Christen Coco Guzman, LMFT (she/her/hers) is a Marriage and Family Therapist and passionate mental health advocate who joined Child Care Council in 2024 as Clinical Director for the mental health clinic.
Christen earned her Bachelor’s degrees in English and Psychology from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and her Master’s in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family therapy from Pepperdine University in California. Over the last fifteen years, she has worked in the field of mental health as a clinician, supervisor and leader in non profit mental health, with a primary focus on children, adolescents and families. She believes that everyone should have access to exceptional care, and is committed to providing access to quality care to the Rochester community, regardless of income, race or gender.
Christen brings her authentic self to work where she strives to create an environment that meets clients and clinicians alike with honesty, vulnerability, transparency and unconditional positive regard.
With over 30 years of experience in Health and Human Services, Sara has dedicated the majority of her career to supporting individuals and families with developmental disabilities through the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). Sara’s passion lies in understanding behavior and recognizing that all behavior serves a purpose—a philosophy that has guided her approach to care and support throughout her career.
Five years ago, Sara transitioned from operations to a role focused on Quality Improvement and Advancement. This shift allowed Sara to channel her experience into shaping client-centered policies and procedures that enhance access to essential services. In this role, Sara discovered a deep appreciation for systems-level change and its power to positively impact those we serve.
Today, Sara serves as the Practice Manager for the Child Care Council Clinic, where she is excited to collaborate with our dedicated clinical team. Together, we are committed to providing high-quality, compassionate services to the children in our community, ensuring they receive the support they need to thrive.
Abby Leaty, PMHNP-BC (she/her) is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specializing in the care of children and adolescents ages 3–18. She earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from St. John Fisher University and brings experience from a variety of inpatient and outpatient mental health settings.
Abby provides comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and individualized treatment planning grounded in evidence-based practice. She is dedicated to fostering a supportive, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate environment that empowers clients and their families. Abby values a collaborative approach to care-engaging clients, families, and community supports to ensure holistic, high-quality outcomes.
Since 2003, Stacey has been working with children and families in various mental health settings in both the Rochester and Boston areas. Stacey’s work includes direct service, behavioral consultation in childcare centers, and clinical supervision. Stacey is trained in multiple evidence-based modalities including Child-Centered play therapy, Child-Parent Psychotherapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Throughout her career, Stacey has partnered with schools, pediatricians and the family court system to ensure the best possible outcomes for her clients. Stacey believes that “it takes a village” to help support children and families in their journey to emotional wellness.
In her role at Child Care Council, Stacey will act as a clinical consultant providing supervision and support to clinicians, facilitating training opportunities, and collaborating with community partners.
Tammy Barnum, LMHC is a licensed Mental Health Counselor. She has been a therapist for over 20 years and has the pleasure of working in a variety of settings including residential programs, mental health clinics, schools and private practice. She has worked with children, teenagers, adults, parents, families and couples.
Her therapy style is integrative, drawing from a range of evidenced based modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), trauma focused CBT and child centered play therapy. She approaches therapy with empathy and warmth creating a safe and supportive space for clients.
Mica Gonzalez (she/her/ hers) earned her master’s degree in social work from Syracuse University. She also obtained a certificate in Trauma Response and Crisis Intervention from Rutgers University and is currently working on obtaining her Child and Adolescent Mental Health certificate from Rutgers as well. Her previous work included creating a children’s bereavement program at Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. where she obtained credentialing as a Certified Grief- Informed Professional.
With a deep commitment to the emotional well-being of children and adolescents through trauma-informed care, Mica brings an abundance of diverse experience in mental health care. Specializing in trauma-informed practices, emotional regulation, grief/loss and LGBTQ+ populations, she works collaboratively with individuals and families to create personalized strategies that foster resilience and growth. Mica believes that every young person deserves a safe space to express themselves and develop the skills needed to navigate life’s challenges. Through evidence-based interventions, empathetic counseling, and a strengths-based approach, she empowers youth to embrace their potential and build meaningful connections.
Cadence Croucher, CAT-P (she/her) is a Creative Arts Therapist specializing in the treatment of children and adolescents ages 3–18 in an outpatient mental health setting. With a background in both the arts and mental health, she integrates expressive modalities such as art and play into therapy to support emotional expression, self-esteem, and healing.
She believes that creative expression allows people to communicate in ways that feel natural and safe, especially when words are hard to find. Her sessions are warm, playful, and structured to meet each child where they are. She also values collaborating with caregivers and schools to promote consistent support across environments. Cadence is dedicated to fostering a safe, supportive, and creatively engaging environment where young clients can explore their feelings, build coping skills, and strengthen their sense of identity. She values collaboration with families, schools, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure holistic, individualized care.
Caroline Cowles is a Registered Nurse (RN) who joined Child Care Council in 2024 as a Healthcare and Education Consultant. Caroline earned her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. She began her career in pediatric nursing at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for 5 years before moving to Rochester, NY and continuing her passion in pediatric nursing. As a healthcare and education consultant she provides valuable health-related services and education to daycares throughout Monroe, Wayne and Livingston County. In addition to her consultant role, Caroline joined the Mental Health clinic team in 2025 as an RN and will be working closely with the mental health team to provide nursing services. Caroline brings lots of different experiences to the team and looks forward to helping clients and their families by providing the best care possible.
