Wendell, Deputy Program Director for JFS Delaware, is responsible for providing clinical and administrative level support to JFS community-based programs and is the primary contact for the implementation of new community based clinical projects. In this role, Wendell focuses on agency-wide programming needs, community needs, internal and external trainings, therapist recruitment, and more. Prior to this, he was the Clinical Director of the JFS Fellowship Program.  Wendell has been working with JFS for three years.

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Wendell received his Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from Syracuse University in 2015.  His passion is families and he has shown this by spending most of his career in behavioral healthcare, providing therapy to families of high risk/gang-involved youth and families that have experienced the removal of a child by the Department of Children and Family Services. Early on at JFS, Wendell was the Director of Program Operations and Training and was an integral member of the COMPASS team, applying his expertise as a LCSW to assist individuals and families impacted by dementia.  In addition to his work with JFS, Wendell is also an International Consultant and Trainer for Functional Family Therapy, LLC (FFT) and provides ongoing clinical supervision, support, and training to FFT teams around the world. Previously, Wendell worked with the Salvation Army (NY) for 10 years as well as Family Promise of NCC (DE). 

In 2023, Wendell was recognized as one of Delaware Business Times 40 Under 40’s outstanding young professionals who are making a name for themselves through innovative ideas, business excellence, and community involvement.  Additionally, he has been chosen to be a part of the Leadership Delaware 2024 Fellowship class.  This is a yearlong educational program for adult professionals preparing them with the knowledge, vision, integrity, and networks to significantly impact and transform their communities and be leaders within Delaware.

Originally from NY state, Wendell and his family took a giant leap and moved to Delaware for a fresh start during the pandemic.  They have called Wilmington, DE home for almost three years. A dad of two boys, Wendell and his wife are busy. Weekends are often spent exploring the First State and all it has to offer. A favorite is camping down at the Delaware Beaches. Wendell is also a lifelong Eagles fan, a caffeine fanatic, and enjoys a 5 AM run before the day even begins. 

Zach is a Community Based Counselor at JFS Delaware, working with youth and their families in school, home, and community settings.

Zach originally graduated from IUP with a BA in Criminology in 2014. Zach’s prior work experience includes working at a juvenile detention center, working with adolescents that ranged in age from 12 to 18 and had a multitude of different behavioral issues. He has also spent time at two different residential treatment facilities, the first of which he worked in the home with the males (ages 13-18) and the second with females (ages 13-18); this is where Zach learned that he had a passion for working with children and teens and wanted to continue this path. He then went back to school and received his Master’s in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University.

Zach has two dogs and a big fan of the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Dr. Angelica Montalvo Santiago is dedicated to working with children, youth, adults, and families who are going through changes, challenges, loss, doubt, stress, and wondering if consulting a professional in the mental health field may be helpful. Clients who work with her often seek help for their children, in terms of behavior, school difficulties, peer interactions, self-esteem, and emotional problems, among other concerns; adults who are interested in her psychotherapy services may be struggling with anxiety, depression, and difficulties in their relationships with peers, family, and/or partners; others may just feel the need to speak with someone who can help them figure out why they don’t feel like their normal self anymore or why it seems like things are not working out like they used to. Dr. Montalvo’s goal is to accompany everyone in the process of taking baby steps, if needed, or larger steps to get to where they want to be and feel good about who they are.

Her motto is: “Being in therapy is not an easy task, as it takes self-determination, courage, and being open to feeling vulnerable, but the good news is that you don’t have to feel alone in this process because we are in it together.”

Dr. Montalvo earned a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Ponce Health Sciences University, in Puerto Rico. Her training focused on evidence-based practices that emphasized patient-centered care. She has specialized training in pediatrics, integrated care, and family dynamics. As part of her pediatric background, Dr. Montalvo has vast experience working with young clients in identifying developmental, academic, and behavior problems and making recommendations for parents, schools, and IEP/504 Plan Teams. Her passion for integrated care comes from a place of recognizing the connection between mind and body. She has worked with clients adapting to health-related issues (Diabetes, Asthma, Cancer, HIV, chronic pain), as well as working with women who are managing post-partum depression and navigating parenthood. She also recognizes the need for increased attention to men’s mental health. In addition, over her years of experience working with individuals and families, she has discovered a passion for working with families looking to overcome trauma, transitions, and generational patterns.

Dr. Montalvo is fully bilingual (English & Spanish). She has obtained training in cultural competency and cultural humility and is looking forward to continued growth and learning, in working with a diverse community in Delaware.

Her hobbies include Latin dancing, cooking, hiking, and karaoke.

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Start your therapy journey today by submitting an online intake form or contact our Intake Department at 302-478-9411 ext. 306

Kathie is an Oncology Social Worker with Cancer Care Connection, an affiliate of JFS Delaware. She has over 10 years of clinical experience serving the community and supporting individuals and caregivers impacted by cancer and other life stressors. Kathie’s prior work experience includes supporting clients who are managing and coping with depression and anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, and adjustment to planned and unplanned life transitions. Kathie practices from a collaborative, strengths-based and person-centered perspective.

With a BS in Human Resource Management from Wilmington University, Kathie’s first career was in HR for a Federal agency. It was this experience and her exposure to social work and social justice which encouraged her leap of faith to return to school and begin a second career in social work. She completed her graduate degree at Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work and Research in 2011 and, soon after, began her work with Cancer Care Connection. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Kathie also worked briefly with a Home Visit Program as part of an Integrated Health Care team, providing care to geriatric and homebound patients.

Kathie and her spouse recently moved to Sussex County, Delaware with their rescue dog, Tucker. Reading is a life-long joy for Kathie and, in other free time, she enjoys knitting and needlework, ocean walks and swimming, hiking nearby trails, and a bit of gardening. In the past, she enjoyed volunteering with Paws for People.

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Cancer Care Connection is an affiliate of JFS Delaware.
Learn more about Cancer Care Connection >>>

As a Master’s Level Therapist, Jordan provides evidence-based mental health therapy services to individuals and families. She believes in providing a safe environment for each person to be seen, heard, and known and in tailoring treatment to each individual’s unique needs.

Jordan completed her Master’s of Social Work degree at Widener University and her Bachelor’s in Human Services at the University of Delaware. She has worked with people of all ages – from children to adolescents to older adults – and with people from over a dozen countries in her past teaching, social work, and administrative roles. She is passionate about using a holistic approach to meet people where they are and to help them live their best lives mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Jordan has spent over 8 years living in Asia and Europe, but she is proud to call Delaware her home. In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies, reading, doing yoga, spending time in nature, and enjoying quality time with family.

 


Start your therapy journey today by submitting an online intake form or contact our Intake Department at 302-478-9411 ext. 306

Neyssa is a passionate, dedicated Community-Based Counselor at Jewish Family Services in New Castle County. She prides herself on using an integrative counseling approach to optimize support for youth, young adults, and their families. Recognizing the many challenges that the families face, she aims to always provide a safe, nonjudgmental, and motivational environment to lead her clients to successful outcomes.

Neyssa obtained her graduate degree from Springfield College, with a concentration in clinical mental health counseling. She uses a variety of approaches and theories to provide the most comprehensive support while providing current evidence-based treatment options.

Whether in a one-on-one setting or a group setting, Neyssa is committed to establishing trusting, healthy relationships with her clients so she can provide the most effective family services.

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Mone’t is a Community-Based Counselor at JFS, working with youth and their families in school, home, and community settings. A graduate of the University of Delaware and Liberty University, Mone’t says studying psychology and counseling has prepared her for working with different groups of people; it has helped her grow not only professionally, but personally as well. Helping people has always been her passion and Mone’t hopes to gain more growth throughout my career.

Mone’t is originally from Philadelphia, but relocated to Delaware during high school.

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Andrew G. Feinberg, M.D.is an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and is a board certified psychiatrist. He completed his psychiatry residency at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1985, where he served as chief resident. After completing his residency, he spent three years directing a mood disorders clinic and medical/psychiatric inpatient unit in Maryland. For the next seven years, he ran specialty psychiatric inpatient units at several hospitals. Since March 1996, Dr. Feinberg has maintained a full-time outpatient clinical practice.

Andy has a special interest and expertise in depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, geriatric psychiatry, and psychopharmacology. He is dedicated to a collaborative relationship with his patients and their families as well as close communication and strong personal relationships with referring physicians and therapists. He strives to provide a safe, supportive environment in which to diagnose and treat patients appropriately. Each patient is treated with individualized care, responsive attention, and respect.

 


Start your therapy journey today by submitting an online intake form or contact our Intake Department at 302-478-9411 ext. 306

Dr. Saurabh Gupta is a board certified in Adult and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and has been practicing in the area since 2006 in inpatient and outpatient settings. In addition to his part-time role with JFS, Dr. Gupta is the Medical Director at Rockford Center, an acute inpatient Psychiatric hospital focusing exclusively on working with children and adolescents.

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Start your therapy journey today by submitting an online intake form or contact our Intake Department at 302-478-9411 ext. 306

Marsha Akoto is a national certified counselor (NCC) and therapist at JFS. She holds a master’s degree in Clinical and Counseling Psychology. Her primary theoretical orientation is a strengths-based approach with an emphasis on psychodynamic, DBT, and narrative therapy practices. Her expertise is in the areas of trauma, identity issues, adjustment issues, racial trauma, self-esteem issues, interpersonal effectiveness, intrapersonal effectiveness, and BIPOC mental health.

Previously, she’s worked with the survivors of human trafficking, court committed youth, newly immigrated adults, and adults dealing with depression, anxiety, everyday life stressors, and trauma related issues. She has expertise in research, case management, and group and individual counseling. Marsha believes that clients have the power to re-write their own story and their therapist is there to help them find the tools within themselves.

 


Start your therapy journey today by submitting an online intake form or contact our Intake Department at 302-478-9411 ext. 306