Meet The Team

Amanda Wood-Cocozziello is the founder of Peace of Mind Mental Health Counseling Staten Island. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of New York. Prior to creating a private practice, Amanda has worked in hospital settings providing treatment in intensive day treatment programs as well as an outpatient program. During her time as a graduate student, Amanda participated as an assistant in a clinical research study in Guyana, South America assessing for suicide and depression in children and teens.

Her therapeutic work focuses on helping clients gain insight into their relationships, overcome trauma, and work through codependency.  Amanda believes in a person-centered approach utilizing key components of psychodynamic techniques to build the bridge between our past experiences and present struggles. Amanda has a passion for helping our first responders and their families and brings an understanding to the struggles they face that are uniquely different from other working professions. Amanda is dedicated to creating an empathetic, understanding, warm, and relatable therapeutic relationship with her clients. When working with Amanda, clients experience a comfortable, safe, and accepting environment so they can be their true and authentic selves. Amanda encourages clients to put a pause on the external chaos and focus inward on themselves and learn ways to prioritize their needs and wants. Reach out to Amanda if you are looking for some “Peace of Mind.”

​Richard Scala is a Mental Health Counselor in the State of New York and a former NYPD Lieutenant. With Richards’s background as an NYPD officer, he offers unique services to our law enforcement and military men and women. Richard believes in the power of healing through therapy and understands the fear that comes with beginning the process. That is why he has a passion for destigmatizing the negative belief around mental health with our first responders by offering a safe and comfortable space for them to talk freely about their experiences. Richard’s therapeutic work focuses on treating individuals struggling with anxiety, depression or marital issues. Richard utilizes a person-centered approach with his clients taking key components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Richard is aware that change can be scary, but through a welcoming, empathetic therapeutic relationship individuals can find comfort in the unknown. When working with Richard, clients have been able to gain the ability to identify and challenge negative or irrational thoughts and behaviors. Reach out to Richard if you are looking for some “Peace of Mind.”

Andrew Wakschal is a Mental Health Counselor in the State of New York. Andrew believes that therapy is a collaborative effort in helping individuals navigate life’s challenges. Andrew is understanding that life can sometimes feel scary and unfair for many; so he takes that ideology as a tool to empower clients to gain control over their thoughts and emotions to live a more fulfilling life. Andrew is warm and empathetic and utilizes humor and metaphors to make the therapeutic experience more relatable for his clients.  Andrews’s therapeutic work focuses on treating children, teens and adults struggling with anxiety, depression and self-esteem. Andrew believes that people with similar struggles have unique experiences so it is important to meet the client where they are at. Andrew’s approach to therapy is individualized while fostering key components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to better help his clients change negative thinking patterns. Reach out to Andrew if you or your child are looking for some “Peace of Mind.”

​Vannesa Mancero is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of New York. With over 10 years of experience as a Mental Health Clinician, Vannesa has a passion working with child, adolescents and young adults. Vannesa believes in early intervention; giving children and teens the tools to manage their emotions effectively at an early age can help alleviate difficulties they may face in adulthood.  Vannesa understands as parents, sometimes, we do not understand why our children are acting/feeling the way they are, and our children have difficulty communicating those same struggles. When working with children, Vannesa utilizes play therapy to help the child feel comfortable to share their experiences in ways they know how. Vannesa’s therapeutic work focuses on helping clients understand their thoughts and emotions and develop healthy ways to express themselves. Reach out to Vannesa if you or your child are looking for some “Peace of Mind.”

Danielle Narducci is an Intern from CUNY College of Staten Island Clinical Mental Health Counseling Graduate program in training  towards a License as a Mental Health Counselor in the State of New York. Danielle’s passion is helping individuals navigate their way through struggles they may be facing. Danielle believes that each individual is entitled to achieve their goals and dreams but is understanding that life has barriers that may get in the way. When working with Danielle individuals are able to gain insight and control over their thoughts and emotions. Danielle offers an accepting, empathetic, and trustworthy environment to ensure each client receives the best therapy experience possible. Danielle utilizes empowerment techniques to help guide clients through their life journey to ensure they achieve their dreams and aspirations. Her therapeutic framework focuses on an integrative approach while adjusting to the clients needs, as she understands each individual is unique in their experiences. Reach out to Danielle if you or your child are looking for some “Peace of Mind”.

Christine O'Neill is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of New York. Christine has many years of experience, helping individuals of all ages better understand themselves and gain insight into their symptoms. Christine has a passion for helping individuals struggling with self-esteem, anxiety, depression, PTSD and family conflicts. Christine understands that not every client is the same, though their stories may be similar. This is why she believes in a person centered approach to treatment, which is tailored to meet each clients specific needs. Throughout time, Christine has worked with individuals, groups and families along with our military and veteran population and has an understanding to the complexities of their experiences. Working with Christine, clients feel a overall better sense of self, understanding of their life around them and sense of hope for their future. Outside of the counseling room, Christine enjoys educating our future clinicians as an adjunct professor at CUNY College of Staten Island. Reach out to Christine if you are looking for some "Peace of Mind."