MEET OUR TEAM
RACQUEL RIVERO, LPC, RPT, ACS
Clinical Director
Bilingual Clinician (English/Spanish)
Racquel Rivero is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist, and Approved Clinical Supervisor with over 15 years of experience. Fluent in Spanish, she specializes in working with children (ages 3+), adolescents, and young adults. Racquel is passionate about helping clients facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, adjustment disorders, and behavioral issues. She also provides parenting support to help families navigate these concerns.
Racquel’s therapeutic approach is client-centered, combining techniques like play therapy, expressive arts therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and solution-focused therapy. She believes in the importance of creating a safe, nurturing environment where clients can explore their emotions and experiences, while building the skills necessary for personal growth and resilience.
As a Registered Play Therapist, Racquel uses play therapy to provide young clients, starting as early as age three, with a safe, age-appropriate space to express emotions, process complex experiences, and build a foundation for healthy emotional development and positive relationships.
In addition to her clinical work at Peace of Mind Counseling Services, Racquel’s extensive experience in school settings gives her valuable insight into educational challenges, making her a resource for both students and parents. Racquel is dedicated to empowering individuals by fostering their strengths and guiding them toward positive change.
JODI MARTINO, LCSW
Jodi is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field. As a certified trauma professional, Jodi possesses extensive experience addressing depression, anxiety, divorce, grief and loss, parenting, and navigating relationship challenges and family dynamics.
Jodi is dedicated to supporting and guiding clients through the healing process, fostering the development of their most authentic selves and promoting well-balanced lives. Employing an eclectic approach, Jodi integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, and Structural Family Therapy interventions to achieve optimal outcomes for clients.
BREANNA POLISE, LSW
Breanna is a compassionate and skilled Licensed Social Worker committed to supporting individuals in their journey toward improved mental health and personal growth. With extensive experience in mental health and social services, Breanna brings a client-centered approach rooted in evidence-based practices. She specializes in working with children, adolescents, and adults, utilizing play therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and a blended therapeutic approach tailored to each client's unique needs.
Her professional background includes experience at the Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center, Bridges Healthcare Inc., and Fairchild Wheeler Interdistrict Multi-Magnet Campus. During these roles, Breanna gained expertise in conducting client evaluations, developing treatment plans, and facilitating connections to community resources.
Breanna holds a Master of Social Work from Sacred Heart University, graduating with distinction, and is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). As a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), she is dedicated to continuous professional development and maintaining the highest ethical standards.
With a deep commitment to building strong therapeutic relationships, Breanna empowers her clients to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Her warmth, professionalism, and dedication make her a trusted ally for individuals seeking support and growth.
MEGHAN STANFORD, LAC
Meghan Stanford provides both individual and couples therapy, focusing on creating a safe, inclusive, and nonjudgmental environment to support clients as they share their stories. Recognizing that each person's healing journey is unique, Meghan employs an eclectic therapeutic approach tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual. This approach integrates elements of person-centered therapy, Gestalt therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT).
With extensive experience working with children, adolescents, teens, and adults, Meghan addresses a variety of issues, including grief and loss, anxiety, depression, marital and relationship concerns, life transitions, parenting, and family dynamics. Her goal is to provide support and guidance, helping clients develop the skills and techniques needed to improve their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, ultimately aiding them in achieving their personal goals.
NICOLE RUBLE, LSW
Nicole Ruble is a compassionate and experienced Licensed Social Worker. She provides exceptional mental health counseling services both in the school environment and in private settings. With a strong foundation in crisis management, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and psychoeducation, Nicole offers individualized care to help clients navigate their mental health challenges. She excels in building strong therapeutic relationships and employs a variety of evidence-based interventions to promote emotional well-being and resilience.
Throughout her career, Nicole has worked in various settings, including behavioral health clinics and adolescent mental health centers. She has assessed and managed crisis situations, developed safety plans, provided psychoeducation to families, and coordinated care with psychiatrists and community resources. Nicole has utilized therapeutic techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to treat individuals with a range of mental health diagnoses.
Nicole is committed to helping clients achieve their mental health goals through personalized and empathetic care. Her diverse experience combined with her ability to create a supportive environment make her an excellent choice for those seeking mental health support.
RAQUEL BELEN, LSW
Bilingual Clinician (English/Spanish)
Raquel Belen is a compassionate and skilled licensed social worker with a Master of Social Work from Ramapo College of New Jersey. She specializes in providing mental health counseling to teens and adults ages 13 and up, drawing on her expertise in trauma-informed care, grief counseling, and substance use disorders.
Raquel has extensive experience working with adolescents and adults, utilizing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Narrative Therapy to help clients manage emotions, improve relationships, and find meaning in their lives. Her work at Bergen’s Promise and Sisters of Charity Housing New York involved empowering individuals and families, ensuring they have access to necessary resources and support systems.
Fluent in Spanish, Raquel is committed to helping her clients achieve emotional well-being through personalized and empathetic care.
LAUREN DEMATTEO, LAC
Lauren DeMatteo is a skilled and compassionate therapist who is passionate about creating a safe and supportive environment where clients can feel empowered to process their stories and experience personal growth. Lauren uses an eclectic approach of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Training, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to address a wide variety of mental health issues and life challenges. With over a decade of experience working in schools, Lauren also specializes in working with children and adolescents (ages 3 and up) through play therapy and other creative modalities. Lauren works collaboratively with children and their families to promote healing and emotional well-being. In addition to her work with children and families, Lauren also provides therapy for teens and adults, tailoring her approach to meet the unique needs of each client. Lauren is excited to bring her skills to a clinical setting, where she can continue providing compassionate support to clients of all ages.
ERIN LARKINS, LSW
Erin Larkins is a dedicated Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over fifteen years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults in navigating complex mental health challenges. Holding dual licenses in New Jersey and Massachusetts, Erin brings a compassionate, client-centered approach to her practice.
Erin specializes in treating anxiety and depression across all age groups, working closely with adolescents, teens and adults to help them develop effective coping strategies and navigate their mental health journeys. Erin provides individual counseling for clients across the lifespan, tailoring treatment plans to meet each client’s unique needs and supporting their path toward resilience and wellness; her approach is collaborative and individualized, empowering clients to build resilience and achieve personal growth.
For young children, Erin utilizes play therapy, a modality that provides a safe, age-appropriate environment for them to express emotions, process experiences, and develop emotional awareness.
With specialized training in suicide prevention, cultural diversity, and strengths-based approaches, Erin provides inclusive, empathetic care that honors each client’s unique journey.