About Crespo Mental Health

Raquel A. Crespo, LMHC – Founder of Crespo Mental Health

Director & Bilingual Psychotherapist

Raquel Crespo, MA, LMHC, is the founder of Crespo Mental Health. Crespo Mental Health was created to be a safe place for individuals of all ages and all walks of life to bring their struggles, challenges, worries, and fears to caring professionals who embrace, accept, and partner with them in their journey toward better mental health.

Raquel earned her MA in Mental Health Counseling at Yeshiva University’s Graduate School of Psychology and her BA in Psychology at St. John’s University. She is a bilingual psychotherapist who has dedicated her counseling career to working with individuals, children, adolescents, couples, and families in a variety of direct service and administrative roles. Through the use of her education, experience and supportive psychotherapy techniques, Raquel is able to tailor her therapeutic work to focus on the strengths and needs of each client.

In addition to her work in private practice, Raquel is an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor for Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology of Yeshiva University educating the future counselors of tomorrow.

Raquel’s professional experience includes working as Clinical Coordinator for JBFCS, Preventive Services Case Planner, and Adult Literacy Therapist at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She is a member of the New York Mental Health Counselors Association. Before commencing her counseling career, Raquel was involved in educating adults and children with developmental disabilities.

Stacy Cesar, MHC-LP

Psychotherapist

Stacy Cesar is a Mental Health Counselor  with experience in individual, family, couples and group therapy. She has worked in various settings with individuals of different ages, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Stacy has experience working with clients dealing with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, family conflict, criminal history and more. Stacy uses an eclectic therapeutic approach to meet the needs and desire of her clients. Stacy strongly believes in meeting clients “where they are” and believes in using a variety of techniques and modalities based on the need of the client.

Stacy believes in working collaboratively with clients throughout their course of treatment in order to address their needs in a way that is personal and fitting to the challenges they are facing. Stacy strives to create an environment for her clients that is warm, welcoming and safe in order for clients to feel comfortable being their true self.

Stacy received a Masters of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Nyack College Alliance Graduate School of Counseling in New York and a Bachelors of Science degree at Mercy College, where she studied Psychology.

Laura Herrera Torres, MHC-LP

Psychotherapist

Laura Herrera Torres graduated with honors from Queens College, where she obtained her Master’s degree (M.S.) in Mental Health Counseling. As the 2020 recipient of the Jesse Vazquez Multicultural Counseling Award, Herrera Torres provides culturally-informed psychotherapy to clients of all racial, ethnic, and sexual identities. In the years prior to working at Crespo Mental Health, Laura conducted neuropsychological research regarding biomarkers of risky decision making and substance use disorder in young adults. Her findings later informed her work providing individual and group psychotherapy to clients in recovery who suffered from depression and anxiety. Laura uses an eclectic approach, borrowing from multiple therapeutic frameworks including Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy, in order to tailor sessions to each client’s individual needs.

Gabriella Mataev, MHC-LP

Psychotherapist

Gabriella is a mental health counselor with expertise knowledge in individual, family, couples and group therapy. She has experience working with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse/recovery, family/marital issues and more. She is a trilingual psychotherapist speaking English, Russian and Hebrew.

Gabriella uses a unique approach borrowing from multiple therapeutic frameworks including Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic Therapy; in order to best suit the client’s therapeutical needs.

Gabriella Mataev graduated with honors from Cambridge College where she obtained her Master’s degree (M.S.) in Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelors of Science degree (B.S.) at Wheelock College, where she studied Counseling Psychology.

Jill Borowski, MHC-LP

Psychotherapist

Ms. Jill Borowski is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor who has professional experience working with individuals, families, couples, and groups of diverse populations. She has experience working with depression, anxiety, trauma, and many more. Her goal is to provide tools and assistance to allow clients to learn healthy ways to assist themselves when coping with difficult situations . Jill believes that therapists aid clients in learning positive skills and behaviors to implement in times of distress.

Jill’s counseling approach is integrative including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Person Centered, and Humanistic Therapy. Jill also incorporates Mindfulness techniques to help clients explore self reflection. She believes that the therapist and client are equals and that this is essential in the flourishing of the therapeutic relationship . She strives to create a safe space where individuals can freely express their thoughts , emotions , and everything in-between.

Tanisha Cruz

Psychotherapist Student Intern

Tanisha Cruz is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at Northwestern University. She has completed her undergraduate studies with a B.A. in Psychology at Medgar Evers College. Tanisha has always wanted to help individuals but became more passionate when she experienced her own trials and tribulations when seeking therapy and was looked over. Having that experience and a strong desire to help others is what empowers her to pursue her career in mental health counseling. She wants to help individuals regain control of their lives by promoting wellness, growth and empowerment, without having to experience being looked over, going without care, or feeling like they are being ignored. She wants to help individuals to realize their goals through the use of appropriate diagnosis, assessments, and a variety of counseling services. Once Tanisha graduates and has become licensed she would like to continue to work in a private practice and have a nonprofit organization to help those individuals that are struggling to find counseling.

Talia Seder

Psychotherapist Student Intern

Talia Seder is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Northwestern University. She has a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania where she majored in Sociology and Quantitative Methods with a minor in Nutrition. While in college, Talia volunteered as a wellness peer counselor for college students and after graduating, worked for a major e-commerce retail company. Her experiences have motivated her to help others cope with job pressure, stress, body image and anxiety. Talia is excited to help her clients achieve their goals.