Meet the Team

Denelle Abel, LMHC

Denelle Abel is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has over 10 years of experience working with individuals through transitions. Denelle earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with minors in Education and Spanish and her Master of Science Degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University at Albany. Denelle has a wealth of experience working with diverse populations and individuals at various stages of life and development and is comfortable with multi-cultural and multi-ethnic populations.

Denelle enjoys utilizing a blend of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused, Client Centered, Narrative Therapy and Mindfulness interventions in helping her clients reach their goals within their therapeutic experience. Her specialties include solution focused interventions, spirituality, self-esteem therapy, anxiety, inner child work, and relational issues. Denelle is very passionate about aiding individuals on their healing journey to their ideal self.

Meryl Tremblay, LMSW

Meryl Tremblay is a LMSW with over ten years of experience in the social work field. Meryl focuses on somatic practices, CBT and mindfulness in her work with clients. Meryl also has a 200 hour yoga teacher training and incorporates mind, body and spirit wellness to offer a holistic approach to therapy. Meryl has experience with community based and prevention social work focusing on mental health, families and adolescence and children. Meryl is invested and committed to helping her clients set meaningful goals for themselves, develop self-compassion and empower them to make meaningful changes.

Terry McMaster, MLS, LMSW

Terry received his bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the State University of NY at Oswego and received his master’s degree from Syracuse University in social work. He studied family systems theory and therapy, worked for several years as a family therapist, and then worked as a psychiatric social worker at the Onondaga County Justice Center in Syracuse. Terry then entered the field of chemical dependency treatment when he was employed at Tully Hill Treatment Center in Tully, NY. He worked in the outpatient program, ran the family program, and later coordinated the recreation and leisure program at Tully Hill, teaching yoga, NIA and expressive arts. He has worked for 20 years in the field of addiction, mostly in chemical dependency, often using meditation and art techniques to help clients outside the normal modality of talk therapy.

Terry completed certificates in Creativity Coaching and Creativity Mentoring (expressive arts) in 2002 and 2003 at Glass Lake Studio in Albany. Between 2002 and 2003 he also completed certificates in Clinical Hypnotherapy and Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapy from the Wellness Institute, Issaquah, WA. In June 2013 he received his 200 hour certificate in Essential Yoga Teacher Training from Open Sky Yoga Center, Rochester, NY. Terry uses a variety of therapeutic interventions, including CBT, motivational enhancement therapy, expressive arts and solution- focused approaches. Terry has taught classes in “Human Development,” “Child Development” and “Alcohol, Drugs and Society” as an adjunct instructor with the State University of NY at Canton since 2013. Terry works as a counselor for the Center for Problem Gambling at Capital Counseling and for Capital EAP. He is in the process of obtaining his certification as an International Co-Occurring Gambling Specialist (ICOGS).

Nakisha Williams, MHC Intern

Nakisha is a counseling intern with Capital EAP. She is a recent graduate of the University of Albany with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development & Psychology with a concentration in Counseling Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience. She is currently in the Mental Health Counseling program at SUNY Albany, in which she is pursuing her Master’s degree.

Nakisha takes a client-centered approach to counseling. She also incorporates interventions from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused Therapy. She specializes in working with anxiety, depression, stress, adjustment and relational issues. Nakisha strongly believes in fostering growth through awareness and unconditional positive regard, empowering clients towards change while considering all contexts of the individual, such as their social, cultural, and interpersonal dynamics.

Jamee LaFratta is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). She received her master’s degree in Social Work from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University at Albany. Jamee has a specialization in working with children and families with mental health needs. She has worked with children and adults with developmental disabilities and mental health diagnoses for over 10 years, with experience providing services in home, school, residential, and work settings. Jamee uses a wide variety of therapeutic interventions including psychoeducation, cognitive and dialectical behavioral principles, mindfulness training, and positive coping strategies with her clients. Jamee focuses on the client’s strengths and interests to build creative, meaningful, and effective coping skills. Jamee works with the Community Transitions Program (CTP) and with the Federal Probation Program.

Brenda Gausby, LMHC

Brenda received her Master’s in Counseling and Community Psychology from the Sage Colleges in Albany. She works within Capital EAP and the Center for Problem Gambling programs of Capital Counseling. Her specialties include depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, mindfulness and goal-oriented interventions and she works with adults, adolescents, couples and facilitates therapeutic groups. Brenda blends interventions from cognitive behavioral, solution focused and positive psychology theoretical perspectives and delivers services telephonically and in face-to-face sessions.

Brenda is not currently accepting new clients.