About

Mission

It is the mission of Whole Stories Therapy to provide high-quality, inclusive therapy for adults and adolescents that will create a positive effect in client’s lives, relationships, families, and communities. By creating an open and empathetic space, clients are encouraged to dismantle limiting beliefs, heal from trauma, and create healthier narratives for themselves so they may live their very best lives. Whole Stories Therapy is committed to improving the field of therapy as a whole through connection with other caring professionals, advocacy, and community partnership.

Meet our therapists

Ashera DeRosa, LMFT

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Ashera DeRosa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, writer, and educator. She is the founder and owner of Whole Stories Therapy. With a background in peer-to-peer sexual health education and violence prevention advocacy, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Global Gender Studies from the University at Buffalo and a Master’s of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Medaille College.

Ashera’s therapeutic style is bespoke, collaborative, sex positive, and identity affirming. She works to create an inclusive space through practicing cultural humility and providing client-centered care with a social justice lens. She is kink and poly knowledgeable and LGBTQIA+ celebrating. Alongside traditional talk therapy approaches, Ashera provides Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy and Brainspotting.

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Erik Panna, LMFT

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Erik Panna, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), holds a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Medaille College and received a bachelor’s degree in Pre-Therapy Psychology from Houghton College. Erik works to create an inviting and non-judgmental space for his therapy room. Through this, Erik can gently challenge his clients to achieve the goals they set.

Erik’s foundation works through a transgenerational perspective, which incorporates generational patterns into the present. Through this lens, Erik support clients understand the patterns they have been a part of and gain agency over those they wish to change.

Erik is passionate about utilizing forms of media and pop-culture to assist in therapy. As a certified Therapeutic Game Master, he’s able to use tabletop role playing games, such as Dungeons and Dragons, in the therapy room. Erik is trained in Brainspotting and provides Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy to individuals and couples.

Sabrina Shapolsky, MAMFT

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Sabrina Shapolsky is a graduate of the Marriage and Family Therapy program from Touro University. Sabrina previously earned a Bachelors Degree from the University of Miami and has a background in Mental Health Coaching and Substance Use Disorder Recovery Coaching.

She is trained in Mental Health First Aid, and in Medication Assisted Recovery/Treatment. In addition, she holds a certification in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Foundations from New Roads Behavioral Health. Lastly, she is a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) through the ASAP-New York Certificatiom Board with a background in Ethical Considerations for Recovery Coaches.

Sabrina works well with those who struggle with boundaries, self-compassion, acceptance, intimacy, relationships, and change. She has experience with Borderline Personality Disorder, Executive Functioning Disorder, Trauma, Learning Disabilities, Depression, and Anxiety.

She provides a safe, non-judgmental environment for the client to listen and explore their inner voice through awareness and self-acceptance. Her style is collaborative, person-centered, solution-focused and supportive.

Sessions with Sabrina are available via telehealth only.

Linden Van Cantfort

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Linden Van Cantfort is an Intern Therapist in her last year of graduate school at Capella University. She also received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Capella University. Linden is interested in international advocacy and has worked as a mental health coach prior to getting her master’s in marriage and family therapy. She is a Certified Clinical Trauma professional and has been trained in theories focusing on treatment assessment, crisis intervention, diversity, and gender. Her aim is to use counseling and mental health advocacy to help aid diverse populations, increasing accessibility to mental health care and fostering impactful therapeutic relationships with those in need. Linden‘s style is collaborative and person-focused. She is now taking clients via telehealth with Whole Stories Therapy.

Joann Raptis

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Joann is a therapist in practicum completing her Master’s Degree at Touro University Worldwide. She received her bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College and holds a certification in rational behavior therapy alongside training in Emotionally Focused Therapy.

Joann believes in the biopsychosocial model in which all factors (biological, socially and psychological) play a role in affecting development/mental health.

Joann utilizes a variety of theraputic methods to encourage self awareness, improve coping skills, communication skills, and to help clients navigate and process difficult emotions. Her approaches include solution focused, trauma informed and existential/Gestalt therapies.

Joann’s goal is to help people accept and work through their emotions/challenges in life in order to create a better quality of life for themselves and a stronger, more grounded sense of self. Joann recognizes that each person is different and this is celebrated through her bespoke therapy style. Joann is available for telehealth sessions.

Jules Steckman

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Jules is a Therapist in Practicum from Syracuse University. She has dedicated her professional life to working with children and families. Her approach to therapy is strength based, empathetic, and includes honesty and humor. Clients would describe her as curious, non-judgmental, and calm.

Jules’ goal is to help people uncover the tools to grow, repair, and strengthen their relationship to self and others. She is passionate about client empowerment and assisting in re-authoring harmful narratives.

Jules has availability for in-person and telehealth clients.

Melissa Beadle

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Melissa is a Therapist in Practicum completing her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from California State University, Bakersfield.

Melissa believes that mental health is an important aspect of overall wellness. She has studied many theories based on a systemic perspective and is passionate about the unique relationships of people.

She listens with empathy and provides a non-judgemental environment for the client to explore their inner feelings.

Marcella Colombero

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Marcela is an Therapist in Practicum in her last term at the UWA where she is completing a Masters of Science in Family and Marriage Counseling. She provides a safe, warm, and nonjudgmental space for partners and individuals of all genders and sexual orientations. Some areas of focus include: attachment based practice, intimacy, gender and sexuality exploration, creating healthy boundaries, addressing limiting narratives, and self-acceptance. From Marcela, “Even though relationships can be one of the most rewarding parts of our lives, they can also be challenging to navigate. It’s my honor to help guide clients to a deeper understanding of themselves and their loved ones.” As a Latina and member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Marcela aims to offer an inclusive space that nurtures diversity.

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