Meet the practitioners
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Owner, Somatic and Play Therapist
Nina Schmidbaur, LCSW is the owner of Clovelea and a somatic play therapist.
(She/her)
Nina is a somatically trained therapist and owner of this healing collective. She provides psychotherapy to children and adults through an attachment lens. She has spent the past 15 years working in inner-city public schools, with children in anti-violence programs and in Residential Treatment, home, homeless shelters in India and America, and UNICEF’s Child Protection department. The focus of her work includes individual and family therapy, community outreach, and providing psycho-education to organizations and schools. She has conducted research on attachment and started outpatient mental health clinics. She also provides trainings to organizations and schools and lectures on art, somatic, and play therapy.
She servers her community as the co-president of the Hudson Valley Guild of Mental Health Professionals, Vice President of the Saugerties Public Library, and Chair of the Saugerties Arts Commission.
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Acupuncture
Dr. Rory Crouse, L.AC DACM
(He/him)
Dr. Rory applies a holistic approach to patient care. He treats whole body pain and discomfort using Acupuncture and cupping - he has extensive experience helping patients get relief from lower back, neck, shoulder, and sciatic pain as well as muscle tightness and headaches. Rory also treats mental/emotional conditions including anxiety and depression. He often supplements his treatments with a combination of meditation, nutritional advice, traditional herbal medicine, and stretching exercises to correct underlying imbalances. Through a well-rounded approach combining pragmatic research with traditional east Asian medical theory, Dr. Rory is committed to helping patients reach long term relief and optimal health.
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Acupuncture - Women's Health + Fertility
Megan Crouse, L.AC MSTOM
Megan is a New York state licensed Acupuncturist who earned her Bachelor’s degree in Medical Anthropology from Ithaca College and Master's degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. Megan’s passion is in treating women’s health. She specializes in helping women with their unique fertility journeys and supporting them through all stages of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She has had the pleasure of helping couples conceive children naturally, as well as provided complementary support alongside western interventions such as IVF and IUI. Megan also treats gynecological conditions, menstrual irregularities, and symptoms of menopause. She designs a unique treatment plan for each patient using a variety of healing modalities including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, moxibustion, and cupping. Megan is dedicated to helping others feel well and to being of service to the Saugerties community.
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Child Therapist
Diane Zeitlin, LCSW
(She/her)
For nearly 20 years Diane has worked with children in both private practice and in a school for children with special needs. While encouraging each child’s unique strengths, she helps work through such struggles as feelings of insecurity, managing anger, developing self-confidence, and navigating relationships with family, friends, and teachers. She aims to provide an atmosphere of warmth, attunement, and empathy. Building a trusting alliance is always her first step. She also collaborates closely with parents in order to exchange information and insights, provide parenting tips, and think together about their child's social/emotional goals and needs.
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Psychotherapist
Nick Kamen, LMSW
(He/him)
Since 2018, Nick Kamen, LMSW, has been committed to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges through a compassionate, collaborative, and client-centered approach to therapy. He believes that meaningful change is fostered through a strong therapeutic relationship and strives to create a supportive environment where clients feel safe, understood, and empowered to explore their experiences.
Nick works with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use concerns, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, and life transitions. He earned his Master’s Degree in Social Work from the NYU Silver School of Social Work in 2018 and has been with Saugerties Therapy Center since the practice was founded.
Nick is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is passionate about helping clients process and heal from experiences that continue to impact their present lives. His work is grounded in an understanding of the nervous system and incorporates elements of somatic and body-based approaches to support emotional regulation, self-awareness, and lasting change.
Known for his authentic and approachable style, Nick values creating a genuine connection with each client. He believes therapy can be both meaningful and engaging and incorporates humor when appropriate to help foster comfort, connection, and growth. By integrating EMDR, nervous system-informed care, and somatic approaches, Nick helps clients build resilience, deepen self-understanding, and move toward lives that feel more fulfilling and aligned with their values.
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Mental Health Counseling
Nataliya Sannikova, LMHC-LP
(She/her)
Nat is a neurodiversity-affirming therapist who meets clients exactly as they are with authenticity, kindness, and genuine acceptance. Her therapeutic style is creative, playful, and body-aware. Therapy is a space for healing, exploring identity, building connections, and building self-compassion.
Nat specializes in working with adolescent and adult neurodivergent individuals, including Autistic people and ADHDers, using trauma-informed approaches. Her practice encompasses identity exploration and intersectional work, and she provides
LGBTQ+-affirming therapy for clients seeking authentic therapeutic connections. She approaches therapy as a collaborative process of learning and growth, staying current with the latest research on neurodiversity and trauma. Her goal is to create a space where clients can safely explore, heal, and thrive as their authentic selves.
*Telehealth only
FOCUS: Individuals, children & teens, couples, and groups.
EXPERTISE: ADHD, Autism, and Relationships (including Consensual/Ethical Non-Monogamy).
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Psychotherapist
Susan Blum-Kapeluck, LMSW
(She/her)
With over a decade of experience working with children, teens and adults, Susan is dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with confidence and resilience. Her therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, evidence-based practices, and a deep commitment to each client’s unique needs.
Susan specializes in supporting individuals facing anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and relationship challenges. She is passionate about providing affirming care for LGBTQ+ individuals and neurodivergent youth, offering a safe and inclusive space to explore identity, emotions, relationships, and mental well-being. She creates a safe and supportive space for self-exploration and healing. Susan’s goal is to empower clients with the tools they need to build emotional well-being, enhance self-awareness, and develop healthier coping strategies. Whether working with young children, adolescents, or adults, she tailors her approach to foster growth and meaningful change.
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Psychotherapist
Dani Purkey
MASTERS IN SOCIAL WORK
(She/her)
Dani believes in the power of the therapeutic process to make sense of our inner and outer worlds. Using a trauma-informed and person-centered approach, she supports clients in connecting with the healthiest parts of themselves and understanding the patterns and behaviors that may no longer be serving them. With an interest in attachment-theory and somatic integration, Dani works with clients to develop the tools to listen to the wisdom of their bodies and minds.
CLINICAL FOCUS: children, adolescents, and adults
EXPERTISE: Trauma, body-image, disordered eating, grief, relationship challenges