Credentials:
- Master of Science in Art Therapy/Counseling, The College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, NY
- Nationally Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC) and New York State Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT)
- Trained in Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
- Trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Trained in Loss, Bereavement and Grief Therapy for Children, Adolescents and adults
Professional:
From a young age, Deb has always been driven to help others and build community through interpersonal connections and service opportunities. She was delighted to learn that being a ‘helper’ could be a career and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Northeastern University. She launched her career in the Human Services field shortly afterwards, gaining significant experience working to promote vocational and independent living opportunities for young adults in the Greater Boston area as an Employment Counselor, Job Coach and Independent Living Supervisor for young adults with developmental disabilities. Deb spent time creating and overseeing a day program for young adult clients with Developmental Disabilities that included vocational, volunteer, recreation and enrichment components that were widely appreciated by family members of clients and community partners. Deb values this time in her career and all the lessons and insight that transferred over to her work in The Pines program.
Deb’s clinical career included several settings and populations, but has always centered around helping people navigate their human experience with support, empathy, a sense of humor and an eye for out-of-the-box problem solving. In clinical practice, Deb has worked extensively with youth and families who have experienced complex trauma and related emotional and behavioral challenges; including, aggression, self-harming behaviors, suicidality, difficulties regulating mood, addictions, and psychosis. Grief and bereavement work is also a passion in Deb’s clinical practice and she has worked for Experience Camps for Children as a Grief Specialist/Clinician for 5 years, supporting children and adolescents as they navigate the complexities of loss. Deb’s training and expertise as an Art Therapist/Creative Arts Therapist has helped broaden the scope of communication and healing possible within verbal sessions with her clients.
Deb’s clinical career has included working in an OMH residential treatment facility, starting and leading 2 DYCD afterschool art therapy programs in NYC, running 2 community-based art therapy programs in NYC elementary schools and starting/running a Wellness/Therapy support program for front-line healthcare workers during the COVID pandemic. Deb was recruited to work as a Clinical Consultant to the Children’s Health Fund when they sought to develop a Trauma Informed Curriculum for their Health and Ready to Learn initiative. Deb joined The Pines team in the position of Clinical Lead and then moved into the role of Assistant Director. To colleagues, Deb is known for her supportive attitude, ability to navigate crisis situations with skill and efficiency, emphasis on teamwork/collaboration, clinical perspective and ability to connect 1:1 with students, family members and The Pines staff!
Deb’s experience navigating national, state and local mental health and human service systems has allowed her to bring practical problem-solving approaches into her work at The Pines program. Deb believes that being a change agent is inherent in the role of Therapist and Clinician and this is reflected in her advocacy for students and staff members at The Pines.
As a trauma-informed therapist who has spent the majority of her career working with under-served communities, Deb also emphasizes the personal impact that trauma, healing and resiliency can have on a family unit, as a whole. An individualized lens to treatment is also central to Deb’s clinical philosophy.
Deb is also an adjunct professor at several graduate and undergraduate Art Therapy programs including Lesley University, The College of New Rochelle, College of Mount St. Vincent, Jefferson University (Philadelphia), and Marymount Manhattan College. The courses that Deb teaches reflect her clinical interests and aptitudes: Psychopathology, Theory of Mental Health Counseling, Human Development and Art Therapy: Principles and Practices. Deb has also started several Graduate Art Therapy Internship placements in her career and enjoys supervising and training the next generation of clinical professionals.
Personal:
Deb is “outdoorsy” by natures and enjoys spending as much time as possible outdoors, whether relaxing or being active in nature – swimming, walking, kayaking, and playing sports are Deb’s favorites. Deb is always trying to recruit friends and family members to plan her next camping trip, much to the chagrin of her wife (who does not enjoy camping). Deb and her wife have two young twin boys, who have special needs. The process of navigating the joys and challenges of being a special needs parent also informs Deb’s clinical and professional orientation and compassion. Like many Art Therapists, Deb enjoys spending time creating her own art (photography, sculpture and collage) but lately this has centered around art activities that her toddlers can also enjoy, such as painting, drawing, and putting stickers on everything in sight! Deb is quick with a corny joke and enjoys providing ‘dad jokes’ to students and staff alike at The Pines.
Working in Mental Health & Human Services since 2005
Working at Shrub Oak International School since 2025