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I work with individuals and people in monogamous and non-monogamous relationships, with the aim of helping them understand themselves and live in a way that feels authentic. My approach is focused on getting to the core of what keeps you feeling stuck, often looking at how the past continues to influence the present. The work can be challenging at times; however, it creates space for clarity, growth, and meaningful change.

My practice is rooted in person-centered, psychodynamic, and narrative therapy. I aim to be direct and thoughtful, creating a space where you can confront difficult truths while feeling supported. In relationship therapy, I help partners reset expectations and roles, develop their unique communication style, and build trust, leading to reconnecting with intimacy.

I hold a MA in Mental Health Counseling from New York University. Having moved countries multiple times, I am familiar with the stress and challenges of adjusting to new people and places while also carrying the grief of leaving friends, family, and pets behind. These experiences also taught me that while people come from different backgrounds, we can still bond over similarities or by exploring our differences.

In addition to English, I can also hold sessions in Czech and Slovak.

Everyone experiences, overwhelming stress, disturbing emotions and behaviors and of course conflict in their relationships. Therapy provides a safe space to address these concerns and look for ways to explore the nature and origin of these issues and find a way to help you understand and make changes.

Compassionate, caring, sensitive, inquisitive and empathetic listening is key to helping you find the answers to navigate through this path. Shealagh believes that every client has the ability and knowledge to find their own answers and existing strengths, that will allow them to improve how they feel about themselves, how they feel in their relationships as well in their wider social life and at work.

She received undergraduate and graduate degrees in clinical and neuropsychology from Oxford University in the UK and further training in therapy and counselling in New York at Columbia and Long Island University. Currently she is a Senior Psychotherapist and Clinical Consultant at the Soho Center.

She has extensive experience in helping her clients of all ages work through issues of anxiety, depression and relationship issues. Having worked for many years with children and families in crisis, she would also be available to work with couples and families experiencing difficulties in their relationships. She can help with parenting issues and work with pregnant or adoptive families, new parents and families struggling with children with learning disabilities and mental health issues.

She has also worked extensively in hospital and medical settings and would be available to do grief and bereavement work for anyone dealing with current illness themselves or in their family, as well as anyone struggling with the traumatic experiences of loss and death.

The therapeutic rapport built by careful and empathetic listening will allow you to build a relationship with your therapist and create a safe place that will allow for change in areas that are holding you back and acceptance of who you are. Her orientation is psychodynamic, and she will also use elements from CBT, Person- Centered and family system approaches.

Ultimately, she is a positive and optimistic person, who believes with the right support and the willingness to put in the hard work a more balanced and satisfying life can be achieved and she would like to help you find your place of acceptance- who you are- and comfort, success and positivity at whatever stage in life. At the Soho Center there is a whole team behind each therapist, so you are getting the benefit of a whole team supporting the person you are working with on your journey.

There are things in our lives that we have control over and other things in our lives that we do not control. Therapy offers the opportunity for us to change and find ways to cope with the things we cannot control. My approach in therapy is to do my best to understand who you are as an individual and help you recognize that you are the expert of your life. I will provide insight and structure to your feelings and experiences to help identify how you want to grow and we can collaboratively move toward that goal. My therapeutic process starts with a person-centered approach to build comfort and openness and integrates techniques and theories from psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and other approaches. 

I have training and experience with working with individuals from various backgrounds and cultures and understand the importance of not having your experiences feel dismissed. Whether your presenting concern is related to depression, anxiety, phobias, body image, relationship issues, trauma, or everyday stressors, we can work to identify the source of those feelings and create a plan for growth.

I completed my master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at The City College of New York. I also have a master’s degree in Psychology in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and a BS in Applied Psychology from New York University. I have worked with the Administration for Children’s Services and helped children, adolescents, and adults from many backgrounds navigate crisis situations, abuse, and family issues. I have also worked at a college counseling center, in individual and group formats, to help people navigate various life adjustments, balancing expectations, and struggles with identity.

My therapeutic style balances working collaboratively with clients while allowing them the space and support to work through whatever they bring to the session. I use an empathetic approach to connect with clients to build a trusting relationship and foster an environment of safety, warmth, and understanding.

  I use an eclectic lens of psychotherapy and draw on techniques from multiple theories including CBT, psychodynamic, person-centered, and positive psychology. I also understand that every individual is unique and therefore I rely on each client’s strengths and attributes to cater to their needs during sessions.   I have experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in various therapeutic settings. I provide psychotherapy services to clients of all ages and backgrounds and also conduct couples sessions. I work with clients attending therapy for an array of issues including anxiety, depression, personality disorders, relational issues, trauma, and stress. I strongly believe that everyone can benefit from therapy if they give themselves permission to do so. Starting with a new therapist can feel daunting or uncomfortable and in recognizing that, I provide a space that allows the client to have autonomy over their own mental health journey.

Every person has a story to tell. And every person’s story is unique. Sometimes sharing your story can feel overwhelming, intimidating and frightening. As your therapist, Margaret Castaldo offers a warm, welcoming space in which you can freely and safely reveal your present as well as your past—and craft your continuing story for the future.
Together, she will help you explore your individual narrative, unique experiences, challenges, relationships, thoughts, feelings and behaviors, to unpack issues that cause you difficulty and distress. Whether you’re grappling with the challenge of finding meaning and purpose, work-life issues, parenting, stress, anxiety or relationships, she endeavors to provide a supportive, authentic environment for you to explore your deeper self and opportunities for growth and healing.
Her approach is predominately drawn from psychodynamic theory in which insight is found through extended exploration, a process that slowly unravels longstanding patterns, thoughts, feelings and behaviors that may impede self- growth and discovery. Additionally, she is inspired by and draws understanding from her former work in the corporate creative space, the writing arts, volunteer teaching, as well as parenting.
She completed a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and Wellness at New York University. She also hold a Master’s degree in English and American Literature from New York University and a B.A. with honors in Political Science and English from the University of California, Irvine.
* Please note that we will try our best to accommodate any therapist requests, in the event that we are unable to do so please know that all staff have extensive clinical training.

The Soho Center for Mental Health Counseling

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The Soho Center for Mental Health Counseling provides high-quality and effective psychotherapeutic services in New York City. The staff offers each patient a unique and individualized treatment plan to give you the quickest and longest lasting results.

The Soho Center for Mental Health Counseling services children, teens, and adults in New York City. Their specialties include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Relational Therapy, Psychodyamic Therapy, Internal Family Systems, EMDR, and couple's counseling to name a few.

Anthony Freire, LMHC, NCC, CCMHC founded The Soho Center for Mental Health Counseling alongside Kelley Hershman, LMHC and Alexander Badillo, JD, LMHC  to better serve their clientele using a team approach. In search of the best, Anthony scouted postgrad therapists from the nation’s most prestigious schools including New York University, Columbia University, Fordham University and Hunter College.

Each clinician has undergone a rigorous training and hiring process. When you work with one of the therapists at our center, you are working with the best that New York has to offer.

The Soho Center for Mental Health Counseling was created as a safe and brave space for clients to confidentially work through issues that negatively impact their lives. All diverse groups are welcome.

The three clinical directors and many of our supervisors are also professors at New York University, teaching Mental Health Counseling to the next generation of therapists.   We serve as an clinical supervision center for pre-licensed and newly licensed professionals. This service helps support future clinicians in their professional development, further their clinical education, and increase their skill set.

The staff at The Soho Center for Mental Health Counseling is authentic, compassionate, and nonjudgmental. They cater to your unique needs while ensuring a first-rate quality of care.

Dr. Jane Persaud is a licensed psychologist at NYC Psychiatric Associates, specializing in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations for adults. She helps patients gain clarity around concerns such as ADHD, memory issues, and cognitive changes, using detailed testing to provide accurate diagnoses and clear next steps for treatment.

She takes a thoughtful, patient-centered approach and works closely with the care team to ensure her evaluations directly inform personalized treatment plans, including medication management and other services within the practice.

Dr. Persaud completed her doctoral training in clinical psychology at the University of Tennessee and also holds a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, along with a Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University.

At Heimberg Neuropsychology, we specialize in providing comprehensive neuropsychological and psychological assessments for a wide range of conditions. Led by Dr. Brandon F. Heimberg, a UCLA-trained and licensed clinical psychologist, our practice is dedicated to delivering thorough evaluations and personalized treatment plans. Whether you’re dealing with traumatic brain injuries, neurodevelopmental disorders, learning disabilities, or psychiatric conditions, we are here to offer expert and compassionate care. Dr. Heimberg’s extensive neuropsychology training includes an APA Division-40 neuropsychology internship at the VA Illiana Health Care System, advanced clinical practica, and a two-year fellowship at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine. He currently holds hospital privileges at the Motion Picture & Television Fund, ensuring the highest standards of care in neuropsychology.

Neil Altman, PhD, is a seasoned psychoanalytic psychotherapist at Harlem Family Services, located in the East Harlem community of Manhattan in New York City.

Dr. Altman has many years of experience in community-based work, in public clinics, and in private practice. He is currently co-chair of the section on Community Psychoanalysis of the American Psychoanalytic Association. He is a member of the faculty at the William Alanson White Institute in New York City and at the Massachusetts Institute for Psychoanalysis in Boston. He is an Honorary Member of the William Alanson White Society and Visiting Faculty at Ambedkar University of Delhi, India. 

Dr. Altman is Editor Emeritus and Associate Editor of Psychoanalytic Dialogues, and on the editorial staff of The Journal of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychotherapy; The Journal of Child Psychotherapy; and The International Journal of Applied Psychoanalytic Studies. He is the author of "Psychoanalysis in Times of Accelerating Cultural Change: Spiritual Globalization" (2015), "The Analyst in the Inner City: Race, Class and Culture through a Psychoanalytic Lens" (2010), and "White Privilege: Psychoanalytic Perspectives" (2020). He is the co-author of "Relational Child Psychotherapy" (2002). Dr. Altman has published more than sixty articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Ernest P. Smith, LCSW-R, is a seasoned psychoanalyst with over 45 years of experience in mental health, criminal justice, education, and adolescent development. He holds a master’s degree in social work from Columbia University and is a graduate of the prestigious Training Institute of the National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis.

Mr. Smith specializes in the treatment of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and personality disorders, offering both short- and long-term therapeutic approaches for individuals, couples, and families. Utilizing techniques such as free association, interpretation, and clarification, he facilitates meaningful personality change and emotional growth.

In addition to his private practice, Mr. Smith serves as Clinical Consultant and Clinical Director at the Harlem Family Institute in New York City. In this role, he supervises candidates in psychoanalytic training, provides technical assistance to the administration, and ensures that the needs of the community remain central to the Institute’s mission.

Mr. Smith is particularly sensitive to LGBTQ+ issues and has a comprehensive understanding of multicultural concerns, ensuring his practice is inclusive and affirming. He is a member of the National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis and has contributed to the field through clinical supervision and mentoring of professionals in training.

A licensed clinical social worker in New York State, Mr. Smith is committed to providing compassionate and insightful care tailored to each client’s unique needs.

Louis Pansulla, has over 35 years of experience providing clinical, community-based, and academic experience, working principally with LGBTQI+, BIPOC, and other ‘marginalized’ communities.

Louis is on the core faculty in the doctoral program at the Institute for Clinical Social Work (ICSW) in Chicago and also teaches in the analytical programs at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy (ICP) in New York, where he served as clinic director.

He has presented at both national and international conferences, with particular focus on Relational theories, psychoanalysis, sexuality and gender, and ‘othering’. Louis maintains a full-time private practice and clinical supervision in Brooklyn and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

To schedule an appointment with Louis or another member of the team at Harlem Family Services, call the office or request an appointment online today.