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, LMHC

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, LMHC

Bilingual 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.

Jill graduated from Long Island University-C.W. Post with both her undergraduate degree in Psychology as well as her Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She was also president of the LIU Post chapter of Psi Chi- the International Honor Society of Psychology as well as a member of Chi Sigma Iota- the International Honor Society for Counseling.

Alexis Chapman, MHC-LP

Psychotherapist
Alexis is a dedicated and compassionate psychotherapist with a passion for helping individuals, couples, and groups overcome life obstacles and achieve emotional well-being. With Alexis, you will find a supportive, private, and nonjudgmental space to unravel the conflicts in your life and in your mind, your emotions and actions, and uncover new possibilities for your future. Above all, you will be met with empathy and acceptance, while exploring your past and current experiences, the layers of your identity, and your relationship with yourself, others, and the world.

Alexis believes in adapting a variety of psychodynamic, person-centered, and emotion-focused modalities to support the unique needs of her clients, using techniques in mindfulness, self-psychology, and empowerment. With her, you will work collaboratively to define and accomplish your goals of emotional and mental wellness.

Alexis received her MA in Mental Health Counseling from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology and was the 2023 recipient of the Early Career Promise in the Field of Mental Health Counseling Award.