Clinical Team

Providing outreach services within undeserved communities

Client-Therapist Relationship

The most important factor for success in therapy is the relationship between the client and their therapist. At Tru Outreach, Inc. we view therapy as a collaborative experience where the therapist and client work as a team to decide together what the goals will be and what actions to take for the best outcome of the client.

Dr. Stephen Taylor, Ph.D

Clinical Director

Dr. Taylor was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1988. He earned his MA in School Psychology (1990) and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Hofstra University in 1992. He has been a licensed psychologist serving the Long Island community for 27 years. He works full time in the Wantagh School District as a psychologist. Where he started a special needs summer program. He also maintains a private practice in Wantagh. He has been teaching future school psychologists at Adelphi University for the past 10 years. He frequently speaks to parent groups on topics including anxiety, special needs programming, peak performance in sports, and attention. Dr. Taylor continues his programming for special needs students and adults at local area camps. He is also investigating the growing trend of video conferenced therapy.

Our Team

Nicole Peacock Favard

Parental / Family Counselor

Nicole is eager to put her hands to the plough and assist others with reimagining possibilities and successful outcomes. Born and raised in Brooklyn NY, Nicole brings multifaceted personal and professional experiences as a lifelong New Yorker and survivor of many unforeseen challenges throughout her life. Still standing in the triumph of victory she carries a plethora of skill sets, professional tools and techniques that has equipped her to strategically and thoughtfully consider and support communities of diverse people from all walks of life.

Nicole holds a Bachelor Degree in Psychology and a Dual Master’s Degree in General and Special Education. She is also a Certified NYS MAPP Facilitator for parental workshops and a Heart 2 Heart Ministries Counselor. Nicole has dedicated fourteen years of ongoing service to

NYC DOE as a teacher and Director of Education. Her past and current career combined, highlights eight years of social work service that includes therapeutic, mental health counseling, case planning, behavioral specialist management, crisis intervention management, solution-based casework planning and family support advocacy. Nicole’s optimistic, innovative, compassionate nature bolstered a vision and frosted a desire within her to step in and move the needle wherever needed to provide and create supportive, holistic, mental wellness, education and counseling that will afford people opportunities to be their best selves and overcome traumatic events and or experiences throughout their life’s journey.

Cecilia Flores

Meditation & Restorative Yoga Instructor

Hello! My name is Cecilia, multi-passionate and spiritual entrepreneur.
I bring spirit and mindfulness in all I do. I am an attuned reiki practitioner, hypnosis counselor, restorative yoga, and meditation teacher. I am also an end of life doula and work with the broken-hearted and grieving as my specialty. My journey into spiritual and mindfulness practices began several years ago in an effort to finally face my anxiety and traumas. Though the road to healing can be unpredictable, it is a road worth taking. This is why I hold space for others to learn and live the benefits of peace and joy. This is a practice I share with clients compassionately and with patience. It’s the reason I do what I do, so that we may all have the opportunity for a full life. Book a unique and personalized healing session with me today.

Christina Hoodho, MA, ATR-BC, LCAT

NYS Licensed Creative Arts Therapist and Psychotherapist

Christina Hoodho, MA, ATR-BC, LCAT is a Nationally Registered and Certified Art Therapist, and New York State Licensed Creative Arts Therapist and Psychotherapist. She earned her Masters degree in Creative Arts Therapy from Hofstra University. Christina has worked therapeutically with a diverse clientele of all ages, ethnicities, genders, socioeconomic backgrounds etc., including but not limited to inmates, inpatient psychiatric clients, individuals with disabilities, children with autism, the homeless, domestic violence survivors, veterans, the LGBTQ community, children in foster care, adolescents in group homes, immigrants, the elderly, addicts and recovering addicts. For over a decade now, she has served in an array of settings, such as correctional facilities, cultural institutions, hospitals, schools, churches, shelters, group homes, community organizations and recreation programs. Christina facilitates individual and group therapies. In addition, she provides supervision and staff trainings to educate

professionals on the medicinal qualities of the arts. Having personally experienced healing through eastern medicine, Ayurveda, holistic health and Native American shamanism, Christina implements these techniques in her therapeutic practice as supplements. She also enjoys employing her creativity as a teaching artist and face painter.

Latoya Ifill, LMSW

Psychiatric Social Worker

Latoya Ifill, LMSW, originally from Queens, NY, she received her Bachelors of Arts in Sociology from Syracuse University and her Master of Social Work degree from Florida State University. LaToya has worked in crisis intervention, psychiatric and medical emergency rooms and case management supervisor and counselor to clients in need. Throughout her social work career, LaToya has worked with clients who are dually diagnosed (substance use and mental illness), history of depression and anxiety and HIV/AIDS population. Using a motivational interviewing approach, LaToya uses strength-based, client approach in order for clients to boost their confidence to make decisions for themselves. All counseling sessions will be via Zoom. I can be reach via email ifilllatoya@gmail.com and/or phone (718) 413-6000.

Patricia Rambo

Behavior Therapist and Certified Nursing Assistant

Patricia Rambo is a Registered Behavior Therapist and Certified Nursing Assistant. During her medical career, Ms. Rambo has spent most of her time working within a mobile crisis team serving those with mental health and developmental disabilities. She possesses significant knowledge and experience in supporting families through obtaining needed services, teaching coping skills, and providing behavioral plans to elicit the greatest positive change in her clients’ lives. Ms. Rambo works with clients of all ages, from pediatric to geriatric ages.

Yessica Ramos

Multilingual Psychotherapist and Life Coach

Yessica Ramosis a multilingual psychotherapist and life coach who holds three degrees, including a Master of Arts in Mental Health and Wellness from New York University. A Summa and Magna Cum Laude honor student, Ms. Ramos is passionate about helping others develop emotionally and mentally whilst achieving their personal goals.

Yessica believes that mental health and wellness is not “one size fits all.” Her combination of theoretical approaches includes cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma, psychodynamics, mindfulness-based practices, anxiety, depression, weight management, personality disorder. Ms. Ramos also embraces holistic options, as well as holds a Certification in Meditation and a Master’s in Reiki.

Ms. Ramos provides unconditional positive regard for her clients, providing high-quality and judgment-free psychological services to help them achieve their goals. She takes great pride in providing a safe space for all regardless of ethnic background and socio-economic status.

Andrea Nagel

Director of Wellness

Andrea Nagel is a wellness advisor who has maintained a loss of 175 pounds for over nine years by connecting nutrition, mindset, movement, and the emotion behind why we eat. Her passion for the culinary arts, the thirst for understanding how the body works best with what you fuel it with, and her enthusiasm to do the work and research to achieve a balanced lifestyle has brought her to this level of success. As a wellness advisor, Andrea personalizes each client with a routine that works for their lifestyle, inspires from her journey, and passes the knowledge of experiences on to her clients.

Danielle Di Sanza, LMSW

Psychiatric Social Worker

Hi there! My name is Dani, and I would like to start by congratulating you on taking the first steps to better yourself and your mental health. Getting started is half the battle, and it’s usually not easy- so be proud! I am a passionate, open-minded, empathetic, and experienced social worker. I take pride in being a part of people’s healing journeys, and I aim to make our work together with meaningful, while remaining unbiased and letting you decide where the treatment goes. I work full time in a psychiatric emergency room and I am well versed in dealing with crises, as well as a variety of mental health issues. I have worked with numerous people suffering from anxiety, depression, PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, personality disorders, and psychotic disorders. No matter the reason you are here, be it a loss, relationship issues, trauma, or just a desire to obtain a deeper sense of self, I am here for you to facilitate the process. I received my undergraduate education from Iona College and my Master’s degree at Fordham College, later to become recognized by the state of New York as a Licensed Master Social Worker. Book a session with me today!

Kerry Paras, Ph.D

Clinical Psychologist

Kerry Paras, Ph.D. is a graduate of St. Mary’s University in San Antonio Texas, obtaining her Master’s in Clinical Psychology. She subsequently graduated from Hofstra University’s Doctoral Program in Clinical and School Psychology. Dr. Paras has more than 30 years of diverse clinical experience and has extensive knowledge and experience in the areas of education law and working with children in the school setting. She engages in cognitive behavioral therapy with her clients, both children adolescents, and adults, and relies on principals of behavior therapy particularly with her younger population. Dr. Paras is also a Certified Hypnotherapist.

Maya D Mallory

Clinical Social Worker, (MSW)

Maya D Mallory received her Masters of Social Work, (MSW) from Columbia University in the City of New York. She also has a background in dietetics, food and nutrition. Maya believes that people should interact with one another having thoughtfulness in mind. During sessions with clients, Maya maintains an inclusive, welcoming, and empowering safe space for all. Maya believes in approaching everyone with the idea of each person being of multiple dimensions. It is highly important to recognize and embrace all forms of diversity. Therapy is necessary for people to process their emotions and learn how to effectively communicate with those who may not speak the same “language.” Maya’s areas of interest include women’s empowerment, maternal mortality against black women, colorism, body positivity, self-esteem, sex education/ sexual identity affirmation, intergenerational trauma, anxiety, racial issues, coping with chronic/ hidden diseases, connections between mind, body, and food, and an interest in the transitioning youth into adulthood population. All of Maya’s interests have one thing in common. They’re intersectional because all people have multiple identities that make them who they are. Maya’s primary focus is to integrate an intersectional lens into her practice with clients.

Brittney Boyd, M.A. SpEd.

Behavioral Analyst

Brittney graduated in 2016 from Clayton State University in Morrow, Georgia with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Human Services. Upon graduation she interned at the Gwinnett County Juvenile Court. Thereafter, she gained a substantial amount of experience in the field serving as a Community Support Professional providing skills training, behavior management and resource linkage for adolescents struggling with behavior issues, self-esteem issues, trauma, PTSD, anxiety and depression. As a pre-kindergarten teacher she was very supportive to the families and fostered an environment where the children in her care have benefitted from her warm and caring personality, interpersonal skills, training and experience.

In 2019 Brittney received certification as a Registered Behavior Technician providing ABA therapy for children ages 18 months to 10 years diagnosed with ASD, ADHD, and other learning disabilities. The personal satisfaction she receives from working with individuals with autism and having a brother diagnosed with autism has fueled her passion to further her education in Applied Behavior Analysis. Brittney is currently enrolled in a Master’s of Arts in Special Education program with a concentration in ABA from Arizona State University. Her anticipated graduation date is set for the Fall of 2021. Her goal is to start a career in Clinical Behavior Analysis, focusing on the mental health and overall wellbeing of the individuals she will have the opportunity to work with and support.

Marc Muchnik, M.A.

School Psychologist Children and Family

Marc received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Connecticut at Storrs in 2003. He earned his MA in School Psychology from Adelphi University in 2010. Marc has worked full-time as a psychologist in the Rocky Point School District for the last 10 years helping children, parents, and families. In addition to his time spent working in the school, Marc is a certified yoga instructor, a Reiki level 2 practitioner, and an accomplished musician and songwriter. He has a strong interest in nutrition and how it impacts the mind and body. Marc and his wife Lisa co-authored a Whole Food Plant-Based e-cookbook, “harmonEAyT” in 2020.