Meet The Staff
Norma I. Cofresí, Ph.D., Director
Dr. Norma I. Cofresí earned her master's degree from Columbia University Teacher's College and her doctorate from the Graduate Center at The City University of New York. She has been a clinical psychologist for the past twenty-three years, providing individual, family, and group psychotherapy at such agencies as Fordham-Tremont Community Mental Health Center, FEGS, and Jacobi in Bronx, NY and the Hispanic Clinic, Center for Families and Children in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Cofresí also worked in prvate practice for many years as a trained psychoanaylitic practitioner. Prior to joining Lehman College, she was a vistiting professor in the Psychology and Clinical Psychology Program at City College of New York, CUNY, where she taught clinical practice to undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. Professional interests include psychoanalytic therapy, clinical supervision, gender roles for Latina women, the impact of bilingualism, and inter-generational transmission of trauma.
Ingrid Hiraldo, B.S., Office Assistant
Ingrid Hiraldo received her undergraduate degree in computer information systems from Lehman College. Prior to joining the Counseling Center staff, she worked as a college assistant in the College's Purchasing office and in the Payroll and Budget Office. When you call the Counseling Center you will most often be greeted by Ms. Hiraldo, who is always happy to assist faculty and students.
Meet the Counselors
Nicole Madonna Rosario, L.C.S.W.
Nicole M. Rosario joined the Counseling Center staff in January 2008. She earned her undergraduate degree in social work from Dominican College of Blauvelt in 2000, and her graduate degree in social work from Fordham University in 2005. She has provided crisis counseling and emergency services to a varied population. Prior to joining Lehman College, she was the clinical director at a sexual assault crisis center in Stamford, Connecticut. In her work, she focuses on trauma and its consequences, stress management, and conducting supportive and psycho-educational groups She has been trained as a group counselor in the Trauma, Recovery, and Empowerment Model.
Valerie Baker, PhD, LMHC, CYT
Valerie Baker is a licensed mental health counselor and a certified yoga instructor. She received her Master’s Degree in Psychological Counseling from Teachers College of Columbia University. She completed a yoga teacher training program at Integral Yoga Institute. She holds a PhD in Psychology, with a Transpersonal concentration—an area of Psychology that focuses on spirituality and higher reaches of human nature—from Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. Valerie joined the Counseling Center staff as a full-time counselor in 2009. She also teaches Master’s in School Counseling students at the Lehman College Department of Counseling, Leadership, Literacy, and Special Education. At the core of Dr. Baker’s professional interests is an ongoing exploration of mind-body-spirit integrative approaches to healing and personal grown. She is passionate about serving Lehman students on their journeys of self-discovery and transformation and training new professionals in the field.
Megan Wilen, L.C.S.W.
Megan Wilen has been a counselor at the Counseling Center since March 2010. A graduate of the Columbia University School of Social Work, she has worked as a clinical social worker for the past eight years, providing individual, family, and group psychotherapy to diverse, multicultural urban communities in New York mental health settings. She was formerly a psychotherapist at the Adult Unit of Soundview-Throgs Neck CMHC/ Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Her clinical background includes individual psychotherapy, family and couples counseling, stress/anger management, clinical training and supervision, and supportive, psycho-educational and creative arts groups. An active member of NASW-NYC, Ms. Wilen believes in empowering her clients to be self advocates.
Part-Time/Evening Staff
Theresa Gannon, LCSW graduated from Fordham University School of Social Work. She has worked as a part-time counselor at the Counseling Center since September 2008. Currently a supervisor at Soundview- Throgs Neck Community CMHC, Ms. Gannon specializes in treating issues of adolescence.
Shaina Siber, LMSW has earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Social Work from New York University. In addition to her work at the Counseling Center, Shaina Siber is a full time psychotherapist at the Adult Unit of Soundview-Throgs Neck CMHC/ Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She utilizes a wide-range of therapeutic approaches with a specific focus on cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic and trauma focused interventions to help treat children, adolescents, families, groups and individuals.
James Stewart, LMSW, MDiv., MA currently works as the Program Director for Center Lane. James received his Master’s in Social Work from Hunter College School of Social Work, an MA from Fordham University and a Master’s in Divinity from MaryKnoll School of Theology. Mr. Stewart has more than 20 years' experience working with adolescents and their families in schools, community, and hospital-based settings throughout the tri-state area.
Genoveva Garcia, LCSW is a bi-lingual part-time counselor in the Counseling Center and part of the Title V initiative to improve Sophmore Retention. Ms. Garcia is obtaining post-graduate training in Family Therapy through the Ackerman Institute and co-facilitates the relationship group at the Counseling Center.
Melville Francis, MA works as the research consultant for the Counseling Center. She is currently getting her second Master's in School Psychology from St. John's University.
Interns and Post-Doc
Juliana Martinez is a third year Clinical Psychology Fellow from CUNY Graduate Center. Her doctoral program focuses on Psychoanalytic Therapy.
Sarah Key is a fourth year Clinical Psychology Fellow from CUNY Graduate Center. Her doctoral program focuses on Psychoanalytic Therapy.
Danny El-Hassan is a second year MHC student from Columbia University Teacher's College.
Marilyn Nieves is a second year MSW intern from Fordham University School of Social Work who is studying Community Based Leadership and Practice.
CUNY CAP
Shancia Jarrett is a CUNY CAP studying Disability Services. She also serves as our case manager.
Last modified: Jan 15, 2013
