Team Role: Clinic

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. 

Jennifer Petix is the Lead Clinical Supervisor at the Child Care Council Outpatient Clinic. She has worked in the helping professions since 2005 and began working with children, teens, and families in 2007. Her background as a licensed creative arts therapist has informed her warm, relational, and practical approach to care.

Jennifer has supported children and families in many different settings, including outpatient clinics, schools, day treatment, residential programs, hospitals, community-based programs, and family homes. Her experience includes helping families navigate trauma, grief, addiction, family conflict, court involvement, reunification, and other complex emotional and behavioral challenges.

Jennifer brings deep clinical experience and a warm, approachable style to her work. She believes families deserve support that feels respectful, understandable, and genuinely useful. Her approach is grounded in connection, trust, and helping children and caregivers move forward with greater confidence and support.

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. 

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.

Riley O’Shea, LMSW, earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from Nazareth University with specializations in Play Therapy and Trauma-Informed Care. She is trained in both Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) and integrative play therapy techniques, and is expanding her expertise through training in Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP).

Riley works with children and teens ages 3-18, with a special focus on helping those who have experienced trauma. Her therapeutic approach is warm, supportive, and tailored to each child, using creative approaches to help them feel safe enough to share their thoughts and feelings. Riley values seeing the world through a child’s eyes while working together with families to help children thrive.  

She believes that lasting change happens when everyone involved in a child’s life works together. For that reason, she partners closely with families, caregivers, schools, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure each child’s progress is supported in all areas of their life.

Amanda Ronkko, MHC – Intern, brings experience working with children in a school setting to her role as a clinician. She has training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Infant Mental Health. Amanda is set to complete her Masters in Mental Health Counseling by May 2026.

She works with children and teens ages 3-18, focusing on Child Centered Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) techniques. Her therapeutic approach is supportive, collaborative, and warm. Amanda tailors her approach to each family’s needs in order to provide the best care. She believes that each individual within a child’s life can create a lasting impact on their future.

Tess Stiffler, CAT-P (she/her) is a Creative Arts Therapist who works with children and adolescents ages 3–18, with a special focus on processing traumatic experiences. Tess earned her bachelor’s degrees in Art Therapy and Pre-Dance/Movement Therapy from Seton Hill University before completing her master’s in Creative Arts Therapy at Nazareth University. Alongside training in Child-Centered Play Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Infant Mental Health, Tess integrates multiple expressive modalities into therapy to support emotional regulation and expression, positive self-image, and long-lasting healing. 

Tess values the ability of play, art, and movement to help young people communicate and process without having to rely on words that can be heavy and scary. Therapy sessions with Tess are child-led, as she values helping children find their own sense of choice and autonomy. Tess is dedicated to fostering a safe, fun, and engaging environment where kids can explore and express their feelings, process their life experiences, and build realistic coping skills. She values collaboration with families, schools, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure therapy supports each child holistically as they transition through all of life’s varied experiences. Outside of work, you can find Tess hiking and exploring our beautiful Western NY community, enjoying live music, or snuggling with her three cats.