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Nourish Your Mind Adds Two Psychotherapists; First Male and Clinician Experienced in Serving First Responders Join Team

Jason and Danielle

MONROE, N.Y. (May 13, 2024) – Nourish Your Mind, which provides mental health and mind-body nutrition services in the Hudson Valley, has announced the addition of two psychotherapists: Danielle Mejias, who brings experience working with law enforcement, and Jason C. Stefano, the organization’s first male psychotherapist. Both begin May 15.

“With Danielle and Jason, Nourish Your Mind again is expanding its services and expertise – all to assist our clients in overcoming the stigma associated with seeking help for mental health issues,” said Nourish Your Mind Director of Operations and psychotherapist Jeanette Rivera, LCSW-R, C-DBT. “At Nourish Your Mind, we understand that choosing a therapist is a personal decision. It is essential to find someone you feel comfortable with and trust. It can be helpful when there is a foundation of shared experiences and challenges. Danielle has developed a deep understanding of mental health issues that first responders face. Jason’s compassion and extensive experience can provide assurance for men, who are less likely to seek mental health services.”

Their experience and skills align with the goals that founder Jessica Sullivan, LSCW, set when she established Nourish Your Mind in 2015 to fill a need for those struggling with chronic physical and mental health issues. Mejias and Stefano serve populations in which mental health issues present unique challenges.

Among first responders, mental health issues are prevalent because of the danger and trauma faced on the job. About 30% of first responders suffer from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other behavioral health issues, compared with 20% of the general population, according to research sited by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Among men, mental health issues can be exacerbated by the stigma that depicts seeking help as a form of weakness. More than 6 million men in the United States suffer from depression each year, but the condition often is underdiagnosed, according to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America.

The new psychotherapists:

danielle

Danielle Mejias identified a need for support among first responders while working closely with law enforcement at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center, and as a local police department dispatcher.Beginning her practice in that field, she has broadened her outreach to provide support to individuals of all ages who cope with mental health issues in different settings. She is committed to creating a secure and comfortable environment for her clients during therapy sessions and believes that therapy is a process that should not be rushed, as each individual has a unique timeline. Mejias takes a client-centered approach to therapy, valuing each client’s autonomy and self-determination. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Southern New Hampshire University, and master’s degrees in forensic psychology from Arizona State University and in social work from Fordham University. Mejias lives in the Hudson Valley with her family. She enjoys spending time with loved ones, working out and reading. She is eager to work with Nourish Your Mind Non-Profit to create adequate, accessible mental health for first responders.

Headshot Jason Stefano

Jason C. Stefano is proud to be Nourish Your Mind’s first male psychotherapist and to provide assistance to demographics statistically reluctant to seek services. Stefanoprioritizes a client-centered approach and empowers others to reach their full potential. He brings extensive experience in working with teens and adults with a broad range of developmental disabilities, neurodiversity and maladaptive behavioral patterns. His passion for helping others and serving his community blossomed at a young age when he witnessed his family care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He utilizes a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), solution-focused therapy models, and a strengths-based perspective, with an emphasis on mindfulness and meditation. This approach helps clients build effective coping skills to challenge their troubling and negative thoughts and to help manage their anxiety, depression and trauma. Stefano earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University at Buffalo and a master’s degree in social work from Adelphi University.

Stefano enjoys spending quality time with his family and friends, including his dog Floyd and cat Simba. He is passionate about music, and loves attending concerts and playing guitar and drums. He encourages his clients to leverage music and other art forms as methods of expression.

Nourish Your Mind has four locations in Orange County, N.Y.: Monroe, Warwick, Middletown and Goshen. Call (845) 547-0479 for an appointment or visit NourishYourMind.com. Many major insurance providers are accepted; please inquire about details.


About Nourish Your Mind

Nourish Your Mind provides mental health and mind-body nutrition services in New York’s Hudson Valley. Its mission is to provide hope, help and healing to those in need through a unique, integrative approach to emotional and physical wellness. Nourish Your Mind was created by Jessica Sullivan, LSCW, to support those struggling with chronic physical and mental health issues. Nourish Your Mind offers counseling and psychotherapy; mind-body nutrition; dialectical behavior therapy; eating disorder treatment; group psychotherapy; and educational classes and workshops. Nourish Your Mind Non-Profit was established with the goal of making mental health services more accessible to those in need. Learn more at NourishYourMind.com.

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BIO

Cameryn (Cam) received her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marist College. Prior to joining Nourish Your Mind, she worked in private practice, primarily serving children, teens, and their families. During this time, she developed a passion for helping clients navigate their unique challenges through the transformative power of play and expressive arts therapy. Cam believes that every individual deserves a safe, nurturing space where they can authentically express themselves. She is dedicated to empowering her clients by identifying and utilizing their inherent strengths to help them achieve their personal goals.

In her therapeutic approach, Cam integrates a holistic wellness model with strengths- and mindfulness-based methods. She employs a variety of evidence-based techniques, including DBT and Nondirective Play Therapy, and she recognizes the importance of tailoring interventions to meet the specific needs of each individual and family.

When she’s not in the office, Cam enjoys reading, traveling, weight-lifting, and immersing herself in music and films. She also values spending quality time with friends, family, and her cats.

  • Licensed Mental Health Counselor
  • Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling, Marist College
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, SUNY Geneseo
  • Member of the American Counseling Association (ACA)
  • Middletown Office
BIO

Brianna earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Siena College and her Master of Social Work degree from Adelphi University. Throughout her education and early career, she worked with at-risk adolescents experiencing trauma and maladaptive coping as both a clinician and crisis interventionist. She later spent several years in emergency services, specializing in trauma-informed care for adolescents and adults. Brianna has extensive experience working with individuals struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, mood dysregulation, self-esteem, and relationship challenges.

Brianna takes a strength-based, integrative approach to therapy, empowering clients to discover their own path toward healing and self-acceptance. She believes that while we cannot change the past, we can change our relationship with it. She is passionate about helping clients develop effective coping skills, reconnect with their inner resilience, and build lives that extend beyond surviving trauma.

Brianna believes healing is not only a journey of the mind, but a whole-body experience. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) and thoughtfully incorporates mind-body practices into therapy to support nervous system regulation, mindfulness, and emotional awareness. She is also certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), an evidence-based trauma treatment that helps clients process distressing experiences, and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), offering a holistic approach for individuals seeking deeper healing from trauma, depression, anxiety, and other emotional challenges. By integrating traditional psychotherapy with somatic approaches and specialized trauma treatments, Brianna helps clients create lasting, meaningful change.

Above all, Brianna is dedicated to creating a safe, compassionate, and authentic therapeutic environment where clients feel seen, supported, and empowered to reconnect with their truest selves.

Brianna resides in Orange County with her two rescue huskies. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, spending time in nature, painting, practicing yoga, and cooking while surrounded by music, friends, and family.

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker, State of New York
  • Master’s of Social Work, Adelphi University
  • Master’s of Social Work, Adelphi University RYT-200
  • Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) Certified, Journey Clinical
  • Accelerated Resolution Therapy Trained, Rosenzweig Center for Rapid Recovery
  • Middletown Office
BIO

Ashley received her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from SUNY New Paltz. While attending her graduate program, Ashley worked as a supervisor at a Crisis Intervention Program and interned at an Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program, gaining valuable skills in crisis management and group therapy. Before joining Nourish Counseling, she spent several years working in a long-term outpatient care clinic specializing in children, adolescents and their families. Ashley has expertise in partnering with those suffering from depression, anxiety, trauma, family conflict, and personality disorders.

Ashley believes that each client is their own expert. She provides an integrative approach that focuses on both the thoughts and behaviors her clients may be struggling with in order to help them find balance and build resiliency. She works with clients in a person-centered and skill building approach to help determine and reach their own individual goals. Following a Dialectical Behavioral and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach, she encourages and supports clients to reach their full potential.

Ashley lives in Middletown, NY with her husband and a very loved dog. She enjoys family time, cooking, and trying new things whenever possible.

  • American Counseling Association
  • Middletown Office
BIO

Amanda is a Certified Clinicial Trauma Professional with a deep commitment to guiding clients through their healing and discovery. She believes that you are the expert of your own life, and she is dedicated to building a safe, collaborative space where you feel both validated and motivated for change. 

Amanda specializes in treating those with Complex Trauma, Grief and Loss, Anxiety and Depression, Chronic Illness, Infertility, Infant/Pregnancy Loss, Women’s Health and Neurodivergent Disorders. She works with individuals aged 5 and up. 

Amanda’s unique, holistic approach to psychothreapy is rooted in evidence-based practices and tailored to fit your specific clinical needs. She seamlessly integrates practices like mindfulness and meditation with powerful theraputic modalities, including Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Internal Family Systems Therapy. 

After gaining experience in Baltimore – including intensive work in Residential Foster Care and as a Medical Social Worker – Amanda has been settled back in her home, the Hudson Valley. She enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with her husband and two young daughters. She has journeyed with cleints for nearly 5 years at Nourish and is now ready to partner with you!

  • Cornwall Office
  • Middletown Office