When talking about art as therapy, it can be difficult to conceptualize the idea if not versed in the medium. For most of us, our core memories of using art lie with school or play, a sense of long lost childhood that may appear forgotten, intangible. As adults, the...
Springfield Office Therapists
Our licensed professionals bring with them deep clinical experience and a wealth of knowledge from their prior therapeutic settings. Please scroll down to learn more about each therapist. Most therapists offer virtual as well as in-person sessions.
Alexia Arntz, LCSW
Clinical Supervisor
Alexia Arntz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her Master’s Degree from Kean University. With a background and undergraduate degree in art, Ms. Arntz’s incorporates creativity and freedom of expression in treating clients struggling with depression, anxiety, and bereavement.
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Ms. Arntz also works with clients in managing stress, working through relationship and parenting issues, and improving communication skills. She provides psychotherapy for adults as well as children and adolescents, incorporating Solution-Focused therapies with Psychodynamic Theory. Her clinical experience includes supportive counseling and psychotherapy in nonprofit agencies and counseling centers, as well as facilitating grief support groups in hospital settings. Ms. Arntz is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the New Jersey Association of Women Therapists (NJAWT).
Kathleen Murphy, LPC, ACS
Clinical Practice Manager
Kathy Murphy is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of New Jersey and earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. She works with individuals in a warm, empathic, nonjudgmental manner to help those who are coping with difficult life circumstances,
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are burdened by negative thinking and low self-esteem, and who want to make changes that support living a happy and healthy life. Kathy also works with couples and families on relationship issues, life transitions, parenting, improving communication and connection, and managing emotional reactivity and conflict.
Kathy specializes in grief and loss related not only to death but also loss of identity that is often associated with divorce, empty nest, job transition, declining health, and estrangement. She is certified in Perinatal Mental Health, including pre- and postpartum mood disorders, infertility, and perinatal loss.
Kathy seeks to establish a therapeutic relationship built on trust, acceptance, collaboration, and empathy. She utilizes a Psychodynamic framework for therapy, incorporating Person-Centered, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Relational, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) modalities with a dynamic and client-led approach.
Kathy serves as the Clinical Practice Manager and therapist supervisor at IPG.
Grace Santangelo, LAC
Grace, a Licensed Associate Counselor, earned her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Montclair State University. She specializes in working with preteens, teens, and young adults, providing a safe and supportive space where clients can show up as they are—without judgment or pressure.
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Grace uses a person-centered approach, incorporating evidence-based therapies such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), tailoring each session to fit the unique needs of the individual. Her experience in Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) settings has allowed her to support individuals during some of their most difficult moments.
Grace works collaboratively to foster confidence and a sense of control in her clients on their journey. She believes that therapy isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about learning how to move forward, even when the path feels unclear. She maintains that life can often feel like navigating a dense forest—sometimes the path is clear, and other times, it’s easy to feel lost, unsure of which direction to take. With warmth, guidance, and the right tools, she helps individuals find their way through life’s challenges.
Sara Stever, LAC, LCADC, LPAT
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Sara is a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor, a Licensed Associate Counselor and a Licensed Professional Art Therapist. She received her Master’s degree in Creative Art Therapy Counseling from Hofstra University. Prior to working at IPG, Sara worked in an outpatient substance use and mental health treatment program providing individual and group therapy.
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She has also worked in hospital settings on both detox and inpatient psychiatric units. Currently, Sara treats adults and teens utilizing an eclectic approach involving techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), creative art therapies and mindfulness. She believes in the importance of the therapeutic relationship with the client and working together to build healthy coping skills to manage life’s struggles.
Carolyn Buoscio, LSW
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Carolyn Buoscio is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the State of New Jersey who earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California. Carolyn primarily works with adults, adolescents and couples. She believes the quality of the therapist-client alliance is the most important factor in therapeutic outcome.
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She offers an empathic, non-judgmental, culturally sensitive and strengths-based approach so that the client feels accepted while building rapport and connection, which leads to improved self-confidence and increased motivation to gain greater agency over one’s life. Carolyn treats a range of challenges, such as anxiety, depression, mood dysregulation, OCD, ADHD, eating disorders, and life transitions. Some of the treatment approaches Carolyn utilizes include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Trauma Informed Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Mindfulness. While these and other treatment modalities are frequently utilized, Carolyn believes in the uniqueness of every individual, so treatment plans are customized and refined as needed throughout the therapeutic journey.
Robbie Juste, LSW
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Robbie Juste is a Licensed Social Worker who graduated with a Master of Social Work from New York University. Prior to joining IPG, Robbie worked in various settings providing individual, group, family, couples, and crisis support. She enjoys working with various age groups as well as providing gender affirming care for the LGBTQ+ population and support for transitional challenges.
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She is very passionate and dedicated to working with individuals who have experienced trauma, severe mental health issues, difficulties with life transitions, substance abuse/recovery, as well as anxiety, depression, mood disorders, stress management and unresolved issues in their lives. Robbie uses various therapeutic approaches such as CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), Strengths-based, Gestalt therapy, Solution focused, mindfulness, and trauma informed therapy. Each client is unique, and Robbie prioritizes building a strong working relationship with each client while providing a positive and safe space for the client to express themselves.
Anna Gonnello, LCSW
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Anna Gonnello is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned her master’s degree in social work from New York University’s Silver School of Social Work. She worked in various therapeutic settings for over a decade with extensive experience in school-based social work prior to joining IPG.
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Anna utilizes modalities such as person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, positive psychology and solution focused brief therapy. Anna maintains a humanistic and strengths-based approach to therapy as she is a firm believer that no matter how grim one’s current circumstance or present outlook on life, each individual has an inner light, power and strength that they can call upon to better their lives. She believes profound change and personal healing is possible when provided with a safe, non-judgmental environment. In her work, Anna strives to create a safe space where her clients can be heard and validated in order to allow supportive, collaborative healing to take place. Anna works with teens and adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, stress, relationship issues, family issues, women’s issues and maternal mental health (training obtained through Postpartum Support International). She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers – National and New Jersey Chapters and the New Jersey Association of Women Therapists.
Chaya Kohn, LSW
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Chaya Kohn is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) who earned her Master’s in Social Work from Yeshiva University. She specializes in working with children, teenagers, and adults facing challenges such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, self-esteem issues, separation anxiety, and chronic illness.
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Prior to joining IPG, she worked with individuals and families at a Family Service Bureau, primarily focusing on children, teenagers, and young adults. Chaya employs a variety of evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques and family therapy, tailoring her methods to suit each individual’s unique needs. With a commitment to fostering a safe, non-judgmental, and accepting environment, Chaya encourages collaboration in working towards therapy goals. She places great value on feedback from each person, using it to nurture the therapeutic relationship and personalize the treatment approach accordingly.
Cynthia Velasquez, LAMFT
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Cynthia Velasquez is a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who received her Masters in Psychology from Kean University. Cynthia works with individuals and families who struggle with a variety of issues related to depression, anxiety, high risk behavior, addiction, trauma, and grief.
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Prior to joining IPG, she worked as a clinician and group coordinator at High Focus Centers’ Partial Hospital and Intensive Outpatient Programs, helping adolescents and adults learn coping skills, grounding techniques, and effective communications skills to manage their symptoms before they could move to a lower risk treatment environment. Cynthia is a compassionate and engaging therapist who strives to provide the highest quality treatment which empowers individuals to achieve their utmost potential.
Recent Blog Posts
Read what some of our therapists have been thinking about…
Social Media’s Effects on Mental Health Stigma
As part of my senior project this semester at Muhlenberg College, I had the opportunity to investigate social media’s effect on mental health stigma (understood as negative attitudes and biases towards people with mental illness and/or those in treatment). My research...
How and Why Group Therapy Works
Efficacy of Group Therapy I https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/11/power According to the American Psychological Association (APA), recent research suggests that group therapy works as well as individual therapy. Group therapy helps people heal as it allows people to...
To Schedule An Appointment
If you are interested in scheduling an appointment, fill out our Appointment Request form. We will work together to set you up with the right therapist at a time that works for you.