Life Stages Counseling
Our Team
Teresa Grella M.A., LMFT
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Co-founder of Life Stages Counseling, a private practice in Babylon Village, NY with a satellite office in Westbury, NY. Life Stages has been providing comprehensive mental health services to individuals, couples and families since 2004. I specialize in couple and family therapy. I hold a master’s degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from Hofstra University, and an Advanced Certificate in substance abuse counseling from the School of Social Work at Stony Brook University. I received intensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), at Columbia University through Behavioral Tech, Inc. I find that incorporating the philosophy of DBT and using DBT skills with my clients has positively impacted our work together and I am very passionate about this model of treatment. I utilize an integrative approach to treatment that incorporates elements of family systems theory, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
I am currently the Director of the Counseling and Mental Health Professions (CMHP) Clinic at the Joan and Arnold Community Services Center at Hofstra University. I also serve as a clinical supervisor in the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Doctoral Clinic in the Joan and Arnold Community Services Center at Hofstra University and am an adjunct Professor in the Marriage & Family Therapy program. In addition, I am a clinical Fellow in good standing with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
Karen O'Brien, LCSW-R, LMHC, CASAC
I bring 35 years of education, experience and dedication to the helping profession of therapy. I am the co-founder of Life Stages Counseling, a company spanning 10 plus years. Life Stages is a private practice committed to helping people bring clarity to their lives while building skills and setting goals for their future. It is my pursuit to assist in the growth and development of all individuals. I hold a Masters Degree in Social Work, Mental Health and am Credentialed in Substance Abuse Treatment. Life Stages has been a rich environment for me and Co-Founder Teresa Grella, affording us the ability to offer comprehensive, innovative treatment approaches to those we serve.
I have 20 years of experience working in the field of addiction and mental health, and was the Director for a prominent agency on Long Island. I was responsible for all aspects of staffing and programming which included a Women and Children's Program, Men's Program, DWI Program, and an Adolescent Program. After many gratifying years, I recently retired from that position and am now in full time private practice. I am very excited to be in a position to devote more time to my practice.
Elisabeth McGuire, Limited Permit Professional, MFT
I am excited to join Life Stages Counseling as an associate Marriage and Family Therapist in their Long Island, NY locations. Prior to becoming a therapist, I had a long and rewarding career as a business executive in New York City, helping me understand and relate to the pressures, demands, and challenges that many people face today. I hold a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Hofstra University, where I served as a clinical intern and a training family therapist and skills group leader on the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) team in the Psychological Evaluation Research and Counseling clinic. I am also a member in good standing of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT) and the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT). As a mature therapist with vast life experience, I am uniquely suited to help my clients navigate life’s transitions, improve their relationships, and reach their full potential. I believe change is possible at any age or stage of life, and I tailor my treatment plans to meet my clients’ specific circumstances, individual needs, and relational goals. My approach is solution-focused and grounded in evidence-based practice, drawing on the principles of family systems theories and behavioral models such as CBT, DBT and ACT to achieve meaningful change and optimal outcomes for my clients. I look forward to helping individuals, couples and families gain the insight and skills necessary to foster healthy relationships and build the lives they desire.