Deborah Guilfoyle, LMT (518-847-1256)
Licensed Massage Therapist, Reiki and Qigong Deborah Guilfoyle, BA, LMT is a graduate of Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy in Albany, New York. Deborah is nationally certified, and fully licensed by the State of New York. In addition to the 1,020 hour program, she has also completed Level I training in Craniosacral Therapy through the Upledger Institute and has been a Level II Reiki practitioner in the Usui Tradition since 2010. Deborah is also a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). Deborah delights in time spent in nature and believes in the interconnectedness of all things. Stewardship of the Earth and of each other gives her life meaning. She has deepened her connection to the web of life through Shamanic studies, specifically in the Rites of the Munay-Ki. Deborah has been a Qigong practitioner since 2012 and received teacher certification from Supreme Science Qigong Institute. She continues her study of TaiQi and Qigong with the Noble Movement Academy based in Oakland, CA. Her continuing education interests focus on Myofacial Release, Energy Diagnostics and Medical Qigong. Deborah’s love of the visual arts and creative expression led to a Bachelor of Fine Arts in the Visual Arts from San Francisco State University in 1993. She has lived and traveled abroad and throughout North America. Her greatest joy is watching her three beautiful children grow into adulthood. Clients benefit from Deborah's rich and varied life experiences, recognizing the importance of self-awareness and an understanding of the human/mind/body/spirit connection. Vertical Divider
|
Mary LaFountain, LCSW-R, CYT (518-257-9131)
Mary, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, 200hr Certified Yoga Teacher, and a retired Licensed Practical Nurse has worked within the field of health and human services for over 25 years. In addition to her private therapy practice, Mary is employed as a school social worker within the public-school system serving students K-12 and supporting adult education students. Mary completed her nursing training at the Elizabeth Seton School of Nursing in 1993 and worked several years in the medical health care field as a medical/surgical nurse. As Mary’s professional and academic interests in the dynamics of physiological, psychological, environmental, and spiritual experiences developed she transitioned her role and broadened her scope of practice. In 2007, Mary graduated from SUNY Albany having completed dual degrees-a Masters of Social Welfare and BA/MA in English Literature. Inspired by her interest in the art and science of healing, Mary completed dual programs to explore the connection between the brain as a neurological organ and the brain as the interpretative psychological expression of self. Mary continues to be fascinated by this paradoxical dynamic of “I see the world as I am,” and “the world shapes who I come to be.” Mary initiated practice working in a community based recovery program treating clients impacted by co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders. In 2010, Mary accepted a position with the Schenectady County Office of Community Services, serving as the county’s Dual Recovery Coordinator, before moving into her current role as a school based social worker and her private practice at White Birch Healing Arts in Schenectady NY. After completion of three years post graduate supervised practice, Mary earned her clinical license and the privileges to practice psychotherapy. During this time, Mary also completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training in order to further develop her capacity to integrate modalities and support a mind-body-spirit based clinical practice. Mary’s approach to clinical practice combines traditional talk therapy and integrated energy based techniques to provide a holistic comprehensive set of treatment interventions. As a nurse, Mary’s training emphasized the importance of treating the human response to medical illness. This distinction continues to inform the way Mary approaches her role as a therapist. While able to diagnose, and informed by its treatment value, Mary does not treat by diagnosis; her therapeutic approach is informed by the client’s response to the presenting problem first and foremost. Continuing education and skill development is a pivotal part of Mary’s commitment to quality of care. In order to fine tune and further develop the skills needed to assist individuals from a holistic, mind-body-spirit model of care, Mary has obtained specialized training in Trauma Therapy, Comprehensive Energy Psychology, Integrated Therapeutic Yoga, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Exposure Therapy, and Harm Reduction Therapy. Mary also trained through The Center for Deployment Psychology as a Star Behavioral Health Provider to serve the military population and their family members. Throughout her career, Mary has been inspired by the capacity for human resilience and its role in recovering from life’s wear and tear. The focus of her work, whether working in a clinical setting or teaching a yoga class, is to honor the resilience of each individual and provide support and guidance as individuals explore, identify, and holistically address self care needs in order to lead healthier and happier lives. |