Sobeyda Valle-Ellis, LCSW
Director
Sobeyda is a relationship expert with 20+ years of experience as a Clinical Social Worker. She is bilingual, Spanish-English, and multi-cultural.
Formerly a Clinical Supervisor at Redeemer Counseling Services in NYC. She is the Director of HeartMatters NYC Counseling and offers transformational therapies to individuals, couples, families, and groups.
Sobeyda is a 1.5 generation Latina, who grew up in different immigrant neighborhoods in Queens. She is married to David and has 4 adult children. She loves serving as a Deaconess in her neighborhood church. And is passionate about cycling.
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Approach To Therapy
In her approach to therapy, Sobeyda uses different experiential methods. She is certified as an Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples. Also has advanced training in AEDP for Couples, and Coherence Therapy. She helps her clients to draw upon their Christian faith as a vital source of hope, power, and resource for a flourishing life. She delights in helping her clients to retell their stories of trauma, tragedy, and loss to new stories of grace, redemption, and transformation.
In addition to being an excellent clinician, she is a trainer and has done workshops and retreats on topics such as Cultivating Intimacy, Understanding Conflict, Growing in Spiritual Friendships, Kindling Passion in Marriage, Identity Formation in Immigrant Families, among others. She is also sought after for her emotionally-focused approach and practical style of supervision.
Education
Columbia School of Social Work, NYC MSW 1991
Multicultural Family Institute, NJ. MFT Certification 1999.
License & Certification
LCSW NY State
EFT Certification
Gottman Marital Therapy Certification candidate
Certification as Prepare-Enrich Premarital Facilitator
Professional Memberships
NASW
NYCEFT
ICEEFT
AEDP
Farrah Cogdell, LMHC
Licensed Therapist/Supervisor
Farrah has a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at Alliance Graduate School of Counseling August 2016. And a Master’s degree in Christian Counseling at Philadelphia Biblical University, December 2010. She is trained in CBT and Discipleship counseling. Currently, she is training in AEDP, a trauma informed therapy.
Farrah co-directs the Children’s ministry at her local church. She trains volunteer leaders to shepherd children under the age of 10 to learn about God using the bible and to shape the formation of their identity in Christ. She has been a leader in a prayer ministry in small groups and various congregational settings. And she’s been a guest speaker in a for local church groups, women’s retreats and bible studies.
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Approach To Therapy
She works from a strength-based perspective, a holistic model which considers and integrates the impact of internal and external life stressors , one’s ability to function and thrive. She uses a collaborative approach which honors the dignity and input of each client. She works primarily with adults. And enjoys working with couples and children of all ages to develop a positive view of themselves and to grow toward their core identity, being one of uniqueness and the capacity to be their best self. She aims to provide a non-judgmental safe and collaborative therapeutic environment for her clients.
Education
Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at Alliance Graduate School of Counseling 2016.
A Master’s degree in Christian Counseling at Philadelphia Biblical University 2010.
License & Certification
LMHC NY State Licensed Mental Health Counselor.
Rachel Gerena, MFT
Therapy Associate
Rachel earned an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy MFT from Touro University Worldwide. She was an MFT Intern here at HeartMatters NYC for one year. She takes a collaborative approach to therapy and is currently training in AEDP. Rachel is certified as a Rape Crisis Counselor and has experience volunteering with the DOVE program.
Rachel is a nondenominational Christian, who strives to emulate compassion, care, and inclusion in her therapeutic practice. Rachel is also a regular contributor to her local church’s worship experience. She embraces the amazing cultural diversity of NYC. She lives in Brooklyn, is married to a Newyorican and has a dog named Kimchi.
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Education
Masters of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy through Touro University Worldwide. 2021
License & Affiliation
NY State Limited permit. Member of the AAMFT.
Sparkle Sumpter, MA
Pastoral Care, Coach
Sparkle has a Master of Arts from Regent University, VA. Her interests are in family and grief group counseling.
Sparkle attended a program that integrates scripture and a Christian worldview with problem-solving and counseling models for life problems. Her goal as a therapist is to create a space for her clients that is safe, welcoming, judgment-free and empathic.
Sparkle has a strong Christian faith. She infuses her counseling with the belief that love never fails, and love rejoices in truth with many smiles along the way.
Sparkle is a real New Yorker and grew up in Brooklyn. She is an active member in her church and community.
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Education:
Master of Arts in Human Services with a concentration in Conflict and Mediation Counseling
Regent University, VA. January, 2023
Mathew Apolinaris, MFT
Counseling Resident
Mathew is working toward his MA in Marriage and Family Therapy through Touro University Worldwide. He is passionate about strengthening relationships and seeing families restored. His empathic listening skills allows him to make strong connections with clients, cultivating a safe haven for them to explore. He understands the impact that family dynamics and other contextual factors have on individuals. His goal is to provide families with tools that can lead to healing and emotional well-being.
Mathew is Latino, born and raised in the Bronx, and rooted and grounded in his Christian faith. He has served in his church for ten years in different capacities, from working with the youth to leading Men’s ministry. Mathew currently works as a mentor with young boys whose families have been involved with the foster care system.
Patrick Boatwright, MHC
Counseling Resident
Patrick is a Master of Counseling Psychology candidate at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. His desire is to help individuals and couples enrich their mental and emotional health by creating a supportive environment where they can uncover the stories they have been living in, the things they want to orient their life towards, and the steps they want to take to pursue a healthier version of themselves and the relationships they exist in.
Patrick has over twenty years of pastoral ministry experience in churches across the south, midwest, and northeast US and currently serves the local church in Brooklyn, the borough he has called home for twelve years. As a southern Black transplant, Patrick uses his minority experience and years of pastoring a diverse set of people to help others navigate experiences of grief, anxiety, spiritual abuse and trauma, racial trauma, relationship issues, and conflict resolution.
When away from his work Patrick loves spending time with his wife and young child and traveling to experience other cultures and people.
Genesis Escalera-Nova, MHC
Counseling Resident
Genesis Escalera-Nova is working toward her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Colorado Christian University. She has been trained in Internal Family Systems Theory, Restoration Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Genesis's passion to be a part of the healing and restorative work of God in the lives of others is palpable. She desires to help individuals, couples, families, and groups build resilience and thrive in every aspect of their lives. Genesis is interested in working with those who struggle with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, suicidal ideation, relationship issues, and trauma-related issues.
Genesis is a second-generation Hispanic American, born in Puerto Rico (making Spanish her native language) but raised in the vibrant city of New York most of her life. Genesis is a Christian Believer who loves serving in her church in the children’s, young adults, and worship ministries. She loves the Lord and believes that integrating the Christian faith in counseling brings immense healing benefits through God’s love and truth.
Sara Tekle, MPA
Operations Manager
Sara has a Master in Public Administration (MPA) and administrative experience in higher education and the private and nonprofit (local and international) sectors. She is drawn to organizations that are mission driven, like HeartMatters NYC, where she provides administrative support in service to multicultural New Yorkers seeking counseling, working alongside HeartMatters’ competent, compassionate clinicians.
She is particularly invested in seeing communities of color access quality mental health care.
Sara was born to Eritrean parents and spent the formative years of her life in Kenya. She grew up attending the Orthodox Tewahedo Church and seeking a home church in New York City.