Elevations Clinic
Elevations Clinic Treatment Program’s goal is to serve adults, adolescents, and children to diagnose and treat their mental illness, to work with the person in developing a plan of care designed to minimize symptoms and adverse effects of illness, maximize wellness, and promote recovery toward the achievement of life goals such as, but not limited to, education and employment.
Services
- Psychotherapy: Individual, Group, and Family Services
- Psychoeducation
- Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)
- Medication Management and Prescriptions
- Antipsychotic Injectable Medications
- Smoking Cessation Treatment
- Health Monitoring
Clinic Staff Team
Kaitlin Fibkins
KFibkins@RiseLifeServices.org
Kaitlin Fibkins, LMSW, Clinical Therapist at Elevations Clinic, has over 5 years of experience in the field with experience and knowledge working with a diverse population including people with severe mental health disabilities, developmental disabilities, and intellectual disabilities, in addition to domestic violence survivors and people experiencing different substance abuse disorders. Kaitlin began working in the mental health field after graduating from the State University of NY College at Cortland with her bachelors in sociology with a concentration in criminology and a minor in anthropology. Kaitlin continued to further her education at Fordham University where she obtained her master’s in social work.
Tracey Andersen, Ph.D.
Tracey Andersen, Ph.D., LMHC, Operations Director of Clinical Services and Behavioral Health, has over 30 years experience in the field working with individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illness, substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. She began her career as an educator and honed her direct care experience while continuing her education before deciding to focus on school and community psychology. She developed programs and assisted residential agencies in expanding into clinical services, such as ACT teams, which became a predominant focus of her career for many years . She was a Clinical Director overseeing these types of crisis teams in NYC before relocating to the east end of Long Island and coming to Rise, where she began as a director overseeing the Behavioral Support Service Department in addition to her own private practice. She now adds to that experience and responsibility, undertaking this new opportunity of providing oversight of the Elevations Outpatient Treatment Program.
Susan M. Trees
Susan is an ANCC board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She received her Associate’s degree in Nursing from Nassau Community College, completed her Bachelor’s degree in Registered Professional Nursing from SUNY Empire State College, then went on to earn her Master’s as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner from Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing. Over the course of her career in Nursing, Susan had the opportunity to develop a passion for psychiatry and mental health. Susan has a range of experience working in inpatient/outpatient settings treating diverse populations across the life span. Her experience includes treating the intellectually and developmentally disabled, severely and persistently mentally ill, young adults in college, those incarcerated, homeless women living in shelters, and those in substance/alcohol abuse treatment.
Kathryn Clavin-Vunkannon, LCSW
Kathryn Clavin-Vunkannon, LCSW, has 12 years’ experience in the field working with individuals with trauma, complex medical conditions, severe/mental illness, grief, domestic violence, and substance abuse. Kathryn started working for Rise Life Services in December 2022, as a clinical social worker.
After graduating from Adelphi, in 2011, Kathryn began a part-time position, working under LCSWs at a private practice. Later, Kathryn went onto her first full-time social work position, in substance abuse. She’s also had experience as a Health Educator, working with individuals with HIV/AIDS and general mental health. While at Adelphi, Kathryn interned at East End Hospice and The Retreat.
Marie O’Donnell
I am a licensed Clinical Social Worker who is currently working at Rise Life Services Clinic in Riverhead. I have worked in the Mental health field for over 20 yrs and have practiced in the capacity of an LSW for over 10 yrs. My experience includes working in the Substance Treatment Field, working with people who were involved in medically assisted treatment program and running group groups in a substance use treatment facility. I have worked in a community health center which has given me a great understanding of a diverse population including domestic violence, immigration issues, mental health including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, sexual abuse and other areas of trauma. As a SW I have addressed family issues, homelessness and people with suicide ideations and attempts. My experience has been very diverse also working with people with developmental disabilities and people with serious and persistent mental illness to obtain gainful employment. My goal as a clinician is to be mindful of peoples needs and to treat everyone as an individual. I pride my self on being able to engage with people and assist them in their journey and recovery to believe in themselves and achieve their goals.
Staff
- Social Workers
- Mental Health Counselors
- Nurse Practitioners in Psychiatry
- Psychiatrist & More!
Contact us for additional
Information: 631-727-6220 EXT: 232
_
901 E Main St. Suite 500
Riverhead, NY 11901
Outpatient Program Director
631-727-6220 EXT: 279
Operations Director of Clinical
Services and Behavioral Health
631-727-6220 EXT: 220
Frequently Asked Questions:
The need for mental health services on Long Island has been steadily increasing for quite some time now which has spiked tremendously due to the pandemic. Overcoming obstacles and challenges is part of the human condition, but sometimes individuals struggle and could benefit from professional support in coping with daily stressors, mental health challenges, emotional distress, trauma or depression, or even just yearn for a more satisfying existence or better quality of life. Our team can offer assistance in facing these challenges
Individuals with complex mental health needs are experiencing notable, multiple, acute, resolute or persistent mental health challenges that impact their functioning. To best support people presenting with complex mental health needs we collaborate with them to deliver individualized support that allows for shared responsibility in the recovery process which is empowering to them and allows them to take control of their lives.
We provide treatment services including but not limited to: assessment, symptom management, education about medication or diagnoses, counseling, group therapy, family therapy, and medication management
Since mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, it affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we tolerate and manage stress, relate to others, and make decisions and choices. That being said, “common mental health issues” include a vast array of issues and problems both big and small
Rates of anxiety and depression are rising and many people are experiencing fear and worry regarding our current societal climate and uncertain futures due to and such as the pandemic and increased and unmanaged crime and violence. The pandemic has really shed light on the need to prioritize mental health.
These include social and economic disadvantage and deprivation, domestic abuse, low levels of education, unemployment or insecure employment, discrimination, gender identity, racism, alcohol and substance misuse/ abuse, and violence. Suicide rates have been steadily increasing for the past 20 years. We address these challenges in a real way as well as those with diagnoses that include but are not limited to: anxiety, depression, ADHD, bi-polar disorder, personality disorders, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and childhood disorders.
Given the current social climate, everyone could probably benefit from some additional emotional support. There really is no “wrong” or “bad” time to prioritize personal growth, self-improvement and stress reduction . Many people incorrectly believe they need a diagnosable disorder to see a therapist and benefit from that support. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, proactively addressing challenges before they become crises is a better way to manage stressful life developments. Some examples of reasons people seek assistance include but are not limited to: experiencing interpersonal conflicts, feeling unproductive, having trouble processing something in their life, patience has diminished or decreased, a general feeling of malaise or disappointment they cannot identify the source of, overall mood changes, having difficulty navigating through a challenging time, relationships have become tumultuous or simply unsatisfying, feeling like they’re failing or not functioning as best they can or as well as they used to or are stuck, going through some type of major life transition, having an overwhelming sense of regret about life choices, have experienced a traumatic event, they are repeating negative patterns, are feeling pressured or overwhelmed, or at the most basic level they just feel they could use an unbiased person to talk to.
Finding the right therapist is crucial and also extremely important is understanding what therapy is and what it isn’t, setting goals for your work together, showing up and speaking up, being honest, and patient with yourself and with the process.
There seems to be a stigma surrounding the very act of asking for help. Requesting assistance can conjure feelings of incompetence, weakness, anxiety, stress, and uncertainty, People may also underestimate the severity of their need. For people, families and other supports, the coping process can be frustrating, confusing, and exhausting. We ask people choosing to cope on their own to consider why they would want to experience these feelings alone and that this may be related to feeling lonely and unsupported in general. Feeling lonely can also have a negative impact on your mental health, especially if these feelings have lasted a long time. Some research suggests that loneliness is associated with an increased risk of certain mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, sleep problems and increased stress.
Yes, if it is determined that this is the best and most appropriate option for an individual or family, this can be a very good alternative to traditional approaches to treatment.
Therapeutic Modalities that people should be aware of include but are not limited to : Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT),Attachment Based Behavioral Therapy (BT),Child-Centered Play Therapy Client/Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). GeneSight Testing can help inform how prescribers treat individuals. We have a psychiatrist who can prescribe all psychotropic medications and administer injectables and determine together with individuals what the best course of treatment is for them.
