Our staff therapists place deliberate emphasis on a holistic approach: mind, body and spirit. In a peaceful, homelike atmosphere, therapists at SCC make clearer the steps, and help point people toward reachable goals. Our therapists are highly trained and experienced counselors with a minimum of a Master’s Degree and are state licensed.
Amanda is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has experience working with children,
teens, adults and couples in a variety of clinical settings. She came to Samaritan Counseling
Center in 2010 and has successfully worked with clients struggling with a variety of concerns
including: depression, anxiety, trauma, Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (with
childhood onset), relational concerns and adjusting to life transitions. She maintains a passion for
working with those struggling with marital or family relationship issues including the grief and
loss associated with miscommunications, separation and divorce. At a client’s specific request,
Amanda will incorporate scripture and Christ-centered approaches into therapy; she has also
received specialized training in specific Christian approaches to marital therapy. She earned her
Master’s in Community Counseling from Regent University in Virginia. Throughout her
education, Amanda engaged in specialized classes, trainings, and field experiences in the areas of
couples and family therapy to best support her goal of empowering individuals and couples to
improve hope, contentment and communication throughout their relationships. Amanda believes
that positive change is possible and strives to empower individuals, couples and families to take
the steps toward achieving this in their lives.
Robert comes to the Samaritan Center following a broad based career in pastoral work,
counseling, and education. He was received a Master of Divinity from St. Vincent de Paul
Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida, a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
from St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida, and a Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) from Carlos
Albizu University, Miami Campus. His internship was at Goodman Center for Psychological
Services in Miami FL. His post-doctoral residency was at Henderson Behavioral Health, a
community mental health agency in Broward County, Florida.
Currently a licensed psychologist in New York, he has worked with those who have a chronic
mental illness, substance use disorders, depression, and anxiety. His work was in government
and nonprofit agencies. Additionally, he is a human service professor at Mohawk Valley
Community College. He is a member of the American Psychological Association. He
previously held licensure as a Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida.
He believes strongly that a healthy person is able to balance a life that includes body, mind, and
spirit. As a practitioner, he sees growth in the area of mental health as needed for growth in the
spiritual dimension of a person’s life.
Rose is a nationally board certified counselor who specializes in brief solution-focused
psychotherapy. She has a Certificate of Advanced Studies from Loyola University in Pastoral
Counseling, and a MS in Counseling from Loyola University. Her training includes: Brief Solution-
Focused Psychotherapy, Eye Movement Desentization Reprocessing (EMDR), Critical Incident
Stress Management, Dual Diagnosis/Co-Occurring Disorder, Alcohol and Drug Certification. She
creates a calm and caring environment for her clients.
Pam has a Master's degree in Human Service with emphasis in Chemical Dependency
Counseling from the University of Providence, formally the University of Great Falls, in Great
Falls, MT. She has worked in the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) field, in various settings and
positions, for approximately 20 years. In addition, Pam received a Master's degree in Marriage
and Family Therapy from Syracuse University and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
(LMFT). Pam's passion is working with children and families. Viktor Frankl and Carl Rogers
have significantly influenced Pam's therapeutic style. Pam believes thoughts shape a person's
reality and the key to happiness is a purpose filled life.
Dave joined the Samaritan staff as a Spiritual Integration Consultant in 2016. He is a graduate of
Trinity International College, Deerfield, IL with a theological residency, teaching at Open Bible
College, Des Moines, IA. He earned his MSW at Syracuse University School of Social Work,
and completed two internships in Social Work: St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital Center and the
Office for the Aging, Utica, NY. Dave was previously employed as therapist, developing the
Family Support Counseling Program at Herkimer Area Resource Center, Herkimer, NY (now:
consumers and their families, maintaining collegial support in Client treatment along with
psychiatric clinic reviews. Dave’s Biblical faith has prepared him to integrate principles in
therapy that illuminates for Clients root causes of aberrant behaviors and disorders. Dave
embraces the Biblical model Spirit-Soul-Body which encompasses the whole person – as does
the model, Body-Mind-Spirit, held by all Solihten Centers (formerly Samaritan Centers).
Gail is a Certified Social Worker, licensed in New York State, who provides individual therapy at the
Center. She specializes in the area of alcoholism and other addictions, and related recovery issues,
as well as anxiety, depression and issues specific to aging and loss. Gail received her Master’s
Degree in Social Work from Syracuse University.
Diane Policelli, LMFT has been a licensed marriage and family therapist since 1995. Diane’s experience has focused on individuals, couples, adolescents, and families with substance misuse, behavioral problems, depression, anxiety, and other problems using an integrative systemic approach, which includes solution focused interventions, as well as CBT, Internal Family Systems, and mindfulness approaches. Her work meets clients where they are in terms of their specific needs and presenting problems. Explorations into multigenerational, attachment, Transpersonal, and trauma-based issues are also part of an integrative approach to Behavioral Health Treatment. Diane holds active MFT licenses in Colorado, New York, and California. Diane enjoys working with diverse cultures and has worked in multiple private and public clinical settings, including community mental health, IOP/PHP, and co-occurring residential treatment centers.