Outpatient Psychotherapy Team

Alli Schlachter is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker serving on both the School Based Services and Outpatient Mental Health teams at James Levine & Associates, P.C. Alli has spent over twenty years working with and advocating for children and families. After receiving her Bachelors in Elementary Education from Plymouth State University in 1999, she started her career as an elementary school teacher. In 2005, she earned a Masters in Social Work at the University of Maryland at Baltimore. Throughout her career as an LICSW in private practice, she has continued to work in and consult with schools in a variety of capacities. 

On the School Based Service Team, Alli works with schools across the region to provide group clinical consultation, individual supervision, specific case consultation, and professional development. She offers professional development in Trauma, Mental Health in Schools, Suicide Prevention and will work with school systems to create a customized professional development course based on the unique needs of each school.

Alli also provides evidenced-based and supportive therapy to adolescents and adults in our Outpatient Program. Alli believes that the relationship between the therapist and client is a powerful tool in facilitating emotional growth, therefore she strives to create a comfortable, collaborative and open environment. Alli uses a strengths-based perspective and works with each client to increase awareness and self-understanding in challenging situations.

Additionally, in 2004 Alli completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training. She continues to study and train in Iyengar Yoga. She has offered yoga and mindfulness classes as part of the SEL curriculum in Longmeadow, MA. Alli believes strongly in public service and is currently serving as a Town Meeting Member, is the chairperson of the South Hadley School Committee and sits on the Board of Directors of the Collaborative for Educational Services in Northampton, MA. She also continues to provide psychotherapy in her private practice which she opened in 2008.

Mara Veronesi, LICSW enjoys engaging in the therapeutic process with people ranging in age from late adolescence to elders. She uses a strength-based approach to addressing client needs, bringing compassion and acceptance to tough situations while assisting individuals, couples, and families as they address mental health challenges and difficult life situations which affect the quality of their lives. Mara uses a variety of therapeutic techniques, beginning with developing a strong therapeutic alliance with her clients and utilizing evidence based treatment modalities to help with anxiety, depression, and trauma. Mara has experience with working with care partners of people who are living with dementia, as well as with people who are medically complicated. Through the use of mindfulness practices, Mara offers a safe space where people are supported as they create balance in their busy, often complicated lives.

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With a background as an educator, Mara holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Western New England University, a Master's degree in Applied Theology from Elms College, and a Master's in Social Work from Springfield College. Mara completed a 200 hour yoga teacher training certificate program in 2019.

Welcome! If you are reading this, you may be considering therapy for yourself or a loved one. I believe almost everyone can benefit from therapy at some point in their lives and hope to provide a comfortable, safe, and warm space for this important work. 

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My passion lies in helping others through difficult times and helping to process their emotions. I enjoy working with adolescents and adults, but have worked with people of all different ages and backgrounds. 

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I graduated from Western New England University with my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and went on to Springfield College for my Masters in Social Work. I have worked in a number of settings including outpatient therapy, residential treatment for teenage girls, and an inpatient psychiatric unit. I primarily use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help develop coping skills and address thought patterns that may no longer be serving you. 

I look forward to hearing from you and finding out how I can help you.

Beth Bottaro, M.Ed. has over 30 years experience as a Special Education Teacher /Behavior Specialist Tier I/II/III interventions [K-12]. She provides educational programs, diagnostic, prescriptive and comprehensive behavior services to students with emotional, intellectual, social, and developmental delays, as well as other special education conditions with behavioral manifestations.Her work includes modifying and instructing academic course work according to the Federal and State School District’s requirements and standards. Working knowledge of general and special education classroom instruction, curriculum/scope and sequence, of instruction, management strategies and methodologies in education. Educational evaluation tools, materials, theories, and trends in assessing and identifying students with learning, social, and behavioral characteristics.Beth also has a working knowledge of child development and developmental disabilities including, but not limited to, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Emotional Disturbance, Developmental Delay, and other special education conditions with learning, behavioral, and social challenges.

The process of working through our feelings can be difficult at times. The tools to communicate our feelings and manage our emotions don't always come naturally - they are skills that can be discovered, learned, and practiced with the support of others.  I will provide a safe space dedicated to self-discovery, celebrating both small and large accomplishments along the way. 

I have over 8 years of experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Autism, Down syndrome, Williams syndrome, as well as those experiencing anxiety and depression. My career started at River Street Autism Program, supporting school-aged youth using applied behavior analysis. After completing my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Springfield College I joined the team at Berkshire Hills Music Academy, where I provided clinical support to young adults in day and residential programs. In addition to seeing individuals for counseling, I created programming such as Disability Awareness, a group that explores the experiences of those with disabilities, and men’s and women’s health groups, which focused largely on advocacy and communication in order to build healthier relationships. Additionally, I have been certified to lead various trainings for staff and families, including human rights, sexuality education, and behavioral safety techniques. 

I primarily use a cognitive behavior approach, helping people to better understand how they think, feel, and act. I am passionate about providing psychoeducation as a way to develop better coping and problem-solving skills. I enjoy working collaboratively with teachers, doctors, community providers, etc., in order to give a whole-person approach to our work together.

Welcome. I believe that vulnerability is at the heart of change and also one of the most fearful and difficult things one can do. It takes effort to change and space to feel safe to explore what we want and how best to achieve that. In my practice I hope to provide that space for clients to examine their thoughts and feelings and make informed choices about what is best for them.

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I graduated with my master’s degree from the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT and received licensure in Massachusetts and Connecticut as a mental health counselor. I have worked with various populations and ages, including adolescents, young adults, adults, families, and couples. I am trained in DBT whose base in empathy and building skills to increase awareness, self compassion, and communication with others informs my practice. I specialize in working with those who struggle with eating disorders, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, identity development, low self esteem, and relationship issues. I am trained in LGBTQ+ populations and BIPOC. I provide high levels of empathy and understanding to help guide you on the journey of your choosing and look forward to exploring that with you.

The most significant factor in successful therapy is the client-therapist relationship.

With this in mind, I adopt a warm and collaborative approach to therapy and provide a safe environment for my clients to express their worries and begin to make changes in the way they choose to live their lives. 

These worries manifest in many ways: social anxiety, panic disorders, deep sadness and grief, trauma in all its varied forms past and present, attention deficit disorders, focusing and organizational concerns, and relationship and communication issues.

Mine is a strength based approach to therapy, with initial training in psychodynamic and relational theories at Smith College School for Social Work, as well as early training in cognitive behavioral therapy.  I have a strong background in the arts and welcome the use of creative endeavors in the work of therapy.   As we explore your particular history and presenting concerns, new personal understandings begin to arise and take form.  Within this process, we seek out know coping strategies and develop new skills relevant to your life today.

​Over the years, I have developed a broad knowledge of mindfulness practices and a strong belief in the importance of the stories we have learned to tell ourselves about our lives.  Discovering, encouraging and practicing new understandings inevitably leads to a fuller and more authentic sense of self.

Dr. Woldorf is a licensed clinical psychologist who received her bachelor's degree from Amherst College and her master's and doctoral degrees from Case Western Reserve University. She has more than 15 years of experience providing psychotherapy and psychological testing and has been with JLA since 2017. She has worked in community mental health centers in Ohio, California, and Massachusetts, as well as in primary care and specialized eating disorder treatment settings. Dr. Woldorf is especially interested in psychological testing with older children, adolescents, and adults. Her approach to psychotherapy incorporates elements of psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and dialectical behavior therapies.

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Dr. Woldorf is also a professional violinist who can be heard in various ensembles and in community musical theatre productions around western Massachusetts.