Meet Our Team

Dr. Michelle Grimes (Gerber-Grimes) is a licensed clinical psychologist with 25+ years of experience. She brings warmth, depth, and a steady presence to her work, shaped by early career experiences with children and adolescents in residential treatment, adults in community mental health settings, and five years as the Staff Psychologist at the Albany County Correctional Facility.

Dr. Grimes works with adults facing anxiety, depression, life transitions, self-esteem, and relationship challenges, using Schema Therapy—an integrative approach that blends cognitive and experiential techniques to help people understand patterns and heal more deeply. Her style is collaborative and compassionate, meeting each person where they are while honoring the complexity of their lived experience.

Michelle also supports families of children with social-emotional or behavioral challenges, including adoption and attachment-related issues. She helps parents navigate difficult behaviors, understand the underlying needs driving them, and build stronger, more trusting relationships. Through coaching, guidance, and a collaborative team approach, she partners with families to build an environment where children and parents feel seen, supported and able to move forward with greater confidence and connection.

Dr. Jackson is a dedicated therapist with a deep commitment to helping individuals heal from trauma and navigate complex emotional experiences. Her work is grounded in compassion, insight, and a strong belief in each person’s capacity for growth. Dr. Jackson integrates evidence-based, trauma-focused approaches—including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Internal Family Systems (IFS)—to support patients in moving toward lasting change.

Dr. Jackson also has training and experience in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, and provides integration support for individuals seeking to process insights or emotions that emerge during ketamine treatments or other non-ordinary states of consciousness.

Meryl is a compassionate, client-centered therapist who helps individuals, children, adolescents, couples, and families build resilience, heal from life's challenges, and create lasting change. She provides a warm, collaborative, and supportive environment where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered.

EMDR Certified with advanced training in Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Tapping, somatic practices, yoga, and meditation, Meryl integrates evidence-based, body-centered approaches to support healing from trauma, anxiety, stress, grief, and other emotional challenges. She believes in a holistic approach that addresses the whole person—mind and body.

With extensive experience in special education, general education, and trauma-informed schools, Meryl is passionate about supporting children, adolescents, and families through behavioral, emotional, and life transitions. She tailors therapy to each client's unique strengths, needs, and goals, creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where meaningful healing and growth can occur.

Eddie holds a master’s degree and is a doctoral candidate in the Counseling Psychology program at the University at Albany. He also serves as a visiting assistant professor at Union College. He has worked with patients across diverse settings—including community mental health, private practice, and hospital environments—allowing him to meet a wide range of clinical needs with depth and flexibility.

In addition to his clinical work, Eddie has spent years studying the factors that make psychotherapy effective and how patients can benefit most from the therapeutic process. Through extensive academic research, he has developed a nuanced understanding of how to support individuals as they work toward meaningful change.

Eddie is well-versed in third-wave cognitive therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). He provides responsive, flexible, and relationally focused treatment to children, families, and adults. He is especially passionate about working with individuals navigating identity development, LGBTQ+ experiences, neurodivergence, self-injurious behavior, and suicidality.

(Mental Health Counselor, Limited Permit)
Samantha views therapy as a safe and supportive environment where individuals can authentically express themselves and feel genuinely heard and validated. She recognizes that opening up to someone new can be both challenging and intimidating, and she is committed to fostering a non-judgmental atmosphere in which patients feel comfortable sharing their experiences in their own way.

Her primary therapeutic approach is person-centered talk therapy, complemented by techniques drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Samantha also has experience working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community and is dedicated to collaborating with them to navigate the unique challenges they may face..

Paige Kohanski, MSW-LP, received her masters degree in social work from Syracuse University. She has worked with young children and adults in both inpatient, outpatient, and non-profit settings. She specializes in working with the LGBTQIA+ population and individuals experiencing trauma. She has experience working with complex trauma, gender transitions, depression, anxiety, ADHD, relationship difficulties, personality disorders, and life stressors. Paige utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches that fit her clients needs and goals which include, but are not limited to, DBT, CBT, EMDR, and Person-Centered Therapy. Through a strength-based perspective, Paige emphasizes establishing a meaningful therapeutic rapport, a non-judgmental collaborative approach, and helping clients build a life worth living.

Stephanie is a Mental Health Counselor (Limited Permit) who works with children, adolescents, and adults, as well as couples and families. Her approach is collaborative, inclusive, and trauma-informed, drawing from ACT, EMDR, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Somatic Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Narrative Therapy, and other experiential approaches.

Stephanie has extensive experience supporting individuals and families navigating trauma, addiction and substance use, severe mental health concerns, self-injury, and suicidality. She has a particular interest in working with neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ individuals and those whose identities have been impacted by systems of power, privilege, and oppression.

Stephanie believes there is no “one size fits all” approach to therapy. She creates space for curiosity, compassion, and connection between the mind and body, allowing each person to move at a pace that feels safe and supportive while building greater awareness and capacity for meaningful change.

Mazie is our expert morale booster, specializing in tail-wagging greetings, unsolicited smooches, and high stakes treat negotiation. She holds an advanced degree in expert level snuggling, but can also be found snoozing peacefully at your feet.

Mazie believes that everyone she meets is her new best friend, whether they know it or not. Off the clock, she enjoys power naps, spirited toy mutilation and excessive early morning barkfests.