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Therapists answer…

Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?

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Jason Fierstein

Counselor of Men and Couples
Online & In-Person
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
In order to explain what I do, I’d like to tell you about a struggle I once had. For years, I felt uncomfortable in my own skin and uncomfortable around women. I was stressed, ate poorly, and generally didn’t take care of myself. I wasn’t a great communicator, and typically concealed a lot of what I wanted and needed without showing those things to others. I was too scared too. When those needs asserted themselves in problematic ways, they created distress in my relationships. Because I didn’t know how to express my needs effectively, I ended up frustrating others and creating depression for myself. Women didn’t want to hang out with me, because they sensed that I didn’t really want to hang out with myself. Life was not so good. I began to change these things by working with a counselor who helped me learn to express myself clearly and get my relationship needs met. I learned how to communicate more effectively and assertively and stopped creating the relationship problems that used to hinder my success. And you know what happened? My life transformed. I made major changes in my thinking and my behavior and, as a result, my relationships with others turned around. I began to like myself a lot more. I felt much more comfortable in my own skin, and more at ease with myself. I stopped creating many of the problems that I accused others of creating and doing to me. I started to get happy. My friends and family noticed — and my relationships were better than ever. People liked the new me — and I liked the new me! At this point, I realized that I needed to help other men to do the same thing that I did for myself. I really wanted to work with men who were struggling in their relationships, and in their lives. I wanted to help men rediscover their voice where they may have lost it, or never known that they possessed it. I wanted to show men that they don’t need to suffer in silence, and that they are capable of having more happy and successful lives than they may have thought possible. Through better communication, tearing down their “emotional walls”, and learning to meet their own needs in a healthy way, I aim to create healthier and emotionally stronger men who stop incessantly thinking about their problems, and start dealing with the problems head-on. I want to give men the right tools to use in their lives so they can say to themselves: “life is good.”
Counseling for Men and Couples. We specialize in working with men and men's issues, such as depression and anxiety, work and career related issues, marriage and couples counseling, divorce issues, infidelity, anger management and nice guy/people pleasers issues. We strive to help men and couples have the kind of lives and relationships that they really want. We look forward to helping you, and visit our website to book an online intake appointment today.
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Melissa Buckley

Licensed Therapist & Certified Trauma-Informed Life Coach

Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?

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Karrah Rinehart

Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Online & In-Person
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a therapist because of the impact of my own personal counseling journey on my heart and life. Prior to my formal training, I worked in various capacities with young people and found that my favorite part was the depth of one-on-one relationships. Through the encouragement of my own therapist, my former boss, and several close friends, I decided to pursue counseling as a career. I believe it is one of life's greatest gifts to be a witness to healing and change in the lives of my clients.
I believe healing begins when we allow someone else to bear witness to and respond with care to our untold stories. It is only through courageously and honestly exploring our experiences of pain that we are able to break free from old patterns and start on a new path towards wholeness. My desire in the counseling room is to create a safe space for clients to show up with their stories, no matter how scary or painful. Through kind and curious engagement, clients can begin to make sense of their story and its impact not only on the past but also on the present. The importance of engaging my own story began in 2013 when I started on my personal counseling journey. I also spent several years working in the college ministry context and there discovered my passion for walking through life’s ups and downs with young adults. After moving back to my hometown of Orlando, I earned a Master of Arts in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary. My counseling approach pulls from relational, narrative, and attachment models.
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Brandon Macon

Pre-licensed Mental Health Counselor
Online & In-Person
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
When I was in college, I chose to be become a proctor. I didn't realize it at the time I applied, but part of the job was that I would be talking with students who were having a difficult time. These students would be experiencing things such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, home-sickness, heartbreak, etc. It only took talking with a couple students for me to realize that I liked to be the person for these students to come and talk to. I found myself eager to listen and be empathetic to their situations, and help in any way I needed. They would tell me that I was comforting and they felt like they could tell me anything. It was then that I started to think, maybe this is what I was meant to do. 
I am a pre-licensed Mental Health Counselor employed at Cedar Tree Wellness Center. The kind of therapy I provide is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT operates on the principle that our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are all linked. What I do in therapy is work with the client to challenge the irrational/negative thoughts that lead to mental conditions such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, etc. So many of us believe that we can solve our problems on your own, sometimes we can. However, there are many of us who require assistance, and that is nothing to be ashamed of. Needing help and asking for it does not make someone weak, it makes them stronger than most.
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Makesa Toure

Makesa Toure PMHNP-BC,APRN,CRNP
Online & In-Person
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a therapist because I have a deep passion for helping people navigate the challenges of mental health and discover their strength and resilience. Witnessing the transformation in my patients' lives—whether it’s overcoming anxiety, managing depression, or achieving a healthier outlook—fuels my motivation every day. The opportunity to provide compassion, understanding, and practical solutions inspires me to keep learning, growing, and making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Hello! I'm Makesa Toure, a Board-Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner serving Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. I specialize in diagnosing and treating behavioral health disorders in adults, offering services such as medication management, therapy coordination, and personalized treatment planning. My approach blends compassion with professional expertise to ensure that every patient receives individualized care tailored to their needs. Throughout my career, I’ve worked in a variety of healthcare settings, including those addressing opioid addiction, mental health crises, and chronic conditions. This diverse experience has strengthened my ability to connect with patients from all walks of life. I believe in fostering open communication and creating a safe, supportive space where patients feel heard and understood. I hold a Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Immaculate University. With advanced training in psychopharmacology and emergency response, I am dedicated to offering the highest standard of care. Collaboration is central to my practice. I work closely with counselors, healthcare teams, and community organizations to promote holistic, patient-centered mental health care. Whether in-person or via telemedicine, my goal is to make psychiatric services accessible and effective for all who need them. Outside of work, I’m passionate about health education and disease prevention, working to empower communities with knowledge and resources for better overall well-being. I’m here to listen, support, and partner with you on your journey to mental wellness. Together, we can create a healthier future. Treatment Philosophy I believe in treating the whole person, not just their symptoms. My philosophy centers on compassion, collaboration, and patient empowerment. By fostering a safe, supportive environment, I help my patients feel heard and understood. Each care plan is tailored to individual needs, ensuring personalized treatment that promotes long-term recovery. I work closely with multidisciplinary teams to provide holistic, integrated care, and I am committed to empowering patients with the tools and knowledge for lasting mental wellness. Specialties & Conditions Mental Health Psychotherapy Depression Anxiety Bipolar disorders PTSD ADHD Insomnia Relationship issues Family counseling Mood disorders Trauma Panic attacks Substance use disorder Personality disorder Grief and Loss Counseling Addiction Schizophrenia Treatment approach Psychopharmacology for mental health treatments Collaborative care with multi-disciplinary teams Individualized treatment care plans for patients Crisis intervention and management strategies Education on medication and disease prevention Psychiatric evaluations and assessments Cognitive behavioral therapy for addictions Mindfulness approaches in addiction recovery Trauma Focused Psychoanalytic Solution Focused Brief (SFBT) Psychodynamic Structural Family Interpersonal Motivational Interviewing Insurance Aetna Cigna Humana Medicare Blue Cross Blue Shield UnitedHealthcare Optum Medicaid Oscar Health MultiPlan Capital Blue Cross Pennsylvania Independence Blue Cross Pennsylvania Oxford
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Jhanelle Delisser

License Mental Health Counselor
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
When I consider the path that lead me to become a therapist it seemed natural but it did not feel that way. I began my career in Early Childhood Development and Learning working with children in lower-income communities. There I learned the difference having a support system can make when the odds are stacked against you. I then began my career in mental health working with an intensive community treatment team to support individuals with severe mental illnesses. These experiences and others have shaped the path I am on. When working with other my approach is supportive and goal-oriented while helping clients build confidence and challenge their mindsets.
Jhanelle is a licensed mental health counselor in the state of New York. Jhanelle completed her master’s degree in mental health counseling at Adelphi University and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Africana Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. She has four years of experience working with an intensive community treatment team to support individuals with severe mental illness and four years of experience at a center for early childhood development and learning. In her early career, she assisted in a research project studying racial identity and the impacts of racial discrimination on physical and mental health. Her training and experience have helped to inform an approach that is forward-looking and supportive. She enjoys helping clients build confidence, shift their internal narratives, and make changes in their choices and lifestyles. She is known for her uplifting attitude, encouraging words, and unconditional positive regard.