TCS NYC MarathonFive runners are taking on 26.2 miles for Positive Directions on Sunday 1 November 2026.Support the team

Meet the Team

Counselors, prescribers, prevention specialists, and peer supporters. Our staff are caring, competent, and effective.

Important: Crisis Support Information

We are an outpatient clinic operating during set business hours. If you need immediate mental health support, call or text 988 or dial 2-1-1, option 1. If you or someone is in immediate physical danger, call 911.

Leadership Team

photo of Kim Dibella Farber, executive director of Positive Directions

Kim DiBella-Farber

Executive Director

| LMSW

Margaret Watt, Prevention Director at Positive Directions

Margaret Watt

Prevention Director

| MPH, MA

Melanie DeLapp, Clinical Director at Positive Directions

Melanie DeLapp

Clinical Director

| MS, LMFT

Clinical Team

Aisha Abdel, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate at Positive Directions

Aisha Abdel

Lic. Professional Counselor Assoc.

| MA, LPCA

Tava Auslan, Clinical Intern at Positive Directions

Tava Auslan

Post-Graduate Counselor

| BA, M.Ed.

Leslie Corrigan, Clinical Intern at Positive Directions

Leslie Corrigan

Lic. Professional Counselor Assoc. MA, LPCA

| BA

Hayley D'Amico, Marriage and Family Therapist Associate at Positive Directions

Hayley D'Amico

Lic. Marriage & Family Therapist Assoc.

Julia Daly, Clinical Intern at Positive Directions

Julia Daly

Clinical Intern

| BS

Jessica Dassori, Licensed Professional Counselor at Positive Directions

Jessica Dassori

Lic. Professional Counselor

| MA, NCC, LPC

Deirdre Ekholdt

Deirdre Ekholdt

Lic. Clinical Social Worker

| MSW, LCSW

Mohamed Elsamra

Mohamed Elsamra

Medical Director

| MD

Araceli Escamilla, Licensed Professional Counselor at Positive Directions

Araceli Escamilla

Lic. Professional Counselor

| MA, LPC

Karen Krupnik, Licensed Professional Counselor at Positive Directions

Karen Krupnik

Lic. Professional Counselor

| MS, LPC

Lori Lang

Lori Lang

Lic. Advanced Practice Reg. Nurse

| APRN

Ryan McGough

Ryan McGough

Lic. Professional Counselor Assoc.

| MA, LPCA

Nicole Merlo-White

Nicole Merlo-White

Lic. Marriage & Family Therapist

| MA, LMFT

Nikoletta Moschidi

Nikoletta Moschidi

Clinical Intern

| MFA

Sarafina Ndzi, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate at Positive Directions

Sarafina Ndzi

Lic. Professional Counselor Assoc.

| MA, LPCA

Stephen Osika, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate at Positive Directions

Stephen Osika

Lic. Professional Counselor Assoc.

| MA, LPCA

Destiny Sammut, Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Positive Directions

Destiny Sammut

Lic. Clinical Social Worker

| LCSW

Bob Vietro, Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor at Positive Directions

Bob Vietro

Lic. Alcohol & Drug Counselor

| MS, LADC, ICGCII

Ethan Wattley, Licensed Professional Counselor at Positive Directions

Ethan Wattley

Lic. Professional Counselor

| MA, LPC

Prevention and Peer Support Team

Vivian Balazs, Intern, The Norwalk Partnership at Positive Directions

Vivian Balazs

Intern, The Norwalk Partnership

Teraya Broaden, SMART Recovery Groups Facilitator at Positive Directions

Teraya Broaden

SMART Recovery Groups Facilitator

Timothy Cohen, Intern, The Norwalk Partnership at Positive Directions

Timothy Cohen

Intern, The Norwalk Partnership

Ryan Demato Headshot

Ryan DeMato

TNP Coalition Coordinator

| MA, MPH

Jules Garcia, Peer Support Specialist at Positive Directions

Jules Garcia

Peer Support Specialist

| RSS

Francesca Guerrier

Francesca Guerrier

Manager, Mid-Fairfield Cannabis Project

| MPH

Quinn Jannetty, Manager, CT Support Group Project at Positive Directions

Quinn Jannetty

Manager, CT Support Group Project

| RSS

Jen Lord

Jen Lord

Recovery Coach & Alt2Su Facilitator

Therell Mayes

Therell Mayes

Social Media Lead, CT Support Group

Rylie Peterson

Rylie Peterson

Intern, The Norwalk Partnership

Administrative Team

Kimberly Falconer, Billing Specialist at Positive Directions

Kimberly Falconer

Billing Specialist

Ashley Gonçalves, Office Administrator & Clinic Coordinator at Positive Directions

Ashley Gonçalves

Office Administrator & Clinic Coordinator

| BA

Board of Directors

Officers

  • Mercedes Escala, President
  • Jessica Branson, Vice President
  • Tom Green, Treasurer
  • Suzanne Hermus, Secretary

Members

  • Amanda Benedetto
  • Robin Chung
  • Kate DeAngelis
  • Jodi Gonzalez
  • Melissa Ialeggio
  • Kristin Kreuder
  • Tiffany Loomer

Advisory Council

  • Lynn Abramson
  • Casey Berg
  • Lee Bollert
  • Gail Kelly
  • Jeff Wieser

Want to work with us?

We are growing. See open positions and volunteer roles.

Get in touch

Reach out for counseling, peer support, prevention work, or to talk about partnership.

Check out our Events page for upcoming trainings and events. See our News & Resources page for free supports, resources, and more.

Important: Crisis Support Information

Our outpatient clinic operates during set business hours. If you need immediate mental health support, call or text 988 or dial 2-1-1, option 1. If you or someone else is in immediate physical danger, call 911.