Therapists
Meet Our Team:
💫 Meet Ashera DeRosa, LMFT
Founder of Whole Stories Therapy, Therapist, Writer, Educator
Ashera DeRosa (She/They) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a passion for helping individuals rewrite their stories with compassion, courage, and clarity. As the founder of Whole Stories Therapy, she brings a deeply affirming, trauma-informed approach to mental health care—one that celebrates identity, fosters emotional resilience, and centers each client’s lived experience.
With a background in peer-to-peer sexual health education and violence prevention advocacy, Ashera holds a BA in Global Gender Studies from the University at Buffalo and an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Medaille College. Her work is grounded in cultural humility, social justice, and a commitment to inclusive, client-centered care.
Ashera’s therapeutic style is bespoke and collaborative—designed to meet each client where they are. She is sex-positive, kink-affirming, poly-knowledgeable, and proudly celebrates LGBTQIA+ identities. Her practice integrates traditional talk therapy with advanced modalities including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Brainspotting, and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, offering holistic support for trauma, anxiety, identity exploration, and relational healing.
Whether you’re seeking support for emotional overwhelm, relationship challenges, or personal growth, Ashera creates a safe, empowering space to explore your truth and reconnect with your inner strength.
🎲 Meet Erik Panna, LMFT
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Therapeutic Game Master, Trauma-Informed Clinician
Erik Panna (he/him) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who brings curiosity, compassion, and creativity into every session. With a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Medaille College and a bachelor’s in Pre-Therapy Psychology from Houghton College, Erik blends clinical insight with a deeply human approach to healing.
His therapy room is a welcoming, judgment-free space where clients feel safe to explore, reflect, and grow. Erik gently challenges individuals and couples to move toward their goals with clarity and confidence—always honoring their pace and lived experience.
Rooted in a transgenerational therapy perspective, Erik helps clients uncover and understand the generational patterns that shape their present. By bringing awareness to inherited dynamics, he empowers clients to reclaim agency and rewrite the narratives they wish to change.
Erik also brings a unique therapeutic lens through pop culture and storytelling. As a certified Therapeutic Game Master, he integrates tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons into sessions—offering clients a playful yet powerful way to explore identity, resilience, and emotional growth. This creative modality is especially effective for neurodivergent clients, teens, and those seeking alternative approaches to traditional therapy.
In addition to talk therapy, Erik is trained in Brainspotting and offers Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) for individuals and couples navigating trauma, depression, and emotional stuckness. His work is grounded in trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and a deep respect for each client’s story.
🌼 Meet Sabrina Shapolsky, MFT
Marriage and FamilyTherapist, Recovery Advocate, Trauma-Informed Healer
Sabrina Shapolsky (she/her) is a Marriage and Family Therapist who brings warmth, wisdom, and unwavering support to those navigating life’s most tender challenges. A graduate of the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Touro University, Sabrina also holds a BA from the University of Miami and has extensive experience in mental health coaching and substance use recovery support.
Her therapeutic approach is rooted in compassionate care, cultural humility, and a deep belief in each client’s capacity for growth. Sabrina is trained in Mental Health First Aid, Medication-Assisted Recovery/Treatment, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Foundations through New Roads Behavioral Health. She is also a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) through the ASAP–New York Certification Board, with specialized training in ethical recovery coaching.
Sabrina works especially well with clients who are exploring boundaries, self-compassion, intimacy, and emotional regulation. She has experience supporting individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder, Executive Functioning challenges, trauma, learning disabilities, depression, and anxiety. Her sessions offer a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can reconnect with their inner voice, build emotional resilience, and move toward meaningful change.
Her style is collaborative, person-centered, and solution-focused—always honoring the unique path of each client. Whether you’re seeking support for recovery, relationship healing, or personal transformation, Sabrina offers gentle guidance and grounded expertise.
✨ Sessions with Sabrina are available via secure telehealth, making compassionate care accessible from the comfort of home.
🌱 Meet Joann Raptis
Therapist in Training Trauma-Informed Healer Emotionally Focused Practitioner
Joann Raptis (she/her) is a compassionate therapist-in-training who brings curiosity, depth, and intentional care to her work with clients. Currently completing her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Touro University Worldwide, Joann also holds a bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College and is certified in Rational Behavior Therapy, with additional training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).
Joann’s therapeutic philosophy is grounded in the biopsychosocial model, recognizing that mental health is shaped by the complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors. Her work honors the whole person—past, present, and future—and invites clients to explore their emotional landscapes with gentleness and clarity.
Using a blend of solution-focused, trauma-informed, and existential/Gestalt therapies, Joann supports clients in building self-awareness, improving communication, and developing coping strategies that foster resilience. She specializes in helping individuals navigate difficult emotions, relationship challenges, and life transitions with grace and intention.
Joann’s goal is to help each person cultivate a more grounded, empowered sense of self. Her therapy style is bespoke and client-centered, celebrating the uniqueness of every individual and adapting to their needs with warmth and flexibility.
✨ Joann offers secure telehealth sessions, making inclusive and affirming care accessible from anywhere.
🧡 Meet Jules Steckman
Therapist in Practicum Family-Focused Healer Empowerment Advocate
Jules (she/her) is a Therapist in Practicum at Syracuse University who brings heart, humor, and deep empathy to her work with children, adolescents, and families. With a professional background rooted in family systems and child development, Jules is passionate about creating safe, affirming spaces where clients feel seen, heard, and supported.
Her therapeutic style is strength-based, collaborative, and infused with honesty and gentle humor. Clients often describe Jules as curious, calm, and non-judgmental—someone who listens deeply and responds with compassion and clarity.
Jules helps individuals and families uncover the tools they need to heal, grow, and strengthen their relationships—both with themselves and with others. She is especially passionate about client empowerment, guiding people in re-authoring harmful narratives and building emotional resilience.
Using a trauma-informed lens and a warm, person-centered approach, Jules supports clients navigating family dynamics, emotional regulation, self-worth, and life transitions. Her work honors each person’s unique story and celebrates the courage it takes to seek change.
✨ Jules offers both in-person and secure telehealth sessions, making inclusive care accessible and flexible for every lifestyle
🌸 Meet Melissa Beadle
Therapist in Practicum, Relationship-Focused Healer, Supportive Guide for First-Time Therapy Clients
Melissa Beadle (she/her) is a Therapist in Practicum currently completing her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Capella University. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from California State University, Bakersfield, and brings a thoughtful, systemic lens to her work—recognizing the powerful impact of relationships, environment, and identity on mental health.
Melissa believes that emotional wellness is a vital part of whole-person care. Her approach is empathetic, non-judgmental, and deeply attuned to each client’s unique story. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, relationship challenges, or simply feeling stuck, Melissa creates a safe space to explore your inner world with compassion and curiosity.
She specializes in working with individuals who are new to therapy—those who may feel uncertain, overwhelmed, or hesitant to take that first step. With a gentle, affirming presence, Melissa helps clients build trust, develop coping skills, and begin the healing process at their own pace.
Her therapeutic style blends solution-focused techniques with a trauma-informed approach, offering practical support and emotional depth. Melissa is passionate about helping people reconnect with their strengths, repair relational patterns, and move toward a more grounded, empowered sense of self.
✨ Melissa offers in-person care and secure telehealth sessions, making therapy accessible and flexible for every lifestyle.
🌈 Meet Marcella Colombero
Therapist in Practicum, Relationship Guide, LGBTQIA+ Affirming Clinician
Marcella Colombero (she/her) is a Therapist in Practicum in her final term at the University of Western Alabama, where she is completing a Master of Science in Family and Marriage Counseling. With a heart for healing and a deep respect for identity, Marcella creates a safe, warm, and nonjudgmental space for individuals and partners of all genders, sexual orientations, and lived experiences.
Her therapeutic approach is rooted in attachment-based practice, identity exploration, and narrative healing. Marcella supports clients in building healthy boundaries, deepening intimacy, and cultivating self-acceptance. She is especially passionate about helping people reframe limiting beliefs and reconnect with their inner truth.
Marcella shares, “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 proud Latina and member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Marcella brings a culturally responsive, inclusive lens to her work. Her sessions are grounded in empathy, curiosity, and a celebration of diversity—offering a space where clients feel truly seen and supported.
✨ Marcella offers affirming care for individuals and couples through secure telehealth and in-person sessions.
🌱 Meet Mike Powers
Therapist in Practicum, Peer Family Advocate & Foster Care Specialist
With over two decades of hands-on experience supporting youth and families, Mike Powers brings deep compassion, clinical insight, and lived wisdom to his work. As a certified Peer Family Advocate, Case Coordinator, and Common Sense Parenting Instructor, Mike has guided countless families through trauma-informed care, mental health recovery, and foster system transitions.
Mike’s journey began as a therapeutic foster parent in 2001, adopting four children and building a home rooted in love, resilience, and growth. He has since worked across multiple foster care agencies specializing in evidence-based residential treatment, youth advocacy, and family reunification.
At Aurora House, a youth community residence for adolescents with severe emotional disturbances, Mike led with empathy and structure, helping teens navigate complex mental health challenges. His work with Foster One continues this mission, offering short-term, one-on-one therapeutic placements that foster healing and transformation.
Mike’s approach is grounded in real-life experience, clinical training, and a belief in second chances. Whether coaching parents, coordinating care plans, or bridging family connections, he meets each client with warmth, clarity, and unwavering support.
✨ Mike offers supportive care for individuals, couples, and families through secure telehealth and in-person sessions.