Albany NY Capital Region District therapy counseling mental health services
Karner Psychological Associates Group Guilderland, Albany NY

Meet Our Social Workers


All Therapists at KPA specialize in children, teen, family and adult therapy.

 


James Doherty, LCSW-R
Guilderland Office
(518) 456-5056 Ext. 290

James has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and earned his graduate degree in Social Work from Syracuse University. He has worked as a clinician for over 13 years with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families in Central New York and the Capital District. James has also been a therapist and director of a child/adolescent day treatment program, has served as an adjunct instructor for several colleges, and has range of experience working in both the private and public sectors. In his work with clients he utilizes an eclectic, evidence and strength-based therapeutic approach to problem solving by using techniques drawing from a variety theoretical frameworks including Family Systems Theory, Brief Solution-Focused Therapy, Structural Theory, as well as Cognitive and Cognitive/Behavioral Therapy. James has a range of interests and enjoys working with children, adolescent and families as well as adult individuals and couples. Issues of specialty include depression, grief and loss, youth behavioral issues, school problems, child/parent conflict, relationship/couple/marital issues, anxiety, and identity growth/development. James joined KPA in September 2005.


Joseph Germano, LCSW-R
Clifton Park Office
(518) 456-5056 Ext. 250

Joe has over 18 years of clinical and administrative experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. He has practiced in a variety of mental health settings, including inpatient, residential, partial hospital and outpatient programs. He also has done many clinical presentations, both on a local and national level. His current therapeutic specialties include couples and family therapy and working with adolescents. He has been in practice with Karner Psychological Associates since January 2000. 


Elizabeth M. Gilston, LCSW-R
Guilderland Office & Clifton Park
(518) 456-5056 Ext. 368

Betsy has 15 years of experience providing therapy to couples, adolescents, children, families, and groups. She has post graduate training in solution-focused therapy, thought field therapy and anger management. Betsy is experienced both as a school based social worker and as an outpatient mental health provider. She also has provided clinical supervision for over 6 years.


Barbara Henderer, LCSW-R
East Greenbush Office
(518) 456-5056 Ext. 253

 

Barbara is a licensed clinical social worker who has been practicing in the Capital Region for the past 25 years. Barbara has spent 10 of these years in a medical setting. Barbara enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults in individual, family or couples therapy. Her areas of interest are women's issues, relationship issues, adolescent and adult depression, and anxiety disorders. Barbara has been in practice with Karner Psychological Associates since March, 1998.


William Knauer, LCSW-R
Guilderland Office
456-5056 ext. 375

Bill has worked as a counselor since 1983.  He has a bachelor's degree in psychology and received his master's degree in social work from SUNY Albany in 1990.  He has worked extensively in substance abuse treatment, employee assistance, and school based programs.  Bill is experienced with providing individual, couples, and family therapy.  His areas of interest include depression, anxiety, substance abuse treatment, adolescent issues, and relationship issues.


June Morier, LCSW-R
Clifton Park Office
(518) 456-5056 Ext. 210

June is a NYS Certified Social Worker with over 18 years of experience providing therapy to children, adolescents, and adults. She received her bachelors in sociology from Skidmore College and her masters in social work from the State University of New York at Albany. She later served on the Alumni Practice Committee and the Curriculum and Educational Policy Committee at SUNY for a total of nine years of service. June is a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers, holds certification as a Master Practitioner of Neurolinguistic Programming, and is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). June provides individual, couples, and family therapy. She specializes in the treatment of trauma with EMDR therapy (e.g. domestic abuse, assault, sexual abuse, natural disasters, automobile traumas, and persons traumatized by witnessing abuse). She uses EMDR therapy to address a variety of other issues and concerns such as anxiety, depression, loss of loved ones, and self-esteem issues. She has presented locally and on the international level on the use of EMDR to treat traumatized children and adults.


Tara Nagel Penesso, LCSW-R
Guilderland Office
(518) 456-5056 Ext. 383

Tara is a NYS Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of post-Masters degree experience.  She received her Master's Degree in Social Work from Boston University and has worked extensively in community based family service agencies, in addition to private practice.

Tara has had specific training in solution-focused therapy, anger management, stress management, and cognitive/behavioral therapy.  Her areas of interest include working with couples, parent/child issues, women's issues, along with depression and anxiety disorders.

 


Phil Rainer, LCSW-R
Guilderland Office
(518) 456-5056 Ext. 258

Phil is a licensed clinical social worker and practicing psychotherapist in the Capital Region since 1984. Compassion, warmth, and humor have been the foundation of his work with individuals, couples, families, and groups. Phil works with young children, adolescents, and adults. His positive orientation helps clients recognize and expand upon their strengths and resources to achieve desired goals. Phil has been a popular speaker. He has addressed business, government, school, and community groups. Topics covered have included stress management, effective communication, understanding depression and suicide, violence in the schools and workplace, learned optimism, and more.


Debra Schiffman, LCSW-R
Guilderland Office
(518) 456-5056 Ext. 211

Debra received her graduate degree from the School of Social Work at Rutgers University.  She has 20 years of experience working in a variety of mental health settings.  These include inpatient, residential, school social work, outpatient, and private practice.  Debra worked in a nationally recognized school-based program in new Jersey providing therapy to adolescents and their families.  She is certified as a Level 1 EMDR therapist.  Debra works with adolescents, families, individuals, and couples.  She joined KPA in May 2006.


Janet C. Shorr, LCSW-R
Guilderland Offices
(518) 456-5056 Ext. 371
 

Janet earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Social Work from the State University of New York at Albany. She has worked for 12 years with children, adolescents and families of Albany County in Prevention programs at St. Anne's Institute, LaSalle School for Boys and Catholic Charities, and Community Maternity Services. In her work with patients she utilizes an eclectic therapeutic approach to problem solving by using techniques from a variety of therapies such as Family Systems Therapy, Brief Solution Focused Therapy, Strengths Based Therapy, as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Her areas of interest and experience are adolescent and family issues, depression, grief and loss, anger and stress management and women's issues. Janet joined KPA in May of 2005.



Joan Stapleton, LCSW-R
Clifton Park Office
(518) 456-5056 Ext. 372

Joan is a Certified social worker, received her master's degree in Social Welfare in 1991 from the State University of New York at Albany.

Throughout her career Joan has demonstrated a commitment to child welfare, beginning her career in 1991 as a social worker at the LaSalle School for Boys, a residential treatment facility for youth at risk.  In 1995, Joan continued working with children and adults in her role as Clinical Director of the Colonie Youth Center, developing innovative intervention programs geared toward improving the quality of life for youth and their families.  Beginning in 1998, Joan also provided intensive clinical services through her affiliation with Karner Psychological Associates, gearing her practice toward the specialization of the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders.  Joan served as Executive Director of the Adirondack Samaritan Counseling Center from 2002-2006.

Joan has a particular interest in working with victims of traumatic stress.  Joan is a certified Disaster Relief Worker with the American Red Cross and since 1997 has volunteered for national disasters including two weeks a the World Trade Center and Katrina disasters.  Joan's training and experience in critical incidence stress debriefing is also a valuable asset.  In 1997, Joan was an active volunteer of the Reduce Emergency Stress Team, providing debri9efing to local police, fire, and emergency personnel who have experienced a traumatic event in the line of duty.  Joan is also trained as a dispute mediator and has conducted many workshops in the community on conflict resolution, stress reduction, peer mediation and other relevant topics.

Joan also served as an instructor at Hudson Valley Community College from 1993-1995 and a the State University at Albany from 1996-1999.  Through this role, Joan has been instrumental in preparing many for their careers as professional social workers.

Joan is an active member of the National Association of Social Workers, Business and Professional Women's Association, International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, and the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce.

 

Penny Trieb, LCSW-R
Guilderland Office
(518) 456-5056 Ext. 381

Penny Trieb received her B.A. in Sociology from Brandeis University, and her Masters from S.U.N.Y. at Albany, N.Y.  she has been practicing as a therapist for 16 years, and became part of the Academy of Certified Social Workers in 1994.  She has experience treating people with Mood and Anxiety Disorders as well as those coping with other stressors.  she provides individual, couples and family therapy.  She has had multiple academic appointments at a local college and has worked at a variety of employment settings in Upstate N.Y. and Cleveland, Ohio.  She has been a mental health volunteer for the local and national American Red Cross Disaster Services since 2001.  Ms. Trieb has a myriad of experience including working with those with chronic and terminal medical diagnosis, and their family members; those in recovery for substance abuse; and those who suffer from reactions to various traumatic circumstances (physical and sexual trauma histories, etc.).

 

 

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Our 20+ professional mental health professionals include
psychologists,  social workers,  life coaches,  support staff and
mental health care practice managers and directors. 
We serve the upstate New York’s Albany Capital Region from our
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Mental Health Counseling and Psychological Therapy Centers.