About Crespo Mental Health

Raquel A. Crespo, LMHC – Founder of Crespo Mental Health

Director & Bilingual Psychotherapist

Raquel Crespo, MA, LMHC, is the founder of Crespo Mental Health—a trusted haven where individuals of all backgrounds find compassionate support in navigating life’s challenges. With over two decades of dedication to serving the Queens neighborhood and other diverse communities across New York City’s outer boroughs, Raquel brings a deep passion for empowering these areas through mental health care.

Raquel holds an MA in Mental Health Counseling from Yeshiva University’s Graduate School of Psychology and a BA in Psychology from St. John’s University. Her bilingual proficiency enriches her ability to connect with clients from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Raquel specializes in providing compassionate therapy to individuals, children, adolescents, couples, and families from diverse backgrounds. With a tailored approach that honors each client’s unique strengths and needs, Raquel utilizes her extensive education and experience to support their mental health journey. She is dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive therapeutic environment where clients can feel understood and supported.

In addition to her private practice, Raquel has been an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology since 2013. In this role, she mentors and educates future mental health professionals with a focus on compassion and holistic care. Raquel also provides consultation to other private practices and offers clinical guidance and mentorship to students and therapists within her practice and academic setting.

Raquel’s professional experience includes diverse roles such as Clinical Coordinator for JBFCS, Preventive Services Case Planner, and Adult Literacy Therapist at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Before focusing on counseling, Raquel was involved in educating adults and children with developmental disabilities. She is a member of the New York Mental Health Counselors Association, advocating for accessible and inclusive mental health services.

Driven by a commitment to inclusivity and community empowerment, Raquel’s mission is to foster resilience and wellness among the diverse populations of Queens and the outer boroughs.

Stacy Cesar, LMHC

Psychotherapist

Stacy Cesar is a Mental Health Counselor  with experience in individual, family, couples and group therapy. She has worked in various settings with individuals of different ages, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Stacy has experience working with clients dealing with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, family conflict, criminal history and more. Stacy uses an eclectic therapeutic approach to meet the needs and desire of her clients. Stacy strongly believes in meeting clients “where they are” and believes in using a variety of techniques and modalities based on the need of the client.

Stacy believes in working collaboratively with clients throughout their course of treatment in order to address their needs in a way that is personal and fitting to the challenges they are facing. Stacy strives to create an environment for her clients that is warm, welcoming and safe in order for clients to feel comfortable being their true self.

Stacy received a Masters of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Nyack College Alliance Graduate School of Counseling in New York and a Bachelors of Science degree at Mercy College, where she studied Psychology.

Laura Herrera Torres, LMHC

Bilingual Psychotherapist

Laura Herrera Torres graduated with honors from Queens College, where she obtained her Master’s degree (M.S.) in Mental Health Counseling. As the 2020 recipient of the Jesse Vazquez Multicultural Counseling Award, Herrera Torres provides culturally-informed psychotherapy to clients of all racial, ethnic, and sexual identities. In the years prior to working at Crespo Mental Health, Laura conducted neuropsychological research regarding biomarkers of risky decision making and substance use disorder in young adults. Her findings later informed her work providing individual and group psychotherapy to clients in recovery who suffered from depression and anxiety. Laura uses an eclectic approach, borrowing from multiple therapeutic frameworks including Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy, in order to tailor sessions to each client’s individual needs.

Gabriella Mataev, MHC-LP

Psychotherapist

Gabriella is a mental health counselor with expertise knowledge in individual, family, couples and group therapy. She has experience working with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse/recovery, family/marital issues and more. She is a trilingual psychotherapist speaking English, Russian and Hebrew.

Gabriella uses a unique approach borrowing from multiple therapeutic frameworks including Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic Therapy; in order to best suit the client’s therapeutical needs.

Gabriella Mataev graduated with honors from Cambridge College where she obtained her Master’s degree (M.S.) in Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelors of Science degree (B.S.) at Wheelock College, where she studied Counseling Psychology.

Jill Borowski, MHC-LP

Psychotherapist

Ms. Jill Borowski is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor who has professional experience working with individuals, families, couples, and groups of diverse populations. She has experience working with depression, anxiety, trauma, and many more. Her goal is to provide tools and assistance to allow clients to learn healthy ways to assist themselves when coping with difficult situations . Jill believes that therapists aid clients in learning positive skills and behaviors to implement in times of distress.

Jill’s counseling approach is integrative including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Person Centered, and Humanistic Therapy. Jill also incorporates Mindfulness techniques to help clients explore self reflection. She believes that the therapist and client are equals and that this is essential in the flourishing of the therapeutic relationship . She strives to create a safe space where individuals can freely express their thoughts , emotions , and everything in-between.

Alexis Chapman, MHC-LP