Providers at East Quaker
Krista Ford, Psy.D.
Contact: (716) 539-9232 ext. 1102
Dr. Krista Ford has spent over 25 years conducting psychological and educational evaluations for children and adolescents experiencing educational and/or behavioral difficulties such as ADHD, PTSD, adjustment disorders, anxiety, depression, Autism, Dyslexia, and other non-verbal learning disorders. She specializes in working with children and families overcoming adversity related to trauma, grief, divorce, parenting difficulties, and other life adjustment issues. Dr. Ford has extensive experience educating and assisting children in understanding their own mental health and educational challenges. She utilizes a strength based but eclectic approach to treatment drawing from her training in play therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, solution focused therapy, and mindfulness. Dr. Ford follows research based practice guidelines. She received her master’s degree in school psychology from Queens College, and her doctoral degree in School Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ.
Kathryn Sanborn, Ph.D.
Contact: (716) 539-9232 ext. 1101
Dr. Kate is a Licensed Psychologist specializing in assessments and the treatment of preschoolers, children, adolescents, young adults, and families. She successfully treats issues including disruptive behavior disorders (ADHD, ODD), anxiety related issues (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, OCD, Specific Phobias), and mood disorders (depression, Bipolar Disorder). She also excels at working with
children and families who are experiencing life transitions such as separation, divorce, re-location, re-marriage, family blending and death, as well as college students who are experiencing adjustment issues. She often works with parents providing support, education,
and consultation. Dr. Sanborn has additional experience working
with adults with depression, anxiety, trauma, and adjustment issues.
Dr. Sanborn uses a primarily cognitive-behavioral approach with influences from various treatment modalities including family systems theory, play therapy, and relational theory. She believes that in addition to an evidenced based treatment modality, a warm, caring approach to the therapeutic relationship is the foundation to successful treatment. Dr. Sanborn also believes that her personal faith provides an ability to show others unconditional acceptance and support when helping them with their specific issues.
In addition to working in the private practice setting since 2008, Dr. Sanborn has worked in various treatment settings including public schools, day treatment schools, inpatient mental health, and residential treatment facilities. She has also taught as an adjunct instructor at several local colleges including Canisius College and SUNY at Buffalo. She believes that communicating and coordinating care with other professionals such as pediatricians/family doctors, school social workes/counselors, psychiatrists and other helpers is necessary in providing good treatment outcomes.
Dr. Sanborn graduated with a BA in Psychology from Taylor University in 2000. She completed her academic career at the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY at Buffalo) where she received her Ph.D. in Counseling/School Psychology in 2005. She proudly lives in the Buffalo Southtowns with her husband and five children.
Lorraine Perry, Ph.D.
Contact: (716) 539-9232 ext. 1105
Dr. Lorraine Perry is a Licensed Psychologist and Certified School Psychologist who specializes in working with children and families through behavioral, academic, and emotional difficulties. She also has extensive experience in conducting psychological assessments, creating and implementing academic and behavioral interventions, and engaging in consultation with schools and families. Dr. Perry has worked in a variety of settings including a psychological health center, therapeutic preschool, hospital, and public schools. In therapy, she utilizes evidence-based practices stemming from cognitive-behavioral, family-systems, and relational approaches. Additional areas of interest include the impact of children's relationships with teachers on their school functioning as well as building resilience in children and families to assist in successfully navigating life's transitions.
Dr. Perry completed her BA in Psychology at Cornell University in 2004 and received her Ph.D. in School Psychology from Syracuse University in 2009.
Darcy Ferrentino, LCSW-R, AAT
Contact: dferrentino@eastquaker.com / (716) 539-9232 ext. 1107
Darcy Ferrentino is a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, young adults and families who are dealing with anxiety, depression, bipolar, family conflicts, relationship issues, and eating disorders. Darcy specializes in assessing and treating eating disorders and emotional eating. Darcy uses an eclectic approach of strengths-based, emotion-focused therapies as well as both CBT and DBT skill building to address challenges and teach new skills to better manage symptoms. Darcy is trained in and uses the Maudsley approach which is a family based approach for treating eating disorders in children and adolescents.
Darcy’s experience includes managing the adolescent intensive outpatient program at Four Winds Hospital, in Saratoga Springs, NY for 8 years before moving to Denver, Colorado. In Denver, Darcy further developed her specialty in working with eating disorders by working at both the Eating Disorder Center of Denver and then Denver Children’s hospital providing assessment and treatment for adolescents and young adults at all levels of care.
In 2015, Darcy moved back to her hometown of Buffalo, NY to be with family. She worked at Horizon Health Services as the mental health program director of the Orchard Park clinic for three years before branching out into her own full time private practice in August of 2018. Darcy uses therapy dogs in her practice and is certified in animal-assisted therapy through Denver University.
Nicole Shea, Ph.D.
Contact: nshea@eastquaker.com / (716) 539-9232 ext. 1106
Dr. Nicole Shea is a Licensed Psychologist who specializes in treatment of children, adolescents, and young-adults as well as conducting assessments. She has experience treating anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, OCD), depression, and adjustment disorders (adjusting to new medical diagnoses, transition to college, transition to adulthood). Dr. Shea has particular expertise in working with children and adults’ chronic illnesses, as well as helping parents and children cope during a parent’s illness, such as cancer. She uses a primarily cognitive-behavioral approach with influences from various treatment modalities including acceptance and commitment therapy. In addition to working in private practice, Dr. Shea is a Psychologist at The Children’s Psychiatry Clinic at Oishei Children's Hospital.
Dr. Shea received her BA in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame and received her Ph.D. in School Psychology from Syracuse University. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at The Children’s Institute in Pittsburgh and her post-doctoral fellowship at UBMD Pediatrics/UBMD Internal Medicine.
Brittany Palermo, LCSW-R
Contact: bpalermo@eastquaker.com / (716) 539-9232 ext. 1103
Brittany is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW-R) with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in social work from the University at Buffalo. She has been in the field for 15 years and is currently offering in-person therapy services to adults and couples.
Brittany has experience in treating trauma related disorders, particularly with survivors of sexual abuse, sexual assault, and their families. She also has experience with treating depression, anxiety, suicidal behaviors, self-harm, and adjusted related issues including grief and loss, parenting, divorce, and more. Brittany has also worked previously supervising and training therapists and in
systems of trauma-informed care. Brittany is Level 2 trained in
the Gottman Method for couples’ therapy and received training
in Dialectical Behavior Therapy by the Linehan Institute.
Brittany describes herself as having a down-to-earth nature, sense
of humor, and personable demeanor. She has an eclectic approach, utilizing behavioral approaches including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and real-life experience. Brittany also has years of experience facilitating Critical Incident Stress Management to individuals, groups, families, and businesses impacted by
traumatic events.
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Brittany is currently participating with Independent Health, Univera, and Highmark WNY.
Maggie Finnegan, LCSW-R
Contact: mfinnegan@eastquaker.com / (716) 539-9232 ext. 1108
Maggie is a licensed clinical social worker who has experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults. Maggie graduated with her Master of Social Work Degree from the University at Buffalo in 2018. She is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and started her career working on a comprehensive adolescent DBT team. While on the DBT team, she gained experience treating individuals with anxiety, depression, and high-risk behaviors. Maggie has experience leading multi-family therapy groups, providing family counseling, and being on-call for crisis management. She also has experience working at the Child Advocacy Center in Buffalo with victims of sexual abuse and their families. In addition to her private practice work, Maggie is a full-time school social worker in a neighboring district. Maggie is a firm believer in evidence-based treatments such as DBT, CBT, and TF-CBT and utilizes them daily in her work.
Jillian Dagastino, LMHC
Contact: jdagastino@eastquaker.com / (716) 539-9232 ext. 1104
Jillian Dagastino is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 14 years of clinical experience working with adults. Jillian is certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Neuropsychotherapy. She is also registered in Brainspotting. She has extensive training and experience in treating trauma, anxiety and depression.
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Jillian has spent most of her career working in agency clinical settings as a clinician and Program Director before devoting her time to private practice. She utilizes evidence-based practices stemming from cognitive-behavioral, dialectical behavioral and schema therapy. She is also a registered Brainspotting therapist. Brainspotting is a psychotherapy technique that attempts to help people process trauma or other problems via eye movements. She believes in using a trauma informed, holistic approach to help build an understanding of the mind and body connection and will integrate interventions tailored to the individual.
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Jillian completed her BA in Psychology at the University at Buffalo in 2005 followed by her Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Canisius College in 2010. She was born and raised in the Buffalo area where she currently resides with her husband, 2 children and their dog.
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She does accept several insurances including Aetna, Cigna, United as well as private pay. She can provide an invoice to private pay clients to potentially receive out of network reimbursement. Jillian also offers free 15-minute consultations.
Gabriel Birkby, LMHC
Contact: gbirkby@eastquaker.com / (716) 539-9232
Gabriel is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor that has experience working with people struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, and more. Having graduated from the University at Buffalo with an M.S. in counseling in 2022, Gabriel has worked with people of all ages, and has provided services in hospitals, family support centers, community mental health clinics, and residential facilities. Gabriel works from a cognitive behavioral background, providing interventions that assist in managing emotional distress, forming and maintaining positive relationships, and addressing phobias. As a trained EMDR therapist, Gabriel is also able to help with resolving trauma. Having worked with a myriad of individuals, Gabriel is ready to help you address your issues, heal, grow, and maintain your positive life changes.