Meet the Team
-
Nina Schmidbaur, LCSW
FOUNDER & CLINICAL SUPERVISOR
(She/her)
Nina has been serving children and adults in the Hudson Valley for 15 years. As owner of Saugerties Therapy Center and Clovelea, Therapeutic Collective, she provides clinical supervision to therapists through a relational and attachment lens. She is trained in Somatic Experiencing, traditional talk therapist (CBT), and play therapy.
ATTACHMENT It starts with the premise that humans crave connection, we yearn to be understood and understand others. Often people are seeking therapy to heal themselves, improve communication with loved ones, or self-regulate.
SOMATIC You will leave our sessions with tools to use in your daily life to help you feel in control of your body and emotions.
INNER CHILD WORK As humans, our first form of regulation is co-regulation. I provide a safe and comforting environment to help your nervous system feel at ease. From there, we build on your communication skills so that you can find fulfillment in the relationships in your life.
STRENGTHS BASED As a CBT trained therapist, we will focus on replacing negative thinking with positive self-talk and adapting positive coping mechanisms.
CLINICAL FOCUS:Adults, Children & Adolescents, and Families.
EXPERTISE: LGBTQ+, Neurodiversity, and adoption.
-
NICK KAMEN, LMSW
(He/him)
Since 2018, Nick Kamen, LMSW, has dedicated himself to the mental health field, recognizing therapy as a pathway for building connections, empowerment, and personal exploration. Through a warm and collaborative approach, Nick creates an environment where clients feel empowered to freely express themselves and navigate complex emotions. His expertise covers addressing concerns like anxiety, substance use, depression, low self-esteem, relationship challenges, and trauma. Nick completed his education at NYU Silver School of Social Work in 2018.
CLINICAL FOCUS: Adults
-
Nat Sannikova, LMHC-LP
(She/her)
Nat is a neurodiversity-affirming therapist who meets clients exactly as they are with authenticity, kindness, and genuine acceptance. Drawing from both professional training and lived experience, she understands that there is no single way to navigate the world, which shapes her approach of openness, curiosity, and respect for each person’s unique way of being.
Her therapeutic style is creative, playful, and body-aware. Therapy is a space for healing, exploring identity, building connections, and building self-compassion. Through emotional and body-oriented awareness, grounding techniques, and mindful presence, she supports clients in connecting with their whole selves, both their thoughts and their felt experiences, while honoring how intersecting identities and environments impact their well-being.
Nat specializes in working with adolescent and adult neurodivergent individuals, including Autistic people and ADHDers, using trauma-informed approaches. Her practice encompasses identity exploration and intersectional work, and she provides
LGBTQ+-affirming therapy for clients seeking authentic therapeutic connections. She approaches therapy as a collaborative process of learning and growth, staying current with the latest research on neurodiversity and trauma. Her goal is to create a space where clients can safely explore, heal, and thrive as their authentic selves.
*Telehealth only
CLINICAL FOCUS: Individuals, families, teens, and groups.
EXPERTISE: Neurodiversity, LGBTQ+, Immigration, and Relationships (including Consensual/Ethical Non-Monogamy).
-
Benji Marx, LCAT
MUSIC THERAPIST
(He/him)
Benji is a board-certified music therapist deeply committed to harnessing the transcendent power of music, combined with verbal processing, to assist children and adults in navigating life’s challenges and cultivating more fulfilling lives.
Benji specializes in creative arts therapy, where he is dedicated to helping individuals express their internal emotional world through music, fostering self-understanding and the processing of challenging emotions. He firmly believes that self-expression, creativity, and self-compassion are the cornerstones of a healthy life outlook.
Benji’s approach combines evidence-based techniques with a compassionate and non- judgmental environment to promote growth and healing. Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of working with diverse populations, addressing a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and trauma. Benji has found creative arts therapy to have particularly positive results with children, individuals with autism, and clients with developmental disorders.
CLINICAL FOCUS: Children & Adolescents, Adults, and families.
EXPERTISE: Neurodiversity, Developmental Disorders, Anxiety, Depression.
-
Susan Blum-Kapeluck, LMSW
(She/her)
With over a decade of experience working with children, teens and adults, Susan is dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with confidence and resilience. Her therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, evidence-based practices, and a deep commitment to each client’s unique needs.
Susan specializes in supporting individuals facing anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and relationship challenges. She is passionate about providing affirming care for LGBTQ+ individuals and neurodivergent youth, offering a safe and inclusive space to explore identity, emotions, relationships, and mental well-being. She creates a safe and supportive space for self-exploration and healing. Susan’s goal is to empower clients with the tools they need to build emotional well-being, enhance self-awareness, and develop healthier coping strategies. Whether working with young children, adolescents, or adults, she tailors her approach to foster growth and meaningful change. Susan completed her education at Adelphi University in 2013.
CLINICAL FOCUS: Individuals, families, teens, and children.
EXPERTISE: Neurodiversity, LGBTQ+, anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationships.
-
Danielle Purkey
MASTERS IN SOCIAL WORK INTERN
(She/her)
Dani believes in the power of the therapeutic process to make sense of our inner and outer worlds. Using a trauma-informed and person-centered approach, she supports clients in connecting with the healthiest parts of themselves and understanding the patterns and behaviors that may no longer be serving them. With an interest in attachment-theory and somatic integration, Dani works with clients to develop the tools to listen to the wisdom of their bodies and minds.
CLINICAL FOCUS: Adolescents and adults
EXPERTISE: Trauma, body-image, disordered eating, grief, relationship challenges -
Anna Metzler
MASTERS IN SOCIAL WORK INTERN
(She/her)
Anna believes in creating a therapeutic space for self-exploration, while always maintaining a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach. She is passionate about working with individuals to better understand their strengths and core values. This empowers people to live in a way that is more closely aligned with these values, promoting self-awareness, flexibility, and self-compassion.
She has experience supporting individuals through life transitions, grief, and chronic illness. Anna is interested in somatic practices, art therapy, and mindfulness, as she believes that creative, multi-modal approaches heighten individuals’ capacity for self-regulation, mind-body awareness, and meaningful change.
CLINICAL FOCUS: Adults, Children & Adolescents
EXPERTISE: Grief & Loss, Chronic Illness, Self-criticism, Life Transitions