Our Therapists
The Center utilizes the services of a wide range of professionals, including social workers, psychologists, and counselors. Our value statement is grounded in the belief that self-awareness evokes the ability to give and receive love, express compassion toward self and others, and sustain growth and learning. In addition, we believe most people have spent a lifetime fleeing emotional pain adding to the idea that they are powerless and incompetent to cope with their grief. By working with one of our therapists you can feel more comfort with your inner emotional states, more open to the beauty of life, and more active and independent with a heightened feeling of competence to live forward through your life transitions. All of our therapists have graduate level degrees, are licensed to practice mental health, have obtained extensive training in helping clients through intense emotional experiences, and are committed to continue learning and refining their professional skills.
David Fireman
MSW, LCSW, Executive Director
In addition to directing the Center, David holds a psychotherapy practice grounded in Self and depth psychologies. His extensive background helping others grows out of a sincere respect for inherent individual differences, social learning, the interplay of Love and Loss throughout the life span, finding purpose and meaning, and placing value in the power of the therapeutic relationship. He is an active and involved therapist who believes that the rare combination of honesty and courage bring about lasting change. In tandem with his client work, he also provides professional consultation services to therapists in private or agency settings. Finally, to round out his traditional training in social work and psychotherapy, David draws from his experience as a black belt [student and senior class member] in judo, Tibetan forms of meditation, and Jewish spirituality. [read more]
Paul M. Martin
PsyD, Assistant Director
Paul M. Martin is a licensed clinical psychologist and the assistant director of The Center for Grief Recovery. He has a genuine passion for being a psychotherapist and a deep respect for the healing process that ensues when people are able to express their feelings without fear, discomfort, or inhibition. He is also sensitive to the traumatic experiences of hurtful relationships throughout life that continue to haunt people. By helping people move beyond these disappointments, Paul has been amazed to see how well people can make sense of what once seemed confusing and disorienting while also gaining a better understanding of how they function in relationships. Ultimately, Paul’s aim is to nurture the growth of individuals who are able to affirm their authentic selves and enjoy their lives as they unfold. [read more]
Joe Byrne
M.Ed., Psy.D.
Joe Byrne is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. He received his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Alder University. He brings to The Center the experience of a first full career in education. His area of expertise was Reading and Learning Disabilities with an emphasis on thought, language, the process of comprehension and meta-comprehension. This influences his work as a therapist in the belief in the power of narrative in the journey of one’s life. [read more]
Derek Vincent
LCPC
Derek is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who values establishing the therapeutic relationship as a means to providing a safe, nonjudgmental, supportive, and collaborative environment where clients can contemplate new perspectives, and regain more balanced, satisfying, and fulfilling life. [read more]
Jim Manzardo, LPC
Jim is a licensed professional counselor, who is non-judgmental, compassionate, and genuinely interested in understanding your life’s journey. He brings many years of experience as a board-certified pediatric hospital chaplain accompanying families through the trauma, diagnoses, and treatment of their children’s acute, chronic, and life-threatening conditions as well as, for some, through the dying and acute grief processes. Jim also has extensive experience building trusting relationships with and supporting the healthcare staff who care for the children and their parents… [read more]
James Drake
LCPC
James Drake is a compassionate therapist dedicated to helping individuals navigate the profound challenges of loss and life transitions. He provides a safe and supportive space where clients can explore their unique stories and emotions with care and understanding… [read more]
Madeleine Barker
MA, LCPC
Madeleine is a therapist who seeks to help individuals navigate life’s challenges, including grief, loss, chronic illness, anxiety, and depression. She believes healing is not about erasing pain but about learning to live alongside it with meaning and intention. [read more]
Jennifer Johnson
MA, LCPC
Jennifer is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over 15 years of experience helping individuals navigate life’s most difficult challenges. With a particular passion for grief counseling, Jennifer has a deep interest in how grief intersects with addiction, pet loss, sibling loss (including twin loss), and the complexities of the grieving process. [read more]
Negin Ahmadi
MA, NCC
Negin Ahmadi is a National Certified Counselor with a master’s degree in counseling from Northwestern University. She specializes in child and adolescent counseling and has extensive experience helping children, adolescents, and families develop tailored and practical strategies for improved self-awareness, communication, and interconnectedness. [read more]