Jill Weldum
President
Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (M.A.)
NYS Licenced Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Child Centered Play Therapist (CCPT)
AAMFT Approved Supervisor
Jill is the president and founder of Alkira Marriage and Family Therapy, P.C., is licensed to practice in New York State, and is a Certified Child Play Therapist (CCPT). Jill is a clinical member and approved supervisor of AAMFT, the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. She is also a member of AASECT, the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists.
Having lived in Syracuse for most of her life, Jill has dedicated her professional life to helping clients in Central New York, and supporting the growth of new therapists, for over 25 years. She values the excitement and updated educational knowledge and experiences new marriage and family therapists bring to Alkira in combination with the experience she and a few other more seasoned Alkira therapists have.
Jill earned her M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Syracuse University. Her work experience includes coordinating the SU Peer Sexuality Program, clinical positions at HelpPeople’s Employee Assistance Program and Upstate Medical University’s Pediatrics Department, and teaching positions at Syracuse University and SUNY Cortland. From these diverse experiences she has been exposed to every concern imaginable. She naturally brings non-judgement, compassion, and devotion to her clients.
She is published in two books on family violence and families with disabilities. Jill has presented at national and local conferences, and firmly believes in therapists continuing to educate themselves throughout their careers.Her recent focus has been to complete Gottman Training for couple relationships through Level 3. In addition to providing educational opportunities to therapists locally on play therapy and other topics, Jill believes in the power of sharing education information in her community. Over the years she has offered workshops to the public on couple relationships, parenting, grief and loss. Jill is one of two LMFTs on the NYS Education Department Ethics Committee for Licensed Mental Health Professionals.
Her clinical interests are working with couples in “intensive therapy”- visit our couples page for more information. Jill believes that many couples can complete the jump start their relationship needs for growth through an intensive experience. For clients with longer issues or traumatization, Jill sees the intensives as a great method to start identifying the problems and begin working on them.
She is also providing collaborative care with a local mediator- Jill provides therapy for identified family members while the mediator assists the couples proceed through their divorce or post-divorce co-parenting challenges.
Her work with Empower Parkinsons consists of volunteer assistance and providing support group facilitation for folks with Parkinsons and their significant others, as well as working with them when she can in therapy.
Jill is offering virtual- phone or video- exclusively at this time. Her rate is $175.00 per hour, and she is in network with a few insurances for individual mental health treatment. Couples therapy is provided out of pocket only.
Jill’s pronouns are she and her.
Kristin Ressel-Dickerson, MA, LMFT, CAS
Kristin Ressel-Dickerson completed her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy at Syracuse University. During her time at SU, Kristin completed a certificate of advanced study in trauma-informed practice, and received additional training to assist members of the LGBTQ+ community, including transgender folks and their families at various points of their transitions. She has experience working with individuals, couples, and families dealing with a variety of difficult situations, including anxiety, depression, relationship problems, affairs, and grief. She works collaboratively with her clients to create a comforting space for positive growth. Kristin operates from an integrative approach to therapy, incorporating aspects of Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Gottman methods.
Kristin has training in non-directive play therapy for children aged 3-10, and has presented research on early childhood education, sexual education programs, and intergroup attitudes at several national conferences for both cross-cultural and social psychology.
Kristin is currently pursuing additional training to become a certified grief counselor through the American Institute for Health Care Professionals. Additionally, Kristin supports families dealing with aging, memory loss, and cognitive decline through her work on clinical trials for neurodegenerative diseases.
Kristin offers virtual therapy-phone and video-exclusively and resides in the Buffalo area- if you wish to meet with her in person and are in western NY please let us know ! Her fee is $120.00 per hour and she is in network with a few insurances for individual mental health treatment. Some out of network coverage may be available as well, including for Excellus.
Kristin’s pronouns are she and her.
Brianna Mason, MA, LMFT
Brianna earned her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Syracuse University. She has experience working with individuals, couples, and families. Her experience includes working with clients experiencing LGBTQ issues, transitioning for transgender folks, anxiety, depression, anger, and intimacy issues. Brianna provides safe space and holistic care, and is warm and caring in the therapy room. Brianna considers our family systems and multigenerational patterns foundational in treatment, and uses client/therapist collaboration to reach identified goals.
Brianna offers virtual therapy four days per week and one day of in-person therapy. Her fee is $150.00, and she is in network with a few insurances for individual mental health treatment. Some out of network coverage may be available as well, including for Excellus.
Brianna’s pronouns are she and her.
Nicole Asencio, PhD
I assist couples and individuals to work through life’s challenges by utilizing their strengths, exploring areas of growth and creating a new chapter in their life. We will work together to understand the patterns that have persisted and work towards healing.
I want to hear your story, understand your experience, and help you understand the patterns that have persisted in your life in order to change them going forward. I offer a compassionate approach to therapy, which incorporates a holistic view to help clients reach their goals.
Therapy is a healing, empowering, and unique process. I offer virtual therapy to individuals and couples internationally as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. My Master’s Degree was earned at Syracuse Universityin 2005 and my PhD at Aliant International University.
My specialities include individuals-children, adolescents, adults- experiencing challenging and life-changing situations, couples struggling in their relationship, and LGBTQIA+ populations. I am in the process of completing my certification in EMDR and can support people who have experienced trauma.
I provide consultation and supervision for marriage and family therapists interested in working collaboratively to grow as clinicians.
I am currently offering virtual- phone or video- sessions exclusively. I may be in network with federal insurance plans. My fee is 175.00 per hour.
My pronouns are She, Her.
Sarah Wolf-Stanton
Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (M.A.)
NYS Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Sarah has her Master’s degree and advanced doctoral studies in Marriage and Family Therapy. Sarah works with children, families and couples struggling with divorce, emotional distress, school issues, eating disorders, self-harm, and addictions. Her specialties include helping children with reactive attachment, children and adults with interpersonal trauma, such as but not limited to attachment issues, assault, domestic violence, interpersonal violence, incest, abuse, and neglect. She is trained to assist those who have experienced combat exposure, traumatic loss, natural disaster, or vehicular accidents. In Sarah’s opinion, the experiences of oppression and stigmatization are also forms of complex trauma and she works with this from a trauma and culturally-sensitive standpoint.
As a systems therapist, Sarah values a collaborative approach when working with clients in co-creating and maintaining a sense of safety and openness to work through life stressors, together. She believes change occurs through relationships and that the connection created can bring us all toward greater healing and being the best version of ourselves we can be.
Sarah’s trainings and certifications include Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and 2nd level training in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, a specialized model for working with children having attachment issues. She has presented at national and local conferences and has published literature within the mental health field on the impact of trauma. Sarah has taught graduate and undergraduate courses at Syracuse University and SUNY Polytechnic Institute as well as lecturing at Syracuse University and Ithaca College on topics of attachment, trauma, and PTSD. Her goal is to de-pathologize the impact of traumatic experiences for clients.
Sarah is theoretically informed by Interpersonal Neurobiology, Bowen Family Systems, Collaborative Change Model, Narrative, Experiential, Trauma, and Attachment Theories.
Sarah offers virtual therapy-phone and video-exclusively. Her fee is $120.00 and she is in network with a few insurances for individual mental health treatment. Some out of network coverage may be available as well, including for Excellus.
Sarah’s pronouns are she and her.
Efrain Agama
Efrain earned his Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Syracuse University and is currently completing his doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Efrain is a licensed, Marriage and Family Therapist who also works at The Brownell Center for Behavioral Health Services serving mostly Spanish speaking individuals, couples, and families.
He utilizes an experiential and structural theoretical framework. He helps clients transform dysfunctional communication styles, increase self-esteem, and establish the appropriate structure and boundaries relationships need. Efrain’s extensive experience ranges from working with families, couples and individuals who have experienced severe trauma in their lives to issues related to low self-worth and marginalization.
Efrain offers virtual therapy- phone and video-exclusively. His fee is $175.00 and he is in network with a few insurances for individual mental health treatment.
Efrain’s pronouns are he and his.
Kevin Lewis, MA, LMFT
Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (M.A.)
NYS Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Clinical Fellow Member AAMFT
Kevin earned his masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Liberty University and is completing a doctoral degree in Counseling. Kevin has experience working with individuals, couples, and families. Kevin also has extensive experience with spiritual issues and can integrate Christian principles into therapy for those who desire a religious perspective. He is passionate about helping adolescents and young adults and their families with launching, boundaries, depression, anxiety and grief. Kevin believes that family members are interconnected and positive changes on one part of the system can affect other parts.
Kevin is a Prepare/Enrich Facilitator who help couples identify their relationship strengths, gain understanding about the underlying dynamics that influence their communication, and help couples develop skills to improve their growth areas. Facilitators work with couples in facilitator/couple relationships, small groups, retreats, marriage mentor programs, and premarital education.
Kevin embraces the relational life therapy modality which aims to provide people with the confidence and ability to break out of the traditional roles society often encourages them to follow so that they can better achieve more harmonious relationships.
Kevin offers in-person therapy one day per week. His fee is $150.00 and he is in network with a few insurances for individual mental health treatment. Some out of network coverage may be available as well, including for Excellus.
Kevin’s pronouns are he and his.
Tina Iacovissi, Education Specialist
MA in Marriage & Family Therapy
Tina completed her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Northcentral University. Tina offers support and guidance to individuals, couples, and families who are dealing with issues that affect their relationships, mental health and well-being. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, Tina believes that all relationships have the potential to impact well-being. Her therapeutic approach highlights and develops client’s strengths to assist in helping with change and healing. Tina’s previous experiences in the work world and family life contribute to her focused and compassionate approach to therapy.
Tina offers virtual and in-person psychoeducation. Her fee is $100.00 per hour. As a professional in process of completing her Licensing requirements in NYS, Tina is able to offer out of pocket only. Some out of network coverage may be available for most insurances, excluding Excellus.
Tina’s pronouns are she and her.