Our Interns in Training
Alexa Ferst
Alexa is a mental health counselor in training studying at the College of Staten Island, City University of New York. She received her Bachelor’s Degree of the Arts in Psychology from Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Alexa is a registered behavioral technician certificate and extensive experience working with adolescents and children in both cognitive and behavioral settings. Alexa takes an open, nonjudgmental approach toward working with clients to better develop their sense of self and others. Alexa has a creative passion, and promotes healing through art and creative techniques.”
Brigit Gardner
Brigit Gardner received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Mount Saint Mary College. She is currently working towards a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the College of Staten Island.
Brigit started working as a Skills Coordinator in January 2020 with individuals with developmental and behavioral disabilities and assisted them in developing essential employability skills to obtain and maintain competitive employment. Brigit quickly became a means of emotional support for this vulnerable population throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. She is passionate about helping individuals navigate services focused on supporting and improving their ability to live healthy, happy and productive lives. Brigit is committed to help cultivate a safe environment for patients to develop coping skills and work towards healing.
Diloram Kamilova
Diloram Kamilova received her Associate Degree from CUNY Kingsborough School of Nursing in 2010, and Bachelor’s Degree from Downstate SUNY School of Nursing in 2012. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at the Hunter CUNY School of Nursing.
Diloram has worked in community health nursing for many years seeing adults and children with various medical and psychiatric disabilities. Diloram continues to work as a staff nurse in the emergency department in the busy city hospital in Manhattan.Diloram is compassionate to help children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental and mental challenges. Enhancing the quality lives of children and their families is a primary goal of Diloram’s career.
Alina Akhsanov-Chervony
Alina Akhsanov-Chervony is a Family Nurse Practitioner-BC that is now perusing a degree as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at SUNY Polytechnic. She had received her Bachelors in Public Health from SUNY Stonybrook, and a BSN from Rutgers University. Following that she had received her MSN from Wagner College and became a Family Nurse Practitioner-BC. She has experience working in mental health for many years, including being a mental health case manager and a director of nursing for people with developmental disabilities. Ms. Akhsanov-Chervony is currently working at Northwell health in an outpatient setting. She has a passion for psychiatry and is perusing her studies in the field of Mental Health to help others.
Pleah Nahari
Pleah Nahari is a registered nurse currently pursuing a master’s degree in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing. She received her Associate Degree from CUNY Kingsborough School of Nursing in 2015, and Bachelor’s Degree from Chamberlain College of Nursing in 2018.
Pleah has been in the nursing field since 2015 and has a wide range of experience which include school nursing, long-term care, rehabilitation, and ambulatory care. Pleah is a strong believer that health begins with mental health, and she is passionate about providing holistic, high-quality patient-centered care.
Katherine Connelly
Katherine Connelly is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner working towards her post-graduate advanced certificate as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing. A native Californian, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Cognitive Science from the University of California-San Diego before moving to New York to attend New York University’s second-degree nursing program. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in Family Health from Wagner College. Katherine has been in the nursing field for more than 15 years with experience in ICU-critical care, occupational health, and academia. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, exercising, and reading. Katherine is passionate about mental health and looks forward to further servicing her community.
Roshani Gunawardena
Roshani Gunawardena is completing her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree at Hunter College School of Nursing. She graduated from The City College of New York with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and went on to receive her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wagner College. Roshani’s work experience includes operating rooms, long term care, Covid-19 swabbing, administration of vaccines and aesthetics. Her goal is to treat patient conditions with medical management along with holistic care; treating the mind, body, and spirit. Roshani believes in advocating for patients who struggle to be heard while providing the highest quality of care with compassion. Her ultimate goal is to normalize mental health to be viewed as restoring balance to the whole person.
Micaela Gutlove
Micaela Gutlove received her RN from Stark State College in Ohio and her BSN from Chamberlain University. She is currently pursuing her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at St. John Fisher University, Rochester. Micaela has a variety of nursing experience, including working in mental health. She currently works at a residential facility for eating disorders in New York City. Micaela is passionate about providing patient centered care and is excited about furthering her career in psychiatry.
Alyssa Cossean
Alyssa Cossean is a social worker in training studying at Rutgers University. Alyssa Cossean received a Bachelor of Arts In Psychology from St John's University. Alyssa is committed to empowering clients to overcome their obstacles with various therapeutic approaches.
Alyssa currently works as a teacher assistant with children with disabilities, where she teaches children life and social skills to help them live successful lives.She is committed to fostering inclusive environments and advocating for the unique needs of each child. Alyssa is enthusiastic about gaining hands-on experience in supporting diverse populations and addressing social challenges. Alyssa is passionate about creating a safe space for her clients and making a positive impact by using the values of empathy, justice and inclusivity.