Rena Ferguson MD

Dr. Ferguson earned her Medical Degree and Masters of Public Health from The George Washington University in Washington, DC and completed her residency in the U.S. Navy, where she was Chief Resident. She ran a Navy mental health clinic and substance abuse clinic before leaving to become a staff psychiatrist at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital. For the last decade, Dr. Ferguson has been in private practice in the Three Village area of Long Island. She supervises residents from Stony Brook University while continuing to see patients for medication management, psychotherapy, TMS and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. Dr. Ferguson’s patient care philosophy is grounded in principles of nutrition, balance, harmony and self-reflection.

Dr. Barbara J. Brennan is a licensed clinical social worker. She is a graduate of Stony Brook University with a PhD in Social Welfare that focused on family dynamics and addiction. Dr. Brennan’s PhD dissertation investigated how the stigma of addiction and lack of support systems impacted individuals who had siblings with opioid abuse disorder. Her research documented significant correlations to anxiety and PTSD symptoms. Barbara also has a Masters Degree in Social Work. She has over 20-years of hospital experience in psychiatry, detoxification, and rehabilitation; specializing in trauma and crisis intervention. Her prior experience includes extensive medical case management. Barbara has provided individual and group therapy for individuals with anxiety, depression, PTSD, grief, codependency, and addiction issues. She utilizes a strength-based perspective while considering a holistic variety of techniques that include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychoanalysis, and a Humanistic approach. She is passionate about her work and prides herself in fostering a non-judgmental

Catherine Poulos is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, board certified, licensed and registered by the department of New York State Office of the Professions. With these credentials, Ms. Poulos is privileged to prescribe and therefore specialize in psychopharmacology. Additionally, Catherine recognized the need in the community and is the founder of East End Mental Health. She is a graduate of Adelphi University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and from Stony Brook University where she received a Master of Science, Magna Cum Laude and the Academic Excellence Advanced Practice Nursing Award in Psychiatric/Mental Health. Her clinical rotation took place in several areas where she was in charge of providing care to individuals with chronic mental illnesses including bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety and substance abuse. Ms. Poulos is a former Adjunct Clinical Professor for the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program at Stony Brook University and clinical consultant for Long Island Center for Recovery in Hampton Bays, New York. Catherine's psychiatric specialty is working with women coping with mid-life challenges, anxiety, ADHD, depression, family, marital stressors and hormonal changes. Research suggests that there are many psychotherapeutic medications and modalities of therapy that can help treat these special conditions. In her practice, she refers to the most up to date research while following the guidelines of treatment including genetic testing.

Hayden Cruz has always had a passion for helping others. This desire to support people in need was influenced by educators who were role models in being thoughtful and attentive to the needs of the students in their classrooms. Hayden began his journey of helping others as a Summer Camp Counselor through the YMCA. His experience as a Summer Camp Counselor reinforced his passion which lead to him pursuing the field of Social Work. Hayden graduated from Stony Brook University with a Bachelors Degree in Sociology. He went on to obtain his Masters in Social Work through Long Island University-CW Post campus. He has had opportunities to utilize his passion and skills in various settings including counseling programs for adolescents and young adults, behavioral health treatment programs for adults with severe mental illnesses, mental health outpatient programs and health care settings. Hayden has conducted groups with adults and adolescents that focus on anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use and improving socialization skills. He utilizes treatment modalities that focus on cognitive behavioral interventions, mindfulness techniques and utilizing a strengths-based approach to improving one’s emotional well-being. He believes that behavioral health treatment is important to overall health and wellness because there is such a strong connection

Lucille Buergers has over 40-years of passion and experience as a clinical social worker. Her career began upon completing her Bachelors Degree in Social Work at the University of Kansas, Lawrence. She then earned her Masters of Social Work at Adelphi University. Her vast clinical experience includes psychotherapy for individuals, couples, groups, family, crisis intervention, and prevention programs. She has decades of experience serving as Clinical Director and Supervisor of outpatient treatment programs, as well as being an Adjunct Professor at Adelphi University. Lucille best describes her clinical approach as utilizing psychodynamic therapies and family systems therapies.

Pamela’s passion to help others started with her Peace Corps service in Honduras, Central America right after she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Connecticut. During her time in the Peace Corps her work focused on women and children in rural underdeveloped communities. Her role was to help families access local resources to improve food security and empower local female leaders to establish community development projects. Her service also gave her the opportunity to become fluent in Spanish. Pamela then later on went on to pursue her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare. With over 25 years of experience Pamela understands the social and psychological dynamics of life’s challenges. Pamela has worked with children, adolescents, adults, and seniors with issues such as depression, anxiety, abuse, substance abuse, ADHD, LGBT concerns, and other mood disorders. She also has extensive expertise in helping caregivers of those afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Susan has a Master’s in Nursing, with special emphasis on Youths at Risk. Through her work experience and personal journey with the daughter she adopted, she knows the challenges and triumphs for children and parents alike. No situation is too absurd or shameful for Susan. She has worked in psychiatric emergency rooms, substance rehabilitation facilities, and with the chronically mentally ill. She is focused and does not ask for much. She does not air condition her home because she is from rugged Montana and the Long Island humidity is irrelevant to her. She has bigger issues to tackle. From the way she dresses to the way she works, she is direct, unfussy and able to put the important information in the front and other details in the background.

Pam worked for several years in market research managing client accounts. Her interest in listening to people and helping them find solutions prompted her to return to school to follow her passion for psychology. She earned her Masters of Science in School Counseling and worked with students, their families and community resources. She earned her Advanced Certification in Clinical Mental Health to help others to work towards gaining mental health balance. She has a concentrated background working with victims of domestic violence and people struggling with substance abuse. She has been working in private practice collaboratively with clients to adapt healthy coping skills and lifestyle change.

Vanessa Gomez PhD I am an experienced and compassionate psychologist with several years of clinical practice. I specialize in the treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with behavioral and emotional difficulties resulting from trauma. I have extensive training in treating attachment disorders and problems related to childhood abuse and neglect. My approach is attachment based and I utilize Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure Therapy, and elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy. I also I treat children/teens that present with a variety of emotional/behavioral difficulties, including anxiety, depression, defiance, relationship problems,school refusal, among other problems. I provide behavioral management training for parents that are struggling to control their child’s behavior. I understand that parenting can be difficult and I aim to reduce parental stress. My practice also focuses on assisting children/teens to cope with the challenges of parental separation and divorce.