Our Team
Tracy Carmody, MS, LMHC, NCC, CASAC-MC
Tracy specializes in the treatment of addiction & co-occurring mental health disorders, trauma, & obsessive compulsive disorder, the clinical team at Paths To Recovery Mental Health Counseling is highly trained to offer additional specialty services for a variety of needs, including services for maternal mental health and to the LGBTQIA+ population. Tracy works with individuals to address addiction and behavioral health concerns. She is experienced in helping individuals with a wide range of issues, including bipolar, depression, anxiety, OCD, major life transitions, trauma, grief, relationship stress, all areas of addiction, including support in coping with a loved one’s addiction. In addition, she provides drug and alcohol use assessment services, ranging from assessing a potential problem to the need for a higher level of care. Tracy’s treatment approaches are person-centered and eclectic, supporting all recovery options to focus on the clients’ unique needs.
Clinicians
Bio
Cody serves as PTR’s Senior Staff Clinician. In this role, he focuses on supporting the growth of both clients and staff members, leveraging over six years of experience as a clinician in the mental health field.
Cody utilizes an eclectic approach focusing on person-centered care. He has also utilized Narrative and Gestalt therapy techniques to help clients process grief, build positive self-esteem, and understand and advocate for their needs. Cody meets with clients virtually and in person at PTR’s Baldwinsville location. He has experience working with couples and families to adjust to changes and build on effective communication. It is important to Cody as a therapist to provide his clients with a safe and welcoming, non-judgmental space, offering a comfortable and confidential setting to explore and support options for wellness.
Areas of Practice:
Cody is an experienced clinician working with those with addictions, anxiety, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and marriage and relationship issues. Cody works with the LGBTQIA+ community in support and access to Gender Affirming Care.
Fun Facts:
Collector of unique coffee mugs, parent of fur babies and a young child.
Bio
Stephanie joined PTR as a clinician in 2022, building on over five years of experience in the field. While offering adolescent, adult, couples, family, and group therapy, she is known as PTR’s eating disorder treatment specialist, supporting the team while providing this therapeutic service to our community, but also supporting clients in a variety of additional capacities.
Stephanie utilizes many modalities of therapy, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Bilateral-Stimulation, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Dialectical and Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Stephanie builds rapport with clients through a compassionate and curious approach focused on individual needs. She meets with clients virtually and in person at PTR’s Baldwinsville Office.
Areas of Practice:
Stephanie offers PTR’s Eating Disorder Recovery group. She also supports clients experiencing anxiety, depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, marriage/relationship issues, and addiction/substance use disorders.
Fun Facts:
Proud owner of one dog and three cats, all with interesting names inspired by beloved fictional characters. Mother of a small human and an avid reader of fantasy and historical fiction.
Bio
Kristen is a Limited Permit Mental Health Counselor. Having completed all her educational requirements, she is now gaining supervised experience with the goal of achieving licensure. Kristen has a strong background in working with culturally diverse adults and formerly held a position as a school counselor, supporting adolescents ages 12+.
Kristen utilizes many therapeutic techniques, including Trauma Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and incorporates an eclectic and holistic mindset toward progress in therapy. It is essential to Kristen that her clients feel safe, welcome, and understood. Kristen is an LGBTQIA+ ally and often uses a connected mind and body approach to therapy.
Areas of Practice:
Kristen has experience working with those who have difficulty with addiction, school, family relationships, anxiety, depression, marriage/relationship issues, body positivity, eating disorders, and trouble with self-esteem.
Fun Facts:
She visited India in a study abroad program, enjoys soccer, and is the caregiver to her rescue dog, Tron.
Bio
Lyndsey is a Limited Permit Mental Health Counselor who joined PTR in January 2023. She works with adults and children ages 5+ and is working toward becoming a registered play therapist.
With a strong focus on holistic wellness and mindfulness-based practices, Lyndsey utilizes an integrative and individualized approach to care. Her experience includes utilizing Family & Systems Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered practices, and Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy. Her approach to counseling is to offer support to her clients on all paths to recovery and to partner with clients to further support goals of mental wellness and peace.
Areas of Practice:
Lyndsey uses her experience to positively impact clients in the areas of women’s wellness, anxiety, depression, parenting, children and play therapy, life transition, self-esteem, couples counseling, and improving self-care.
Fun Facts:
Born and raised in New York City, and is a collector of rare and fine teas.
Joleyne Besaw MHC-LP
Bio
Joleyne is a Limited Permit Mental Health Counselor who joined PTR in July 2023. She works with adults and adolescents ages 12+ in a collaborative manner focusing on physical and mental health, support in removing barriers to academic success, building upon coping skills, and treating the person holistically.
Her most recent certifications involve trauma studies, interest in supporting those coping with grief, and counseling in all areas for adolescents. Joleyne’s approach to care is rooted in Mindful Self-Compassion, Trauma Informed Care, and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (APIST), and she continues to develop her skills and interests under the supervision of Stephanie Cawley, LMHC.
Areas of Practice:
Joleyne passionately seeks ways to improve the lives of her clients with a history of trauma. She has a particular interest in treating those impacted by grief. Utilizing a present-focused approach to trauma and loss, we can treat difficult symptoms without rehashing the trauma that occurred.
Fun Facts:
Loves to bake cookies and is encouraged by many to start a baking business.
An intense love of French fries.
A bookworm, evidenced by books in every corner of her house.
Grad school had poetry published in 3 separate anthologies.
Affiliates
Amy Mack, LCSW, RPT
Nicole DeFurio, LCSW, CCTP
Bio
Nicole is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 14 years of experience in the mental health field. She began in Therapeutic Family Foster Care and moved into a local Community Health Center for over 10 years before opening her own practice, Simple Serentiy Counseling, PLLC in 2019.
Nicole does not utilize one therapeutic method but rather draws from a variety of methods to best suit the needs of the client including Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, and Family Systems Theory to name a few. She sees patients in person Monday’s and Tuesdays at our Manlius office and meets with clients virtually the remainder of the week.
Areas of Practice:
As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional she specializes in Acute Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder but also has extensive experience working with Anxiety, Depression, family and relationship issues, and dual diagnosis clients. While she does typically work with Adults and Families, she is open to working with children ages 13 and up.
Fun Fact:
Besides her dog DeeDee there is nothing Nicole loves more than traveling with her fiancé and experiencing new cultures and adventures!