Tara L. Benincasa, owner of Lotus Integrative Mental Health Counseling, is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor with Diagnostic Privilege. Tara provides individual counseling for children (ages 10 and above), adolescents, and adults. She has a specialty in working with people of all ages who have endured trauma, including sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, as well as children and adolescents who have engaged in sexually acting out behaviors. She also works with people who are struggling with depression and anxiety, teen and women’s issues.

Tara is also a Headstrong Project Clinical Partner. The Headstrong Project is a nonprofit organization in NYC that provides cost-free, bureaucracy-free & confidential mental health services to post 9/11 veterans and military service members suffering from PTSD, depression & anxiety, substance abuse, as well as survivors of military sexual trauma. For more information, visit getheadstrong.org.

Tara L. Benincasa, owner of Lotus Integrative Mental Health Counseling, is a New York State Licen... Read More

Lauren Longtoe grew up in Saugerties, New York. She began her career in service as a Youth Advocate for Youth Advocate Programs in Ulster County. She graduated from Marist College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in business.

Lauren recently attained a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Capella University and passed the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam. She completed her pre-licensure hours at Capital Psychology in Schenectady, New York, under the supervision of Tara Benincasa, LMHC-D, TCTSY-F. During her time at Capella, she was inducted into the Chi Upsilon Chi Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, a Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International, in recognition of her scholastic and professional excellence and for furthering the mission of Promoting Excellence in the Profession of Counseling and Counselor Education.

Currently, Lauren is working toward completing the 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience in mental health counseling required for full licensure as a mental health counselor in New York State. She is a member of the American Mental Health Counselors Association.

Lauren Longtoe grew up in Saugerties, New York. She began her career in service as a Youth Advoca... Read More

Mikaela Secore grew up in Palenville, New York, and began her career in human services as a Care Manager with Northern Rivers, supporting children and families. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Creative Arts Therapy from Russell Sage College, where she also served as President of the Creative Arts Therapy Club.

After graduation, Mikaela relocated to Glenville, New York, and later earned her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. During her graduate training, she completed her internship at Capital Psychology in Schenectady, New York, under the supervision of Tara Benincasa, LMHC-D, TCTSY-F. While at Capella, Mikaela was inducted into the Chi Upsilon Chi Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, the international counseling honor society, in recognition of her academic achievement and professional excellence.

Mikaela is currently working toward completing the 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience required for full licensure as a Mental Health Counselor in New York State. She is also a member of the American Mental Health Counselors Association.

Mikaela Secore grew up in Palenville, New York, and began her career in human services as a Care ... Read More