Meet the Team
Amy Frisch,
Amy Frisch, LCSWR, is a psychotherapist and the founder of It's a Girl Thing! Amy specializes in issues of adolescence, and has developed a dynamic, creative, and unique private practice over the past 20 years.
The Weekend Retreat is one of Amy’s favorite programs because it allows her to connect with young women in a more relaxed setting. "We create a true sense of family."
Amy is a fan of being near the ocean, scuba diving, and new adventures. She loves a good challenge, appreciates a funny joke, and cherishes down time with her family. She holds firmly to the belief that most of life’s problems look a little less intimidating after a good run.
Amy received her MSW from Fordham University way way back in 1994!
Casey Dederick
Casey is a Licensed Social worker, earning her Masters degree in Social Work from Adelphi University. Casey is the lead co-facilitator of our “Beyond the Label” expressive arts support group. When she's not working, you can find her volunteering at the Walden Humane Society. She enjoys photography, spending time with family, a good joke, and connecting with friends.
This retreat is something that is near and dear to her heart. In high school, Casey joined It’s A Girl Thing! expressive arts group for support during her teens years. "The love and guidance provided by this group allowed me to blossom into the woman I am now: fearless and healthy."
Kaitlyn Hartmann
Kaitlyn is a Licensed Master Social Worker committed to holding a supportive and compassionate space for you to bring yourself as you are. Kaitlyn has a therapeutic style that is warm, relatable, and non-judgemental with a hint of humor and light-heartedness. Kaitlyn has experience in various higher levels of care treating eating disorders, body image, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Using evidence-based methods, Kaitlyn helps to build mind-body connections and foster self-compassion, guiding clients to explore their authentic selves and develop coping skills. Throughout the therapeutic journey, Kaitlyn will support you in coming more into yourself and challenging what may be holding you back from living the life you truly want to live. Kaitlyn utilizes a Health At Every Size (HAES) framework to address eating disorders and body image related struggles.
When she is not working, you can find Kaitlyn enjoying time outside, playing with her dog Milo, listening to Taylor Swift, and connecting with family and friends.
morgan gorey
Morgan is an intern at IGT and currently studying to be a Licensed Professional Counselor and Clinical Rehabilitation Counselor. She is specialized in working with People with Disabilities, but her studies also expand beyond that! Morgan is a student at Auburn University (War Eagle!) and spent the past year and a half in Alabama working towards her master’s degree. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY New Paltz and graduated in 2022. She is currently a member of the ACA (American Counseling Association), NRCA (National Rehabilitation Counseling Association, and Chi Sigma Iota (International honor society for counselors). She is always looking for an opportunity to work with a wide diversity of clients to get as much experience as possible! She chose to pursue a degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling because her father experienced a traumatic brain injury during her childhood. She understands the hardships of rehabilitation on a patient as well as their family.
She has experience working mainly with Autistic and/or neurodivergent clients but is looking forward to expanding her experience as she grows as a counselor! In her free time, Morgan enjoys reading, running, gardening/plant-keeping, and spending time with her two cats. She also enjoys crocheting, spending time with family, and baking. She loves incorporating art into her therapy sessions through all kinds of medium. Her guilty pleasure is watching WWE while eating gluten-free pizza with pepperoni!
Franny Hertz
Franny Hertz, MS. ED, LMSW, is a licensed Social Worker and a licensed teacher who received her MSW from Columbia University and her MS. ED from Bank Street College of Education. She also holds a BA in Psychology from William Smith College. She is a firm believer in the importance of open and honest communication. She understands that strong relationships require work and that includes the individual, their families, and community.
Franny comes to the IGT team with a background as a family service coordinator and special education teacher. She has extensive experience tailoring the psychological, educational or vocational needs of each individual.
Franny enjoys working one-on-one with clients to help them recognize their strengths and gain self-confidence to overcome challenges. In addition, Franny appreciates the collaborative aspect of group work and the support that groups can provide for their members.
As a therapist, Franny draws upon her experience designing, coordinating, and implementing a range of positive affirmation education programs. She uses a variety of humanistic approaches/ techniques to customize the needs of each individual, utilizing art and games, and learning new methods to help clients overcome challenges.
When not at work, Franny enjoys outdoor recreation and nature, particularly hiking, camping, gardening, reading, and nature drawing. She also loves spending quality time with her family and friends, including her special furry friend Marlowe, a red labrador retriever.
Amy Colón
Amy Colón is a Licensed Master Social Worker with a Master’s degree from Adelphi University. She believes that each person is the expert of their own life, and her role as a therapist is to help individuals uncover the inner wisdom they already possess to navigate challenges.
Amy sees people as inherently resilient, creative, and capable, even when life’s struggles make it difficult to access those strengths. In a world that can often feel harsh and unpredictable, she provides a safe, compassionate space where clients can reconnect with their inner brilliance and develop healthier ways to cope.
Her therapeutic approach incorporates play therapy, expressive arts, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness practices to promote healing and personal growth. Whether clients are experiencing emotional pain, stress, or life transitions, Amy supports them in exploring new paths toward relief, resilience, and self-discovery.
Amy also has a deep love of nature and finds immense joy in the somatic practice of Noyes Rhythm, which she has studied, taught and danced in for over 30 years. This movement practice profoundly influences her personal and professional life, fostering a sense of balance, embodiment, and connection.
Maria Monserrate
Maria Monserrate is a clinical intern at It's a Girl Thing! and a graduate student at SUNY New Paltz, where she will earn her Mental Health Counseling degree in May 2025. Maria has a background working with children as young as 3 years old, as well as individuals in a substance use facility. She is passionate about providing a safe and supportive space for clients to explore their emotions and develop healthy coping skills. Maria believes in the power of connection and is dedicated to helping others feel understood and empowered as they navigate their mental health journey. In her free time, Maria enjoys spending time with her family, exploring new places, and discovering new dining spots.
Amanda Sepulveda
Amanda Sepulveda, LMSW, received her Master’s Degree from Silberman School of Social Work-Hunter College. Her career began when she worked as a Multi-Systemic Family Therapist - Substance Abuse (MST-SA) in the Bronx. Amanda worked to prevent any type of out of home placement and to keep families together. She provided family therapy for adolescents who were experiencing antisocial behaviors (truancy, criminal activity, substance use, gang activity/affiliation, physical/verbal aggression) in the community and at home.
Amanda worked with countless community stakeholders such as child protection services, judges, schools, NYPD, probation officers, lawyers, and medical providers to ensure cooperation amongst service providers and to advocate for clients and their individual needs. She is passionate about working with families and giving them the tools they need to strengthen relationships, create a better home environment, improve communication, and overall function in an effective and collaborative way.
In her free time, Amanda loves to spend time with her family and Cinnamon, her sheltie-poodle! She has a love for Musicals(Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Wicked, all things Disney, etc.). Amanda has a deep love for her Puerto Rican culture and loves to learn about her Puerto Rican heritage.
Maria Scarangella
In May 2023, I graduated with my Master’s of Social Work from SUNY Albany. I got my Social Work License and joined It’s A Girl Thing!+ in the summer of 2024. I am really excited to be a therapist and focus more on mental and emotional health!
I was pretty angry growing up. Typical story...Rebellious, misunderstood. I was always "in trouble" but never understood why, and certainly never given the tools to do better. My behavior, like so many other teenagers, was due to an unfortunate lack of coping skills, and adults who didn't know any better. As an adult, I ended up with a passionate empathy for the “bad” kids.
When I found myself working with Justice-Involved youth, I knew I had found my way. Finally, something made sense, and I recognized what I wished I had gotten when I was a kid: Patience and compassion, instead of shame and judgment and, of course, the tools to do better next time…I spent 10 years doing Restorative Justice and Case Management work with Adolescents in Ulster County. I also trained as a Circle Keeper and held hundreds of Talking Circles with people of all age ranges.
In my spare time I like to nerd out over Astrology and Sci-Fi/Fantasy franchises, play on the floor with my daughter and cat and brew the occasional potion.
Keith
Hi there! My name is Keith (after Keith Richards ) and I am 3 months old. My mom, Morgan, is a counselor here at IGT so I will occasionally make an appearance in the Maybrook office! The IGT team helped take care of me when I was less than a week old by helping bottle feed me and giving me the love and the nurturing I needed to grow big and strong! I am a miracle baby because my biological mom couldn’t have kittens…but here I am, the one and only! My mom lets me come to sessions when I’m on my best behavior to provide motivation and support to all my IGT friends. I may be little, but I am fierce! I’m so happy that I can help people on their therapeutic journey and I hope to see you soon!
Jackie
Jackie graduated with her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development. She is currently a member of the American Counseling Association and the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success. Jackie is a proud member of Delta Alpha Pi, the honor society for high achieving academic individuals with disabilities.
Before joining IGT, Jackie spent 2 years working with the local suicide and crisis hotline, finding this work to be her niche. She completed her internship at a Children and Family therapy agency, working with children and adolescents, and providing individual, group, and family therapy. Jackie has worked with children, adults, and families in settings such as group homes, residential facilities, foster care, and in clinic.
In her free time, Jackie can be found photographing Victorian era architecture and hiking in the west coast National Parks with her husband. She has 3 cats who all wish they could come with her to IGT!
Danielle
My name is Danielle and I have been practicing Marriage and Family therapy for 5 years. I graduated with my Masters from Long Island University. I am super excited to become a part of IGT and bring my approach to this practice. I work with clients assisting with all types of life challenges utilizing techniques that fit each individual. I am looking forward to working with you!