The clinical team members at Capital Counseling are each NYS licensed, highly trained professional therapists. Their areas of expertise cover evaluation, assessments, counseling and recommended therapies to assist with a broad range of mental, emotional and behavioral issues for individuals, couples, families, adolescents and children.
Select any counselor to read more about their background, experience, and areas of special focus and expertise.
Alba Vega
LMHC
Alba Vega
Alba received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from The State University of New York at Albany. Alba is a Spanish and English bilingual therapist with experience in psychiatric rehabilitation, career counseling, couples therapy, and group counseling. Alba enjoys working with a diverse group people of varying ages and aims to adjust each session to the individual’s needs implementing a client focused approach.
Phil Rainer
LCSW-R
Phil Rainer
Phil Rainer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who brings warmth, experience, and deep compassion to his work with individuals, couples, and families. With more than 30 years in the mental health field, Phil helps clients navigate challenges such as anxiety, depression, grief, relationship concerns, and life transitions with insight and care.
At Capital Counseling, Phil has led clinical programs, expanded telehealth and crisis diversion services, and helped make quality counseling more accessible throughout the Capital Region. He also worked nationally as a behavioral health consultant and trainer, supporting other organizations in developing effective, person-centered care.
Phil holds a Master of Social Work from the University at Albany, where he also earned his bachelor’s degree in social welfare, and a certificate in Primary Care Behavioral Health from the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. He is dedicated to creating a safe, collaborative space where clients feel supported in their growth and healing.
Wendy Connelly
LMHC
Wendy Connelly
Wendy Connelly is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of New York, and has been in the counseling field for 10 years. Wendy holds a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from the State University of New York at Albany. Wendy has worked primarily with adult individuals (of all ages) including LGBTQ individuals and persons with cognitive and physical disabilities, and also with young people, families, and couples, she has worked with a variety of diagnoses such as anxiety, depression substance uses. Wendy enjoys helping people identify their strengths and challenges and helping them solve problems and develop new, healthy, effective ways of coping. Wendy believes every client is an individual with his or her own unique circumstances and has an eclectic style of therapy, utilizing strength based, cognitive behavioral based, and solution oriented approaches.
Kate Washburn
LCSW-R
Kate Washburn
Kate E. Washburn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been working in the Capital District for over 15 years.
Kate has worked in group and family therapy with teenagers, adults, and families. She has experience treating anxiety disorders, depressive disorders including major depression and dysthymia, trauma and stress-related disorders including PTSD, C-PTSD, acute stress-related d/o and adjustment disorders, mood disorders, family relational problems, and stress management. Kate believes while diagnosis is necessary, focusing on the specific symptoms that pertain to the individual is also important. She has worked in a variety of settings since 2006, including in a residential environment for adolescent girls with mental health, behavioral, and family issues; at a children’s mental health clinic where she worked with children, teenagers, and families impacted by significant mental health, behavioral problems, community violence, and trauma; at a health center with patients across the life span who struggled with both mental health issues and social determinants of health including poverty, lack of food access, housing, and healthcare; and lastly, she ran a therapeutic health/wellness maintenance group for adults with combined physical health and mental health issues like diabetes with depression, anxiety, and COPD.
After her first year of college at Saint Rose, initially enrolled in fine arts, Kate changed her major to social work. She always loved art but felt like she was missing something. Kate always enjoyed connecting with people and hearing stories about their lives. She loves finding new and creative ways for people to meet their goals.
Education
MS, The State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York
BS, The College of Saint Rose, Albany, New York
Jamee Lafratta
LMSW
Jamee LaFratta
Jamee LaFratta is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). She received her master’s degree in Social Work from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University at Albany. Jamee has a specialization in working with children and families with mental health needs. She has worked with children and adults with developmental disabilities and mental health diagnoses for over 10 years, with experience providing services in home, school, residential, and work settings. Jamee uses a wide variety of therapeutic interventions including psychoeducation, cognitive and dialectical behavioral principles, mindfulness training, and positive coping strategies with her clients. Jamee focuses on the client’s strengths and interests to build creative, meaningful, and effective coping skills. Jamee works with the Community Transitions Program (CTP) and with the Federal Probation Program.
Jonathan Pollack
LCSW-R, MPA
Jonathan Pollack
Jonathan Pollack holds a Master’s Degree in Social Welfare from the State University of New York at Albany and he has been practicing Social Work for the past 27 years. His specializations include grief and loss counseling, managing anxiety and depression, and creative arts therapy. His diverse range of experience includes psychotherapy, clinical supervision, school social work, field placement instruction, professional workshop development and facilitation, and justice related counseling including assisting individuals who have previously been incarcerated with re-entry back into society. Jonathan is known for his supportive and empowering therapeutic approach by using cognitive behavioral therapy techniques.
Insurance Accepted: Yes
Autumn Powers
LMHC
Autumn Powers
Autumn Powers is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University at Albany, SUNY. Her previous work experience includes eight years of working with a diverse client caseload who experience severe and persistent mental illness.
She works with adults (18+) and couples. Her specialties include depression, anxiety, motivational interviewing, trauma informed care, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Solution Focused Therapy. She employs a client-centered, strengths-based approach when working with clients to assist in identifying goals and the most effective therapeutic approach for each client.
Anne Guarino
LCSW-R
Anna Guarino
Anne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-R) and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the State University of New York at Albany. She has been in the field of human services for over 25 years in many different capacities. Anne enjoys working with adults, children, adolescents, couples and families. Areas of interest and expertise include: helping people struggling with adjustment issues, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, life transitions, relationship issues, and faith based counseling. Anne employs an eclectic, trauma informed, client-centered/strengths based approach when working with clients. She uses a wide variety of therapeutic interventions; including, but not limited to, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy, psychodynamic, and dialectical behavioral therapy.
Emily Ferraro
LMHC
Emily Ferraro
Emily is a NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor who earned her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University at Albany in 2011. She has a broad range of experience working with children, families, couples, and adults. Through client-centered, behavioral, and solution-focused therapies, Emily counsels patients on how to handle critical life issues and work toward achieving their goals. Her approach to counseling reflects her passion for helping individuals discover their own personal strength and life path.
Daphne Denis
LMHC
Daphne Denis
Daphne Denis is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with a New York State Counseling certification and a doctorate in Special Education from the National University. With 10 years of experience, she specializes in working with adults, children, youths, and families. Her areas of expertise include adjustment issues, anxiety, depression, trauma, and school issues. Daphne supports clients in exploring past coping techniques and/or creating new approaches to coping by using therapeutic interventions and symptom management. She engages in leisure activities by fostering connections with underrepresented youth and providing a secure space for their narrative expression.
Brenda Gausby
LMHC, ICOGS, CASAC-T
Brenda Gausby
Brenda received her Master’s in Counseling and Community Psychology from the Sage Colleges in Albany. Her specialties include depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, mindfulness and goal-oriented interventions and she works with adults, adolescents, couples and facilitates therapeutic groups. Brenda blends interventions from cognitive behavioral, solution focused and positive psychology theoretical perspectives and delivers services telephonically and in face-to-face sessions.
Brenda is a Disaster Mental Health volunteer with American Red Cross.
