Therapists

Patricia Kelsey, LCSW-R, CASAC

Ms. Kelsey received her bachelor’s degree from St. John Fisher College and master’s degree from the University of Buffalo. She has fifteen years of experience working with children, families and individuals struggling with adjustment problems and/or mental health issues. Ms. Kelsey is also certified in Substance Abuse Counseling. She works with individuals of all ages.

Gail Peterson, LCSW-R

Gail Peterson received her MSW from Syracuse University. Following this, she completed the Family Therapy Training Program at the University of Rochester as well as Bereavement Facilitator Certification through the American Academy of Bereavement, Tucson, Arizona. She is also a member of the Disaster Mental Health team for the American Red Cross. Ms. Peterson has extensive experience working with children, adults, couples, families, and groups. Her AAS degree in Sign Language has allowed her to expand these services to the deaf community.

Connie Mastowski, LCSW-R

Ms. Mastowski received her master’s degree from the University of Buffalo. She has 17 years of experience as a therapist and clinical supervisor working with children, families, adults and couples. Ms. Mastowski works with a variety of mental health and/or life challenges and also has experience working with individuals with disabilities.

Linda Favitta, LCSW-R

Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of New York providing psychiatric assessments, and psychotherapeutic interventions to youths, adolescents and adults with mental health and/or behavioral challenges. Over 25 years practice as a Social Worker in this community, with the last 10 years focused on psychiatric interventions in hospitals, mental health clinics and in private practice. Most of my experience has been provided to individuals, parents, co-parents and couples with special needs children dealing with issues of grief and loss, family dynamics, behaviors and self esteem challenges. Linda is especially experienced with assessments and treatments geared towards depressive and anxiety symptoms to include suicide prevention, self mutilation, PTSD, Crisis Intervention, School Avoidance, Life Transitions, and Trauma. She has experience working with people of diverse populations, and she is an ally to the LGBTQ community with an empathetic and nonjudgmental presence.

Madlyn Cassata, LCSW-R

Ms. Cassata received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Empire State College, and her master’s degree in social work from the Greater Rochester Collaborative MSW Program. She has 19 years of experience ranging from emergency services at Strong Memorial Hospital and Hillside Children’s Center. Ms. Cassata also has experience working at the Veterans Administration focusing on crisis management and PTSD, anxiety, and depression. She is also trained in CBT, Trauma focused CBT, Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy and has worked with adolescents, young adults, adults and seniors. 

Cynthia Consaul, LCSW-R

Cynthia received her bachelor’s degree from Keuka College, and her master’s degree from Syracuse University. She is a licensed clinical social worker and has over 25 years of experience in mental health treatment. Cynthia works with children, adults, families and couples. She also has over 15 years of experience with crisis assessment and interventions. Trained in debriefing after a death within an organization or within the community.

Rusty Griffith, LCSW

Rusty Griffith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker that received his MSW from Florida State University and received his BSW from the University of West Florida. Rusty has 14 years of experience in the field of mental health primarily working with a wide range of populations which includes: children, adolescents, and adults. Rusty has worked with school aged children and adolescents for 9 years. His practice focuses on individuals or families dealing with mental health issues.

Cheryl Conolly, LCSW

Cheryl obtained her Master of Social Work degree at Roberts Wesleyan College in 1998 and her Bachelor of Psychology degree at St. John Fisher College in 1994. She has worked as a Social Worker for the NYS Office of Mental Health at Rochester Psychiatric Center for 20 years, and joined Life Solutions as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in May of 2018. Cheryl works primarily with teens, adults, and couples, and specializes in problems with Depression, Anxiety and Grief/Loss. With an emphasis on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cheryl strives to make therapy a collaborative effort between the client and the therapist.

Ginger Calberg, LCSW-R

Ginger received her master’s degree from Syracuse University. She has eighteen years experience as a therapist working with children, adolescents and families in a range of settings including schools, home-based and clinic. Ginger’s focus is on crisis intervention, depression, anxiety, self-harm, trauma, and behavioral problems.

Ebonesha Graham, LCSW

Ebonesha obtained a Master’s of Social Work degree from the University of Buffalo and a Master’s degree in Counseling from the College at Brockport. She has provided therapeutic services to children, individuals, and families in various community locations including hospital, school, and home-based settings. Ebonesha specializes in solution-focused, conflict resolution, relationship issues, and emotional regulation counseling. She has a strong background in the areas of children and adolescents, anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, grief and loss, trauma, and suicide prevention.

Laurie Regna, LCSW

Laurie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who works with children and young adults, using an eclectic approach tailored to the unique needs of each client. Laurie has over 20 years of experience in a variety of settings and with diverse clients, including both long-term and brief interventions. Areas of expertise include: Behavior Problems; Emotion Regulation; Anger Management; Depressive Disorder; Anxiety Disorders; Post-traumatic Stress Disorder; Learning, attention, or social skill problems. Laurie received her Bachelor’s in Social Work from SUNY Brockport, and her Master’s in Social Work from The Greater Rochester Collaborative Master of Social Work Program from SUNY Brockport and Nazareth College. In addition to working in Private Practice at Life Solutions Psychotherapy, Laurie works as a High School Social Worker in the Rochester City School District. Laurie believes that when people feel empowered, it is then that change happens. Laurie provides the guidance that individuals need to draw on their own strengths and realize their potential to live fulfilling, happy lives. Laurie provides an environment of compassion and support to help individuals overcome obstacles to move forward and thrive.

Bethany Lockhart, LCSW

Bethany is a Licensed Clinical Social who has worked in the Rochester community for 18 years. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2003, followed by her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Roberts Wesleyan College in 2009. Bethany has worked in a variety of settings and specializes in trauma and care of Veterans. She primarily works with children and adolescents, but is trained and experienced working with a diverse population and people of all ages. She is passionate about her work and approaches therapy from a strengths-based, holistic approach.

Jillian Velekkakan, LCSW

Jillian is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her master’s degree from the Greater Rochester Collaborative MW Program, and has experience in working with individuals, groups, couples, and families. She particularly enjoys working with adolescents and young adults, as well as individuals seeking support adjusting to life changes and transitions. Her approach is strengths-based, collaborative, and incorporates aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI).

Meredith Lee, LCSW-R

Meredith received a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland and a master’s degree from Syracuse University. She is a licensed clinical social worker with over 25 years of experience. Meredith has worked in a variety of settings, including Strong Memorial Hospital, Hillside Children’s Center, and in the public school system. She has extensive experience in the areas of crisis intervention, treating anxiety and depression, survivors of abuse and neglect, and substance abuse disorders. She is a member of the Trauma, Illness, and Grief Team at the Rochester City School District.

Stephen Gaylord LCSW-R

Stephen has 14 years experience working in mental health counseling with both children and adults. The modalities used in his sessions are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) toolbox, Motivational Interviewing, Wellness Self-Management, and Guided Meditation. Stephen specializes in anxiety management, depression management, mood disorders, mindfulness, stress management, coping with trauma, and sobriety from addiction. He strongly believes that you are “the expert on yourself” and that you are approaching support amidst a more trying time in your life. In counseling you practice your ability to strengthen, change, and grow. Stephen intends to assist by guiding you through a solution-focused and skills-based counseling experience. Therapy is most successful when a patient shares what works best for them in their efforts toward personal development, while allowing the counselor to assist in discovering new skills along their journey.