Meet Rise-Up Staff

Clinical Administrator

Lourdyes Alger, LMHC has been working as a Mental Health Counselor for 11 years.  She has been supervising  interns for the last 2 years at Rise-Up.  She enjoys teaching and supervising interns.  She utilizes different modalities to work with her clients such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

Clinical Administrator

Office Manager

As an Office Manager in  Rise-Up Together I will try my best to make it a smooth transition for clients to begin therapy. I speak English and Spanish. I have been working in the medical field for over 5 years and look forward to helping you here at Rise-Up Together.

Madeleine Reynolds has been working as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor since 2006. She began supervising in 2010 after attaining certification as an Approved Clinical Supervisor. Madeleine began her counseling career by providing support for children and parents. She worked as a therapist on a college campus for 5 years and supervised several student interns. She most recently has been maintaining a private practice and working part-time for an agency as their clinical director. 

Madeleine has formal training in providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for several populations. She is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, as well as Exposure Therapy, Play Therapy, and Self-Compassion Focused Therapy. Madeleine has taught counseling at the graduate level and has a special interest in counselor wellness. She conducted a conducted a pilot study to explore the relationship between Compassion Fatigue and Self-Compassion among mental health professionals in 2019.

Kristen Fortuna, LMHC is a seasoned mental health counselor with a rich 20-year career dedicated to fostering compassionate and relationship-centered therapeutic services. Her expertise spans diverse areas including infant and early childhood mental health, maternal well-being, and attachment theory. Kristen is adept in various therapeutic modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, and Polyvagal-Informed Approaches. Her commitment to the field extends beyond therapy; Kristen is a trainer and consultant, offering her insights into clinical supervision and early childhood mental health consultation across New York and South Carolina. She holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and maintains licensure as a mental health counselor and professional counseling supervisor in both states. Kristen’s approach is characterized by her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of children, youth, couples, adults, and families through evidence-based practices and a nurturing therapeutic relationship. 

Carina has been working in the mental health field for over 7 years. She has experience working with children, adolescents, families and adults. She also has experience supervising and providing support to future clinicians. Carina's approach to therapy is person-centered and tailored to each individual. She aims to provide a safe space where there is no room for judgement. Carina has experience utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She is committed to help her clients throughout their own specialized and custom journey by drawing on different techniques. 

Ramaa Reddy, MSC, MA is a Limited Permit mental health counselor who is passionate about working with individuals who are experiencing Anxiety,    Depression, Life Transitions & are searching for better ways to cope. She is trained in Post--Partum Depression & Anxiety as well as Perinatal Loss. Her therapy includes the use of principles of CBT, Psychoanalysis, Mindfulness & DBT in order to improve emotional health. Ramaa has earned multiple Masters Degrees specifically in Clinical Psychology & Personnel/Organization Psychology from New York University. 

Ramaa has worked as a Human Resource Generalist & currently also works as a Journalist. Her unique  professional background has allowed her to strengthen her interpersonal & communication skills. 

When human beings experience life stressors, it is not uncommon for us to feel as though our lives are in shambles. Therapy can be a beacon of hope, helping us to unlock the tools already within us that can help with overcoming whatever hardship we may face.  My greatest passion is being able to walk alongside and assist you as you fit the pieces of your own life’s puzzle back together to create a beautiful picture. I strive to help my clients, which includes children, adults and families, in unlocking healthy self-perceptions as well as strengthening relationship bonds and interpersonal interactions. I have been trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities that I reference in order to ensure the therapeutic process is specific to the individual needs of my clients; In hopes of creating a space in which the client feels valued, safe and whole. In the ever-changing field of psychology, I pride myself on being a lifelong learner who is committed to approaching every interaction from a humanistic viewpoint aiding me to leave lasting positive impacts on those I encounter.  

Hi! I'm a second-generation Bangladeshi-American counselor working with individuals and families facing a wide range of difficulties, such as daily life stressors, depression, anxiety, and challenges with family and relationships. As a therapist, I believe it is my role to help you explore and understand different aspects about yourself. I believe that much of the problems we face are (more often than not) a direct or indirect result of various external forces, whether that be the effects of intergenerational trauma interwoven into our genetics and experiences, or the oppressive systems under which we live. By understanding these external forces, we can better understand ourselves and our difficulties in relation to them.
I have a particular interest in working with immigrants and with second-generation Americans, and am passionate about exploring the effects of intergenerational trauma. I have over 4 years of experience working in the mental health field, and have prior experience serving the elderly population in rehabilitative settings, as well as children in educational settings, which inform my expertise in working with these populations in therapeutic settings now. I prioritize creating a space that feels safe and non-judgemental while collaboratively exploring with you the best courses of action to progress forward. I believe that establishing a respectful, warm, and genuine relationship between the therapist and client is vital to fostering growth.
I take an integrative approach that combines psychodynamic and feminist perspectives with person-centered and cognitive-behavioral modalities, depending on your goals and needs. Through a combination of these different lenses and approaches, I hope to facilitate healing by helping you better understand yourself and the systems around us.
During my free time, you can find me exploring different parts of the city, or diving deep into analyses of different films and media! 

Offering IN PERSON & Virtual Sessions

Some of my earliest & most informative learning about support & counseling comes from my mother who is a beloved psychotherapist in her community. I graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Psychology, I am engaged in studying Social Work at Columbia University & I have spent decades working with children & adults as a care giver, advocate & activist. I have always been an open-minded seeker guided by a genuine &  long-term vision of personal growth & earnest contribution to the liberation of all. I have experience in Cognitive & Behavioral, Gestalt, Imago, Attachment Theory, amongst other relational & process psychodynamic modalities. I am trained in Non-Violent Communication, yoga practice & philosophy & Diversity Equity Inclusion & Belonging to which I am fervently committed. These domains inform my way of being with others and offering deep listening, collaboration & encouragement. I am a certified Mindfulness & Meditation Teacher with a personal practice of over thirty years that is central to my life & work. I have a keen interest in the functional & neuroscientific benefits of mindfulness based practices. I am a passionate artist, an ardent partner, family member, and friend. I am a lover of fauna and flora and the gift of living. 

As a dedicated therapist, I provide a supportive and empathetic environment for clients to explore their thoughts, emotions, and unique life experiences. Using a client-centered approach, I try to understand and value each client’s distinctive perspective. I also integrate skills from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients develop coping strategies, improve emotional regulation and understanding, and cultivate self-compassion and self-efficacy. Whether you are navigating transitions in life, trying to manage your anxiety or depression, or just seeking personal growth, I am here to be a supportive figure in your journey towards healing and self-discovery. 

Languages Spoken: English &  Arabic (Darija)

My approach to therapy is all about providing a safe & trusting environment that allows for conversations to naturally flow between us, in the best culturally competent manner I can. I want to ensure you can freely speak your mind and express your emotions, without worries of any judgment. As a compassionate and empathetic listener, we will collaboratively work together in strengthening your relationship with yourself and others, by pushing you to blossom and heal into what you see as the best version of yourself!