Meet The Team

Randolph Bleiwas, our Executive Director, has Master's degrees in Psychology and Social Work, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Certified Brain Injury Specialist, a NYS Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor and a Certified Hypnotherapist in addition to other certifications.​

He provided therapy in and administrated mental health and substance abuse programs in a variety of settings and has extensive experience in TBI, disabilities, trauma and other areas that affect our clients. More importantly, he cares about the people that we serve and wants Beacon Place to make a difference in peoples' lives and to be the place where hope never ends.

Dawn Van Doran, is the Assistant Executive Director of Beacon Place and has been key in assisting us to develop the Beacon Place Mental Health Center.  She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education From SUNY-New Paltz and 10+ years working with Adults with Special Needs and TBI.  Dawn has also been working with children with special needs since before college. 

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“I enjoy working with adults with TBI to see the joy in their faces when they learn or experience something new.  I learn every day from them and look forward to coming to program to see and interact with them.”

Kyle Van Doran is the Activity Supervisor for our Structured Day Program. She's been a student enrolled at SUNY Rockland with a major in Recreational Therapy and a minor in Journalism and is working towards becoming a Certified Brain Injury Specialist.  She has worked as a volunteer to adults with special needs for over five years.

Dr. Jeffrey Vallon has a PhD in Psychology and a Masters of Science in Health Care Administration. He has extensive experience providing individual, couples, family and group therapy as well as administering mental health and substance abuse services. Jeffrey has extensive experience with Traumatic Brain Injury and many other conditions. He is a NY State Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a member of the National Board of Certified Counselors, New York Mental Health Counselors Association and a  Member of the New York State Alliance of Sex Offender Treatment Providers.

Sandra Mubang has been with Beacon Place initially as a Community Integration Counselor serving our clients with Traumatic Brain Injuries and helping them to re-integrate into the community. She now joins our Mental Health Center as an LMSW therapist. She comes to us with her Master's degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. She has years of clinical experience working with grief, couples and family counseling and other behavioral health issues. We are glad to have her aboard. 

Shelley Lari, LCSW, has a Master's Degree in Social Work from the State University of NY at Stony Brook.  She began her social work career in the hospital setting, from inpatient psychiatry to both inpatient and outpatient detoxification.  She then moved into the Social Work/human services OMH regulatory Compliance role.  Shelley completed internal compliance for both FEGS and the Institute for Community living, prior to moving on to external Compliance in behavioral health for Optum/United Health Care, as well as a private Psychotherapy practice. "I love to explore new areas in the fields of social work and overall human services. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to work both individually with clients in the clinical setting, and with/for agencies on the macro level of compliance."

My name is Crystal, and I have a Licensed Master's degree in Social Work. I graduated from Fordham University. I have over five years of experience in practice. As a therapist, I am here to work with you to build a life of self-compassion and self-love. We will create a comfortable and open space to allow you to begin your healing process. My priority is to support you in identifying and setting goals that empower you to make the changes you want to see in your life. I utilize a collaborative and strengths-based approach to help reduce the harmful impact of anxiety and depression. Together we will work to normalize your experiences, enhance your self-understanding, and help you build skills to navigate change, cope with stress and trauma, and reduce the negative impacts of your inner-criticism. I am honored for the opportunity to work with you! Reach out and we can get started today.

Sarah Hancock Rubinsky is a Masters-level supervised counselor-in-training intern at Beacon Place, specializing in counseling services for adults, adolescents, children, groups, couples, parents, and families. Sarah is trauma-focused, utilizing person-centered, attachment-based, and Adlerian oriented approaches. Sarah's background in peer mentorship in recovery and trauma, along with her role as an adult mentor to LGBTQIA+ youth underscores her commitment to inclusivity and support. Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from the University of St. Andrews, Sarah is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling at Northwestern University. Grounded in feminist theory and strengths-based principles, Sarah integrates bodywork, LGBTQIA+ affirming practices, and sex and kink positive paradigms into her counseling approach. Dedicated to ongoing growth and learning, Sarah is passionate about providing compassionate and culturally competent care to empower clients to live fulfilling lives.

While being truly seen and heard is one of the most beautiful aspects of good therapy, I’m sure you also want help with relieving stress and dealing with painful problems. 

Combining insight-oriented therapy and practical strategies can bring about really positive change. I draw from many schools of thought, yet I most align with cognitive behavioral and insight-oriented therapy. Drawing on your strengths, we can explore new ways to look at difficult situations, which can bring about positive feelings, actions and results.

I work with individuals, couples and families. My style is warm and empowering, with a bit of humor mixed in. It’s important to be able to relax, be yourself and talk freely with your therapist.

The issues I specialize in are: Reducing Stress/Anxiety, Improving Relationships, Career Issues, Creating Purposeful work/ life paths (including meaningful retirement).

My name is Jean-Ralph Petido, but you can call me Ralph for short. I am a licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and have been a clinician for three years. I obtained a BA in Psychology from Mercy University and an MA in Mental Health Counseling from Iona University. I first interned and worked at Family Services of Westchester for a couple of years. I have work experience with CHE Behavioral Health Services. I am now excited to be part of Beacon Place LLC.
In my years of experience, I have utilized CBT, DBT, Anger Management, and more to assist individuals dealing with issues such as anxiety, depression, anger, and more. It may seem difficult at the time to work through these issues, but together we can do it. The goal is to build a strong therapeutic alliance to help people work towards a healthy lifestyle. When a person puts in the effort and understanding of their difficulties you can slowly achieve that healthy lifestyle.

Jorge A. Diaz is a dedicated Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) therapist with 19 years of experience working directly with individuals facing mental and behavioral challenges. He has been licensed as an LMSW since 2011 and brings a wealth of expertise to his  practice. With a strong foundation in evidence-based approaches, Jorge specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), utilizing its principles to guide his therapeutic interventions. He is also adept at incorporating other modalities tailored to the unique needs of each client. Jorge's primary goal in therapy is to provide unwavering support while assisting individuals in gaining a deeper understanding of their difficulties. Through collaborative exploration, he endeavors to help clients discover solutions and acquire the necessary skills to manage life's stressors more effectively.

With nearly two decades of experience in the field, Jorge A. Diaz embodies compassion, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to facilitating positive change in the lives of those he serves.

Dr  Zahida Nayeem is our psychiatrist. Dr. Nayeem has extensive experience in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services throughout her nearly 40-year career. She has worked with diverse populations, including both adult and pediatric clients, and with subpopulations, such as those engaging in substance abuse, dual-diagnosis clients, geriatric clients, clients with depression, anxiety, PTSD and trauma, psychosis, correctional facility clients, and workmen’s compensation clients.

Lara O'Gorman, LMSW, is a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Master Social Worker based in New York State. With a diverse background in various therapeutic modalities, Lara brings a wealth of experience to her practice. Working with individuals and families from all walks of life, Lara approaches each client with empathy, understanding, and a commitment to supporting them on their journey. She specializes in treating a range of issues, including complex trauma, ADHD, depression, anxiety, substance use, and personality disorders. Lara’s comprehensive approach to therapy integrates evidence-based techniques tailored to meet each individual's unique needs. Whether you're seeking support to navigate life's challenges or looking for strategies to enhance your overall well-being, Lara is here to provide guidance and support every step of the way. 

Hi, my name is Richie Jose and I am a therapist at Beacon Place. I am a Licensed Social Worker with 10 years of experience in the social work field. I received my Master's degree from Yeshiva University. I have worked with teenagers, adults and the elderly with different diagnoses. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and exercising.

Throughout my social work career I have utilized CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) behavioral therapy, strengths based therapy and trauma focused treatment. 

I remember as an adolescent how difficult life was  and the help that I received from my therapist/social worker. Now that I am in my adult years I’m honored to be in a position where I can help someone else. 

Grace Lari is our receptionist as well as our intake specialist who conducts most of our pre-admissions for therapy and psychiatry clients. Grace holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Binghamton University and is dedicated to reducing the stigma associated with mental illness while advocating for therapy. With a warm and empathetic approach, she assists individuals in connecting with the right clinician and navigating the intake process seamlessly. Currently pursuing a Master's degree at Arizona State University, Grace appreciates the supportive atmosphere at Beacon Place, where she can balance her studies with her passion for mental health.

My name is Margarett Torrellas and I have a M.A. in Forensic Psychology and second M.A. in Forensic Mental Health Counseling. I have experience in working with children, adolescents and adults doing individual, family, couples and group therapy. My specializations include working with first responders, domestic violence, sexual assault survivors, trauma and grief and I have also done clinical work with the sex offender population. In addition to my clinical experience, I am retired from the NYPD and did 20 years of service as a police officer, detective and sergeant.  Currently, I am an adjunct professor at St. John’s University and have been teaching undergraduate psychology for the past 10 years. As a relational therapist I utilize a multidisciplinary theoretical approach to fit the unique needs of my clients.   I come from a place of compassion and look forward to providing you with an environment of trust, safety and unconditional positive regard.   

I bring decades of dedicated experience in healthcare financial management, where I've developed a deep understanding of healthcare delivery systems and their unique fiscal challenges. My expertise spans strategic business planning, cost analysis, and pricing strategies that help healthcare organizations thrive while maintaining their commitment to patient care. As a certified financial professional, I specialize in financial reporting and have implemented robust information systems that enhance organizational efficiency. I take pride in providing executive-level financial guidance that balances fiscal responsibility with the mission-driven nature of healthcare. My approach combines analytical precision with a genuine understanding of how financial decisions impact healthcare delivery, and I'm committed to partnering with organizations to create sustainable financial strategies that support their vital work in our communities.