue a PhD in Social Welfare.

Solomon Wells, LMHC, CASAC
Program Coordinator for Bureau of Prisons Contract

Solomon oversees substance abuse transitional services for inmates under federal custody who are transitioning back into society.  He is a graduate of Long Island University and specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.