DBT Wellness &Â
Psychological Services
Your local provider for Evidenced Based Psychological Treatment & Services.
DBT Wellness & Psychological Services was founded in Saratoga Springs, NY to provide evidenced based treatment services in a relaxed environment. We provide evidenced based services including: Individual/Family/Couples Therapy, Group Therapy, Psychiatric Evaluations & Medication Management, and Training for Community Clinicians, Families, and Businesses
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Our Practice is founded upon the belief that human beings develop psychological well-being through positive and strength based approaches to treatment. Our experienced Clinicians specialize in Evidence Based Treatment practices founded in DBT, CBT, Mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing. These services are available to both Adolescents & Adults.
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Additionally, Dr. Kerry Murray O'Hara, PsyD, along with her colleague Libby Coreno, Esq., are nationally recognized speakers and workshop leaders for lawyer well-being, specifically advocating for culture change and teaching skills for the re-humanizing of the culture of law and its lawyers. Together, they hosted the first-ever 5-part Attorney Wellbeing Podcast for the New York State Bar Association which focused on the foundations of the attorney suffering and methods to begin to shift change. When the COVID-19 shutdown began, Ms. Coreno and Dr. O'Hara developed a confidential, weekly Zoom gathering solely focused on well-being impacts to the lives of lawyers. The Lawyer-to-Lawyer Well-Being Roundtable met for 54 free sessions between 2020 and 2021 in which lawyers collectively shared fears and concerns about depression, anxiety, court closures, racial injustice, political upheaval - but ultimately obtained skills for their lives, tools for their practices and a sense of belonging. They have authored several articles on attorney well-being including, Attorney Wellness: The Science of Stress and the Road to Well-Being (NYSBA Bar Journal, Oct. 2018) and Never Alone: Addiction, Recovery & Community (NYSBA Bar Journal, Dec. 2018). Ms. Coreno and Dr. O'Hara has been interviewed by national publications on issues facing lawyers and their well-being including Law.com, Law360.com, the New York Law Journal, Bloomberg Law, and the American Bar Association's Bar Leader and Bar Journal. In 2022, they will launch their first-ever signature training program for lawyers with evidence-based techniques and grounded in their research. The Humanized Lawyer Project will be a six-week online group experience and hosted in partnership with Village Medicine, an integrative clinic in Seattle, Washington.
"The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind"
William James
Services
With You Every Step of the Way
Therapy & Medication Management
A Happier, Healthier You
Individual, Couples, and Family Therapy will be provided by Doctoral & Masters level Clinicians.  Our highly experienced team has worked collaboratively for over 18 years.  Each clinician has over 20 years of professional experience in Psychology, providing a broad range of treatment options for our patients.
Skills, Life Coaching, & Group Therapies
Designed with You in Mind
A wide variety of DBT Skills, Coaching, & Groups/Classes will be available for both Adolescents and Adults. All Therapies/Activities are designed and written by Doctoral level Psychologists and delivered by experienced Team Members Leaders with both Inpatient & Outpatient setting experience.
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DBT, CBT, and Mindfulness practices will be the base of our Skills, Coaching, & Group Programming. Skills/Groups will include both Didactic skill acquisition coupled with specific focus on strengthening and generalizing these strategies to each individuals real world stressors. Our goal is to have each individual participant feel confident that they have the tools and a plan to effect positive change in their lives.
Trainings & Consultation Services
Quality Care through Professional Training
Clinical training for professionals will be provided to promote ongoing professional development in a supportive environment. Classes will be held in the evenings for 2-3 hours based on topics including:
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
- Eating Disorders
- Dual Diagnosis
- Treatment of Emotional Dysregulation
- Managing Clinical Burnout
- Attorney Wellness
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Meet Our Team
Kerry Murray O'Hara, Psy.D
Clinical Psychologist & Director/Founder of
DBT Wellness & Psychological Services
Dr. Kerry Murray O’Hara is the Director/Founder of DBT Wellness & Psychological Services in Saratoga Springs, NY, which she opened in 2018. She has over 20 years of experience in a variety of clinical settings including; inpatient, residential, forensic, outpatient, and academic settings. Her area of expertise is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), a highly researched evidenced based treatment. Dr. O’Hara’s new DBT Wellness Center provides individual, family, & group therapy. In addition, she provides clinical trainings, wellness consultation services for business, and program development.
Prior to starting DBT Wellness & Psychological Services, Dr. O’Hara has served as the Director of Adult Inpatient Psychiatric Services at Four Winds Hospital and the Director of Training for Community and Hospital DBT Programs for past 17 years. Dr. O’Hara was a member of Senior Leadership at Four Winds Hospital and served on numerous community based mental health and substance abuse coalitions.
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As a member of Four Winds Senior Leadership, she oversaw the supervision and training of all clinical staff, physicians, and nursing staff for adult services.  She was responsible for the oversight of evidenced based treatment practices and delivery of services and the coordination/collaboration with numerous hospital departments: finance, human resources, medical records, utilization management, medical staff, nursing staff, IT, and all levels of administrative staff.
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Prior to moving to Saratoga Springs, Dr. O’Hara served as the Director of Child and Adolescent DBT Programs and Supervisor of Adolescent DBT clinical training at McLean Psychiatric Hospital, Harvard Medical School.  Dr. O’Hara has completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship specializing in DBT and Trauma Assessment & Treatment.  Dr. O’Hara also has significant experience with the Chronically Mentally Ill, Sex Offenders and Dual Diagnosis. She has presented on a variety of topics in numerous clinical and academic settings throughout the Northeast and has held clinical positions at Boston University School of Medicine, McLean Psychiatric Hospital, Harvard Medical School and has served as an adjunct professor at Sage Graduate School.  Dr. O’Hara has received the Intensive Certification in DBT and Advanced Intensive Certification in DBT from Marsha Linehan and the Behavioral Technology Transfer Group.
Brendan P. O'Hara
Co-Founder DBT Wellness & Psychological Services, CEO & Managing Partner
Brendan P. O’Hara is a Co-Founder of DBT Wellness & Psychological Services and serves as the company's Chief Operating Officer & Managing Partner. He has over 30 years of business experience with Sales/Marketing, and Business Consulting in a variety of vertical markets. As a Co-Founder, Mr. O'Hara provides facilities, billing, general business consulting, and marketing assistance for DBT Wellness & Psychological Services.
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Mr. O'Hara is an Entrepreneur who has established several successful business ventures. He is also the President/Owner of OMI Communications Group, LLC. OMI designs, markets, and sells Technology Solutions for Communications, Cloud, and Internet services to business clients.
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Additionally, Mr. O'Hara's community involvement includes Board Member Positions at Albany Medical Center's - CF Adult & Pediatric Treatment Center (2001 -2006); Capital Region Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (2000-2007) and currently an active Board Member on the Saratoga Senior Center since (2011). Mr. O'Hara also Coached Girls Youth Lacrosse for many years with Saratoga Youth Lacrosse Association (2010-2016).
Kathryn Manning, LMSW
Therapist & Group Leader
Kathryn Manning is a licensed psychotherapist with over fifteen years of clinical experience working with adolescents, adults, couples and families. Kathryn utilizes Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), to assist individuals in regulating their emotions, tolerating distress, communicating effectively, and maintaining mindfulness skills. Kathryn's therapeutic objective is to promote a balance between all-or-nothing styles of thinking.
Additionally, Kathryn's professional skills include chemical dependency remediation, trauma therapy and eating disorders treatment. Her professional affiliations include Four Winds Hospital-Saratoga, Conifer Park Outpatient Clinic, St. Anne's Institute, and Hillcrest Educational Centers.
“In my private practice I utilize a diverse set of psychotherapy approaches based on a client's individual need at the time of treatment. The framework of my practice is based on the DBT system. This method of treatment is extremely effective in treating individuals who struggle with depression, mood instability, and/or chemical dependency. Use of diary cards and crisis plans may be utilized to target specific mal-adaptive thoughts and behaviors, and to track both their intensity and effectiveness of those strategies applied.”
Theresa Kirchhoff, MS
DBT Skills Coach, Counselor, & Group Leader
Theresa Kirchhoff is a Masters level counselor (The College of Saint Rose) with over 20 years experience working with adolescents and adults. She provides individualized Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills training and Coaching. These evidence-based skills are taught to meet the unique needs of each patient in support of their mental health. Theresa's unique skills training ability incorporate the four main areas of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, Mindfulness and Interpersonal Effectiveness. Theresa's goal is to strengthen her patients learned skills to build their self esteem and gain a healthy daily routine for stress reduction.
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Prior to joining DBT Wellness & Psychological Services, Theresa worked at Four Winds Hospital in Saratoga Springs where she led various adult inpatient DBT groups. Theresa was chosen by the Four Winds adult program director to provide DBT Skills training to Four Winds Staff. Theresa also worked in the local school systems providing counseling services to students, emotional support for teachers & staff, as well as leading family sessions. As an active member of the student services team, she has led crisis teams as a first response to emotional and behavioral issues that impact both the community and school environments. Theresa also created and implemented Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP), 504 Plans, and Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA), as well as contributed to the creation of Individual Education Plans (IEP) to better customize education for those with individualized needs.
Harriet Rubenstein, LCSW
Clinician/Therapist &Â Group Leader
Harriet Rubenstein, LCSW-R has over 25+ years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families. She is certified in Mind Based Stress Reduction for Teens (MBSR-T) and provides programs on mindfulness and stress reduction in the community through her private practice. Skills learned in adolescence will provide resiliency, healthy coping strategies and strength through their lives. Harriet has developed groups and provided treatment for those with perinatal and postpartum mood disorders. Harriet is a therapist, presenter, and facilitator in addition to her work at Four Winds Hospital-Saratoga.
Helping others build upon their strengths and inner resources to achieve wellness in mind, body and spirit is her passion. Creating balance, managing stress and being present can become a way of life.
“This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before” – Maya Angelou
Cecilia Hayes, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Cecilia Hayes is a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with over 25-years of experience as a registered nurse and over 18-years of experience in mental health. Her goals are to assist individuals achieve their personal and professional aspirations and aid in removing the stigma associated with mental illness. Cecilia’s approach encompasses medication management, psychoeducational learning, psychotherapy that includes Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (CBT), group and individual therapy. Cecilia’s specialties include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, mood dysregulation, PTSD, OCD, substance use disorders and insomnia. Her treatment age group is 13 to adults.
The stigma faced by those in the mental health community can be discouraging. Cecilia’s goal is to provide a comprehensive holistic approach to treatment that focus on client-centered care and reduce the challenges faced by individuals. This holistic approach includes exploring biological, social, emotional, occupational, financial, environmental, intellectual, and spiritual factors. While medications treat the symptoms of mental illness; it is important to emphasize other treatments for wellness that include therapy, nutrition, physical activity and spirituality. Encompassing a balance of treatment options promotes physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. Cecilia’s compassion and experience assists in establishing a therapeutic environment that fosters wellness, a balanced life and an opportunity for personal growth and change.
Maria Skane, LCSW
Therapist
Maria has a passion for helping people gain a sense of empowerment. She has been providing therapy for approximately 25 years in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She works with patients struggling with various issues including, life stresses, depression, anxiety, relational strain, trauma related symptoms, parenting stress, women’s issues, grief, loss and/or difficult life transitions. She has an individualized approach, capitalizing on each patient’s strengths while helping them to recognize destructive or unhealthy thought and behavior patterns that might be creating obstacles to their happiness and wellbeing. As she gets to know her patients, she helps them gain insight and recognize patterns in their relationships with self and others. She guides them to learn to integrate practical strategies with the goal of creating greater peace and fulfillment in their lives. This is a collaborative process which is based on an understanding of a person’s history and patterns, strengths and personal goals. Maria utilizes a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy interventions, Mindfulness, Strength Based and Positive Psychology skills to help her patients learn to manage life stresses, maintain balance, connect with their own resilience and develop a healthier sense of self.
Jennifer Pias, LMHC
Therapist
Jennifer is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She has extensive experience working with teens, adults, couples and family therapy. Jennifer’s approach is patient guided, using Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address the behaviors and issues that are identified as the barriers between becoming the person you want be (and can be). Her focus is developing the client’s inner self and cultivating their motivation to achieve their potential. Jennifer has experience in depression, anxiety, family systems and PTSD. Jennifer previously worked at Four Winds Saratoga Hospital on both the Adult and their Adolescent Units.
Jeff Grogan, RN, BA, Pn2 Master Health Coach
Skills, Life Coach, Nutrition
Jeff is a Registered Nurse who worked in mental health care for close to 30 years, he is a Precision Nutrition level 2 Certified Master Health Coach, and currently working on a Master Health and Wellness Coach certification through the NBHWC accreditation process. Jeff has worked with dozens of clients and witnessed first hand what certain lifestyle choices can do to overall health and well being. Jeff’s process is simple, client centered, and stays true to his clients values and identity. He works on setting goals with his clients that they are ready, willing and able to do for short bursts to gain momentum into a healthier version of themselves. He will work with you on mindfulness practice, purposeful movement activities, nutrition and goal setting.
Jeff was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in September of 2018. He was prescribed a medication regimen to combat his cancer; however, he was left feeling fatigued, depressed and on some days it was hard to gain any traction to do the things he used to enjoy. Early on he traveled down paths of what “others” thought a healthy lifestyle “should” be, and what he learned along the way is that consistency, and habits that stayed true to his identity and values assisted him most in achieving his goals. He attributes his current mental health and physical health success to his exercise regimen, nutrition and mindset (mindfulness); all of which has dramatically changed the quality of his life.
Jeff's Registered Nursing background, personal experiences, along with his Master Health Coach training will allow him to assist you in creating healthy habits so that you can become the healthiest version of yourself. He is passionate about guiding his clients on how to build a success mindset to create sustainable habits to thrive every single day and live their best life. Allow him to assist you in writing your owners manual together and help you get back into your life.
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Contact & Registration
Contact us today to learn more about our Evidenced Based Treatment Programs.
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423 Geyser Road
Ballston Spa, NY 12020
USA
518-886-8776 (phone)
518-886-3846 (fax)