Meet our Providers

Amanda Brown, LCSW-R

Amanda Brown is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 9 years of experience in a variety of clinical settings.  She received her undergraduate degree from Hilbert College, and her Master’s Degree in Social Work, from the State University of New York at Buffalo.  She specializes in the treatment of teens, adults, couples, and families.

Amanda is a kind, warm-hearted person, who takes pride in her ability to help her clients through their up and down journeys through life, when emotional and psychological obstacles can sometimes get in the way.  Amanda uses a person-centered approach, customizing the care she gives for each individual client.  She focuses on addressing underlying causes and symptoms, and finds that when people are given life skills, along with support, acceptance, and a safe environment, they can successfully use these tools as stepping stones toward achieving personal and professional goals.

Amanda is trained in multiple therapeutic techniques such as CBT, DBT, and EMDR, which helps address PTSD symptoms.  She has experience working with individuals with a variety of behavioral health concerns including, but not limited to:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mood disorders
• Trauma and PTSD
• Addiction and substance abuse
• Family conflict
• Marital and couples counseling
• Stress
• Adjustment difficulties

Amanda is a native of Western New York, and currently resides here with her husband and son.  Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors at the park, hiking, boating, and fishing with her family.

Jennifer Burt, LCSW-R

Jennifer Burt is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-R) who has been practicing for 14 years. She received her bachelor’s degree from Keuka College with a major in psychology and a concentration in developmental disabilities.  She received her master’s degree in social work from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a concentration in adult mental health.  She currently lives in the WNY area with her husband, daughter, and their beloved dog and cat, spending lots of time together enjoying the outdoors whenever possible.

Jennifer is a very knowledgeable and empathetic therapist.  She has experience counseling diverse populations in a variety of clinical settings.  She works with individuals and couples, helping her clients work towards achieving their specific therapy goals.

Jennifer employs a variety of evidence-based treatment modalities when counseling her clients, such as: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Self-Actualization, and Solution-Focused Therapy, among others.  Jennifer also has experience working with trauma victims and practices from a trauma-informed model.  In addition, she is trained in EMDR and incorporates this therapeutic technique when appropriate.

Jennifer has experience treating clients with several different challenges, including, but not limited to:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Serious and persistent mental illness
• Personality disorders
• Co-dependency
• Substance abuse
• Adjustment difficulties
• Emotional emancipation
• Eating disorders
• Childhood trauma
• PTSD
• Relationship problems
• Christian counseling (upon request)

Jennifer also has a passion for fitness and nutrition and has been a group fitness instructor for the past 14 years.  She has completed a certification in Integrative Medicine and Nutrition for Mental Health and, when relevant, incorporates her knowledge of nutrition, lifestyle and overall wellness into her practice.

Thomas Szczygiel, LCSW-R

Thomas “Tom” Szczygiel is a Licensed Clinical Social worker with over 16 years’ experience in the counseling field. Tom received his Associates Degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling at Hudson Valley Community College and both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work from the State University of New York at Albany.

Tom has worked in multiple treatment settings, including adult and adolescent substance abuse treatment programs, in-patient and out-patient mental health programs and talk therapy programs.

He works with individuals and families that experience a wide range of behavioral and emotional impairments, including depression, anxiety, grief/loss, stress management, PTSD and addictions.

Tom recognizes that change and loss, as well as unexpected and unwanted circumstances, can impact life and foster a sense of hopelessness. Understanding that these changes may be painful and often times debilitating, he seeks to provide a safe, trusting and supportive environment to promote healing and growth in each and every client he works with.

Tom’s approach to therapy is tailored to each individual client.  Among the approaches he uses are solution focused therapy, motivational interviewing, and when appropriate, holistic therapy.  He has experience treating many issues including, but not limited to:

• Adjustment Disorders
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress Management
• Co-Occurring Disorders
• PTSD
• Mood Disorders
• Thought Disorders
• Substance Abuse
• Faith-based counseling (upon request)

Tom is a native of WNY and lives in the area with his wife and two sons. He enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, and cheering on the Bills and Sabres.  He is constantly seeking ongoing education to enhance his ability to provide the highest quality of service to his clients.

Jackie Richter, LCSW-R

Jackie Richter is a licensed clinical social worker and has been practicing for 16 years. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in social work from Buffalo State College, and her Master’s Degree in social work from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Jackie is innately warm, compassionate, and non-judgmental, and is committed to helping others, as both a clinical social worker, as well as in her daily life away from work. She develops a safe and trusting relationship with her clients and works with them to achieve their self-identified goals. With Jackie’s help, her clients become empowered to problem solve and manage life’s challenges on their own.

Jackie works with adolescents, adults, and families. She uses a number of proven therapeutic approaches, including strength-based, cognitive behavioral therapy, client centered, systemic therapy, and humanistic therapy, among others. She has experience helping clients with many issues, including, but not limited to:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Co-dependency
• Stress management
• Anger management
• Family and couples conflict
• Parenting
• Adjustment difficulties
• Addictions

Matthew Niemiec, LCSW-R

Matthew Niemiec is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW-R) and has been practicing for over 8 years. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Rochester, and his master’s degree in Social Work from the State University of New York at Buffalo.  Matthew was born and raised in Western New York and currently resides here with his wife and three children.

Matthew specializes in the treatment of adolescents, adults, couples, and families. He utilizes a client-centered, strength-based perspective, which allows him to effectively build clinical rapport and engage with clients from the initial session.  He is able to quickly gain his clients’ trust, enabling them to take those first steps toward self-improvement very quickly.

Matthew uses a variety of evidence-based treatment modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Trauma-Informed Therapy, to empower clients to resolve issues, achieve growth, and respond to challenges in a healthy way. He has experience treating and counseling clients through many issues, including, but not limited to:

• Anxiety
• Adjustment disorders
• Co-dependency
• Depression
• Family and couples’ conflicts
• Healthy parenting
• Infidelity
• Intimacy
• Personality disorders
• Stress and anger management

Stephen O’Brien, LCSW-R

Stephen O'Brien is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW-R) who has been practicing for 24 years. He received his bachelor’s degree from SUNY Fredonia College, and his master’s degree in social work, with a focus on children and families, from the State University of NY at Buffalo.

He specializes in child, adolescent, adult, and family therapy, utilizing a variety of approaches to maximize comfort and growth during sessions. Stephen has experience treating many issues including:

• ADHD
• Adjustment difficulties
• Anger management
• Anxiety
• Chemical dependency issues
• Conduct disorder
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Marital and couples counseling
• Parenting issues
• Physical abuse issues
• PTSD
• Sexual abuse issues

Stephen combines a trauma informed strength-based approach with compassion and dedication. He has a natural ability to develop and form trusting relationships with his clients, which empowers them to make positive life changes.

Stephen is a native Western New Yorker, and currently lives in Buffalo.  Outside of work, Stephen enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons.

Danielle Catanzaro, LCSW-R

Danielle Catanzaro, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, received her BA in Health and Human Services, with a concentration in Mental Health, as well as her Master’s Degree in Social Work, from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Danielle practices from a client-centered approach engaging her clients in a way that enables her to quickly build a positive rapport and earn their trust. She uses a diversified approach specific to the needs of each client. As a result, she is able to affect positive growth and change with her clients.

Danielle specializes in the treatment of adolescents, adults, & families. She utilizes a variety of modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and SAMHSA anger management criteria. She has experience treating many issues including, but not limited to:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Adjustment Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder
• Co-occurring Disorders (mental health and substance use combined)
• Anger Management
• Parenting Skills
• Schizophrenia
• Personality Disorders
• LGBTQ/Transgender Issues

Wendy Sadkin, LCSW-R

Wendy Sadkin is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW-R) who has been practicing for 23 years. She is a native Buffalonian who was born and raised in Amherst and now lives in Western New York with her husband and two children.

Wendy received her Bachelor’s Degree from Ithaca College, and her Master’s Degree in social work, with a focus on mental health, from Syracuse University.

She specializes in the treatment of adolescents, adults, families, and couples. Wendy utilizes a variety of approaches in treating many issues, including:

 

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Anger management
• Adjustment difficulties
• Women’s issues
• Marital and couples conflict
• Sexual abuse issues
• Eating disorders
• Chemical dependency issues

Wendy is an extremely dedicated and compassionate counselor who loves helping all her clients. She has an innate ability to earn and build trust with her clients and to see things from their perspective, helping them to solve problems and enact positive, empowering changes in their lives.