Our Staff
Meet Our Staff
The clinical team at Wholeview Wellness® is a group of expert addiction psychologists who are passionate about their work and about using the most effective treatments for substance use disorders. We have an unwavering commitment to the use of research supported treatment techniques and we use them to support patients as they strive towards their goals.
Sarah Church, Ph.D.
Founder and Executive Director, Wholeview Wellness® Centers
Dr. Church, the founder and executive director of Wholeview Wellness®, is a clinical psychologist who has more than 20 years of experience in research, program development and treatment of patients with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. She is an expert in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) and Contingency Management.
Amy J. Colley, Ph.D.
Psychologist
Dr. Amy J. Colley is a New York State licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years experience working in the field of addiction. She graduated with a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University after completing an MA in Italian from Middlebury College and a BA in French from Northwestern University.
Jeane Rajacic-Poppe, Ph.D.
Psychologist
Dr. Jeane Rajacic-Poppe is a licensed clinical health psychologist (NY & NJ) with over 20 years of experience providing psychological services, with a subspecialty in the treatment of substance use disorders. She has expertise in medication assisted treatment and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Jennifer L. Smith, Ph.D.
Psychologist
Dr. Smith is a clinical psychologist who has been working in addiction research and treatment for many years and is a national expert in Motivational Interviewing, she uses relaxation therapy, mindfulness and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in her practice.
Roger Chong, MBA, CPA
EVP of Operations and Business Development
Roger Chong has over 25 years of experience in Finance and Operations. He completed his degree in Finance at Florida State University and his MBA at DePaul University. He has worked at large companies like Arthur Andersen, Universal Music Group, Virgin Records America, New Line Cinema, MTV and McCann World Group. He also has worked most recently in a start up at Sally Hershberger Professional Hair Care. He specializes in Financial Planning, Accounting, Budgeting, Operations and Special Projects.
William H. Gottdiener, Ph.D., ABPP, FIPA
Psychologist
Dr. Gottdiener is a clinical psychologist with over 30 years of clinical experience helping people with substance use disorders, which includes working in inpatient, outpatient, and private practice settings. His expertise is in the use of empirically supported psychodynamic therapy for people with substance use disorders.
Kamala Greene Génecé, Ph.D.
Psychologist
Dr. Génecé is a NY state licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience in the design and implementation of addiction treatment programs and the utilization of cognitive-behavioral techniques for the treatment of co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders.
James Benton, Ph.D.
Psychologist
Dr. Benton is a clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience. He specializes in the treatment of substance use disorders, with expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), medication assisted treatment, and chronic pain.
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Braden Josephson, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Psychologist
Dr. Braden Josephson is a New York State licensed clinical and school psychologist and doctoral level behavior analyst (BCBA-D) with over 25 years of experience. He has expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples, Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT), Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and providing assessment, parent training, case supervision and therapy for individuals with both addiction and autism and their families.
Jared Morgenstern, DSW
Clinician
Dr. Jared Morgenstern, obtained his doctorate in social work at the University of Pennsylvania where his research focused on the examination of ambivalence in clinical relationships and its impact on patient outcomes. He received his MA in Social Work from The Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, and his BA in Psychology from SUNY Geneseo.
Carly Moskowitz, LMHC, CASAC
Program Director of Wholeview Direct
Carly Moskowitz is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). She is currently a doctoral student in the Mental Health Counseling program at Pace University. Carly graduated from Long Island University with a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Drug and Alcohol Abuse Studies from Iona College.
Jane Macky
Clinician
Jane Macky completed her Mental Health Counseling degree at the City College of New York, where her focus was on Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and recovery. She is certified in Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) and has dedicated the past 5 years to increasing access to CRAFT and working directly with family members impacted by addiction in both group and individual therapy. Jane has also conducted research proving the efficacy and outcomes of delivering CRAFT online.
Ashley Hall-Simmonds, Ph.D.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Dr. Hall-Simmonds is a postdoctoral fellow with a doctorate in clinical psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ. Her research interests focus on the area of positive psychology specifically focusing on the relationship between character strengths and clinical presentation among individuals with depression. She is trained in a range of evidence-based treatments that focuses on the amelioration of short-term and long-term effects of chronic substance-use. She has dedicated most of her career to the provision of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, and psychodynamic therapies. She completed her predoctoral internship at Mount Sinai Health Systems, where she worked at the Center for Intensive Treatment of Personality Disorders, Addiction Institute, and the Psychiatric Inpatient Unit.
Isaiah Sypher, Ph.D.
Psychologist
Dr. Isaiah Sypher is a licensed clinical psychologist with a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor and a BA in Psychology from Wesleyan University. His research explores links between race-based stress and substance use disorders, with a particular emphasis on community-based approaches. He completed his predoctoral internship at the Yale School of Medicine, providing services at the Substance Abuse Treatment Unit and Adult Community Mental Health programs within the Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC) and his postdoctoral fellowship with us at Wholeview.
Hima Reddy, Ph.D.
Psychologist
Dr. Reddy is a New York State licensed clinical psychologist with 10 years of experience in treatment and neuropsychological evaluation of a wide range of presentations. Practicing from a culturally sensitive and intersectional lens, she has extensive experience working with intergenerational transmission of trauma, sexual expression, gender identity, and neurodiversity.
Dr. Felipe Castillo, MD
Medical Director
Felipe Castillo, MD, received his undergraduate degree in biology from Cornell University in 2008. After graduating, he worked as a research coordinator at Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute. Prior to starting medical school at Tulane University, he received a Post baccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award at the NIH. After graduating medical school, he completed his adult psychiatry residency at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. He then completed an NIH T32 and ACGME Addiction Psychiatry fellowship at Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute with the Division on Substance Use Disorders, pursuing both his research and clinical interests in addiction.
Amy Trachter, Psy.D., Ph.D.
Psychologist
Dr. Amy Trachter, Psy.D., Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with both adolescents and adults struggling with a variety of psychological disorders including substance use issues, relationship, and marital problems, learning disabilities, and eating and weight difficulties.
Sara Levine-Rovner, PMHNP
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Sara Levine-Rovner, PMHNP is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a focus on Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). Sara has been working in the field of addiction since 2014, initially as a detox technician, then as a nurse, and now as a nurse practitioner. She graduated from Mount Saint Mary College with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and later obtained a Master of Science from New York University.
Rachel K. Levy, PhD
Psychologist
Dr. Rachel K. Levy is a New York State licensed clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience in the research and treatment of addictions, eating disorders, OCD, anxiety, and mood disorders. Dr. Levy is an expert in Motivational Interviewing, CBT, DBT, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, and Positive Psychology. She treats individuals, couples, and families.
Jacquolyn Chicaguala, MHC-LP
Mental Health Counselor
Jacquolyn Chicaguala, MHC-LP is a Mental Health Counselor with experience providing treatment to those with co-occurring mental health diagnoses and substance use disorders. She has worked in a variety of settings including, community treatment programs, school health programs and rescue missions. Her approach is person-centered and incorporates evidence-based practices from multiple modalities to provide multicultural competent care. Jacquolyn graduated from Pace University with a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling and from CUNY Brooklyn College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Sociology. She has been a member of PSI CHI Honor Society since 2020
Alexa Shelden, LMSW
Social Worker
Alexa Shelden is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with over 10 years of experience in the field. She graduated from Gettysburg College with a Bachelors degree in Sociology and shortly after received her master’s degree in social work from Fordham University with a focus in substance use treatment and counseling. By developing a strong therapeutic alliance with each patient, Alexa supports individuals to create healthier relationships with themselves and their environment. With a background in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Psychoeducation, and Mindfulness, Alexa helps patients to better understand their symptoms to foster empowerment and utilize the coping skills necessary for healing. Using a strengths based and solution focused perspective, Alexa allows patients to explore their mental health in a compassionate and welcoming environment that allows for complete freedom to work on challenges and establish goals.
Ally Grant, MSW
Therapist
Ally Grant graduated University Magna Cum Laude from American University with a BA in Public Health and received her MSW from New York University’s Silver School of Social Work where she focused her clinical practice and studies on the evaluation and treatment of substance use and co-occurring disorders. She uses an integrative approach, incorporating a variety of evidence-based modalities including Motivational Interviewing, DBT, CBT, and psychoeducation. She aims to provide a supportive and judgement-free space that encourages individuals to reflect, and forge change they wish to see in their lives. She has experience providing treatment in settings that offer EAP services, outpatient mental health care and substance use disorder treatment including medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
Tracy Gard, Ph.D.
Psychologist
Dr. Tracy Gard is a New York State licensed counseling psychologist with more than 20 years of experience leading and developing programs that provide evidence-based substance use and mental health treatment and services to individuals of all ages and their families. In her practice, she is experienced in using cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, contingency management, and medication assisted treatment. Within her practice she focuses on antiracist work, integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into program policies and procedures and clinical care models, to improve clinical outcomes. She has worked in hospitals and non-profit organizations and has significant experience working in Opioid Treatment Programs.
Pam Segura
Mental Health Extern
Pam Segura is a psychology graduate student at the New School for Social Research (NSSR) where she is pursuing a concentration in Substance Use and Mental Health Counseling. Her clinical and research interests are focused on racial trauma, suicidal behaviors, substance use disorders, and teacher wellness. She also has experience facilitating meditation and mindfulness interventions. Pam received a two-year research fellowship for addiction research through CUNY, Columbia University, and Rutgers University called the TRACC Fellowship. This fellowship provides training for early career researchers to develop their skills in addiction research. Before joining NSSR, Pam taught as a community educator and NYC public school teacher for eight years where she was a member of New York Collective of Radical Educators (NYCoRE), a volunteer-run group of teachers, administrators, social workers, and professors who developed and implemented strategies to improve students’ and teachers’ experiences of public education in New York City. Pam is a native Spanish speaker and enjoys providing care in both English and Spanish.
Alma Erickson
Mental Health Extern
Alma Erickson received a BS from UCLA where she studied psychobiology and she is currently working on her master’s degree in psychology at the New School for Social Research (NSSR), with a concentration in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling. She has been involved with the Center for Attachment Research at the New School for two years, which among other things, focuses on the role of Mentalization and Reflective Functioning in mental health treatment. She is working on developing her own therapeutic focus based in evidence-based approaches.
Hrafn Óli Siggurdson, PhD, RN, NP, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Hrafn Óli Siggurdson completed a MS degree as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Health, a post-masters certificate in Nursing Education (1991), and a PhD (1999) at Adelphi University, Garden City, NY. He completed an Advanced Graduate Certificate as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner from Hunter College (2011). He has additionally completed post-graduate training in psychoanalytic individual psychotherapy (2008), group therapy (2014), and supervision (2023) from the Training Institute for Mental Health; rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) (2012) from the Albert Ellis Institute; and integrative harm reduction psychotherapy (2018) with Dr. Andrew Tatarsky at the Center for Optimal Living. He has also studied CRAFT and IFS therapies.
Shannon Gunter, LCSW
Therapist
Shannon is a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) specializing in treating substance use disorders, behavioral addictions, and trauma. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Shannon moved to upstate New York as a young adult to attend Skidmore College where she received a B.S. in Dance and Social Work. She received her MSW in Advanced Generalist Practice and Programming from Columbia University in 2018 where she was awarded the Linda and Peter Hoffman Writing Award. Her MSW field practicum took place at the domestic violence agency Sanctuary for Families. Shannon’s career in treating substance use began while working at an OASAS facility in rural upstate NY; she became interested in how people are quick to turn to ineffective coping skills to self-medicate, often because it’s the best way they know how. Here, Shannon decided to dedicate her career to anti-racist, trauma-informed clinical work, inspired by the individuals she met. Since then, Shannon has worked in intensive outpatient and outpatient levels of care in NYC. Shannon is formally trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) for trauma and has additional training in Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) from Behavioral Tech, and the Gottman Method for couples therapy. Shannon is always eager to learn new and improved evidence-based interventions to help heal people stuck in pain, heartache, and grief.
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