Therapists MFT Team

THERAPISTS MFT TEAM

The NY MFT Professional Team

Dr. Joan D. Atwood Ph.D., LMFT, LCSW-R, Founder and CEO

Dr. Atwood is a nationally known social psychologist.
She has 30 years experience working with individuals, couples snd families.
She holds a Ph.D in Social Psychology, and three Masters Degrees--psychology, social psychology, and social work.
She is licensed in NYS as a Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
She is a full time Professor of Marriage and Family therapy and has taught Psychology at several universities.
She has written a multitude of books, has published over 100 articles and has been on many TV shows.
She has a private practice in Williston Park, Sag Harbor, Rockville Centre, and NYC.

Brian W. Atwood

Brian Atwood is the Vice President of NYMFT Business Affairs. He is responsible for media, publicity, marketing, and all business aspects of the agency. He specializes in Addictions and runs psycho-educational groups related to this area. He has over ten years experience. He also provides workshops in psycho-education concerning drugs and alcohol to schools, businesses and agencies. Most of his groups consist of middle school through college age groups. His counseling experiences covers all ages. In his spare time, he is a DJ/Producer/Remixer at Ultra Music, Underground Miner at Local 147 Sandhogs and CEO and Founder of Funky Element Records. He finds working with and helping people extremely rewarding.

Lisa. M. Gaudioso, M.S., M.P.S.

Lisa is the NYMFT Vice President of Clinical Administration. Lisa is a School Psychologist and has been working in this capacity for almost twenty years. She holds two Masters Degrees-one in School Psychology and the other in Professional Science. In addition, she has taken many post graduate courses in psychology and administration. She has advanced training in Behavior Analysis and has worked with families and children using the most current state of the art techniques. She has worked with children experiencing all types of issues, ranging from autism to anxiety to family based issues. She is an advocate for families and children and is an activist in this area. In addition to all of the above, Lisa also does Psychological Evaluation and Testing. Lisa loves working with families and children and is always willing to go the extra mile.

Concetta Gallo, Ph.D., LMFT

Dr. Concetta Gallo holds a Doctorate in Sociology, a Professional Diploma in Marriage and Family Therapy, and is a Certified Hypnotherapist. She has published two books on family therapy and has conducted workshops and presented papers at professional conferences on the effects of alcoholism on the family, the relationship between power and money in gay relationships, and family stories. She has taught various courses on the undergraduate and the graduate levels. When working with couples, she focuses on the reality of the couples and the strengths they bring to the marriage. Additionally, she specializes on communication techniques, substance abuse issues, gay and lesbian relationships, and power structures in couples. As a hypnotherapist she specializes in smoking cessation, weight loss, general anxiety, and relaxation and imagery techniques to chronic illness caregivers.

Kay Murphy, Ph.D., LMFT

Kay Murphy is a Supervisor for NYMFT. She reviews cases and conducts weekly case consultations with the MFT Team. Kay has 25+ years of private clinical practice. She has extensive experience working with all issues affecting couples (heterosexual and homosexual) and families, conflictual relationships, which includes marriages, pre-marital, siblings, parent/child, gay children, divorces. She also deals with grieving issues, especially related to 9/11. Kay is also an AAMFT Clinical Member and Approved Supervisor.

Nicole O'Brien, M.A., MFT

Nicole O’Brien has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Disability Studies and a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Nicole uses her therapeutic skills to help individuals, couples, and families from all different backgrounds reach their goals for happier and healthier lives. Much of her clinical experience involves working with couples and families dealing with conflict, transitions, marital discord, and parenting. She also works closely with adolescents experiencing issues with self-esteem, sex and gender identity, family conflict, and drug use. Currently, Nicole works intensely with families with adolescents exhibiting high risk behaviors. Nicole strongly believes in creating a safe, empathic, and open therapeutic environment for all her clients.

Laura Pulitano, M.S., Adv.Cert.

Laura Pulitano holds a M.S. Degree in Counselor Education and has been working for 17 years as both a middle school and high school counselor. She is currently working on an Advanced Certificate in Mental Health Counseling. Laura has extensive experience working with individuals, families, and groups and with culturally diverse populations. She also has expertise in learning disabilities, anxiety, eating disorders, depression, gender identity issues, at-risk adolescents, self-esteem and grief issues. Her current work also involves working with individuals and families with substance abuse issues. Her therapeutic approach focuses on prevention, therapeutic treatment, and teaching alternatives to self destructive behaviors. She practices and promotes mindfulness meditation as a means of self-awareness and relaxation therapy.

Antonio Carratelli, M.A., MFT

Antonio Carratelli graduated from New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Psychology. While studying Organizational Psychology, he discovered Systems Theory. He has since completed his Masters of Arts Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy -- a theoretical framework based on system dynamics. In addition, he holds Certifications in Nutrition and Wellness Consulting, Yoga Instruction, and Reiki. His interests and research foci include the LGBTQ population, sexuality, and the intersection of spirituality, mental health, and leadership. Additionally, he facilitates Stress and Anger Management workshops and offers Organizational Consulting for teams, leaders, and business owners.

Natasha Lazartes, M.A., LMFT

Natasha Lazartes, M.A., LMFT is a bilingual Marriage and Family Therapist working with Individuals, Couples, and Families. Her areas of interest include: couple conflicts, trauma, acculturation, anger management, self esteem, anxiety and depression. Natasha has many years of experience assisting Individuals, Couples and Families in building better communication skills and reunification. She has completed a Program in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, a trauma treatment focusing on mind body connection. Natasha works with her clients to assist them in enriching and expanding their lives.

Associates

Daniel L. Araoz, Ed.D

is an international and national scholar and therapist. He is the past president of the Academy of Family Psychology, author of many articles and several books on marriage and family issues, founder of the "American Journal of Family Therapy," AAMFT Approved Supervisor and AASECT Diplomate in Sex Therapy. He is also the founder of the LI chapter of MFT and is internationally known for his work on hypnotherapy. He believes that couples should and could be happy in their exclusive relationship and that even though "significant others" have different personalities, bothhave to understand and learn to live with the other person's characteristics. Dr. Araoz does personality re-education, not behavioral training. Partners become each other's helpful "other."

Richard Belson, D.S.W

is a Professor of Social Work, specializing in both doing and supervising Marriage and Family Therapy. He has received the Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence at a University and has been cited in many professional writings and the media. He studied with Jay Haley and Cloe Madanes, two pioneers in the field of family therapy, and has since developed and presented many workshops on Strategic Family Therapy both nationally and internationally. The Ghandi Technique, which he developed, is used by therapists for resistant problems through out the world. His specialty is the Healing Power of Humor, which he has applied to many family situations with people ofall ages.

Marvin Glassmann, Ed.D. LMFT, LMHC

sees both families and couples, but is especially interested in working with those dealing with extra marital affairs. He also has an interest in dealing with the issues of a rather neglected group,the senior population. He studied for four years at the Ackerman Institute for the Family, a world renowned training facility. He is a former president of the Long Island Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. He is an Approved Supervisor and directs a field placement program for MFT interns, as well as those who wish to achieve Clinical Member status of the AAMFT. He embraces the approach that most individuals and families wish to solve their issuesin life and he is available “to shine the light” on the not always obvious solutions.

Laurie B. Levine, Ph.D., LMFT

Laurie holds a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy. Over the last 15 years, she has been working extensively with families, couples and individuals as well as providing supervision, training, community talks and teaching at the graduate level. Much of Laurie’s clinical background is in the resolution of psychological trauma. She has a broad focus helping people deal with parenting issues, marital conflicts, adolescence, individualconcerns and women’s issues. Laurie also works with senior management in corporations helping to resolve morale, personality and conflict issues.