Picture of the fountain by Marillac in spring

Counseling and Psychological Services

The staff at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS, formerly the Center for Counseling and Consultation) is dedicated to helping students with a whole range of challenges that may interfere with the ability to live well, relate to others, and succeed academically.

CAPS Guide for Faculty & Staff

About Counseling and Psychological Services

There may be times when you might need extra support to cope more effectively with a personal or emotional issue. The staff at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is dedicated to helping students with a whole range of challenges that may interfere with the ability to live well, relate to others, and succeed academically.

These challenges may include: stress, anxiety, adjusting to change, academic distress, family concerns, relationship difficulties, cultural identity, grief and loss, trauma, alcohol or substance abuse, eating concerns, homesickness and loneliness.

Our services include initial assessment, individual counseling, referrals, crisis intervention, skills workshops, consultation, and outreach programming. Psychiatric services are also available when appropriate.

The multidisciplinary staff at CAPS is comprised of full-time licensed psychologists, clinical social workers, licensed mental health counselors, a psychiatric consultant, as well as doctoral fellows, graduate assistants, and administrative support staff.

Who We Serve/Eligibility for Services

CAPS serves the entire St. John’s University community including students, faculty, and staff:

Students: Undergraduate and graduate students taking 6 or more credits at St. John’s University are eligible for all CAPS services. Students taking 5 or fewer credits and non-matriculating students are eligible for consultation and referral.

Faculty and Staff: Faculty and staff are not eligible for direct counseling services, however available services include consultation regarding students of concern, classroom presentations, workshops and trainings offered by the center.

Parents and Family: Services for students are confidential including whether they are being seen for counseling at the center. However, parents and family are encouraged to contact CAPS if they have concerns about the welfare of their son or daughter.

Services at CAPS

Services at CAPS are free for all St. Johns’s University students. Services are offered both virtually and in-person to meet the needs of the student community. CAPS uses a short-term counseling model (e.g., approximately a semester) but also considers the unique needs of the student when determining treatment length. Referrals for longstanding or specialized support can also be made to resources within the community that best suit your needs.

The goal of this appointment is to assess the student’s immediate needs and determine the most appropriate services.  After gathering the necessary information, the counselor will engage the student in a collaborative treatment planning process.

In individual counseling, students sit down one-on-one with a counselor and talk about their concerns, define goals, make decisions, and solve problems. Over a short period of time, students and counselors work together to achieve the goals set by students. Interested students may be assigned to a counselor for ongoing counseling. These sessions are held by appointment only. Secure videoconferencing will be used for virtual appointments. 

Students who are experiencing intense distress will be provided with immediate care and support. If a student is in crisis, he or she can come to CAPS or call us at 718-990-6384 during business hours. If it is after business hours, please contact our St. John's helpline at 718-990-6352, Public Safety at 718-990-5252, or call 911 for immediate assistance.

Depending on availability, life skills workshops will be offered in-person at CAPS. Life skills workshops include topics such as stress management, time management, sleep hygiene, healthy relationships, and mindfulness. Please ask our front desk or your counselor for more information.

Our psychiatric consultant provides psychiatric evaluation and medication management to interested students through secure video conferencing.  Students must first complete the screening process, be assigned to a counselor, and engaged in counseling services at CAPS to receive psychiatric services.  Psychiatry services are by appointment only.

Consultation services are available to faculty, staff, and administrators who are concerned about a student.  Members of the campus community can speak with a clinician, either via telephone or in person, and share their concerns. Our clinicians will work with concerned members to come up with an effective plan of action. Community members seeking consultation should call the main number during business hours.

Consultation calls will be transferred to the counselor on emergent coverage. If there is not available counselor, consultation calls will be returned by the end of the business day. The after-hours helpline can also provide consultation to community members 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

Sometimes students that we see may require counseling for longer periods of time or may require more intensive or specialized therapy, in which case we will work with you to find a therapist or clinician outside of St. John’s who can more appropriately treat them. We do recommend that students secure health insurance as many counselors or therapists in the community accept insurance for their services.

Existing clients may call the main line during business hours for assistance with scheduling or rescheduling appointments. They may also leave non-urgent messages for their counselor. Students who were previously clients at CAPS may also call during the listed telephone hours to make an appointment with their previous counselor, provided they were seen within the last six months (subject to counselor availability).

CAPS will provide virtual appointments to our students residing in New York State. State law does not allow us to provide counseling services to students outside of New York State. However, we may provide emergent care appointments and case management services to assist with referral to a local provider.

All CAPS services are free and confidential within the limits of legal and ethical restrictions. Information about students will not be shared with anyone without students’ written consent except in emergency situations when there is a clear indication of imminent harm.

Students seeking to initiate services at CAPS should call 718-990-6384 during office hours to schedule an initial appointment. Alternatively, students can stop by and speak to our front desk to make an appointment for routine therapy services.

Crisis Services

Students have access to in-person and virtual walk-in sessions if they are in urgent need of speaking to a counselor. Students may seek walk-in services by coming to the counseling center and identifying their situation as urgent and in need of speaking to a counselor immediately. Alternatively, students may call 718-990-6384 during office hours and identify the situation as urgent and the receptionist will connect you with an on-call clinician. Walk-in appointments are NOT therapy, but rather an appointment to assess and ensure your safety and well-being.

To speak with a counselor after business hours (evenings, weekends, holidays), please call our After-Hours Helpline at 718-990-6352. The After-Hours Helpline counselor will be able to assist you with your concerns and provide specific recommendations. A CAPS staff member will also follow-up on the call the next business day.

Please be aware that there are additional resources you can access if you are in distress or crisis:

  • Queens Campus Public Safety: 718-990-5252

Off-Campus Resources

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:  988
  • Crisis Text Line:  Text “START” to 741-741
  • Veterans Crisis Line:  1-800-273-8255 (Press 1)
  • NYC Well:  Talk. Text. Chat. – 1-800-NYC-WELL

Hours and Contact Information

Counseling and Psychological Services on St. John's University's Queens campus is located in Marillac Room 130.  You can reach by phone at 718-990-6384 during the following hours:

  • Monday to Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • After-hours helpline: 718-990-6352
  • In the event of an emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Frequently Asked Questions

Counseling is a place where you develop a therapeutic relationship with a professional and talk about your concerns, define goals, make decisions, and solve problems. In counseling you can share your thoughts and feelings in confidence with a professional who is an objective listener and can help you to change your behavior to deal more effectively with a problem or by teaching you new skills. Counseling is a joint endeavor in which both you and your counselor work together to achieve goals that you set.

We will be glad to talk to you about whatever is on your mind. No problem is too big or too small for consultation. You don’t need to wait until you hit rock bottom to come in for counseling. In fact, we recommend you come in sooner so you can manage potential problems before they grow. In our experience some of the most common reasons students seek our assistance are because: they are stressed out, having difficulty in school, are extremely anxious and nervous, very unhappy, and/or they are having relationship problems with their partner or their family. Other reasons students seek counseling include, but are not limited to, family problems, low self-confidence, and having difficulty adjusting to college life.

We offer short-term counseling. Some problems may be resolved in one or two sessions while others require a series of appointments. Psychiatric consultation is also available for students who are interested in learning more about taking medication. If more intensive or specialized therapy is indicated, we will work with you to find an appropriate outside provider.

No! Your Counseling Center visits are confidential. Information is not shared with anyone without your permission. There are certain exceptions to confidentiality, which pertain to threat or harm to self or others, the abuse of children or incapacitated adults, and in situations required by law. These exceptions are rare and in almost all cases nobody outside of the Center will know about your visit. 

Please note that if you are a student who is 17 years old or younger, you will need the consent of your parent or guardian to receive services. This does not necessarily mean that your parents will know what you discuss in counseling, however, they will know that you are seeing a counselor.

Any student, graduate or undergraduate, currently enrolled at St. John’s University is eligible to use our services. Graduate students must be enrolled for a minimum of six credits.

Counseling Center services are free of charge. We do recommend, however, that students also secure health insurance as at times we do refer students to community providers for continued or specialized treatment.

No. Psychiatric services, such as medication, are completely optional. We have a psychiatrist on staff who can consult with you about what would work best for your treatment needs. Medication can often be helpful especially for students who may be depressed or anxious, however, the decision to take or not take medication is completely up to the student.

Everyone experiences hardships at one point or another in their lives, especially at this life stage. We know you are resilient and strong, however, there are some instances when additional information or viewpoints can be helpful. Recognizing when you need help, and then getting it, is a sign of strength, maturity, and good problem-solving skills not a sign of weakness.

There are no guaranteed results, that is true, but how do you know it won’t work for you if you don’t try it? There is a high probability that counseling can be helpful as many of our students report. According to results from our most recent survey, students who came to the Counseling Center reported the following benefits: overall satisfaction with counseling, an increased ability to cope with their stressors, overall improvement as the result of counseling, an improvement in pursuit of their life goals, better relationships with their friends, partner, and family, improved academic performance, an easier adjustment to college life, and better job performance.  

Your experience may not have been a good one, but you are in a different place now with different people. Our staff is specifically trained to work with the college population, to work with students from diverse backgrounds, and how to treat students as adults, with respect and without judgment. Approach your new counseling experience with an objective, open mind and see where it takes you.

One of the amazing things about St. John’s is that we have students from all over the country and all over the world, from all different walks of life. In fact, did you know, that more than half of the students we saw this past year for counseling identified as students of color? 

We recognize that in many cultures there is often a great deal of stigma associated with talking to a counselor or mental health professional or anyone outside your family. People may think talking to a psychologist, for example, means you are “crazy” or weak (which we know is not true) or that it may somehow embarrass you or your family. We are sensitive to your needs here at the CAPS and will work with you to talk about your concerns. As we have already said, your visit with us is confidential and the fact that you recognize you could use extra help is a wonderful strength you have.

Our main mission at the Counseling Center is not to hospitalize our students but to assist them in coping more effectively with their stressors and to maximize their experience here at St. John’s. In very rare and extreme cases, where there are concerns for safety, we sometimes do send students to the emergency room (ER) for further evaluation to ensure that the student, and other students, remain safe. If a student is sent to the ER they will be evaluated by a psychiatrist who will determine if they require hospitalization for stabilization. Keep in mind, psychiatric hospitalization is not a punishment but is a time when someone can temporarily put their stressors aside and spend full-time focusing on a healthy recovery.

If this is the first time that you will be seen at the Center, your first appointment is called an initial consultation, which is an assessment/interview designed to find out how best we can help you. During your consultation you will be asked to sign a consent form for counseling and to complete a demographics form and mental health questionnaires prior to starting. You will then meet your clinician who will determine how we can better be of help.

To serve you as quickly and as efficiently as possible, your first intake appointment at the Center will be with the counselor who is first available. If you have a specific counselor preference, please indicate this when scheduling your appointment and we will make every effort possible to accommodate your request. Please be aware, however, that your counselor of preference may not be available right away which may delay your appointment time. 

Additional Information

Below we have outlined resources for identity-based counseling services off-campus. Individual therapists have not been vetted and are simply a reference list for those seeking identity-based counseling services from licensed clinicians.

Treatment Directories

Beginning college is a unique experience in your student’s life.  There are many things you and your student can do to care for your student’s mental and physical health to help facilitate a smooth transition into college life. Some suggestions include:

  • Educate your students about health insurance and create a list of emergency contacts including family members, health providers, and other significant members.
  • Plan for doctor’s visits and medication refills.
  • Remind your students that counselors are available for counseling and consultation right on campus at CAPS
  • If you have concerns about your student’s mental health or if there are ongoing psychiatric issues that require long-term counseling, contact us in advance for referrals for local providers.

Crisis Situations/Consultations

There is a clinician on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help your St. John's student. Contact CAPS immediately if you become aware of a student who is making direct or indirect references to self-harm, suicide, harming others, or appears to be out-of-touch with reality. Parents and family may call CAPS during regular hours at at 718-990-6384 or Public Safety after hours at 718-990-5252. If your student requires immediate assistance call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room.

It is important for faculty and staff to be aware of mental health resources available on campus and likewise inform their students about these services. Faculty and staff can encourage students to call CAPS to make an appointment or come directly to CAPS for an appointment.

Crisis Situations/Consultations

There is a clinician on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you with any students of concerns. Contact CAPS immediately if you become aware of a student who is making direct or indirect references to self-harm, suicide, harming others, or appears to be out-of-touch with reality. Faculty and staff may call CAPS during regular hours at: 718-990-6384 or Public Safety after hours at 718-990-5252. Oftentimes, faculty and staff can walk students of concern to CAPS and then our staff can meet with the student for assessment and follow-up care.

Classroom Presentations and Trainings

CAPS staff also provides educational presentations that may be relevant to your class. Please call CAPS 718-990-6384 if you would like to schedule a session for your class/organization.

Confidentiality

All CAPS services are confidential.  Although we understand faculty and staff’s interest in their students, we are unable to disclose information about a student without his or her written consent.

Doctoral Fellowships in University Mental Health

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) seeks to promote the overall personal, social, and academic development of the student body through a variety of specialized professional services. It functions within the Division of Student Affairs in concert with other departments united in promoting student development and wellness. CAPS is committed to the provision of culturally-sensitive counseling and outreach services, and to the training of mental health practitioners who seek to develop their multicultural competencies in a college setting.

The CAPS staff is comprised of full-time psychologists, licensed mental health counselors, licensed clinical social workers, a psychiatric consultant, doctoral fellows, graduate assistants, and administrative support staff. CAPS has an office on the Queens campus and the doctoral fellows are exclusively based on the Queens campus. The CAPS environment offers an appealing combination of challenging and varied clinical work in a supportive professional setting.

Several doctoral fellowships are available. All fellowships are 20 hours per week during the academic year from September 1 through May 15. The fellowship provides a comprehensive training experience in university mental health with an emphasis on clinical assessment, short term individual therapy, and outreach to a diverse undergraduate and graduate population of approximately 20,000 students. Fellows typically maintain an active caseload of 8-10 individual psychotherapy clients. They will also be expected to participate in outreach workshops/trainings. The position will include tuition remission of up to 12 credits per semester plus a stipend.

Fellows meet with their individual supervisor for at least one hour of supervision each week. More individual supervision will be provided if needed based on client load or complexity of cases. Additionally, fellows will participate in case conference meetings and in various seminars.

Applicants must be matriculated in the Clinical Psychology or School Psychology doctoral program at St. John’s University and have completed at least one formal externship placement (by the start of fellowship). To apply, please submit completed application, which includes a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation (one must be provided by an externship supervisor) to the [email protected] below beginning March 1st for the following academic year.

For more information, please contact CAPS at 718-990-6384.

As part of the Department of Student Wellness, a significant focus of the Center’s mission is to adopt a proactive stance in promoting a positive health environment for all members of the St. John’s community. We offer workshops, classroom presentations, and training programs to various student, faculty, and staff groups on campus. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is eager to support you through its outreach program initiatives.

Outreach Offerings

  • Workshops and presentations
  • Trainings
  • Mental health screenings
  • Question, Persuade, Refer: Suicide Prevention Training

Please note that all requests for outreach need to be made at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This allows us to better serve your needs and outreach goals. For more information, please call CAPS at 718-990-6384 or email [email protected].

About Our Staff

Portrait of Jonathan W. Dator, PhD, MSCP, CGP

Director
Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Jonathan Dator (he/him/él) was born in San José, Costa Rica, and grew up in Danbury, Connecticut. He is a Licensed Psychologist in New York and Rhode Island and is credentialed by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists, and is a Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP). Jonathan comes to St. John's after having spent 8 years as the Associate Director of Training at Providence College's Personal Counseling Center. He holds a Post-Doctoral Master of Science (MSCP) in Clinical Psychopharmacology from Fairleigh Dickinson University, a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Multicultural Counseling from Seton Hall University, a Post-Master’s Certificate in Global Mental Health: Trauma and Recovery from Harvard Medical School, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) and Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling from Boston University, and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology from Western Connecticut State University. 

Jonathan has extensive training experience in various college and university counseling centers including externships at Montclair State University, Seton Hall University, Rutgers University, an APA-Accredited Doctoral Internship in Health Service Psychology at the University Counseling Center at the University of Notre Dame, a Post-Doctoral Psychology Residency at the University of California, San Diego Counseling & Psychological Services, and pro bono counseling services to students at the American University of Afghanistan. He has also worked in hospital, residential treatment, assisted living, and public school system settings and has engaged in psychology training in Europe and the Caribbean. 

Jonathan has held leadership positions in the Section on College and University Counseling Centers of the American Psychological Association, the National Latinx Psychological Association, the New Jersey Psychological Association, and the Latino Mental Health Association of New Jersey. He has focused his training and work on providing care to disenfranchised, marginalized, and under-served groups through research and practice with a social justice lens. When not at St. John's, Jonathan enjoys spending time with family, friends, and pets, traveling, and rooting for his favorite New England sports teams.

Portrait of Pegah Eftekharzadeh, PhD

Associate Director of Operations and Administration
Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Pegah Eftekharzadeh (she/her) is a licensed psychologist and the Associate Director of Operations and Administration at CAPS. She completed her post-doctoral fellowship with a trauma specialization at Counseling and Wellness Services at New York University and her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Lehigh University. She has served at several other college counseling centers prior to joining the CCC. Her clinical work and research have focused on the mental health needs of marginalized communities, and specifically identifying the coping resources that protect individuals from the impact of discrimination and mental health outcomes. 

Pegah's areas of clinical interest include identity exploration and development, multiculturalism, acculturative stress, racial trauma, family of origin and relationship concerns, anxiety and depression, adjustment concerns, and supervision and training. Pegah is also fluent in Farsi (Persian) and is of Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) descent. Outside of work, Pegah enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, cooking, hosting, and traveling. 

Associate Director of Clinical Services
Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Evelyn Crespo, LCSW (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York.  She identifies as a first-generation Nuyorican who is bilingual Spanish speaking. She graduated with an MSW from the Ehrenkranz School of Social Work at New York University in 2005 and received her undergraduate degree from Hunter College, CUNY where she majored in Sociology with a minor in Women’s Studies. 

Evelyn has worked in different mental health settings including hospitals, shelters, outpatient clinics, and schools. Due to her interest in the importance of trauma informed care, she has training in DBT, EMDR, and somatic experiencing with a focus on multiculturalism and social justice. Evelyn is a strong believer in the power of mindfulness to connect with self and others. Evelyn also enjoys reading, running, and spending time with family and friends.

Portrait of Juan Suarez, PsyD

Staff Psychologist and Health-Related Leave of Absence (HRLOA) Coordinator
Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Suarez earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY, and a Master of Arts degree in Developmental Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. He then earned a Master of Arts degree and a Doctor of Psychology degree in Clinical Psychology from Xavier University. He completed an APA-accredited internship program at Woodhull Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, and a Post-Doctoral Psychology Fellowship at St. John’s University/Child Help Partnership. He is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and can provide therapy in Spanish.

Dr. Suarez has been at St. John’s University since 2016. He has served as a faculty member at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in New York and New Jersey. His professional interests include mental health/telehealth for college students and Continuing Education program development. Dr. Suarez integrates Object Relations and CBT approaches. Dr. Suarez is an independent comic book writer.

Portrait of Briana Kreamer, LMHC

Staff Counselor
Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Briana (she/her) is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York State. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of New Haven with a BA in Psychology and her Master’s degree at LIU with an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Briana started at St. Johns in August of 2023 and has served as a mental health counselor in multiple other settings. Prior to St. John’s, Briana spent four years as a Student Assistance Counselor, providing substance use and mental health counseling to students at a high school. She ran multiple groups, events, and outreach activities for the whole school and community during her time there. 

Briana has experience using CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy, and utilizes mindfulness techniques in her sessions. Briana has a passion for mental health and athletics and is working closely with St. John's to increase the awareness and acceptance of mental health in sports. Outside of St. John's, you can find Briana on a plane traveling, sitting on a beach reading, in her kitchen baking, at a concert, or watching sports.

Consulting Psychiatrist
Board Certified Psychiatrist and Psychoanalyst

Dr. Robert B. Kwit, MD, is a board certified psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who graduated from Harvard College, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, and The New York Psychoanalytic Institute.

Pursuing an interest in late adolescent development, he’s functioned as a psychiatrist at different university counseling centers including New York University, Fordham University, and St. John’s University for over 50 years. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and daughter. He is one of four children. Some interests include endurance running, literature, and dogs.

A portrait of Andrew Leaser, JD, LMHC

Staff Counselor to Students in the School of Law
Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Andrew Leaser is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor working specifically with Law School students at St. John’s University. He received his M.A. in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness from New York University. Prior to joining the staff at CAPS, Andrew was in private practice, working primarily with LGBTQ+ individuals from various backgrounds, and before entering the mental health field, Andrew spent nearly two decades practicing law in various settings. He received his J.D./M.B.A. from The Ohio State University, and an LL.M. in Intellectual Property from Cardozo School of Law.

Andrew was born and raised in a small, Midwestern town, but has lived in Miami, Washington D.C., and London in addition to New York City and has been exposed to a wide range of viewpoints and perspectives. As such, he takes a nonjudgmental stance to each client, understanding that clients are the experts on their own lives. Andrew’s approach is rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and a solutions-focused therapy. When not working, he enjoys travel, exercise, and bingeing various television series.

Portrait of Nicole Peraica, LMHC

Staff Counselor
Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Nicole (she/her) is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York. She completed her BS in Neuroscience at Bates College and her MA in Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine. Nicole joined the SJU team in November 2023 and has served as a clinician in various acute psychiatric settings with experience in CBT, DBT, and ACT. Most recently, Nicole led therapeutic groups and provided crisis interventions, individual therapy, and discharge planning for patients across nine inpatient psychiatric units. 

Nicole’s research experience studied the effects of traumatic brain injuries on student athletes at Boston University; and the use of smartphone technology to slow the progression of cognitive impairment in aging populations at the Framingham Heart Study. Nicole holds a passion for utilizing Neuroscience to share knowledge and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health treatment. Nicole enjoys hiking with her dog, playing volleyball, watching sports, and visiting her family in Croatia.

Portrait of Juana Rodriguez, LMHC

Staff Counselor
Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Juana Rodriguez is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor currently working as a Staff Counselor at CAPS. Juana obtained her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at SUNY New Paltz and received her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at New York University Steinhardt. Juana has worked with immigrant adolescents and emerging adults in a high school outpatient clinics as well as clients of all ages and different ethnic/racial backgrounds through private practice. 

Juana is trained in the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy model, and enjoys implementing mindfulness, motivational interviewing and trauma informed CBT interventions as well. Juana believes in creating an empathetic, compassionate and welcoming environment. Juana believes in the client being the expert in their own experiences while providing them with guidance, support, and psychoeducation as part of the therapeutic process. Juana provides therapy services in both English and Spanish.

Staff Counselor
Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Anita Sanehi (she/they) is a Guyanese American Licensed Clinical Social Worker, St. John's CAPS Counselor, Vinyasa Yoga Instructor, and Reiki Master. She is dedicated to advancing mental health awareness, reducing stigma, improving self-awareness, enhancing the mind-body connection, fostering resilience, and promoting healing in individuals, families, and marginalized communities. Having graduated from Columbia University’s School of Social Work and being trained in Healing Centers in Brooklyn, Anita possesses a foundation of understanding how the complex interplay between psychological and biological internal factors and environmental external factors contribute to the way humans think, feel, behave, and experience life. 

Anita has over a decade of experience working in New York City Department of Education schools providing direct therapeutic counseling, educational workshops, and mental health interventions to support students, families, and educators. She is trained in multiple evidence-based therapeutic modalities, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, and Youth Mental Health First Aid. Anita is here to help you discover and learn how you can grow into your most authentic self.

Staff Counselor
Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Maki (she/her) is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York. She completed her BA in Psychology at University of British Columbia and her MA in Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine. Prior to joining St. John’s CAPS team in April 2024, she worked at various mental health settings such as private practice, community health centers, and emergency services. Maki holds a passion for working with clients of diverse backgrounds and identities.

Having lived in five countries, Maki recognizes the importance of practicing cultural humility and creating a non-judgmental, open environment in her sessions. She uses CBT, ACT, DBT, and neuroscience to support clients through difficulties. Outside of work, Maki loves finding new cafes that have great coffee, taking long walks, and spending time with family.

Portrait of Fabiola Magloire, BA

Department Assistant

Fabiola has served as an Assistant to the Counseling Center since July 2023. She enjoys working at the center and learning from her peers. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She hopes to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Her personal interests include working out, learning plant-based recipes, and spending time with family.

Photo of Shira Richards-Rachlin, M.S.

Doctoral Fellow

Shira Richards-Rachlin is a Doctoral Fellow and New York State Certified School Psychologist. Shira received her bachelor’s degree in applied psychology from New York University and received her Master’s in School Psychology from St. John’s. Shira is currently a fourth-year student in the School Psychology PsyD program at St. John’s. Shira has worked with children, teens, young adults, and families in both school and clinical settings and is currently an extern at the NYU Child Study Center.

Shira’s training thus far has focused on evidence-based therapies to treat a variety of conditions throughout the early lifespan. Shira focuses on utilizing CBT, DBT, and REBT skills to individualize treatment and meet clients where they are. Additionally, Shira has specialized training in evidence-based interventions for co-occurring conditions including anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, and autism. Shira’s research focuses on the relationship between distress tolerance and accommodating behaviors in parent and child interactions. Clinically, Shira works to establish the counseling space as an open, accepting, and motivational environment to help clients achieve their individual goals. Outside of school and work, Shira can be found exploring Brooklyn with her three-legged pitbull, Emma or trying to find the closest Mr. Softee truck.   

Isabella Rodriguez-Velasquez

Graduate Assistant

Isabella Rodriguez-Velasquez is a Graduate Assistant and second-year doctoral student in the School Psychology PsyD program at St. John's University. As a first-generation student, Isabella earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from California State University East Bay. She has extensive experience working with children and families from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds in educational settings. Isabella is particularly skilled in applying ABA-based interventions for students with autism. Driven by a deep passion for ensuring that all students have access to valuable mental health resources, Isabella is dedicated to advancing this commitment throughout her academic and professional journey. Outside of work and school, Isabella finds joy in staying active and practicing mindfulness techniques as a way to nurture her well-being.