Our Team
Kirsten Christensen, Ph.D. (she/her)
Clinical Psychologist & Founder
MA License #5000392
Education & Training: Dr. Kirsten Christensen completed her undergraduate studies at The College of New Jersey, earning a B.A. in Psychology. She went on to earn her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Boston, completing her pre-doctoral internship at the University of San Diego Counseling Center. Dr. Christensen has completed specialized training and fellowships in applied research, practice, and policy through organizations including the National Science Foundation, Harvard Medical School, and Boston Children’s Hospital. She is also an Assistant Professor of Psychology at San Diego City College.
Clinical Interests: Rooted in an anti-oppressive perspective, Dr. Christensen’s clinical work is driven by a multicultural-feminist approach to promote mental health and wellness. Dr. Christensen specializes in working with transitional age youth and young adults, with expertise in identity development, life transition/adjustment, relationships, depression, and anxiety. She particularly enjoys working with college and graduate students, and all folks in higher education/academia.
Research: Dr. Christensen’s research uses a social justice lens to bridge research and practice by exploring youth development and youth-adult partnerships in community-based contexts (e.g., after-school and mentoring programs). Her research explores the availability and function of these social resources and contexts for youth with varying levels of privilege and marginalization. See her work here.
Elijah Morin, DPT (he/him)
Director of Operations
Education & Training: Dr. Elijah Morin, DPT completed his undergraduate degree at Drexel University, earning a B.S. in Health Sciences. With a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Elijah brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from the healthcare industry.
Role: As the Director of Operations of Upstream Mental Health, Elijah plays a crucial role in overseeing the day-to-day operations of our practice. While Elijah does not provide clinical services, his background in healthcare, gained from working in inpatient, school-based, and outpatient settings, allows him to bring a unique perspective to his role. Elijah's primary focus is on ensuring client well-being, staff support, and making mental health care accessible to all.
As a strong advocate for client care, you can rely on Elijah as the point of contact for any administrative tasks, scheduling inquiries, and other non-clinical concerns.
Kate Greenberg, PsyD (she/her)
Therapist
Education & Training: Dr. Katherine Greenberg completed her undergraduate degree at Skidmore College with a B.A. in Psychology. After completing her undergraduate studies, she returned to England where she had spent most of her life to serve as an advocate for survivors of sexual violence at a London-based non-profit community organization. Dr. Greenberg completed her M.A. and PsyD in Clinical Psychology at William James College, and completed her pre-doctoral internship at Human Relations Service in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Dr. Greenberg's experience has encompassed working with multicultural populations across the lifespan in community-based mental health centers.
Clinical Interests: Dr. Greenberg’s clinical work focuses on supporting adults experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. She also has extensive experience working with folks with neurodivergence. She approaches therapy with an integrative lens incorporating evidence-based therapies (i.e., CBT, DBT, and ACT) with relational and systems modalities. Dr. Greenberg comes to each therapeutic relationship afresh with curiosity about each person and their story, and believes that therapy is a space for sharing the load together as things are processed. Through bringing her own authenticity, humor, and quirks to the therapeutic space, she aims to create a validating and open environment for both the small and the bigger steps of healing.
Rachel Vadney, PsyD (she/her)
Therapist
Education & Training: Dr. Rachel Vadney completed her undergraduate studies in Psychology at Russell Sage College in Troy, New York. She continued her education by obtaining her M.Ed. and PsyD in Counseling Psychology from Springfield College, and completed a pre-doctoral internship at The Village for Families and Children in Hartford, Connecticut. Dr. Vadney completed her post-doctoral residency at Community Health Center, Inc. in Connecticut, where she worked with diverse populations across the lifespan with an emphasis on treating trauma.
Clinical Interests: Dr. Vadney specializes in treating complex trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions through integrating evidence-based treatments (i.e., CBT, ACT, ARC) with interpersonal and strength-based approaches. She believes that an awareness of developmental experiences and relationships at all ages is integral to understanding and managing mental health symptoms. Dr. Vadney’s clinical style is collaborative, and often uses humor and gentle honesty to create connection with her clients. In therapy, Dr. Vadney places special focus on the influence of diverse identities and backgrounds, as well as the impacts of multiple systems in an individual’s life on mental health.
Naomi McKenzie Greene, PsyD (she/her)
Therapist
Education & Training: Dr. Naomi McKenzie Greene completed her undergraduate degree at Smith College with a B.A. in Italian & Child Studies. She completed her M.A. at Tufts University in Early Childhood Education & Teaching, followed by her PsyD in Clinical Psychology at William James College where she graduated with a concentration in Children and Families of Adversity & Resilience. Dr. McKenzie Greene has completed extensive training in school settings, hospitals, private practices, and community mental health clinics.
Clinical Interests: Dr. McKenzie Greene’s clinical work is driven by a focus on multiple levels of lifespan development, with an emphasis on stages of child development, identity development, and the transition to adulthood. She holds particular strength in guiding identity-based work among young adults, immigrants, and people of color experiencing anxiety, trauma, life transitions, and family issues. Dr. McKenzie Greene takes a multicultural perspective to therapy, encouraging awareness of worldview and one's place within one's family, culture, and how we navigate changing spaces. She believes in the power of narratives and stories, and how they affect the way we view ourselves and create understanding of the world. In her therapeutic work, Dr. McKenzie Greene aims to create a space of unconditional positive regard and support, where clients can feel comfortable sharing their stories. She believes in the value of bearing witness to the struggles others are experiencing, as this process can provide a place of growth and discovery.
Along with her therapeutic training, Dr. McKenzie Greene has also been trained in administering and interpreting neuropsychological assessments, which provides her with deeper understanding of neurodivergence and how brain functioning interacts with and informs behavior.
Brittany Pereira, Ph.D., NCSP (she/her)
Therapist
Education & Training: Dr. Brittany Pereira studied Psychology and Creative Writing during her undergraduate studies at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island. She continued her education by obtaining her M.Ed. in School Psychology and Ph.D. in Counseling and School Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Boston, and completed a pre-doctoral internship at the Rochester Institute of Technology Priority Behavioral Health Consortium.
Clinical Interests: Dr. Pereira's clinical interest lies at the intersection of mental health, education, and achievement. She specializes in working with students and adults of all identities experiencing challenges with anxiety, interpersonal relationships, identity development, and confidence. She also has extensive experience working with folks with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Dr. Pereira's therapeutic approach integrates mindfulness, acceptance-commitment therapy, journaling, and motivational interviewing techniques through a culturally responsive lens aimed at empowering her clients’ autonomy through the therapeutic process.
Research: Dr. Pereira's research blends her dedication to students' academic achievements and mental well-being. Her recent research has explored the impact of an integrative mindful breathing and writing practice on student engagement. Her ongoing work delves into assessing practices and interventions for promoting neurodivergent students' social and emotional growth.
Elizabeth Lopez, LMHC (she/her)
Therapist
Education & Training: Liz is a compassionate Licensed Mental Health Counselor dedicated to supporting people experiencing psychological, social-emotional, and health issues. She completed her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Boston, and her M.A. in Expressive Art Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. Liz has had extensive experience working in community-based clinics serving adolescents and young adults with co-occurring diagnoses, residential programs for youth, and the Trauma Center in Brookline, Massachusetts.
Clinical Interests: Liz believes that certain life events can keep us anchored in the past and afraid of the future. She views therapy as a collaborative process, where sessions focus on exploring a client’s concerns and collaboratively creating effective strategies to promote meaningful change. Her clinical interests include complex trauma, developmental trauma, anxiety, depression, attachment-based therapies, dissociative parts work, expressive art therapy, and utilizing yoga in healing.
Liz also holds a number of certifications and has had extensive training in the Adolescent-Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA), Trauma-Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment (SMART), Attachment, Regulation, Competency (ARC) Framework, and Yoga for Emotional Health and Healing.
Cynthia Fox, LCAT-LP (she/they)
Therapist
Education & Training: Cynthia is a dedicated therapist with a deep passion for helping individuals discover healing and empowerment through online therapy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art with minors in Business and Materials Technology from SUNY Oswego and a Masters of Science in Creative Arts Therapy from Nazareth College.
Clinical Interests: Cynthia specializes in providing support to neurodivergent individuals and offers LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy services. Her goal is to create a safe and accepting space where clients from all walks of life can explore their unique paths to healing and self-discovery. With a wealth of experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Her expertise includes working with folks with anxiety, depression, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, gender identity exploration, and more. Cynthia is also trained in couples therapy and works with clients in both traditional and non-traditional relationship styles.
Cynthia also believes in the power of creativity as a therapeutic tool and is specially trained in art therapy, harnessing the power of expressive arts to foster healing and growth. Cynthia brings a unique perspective and understanding to her practice. She recognizes that therapy is not one-size-fits-all, and tailors her methods to meet each client's specific needs and goals, empowering them to embrace their authentic selves to build fulfilling and meaningful lives.