Life Stages Counseling
Counseling for optimum wellness
Our Team
Teresa Grella, M.A., LMFT
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Co-founder of Life Stages Counseling, a private practice in Babylon Village, NY with a satellite office in Westbury, NY. Life Stages has been providing comprehensive mental health services to individuals, couples and families since 2004. I specialize in couple and family therapy. I hold a master’s degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from Hofstra University, and an Advanced Certificate in substance abuse counseling from the School of Social Work at Stony Brook University. I received intensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), at Columbia University in 2014/2015 through Behavioral Tech, Inc., an organization founded by the creator and developer of DBT, Marsha Linehan, Ph.D. I find that incorporating the philosophy of DBT and using DBT skills with my clients has positively impacted our work together and I am very passionate about this model of treatment. I utilize an integrative approach to treatment that incorporates elements of family systems theory, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
I am currently the Director of the Counseling and Mental Health Professions (CMHP) Clinic at the Joan and Arnold Community Services Center at Hofstra University. This clinic trains students in the fields of Marriage and Family Therapy, Mental Health Counseling, Creative Arts Therapy and Rehabilitation Counseling. I also serve as a clinical supervisor in the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Doctoral Clinic in the Joan and Arnold Community Services Center at Hofstra University. I am also a clinical Fellow in good standing with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
Karen O'Brien, LCSW-R, LMHC, CASAC
I bring 25 years of education, experience and dedication to the helping profession of therapy. I am the co-founder of Life Stages Counseling, a company spanning 10 plus years. Life Stages is a private practice committed to helping people bring clarity to their lives while building skills and setting goals for their future. It is my pursuit to assist in the growth and development of all individuals. I hold a Masters Degree in Social Work, Mental Health and am Credentialed in Substance Abuse Treatment. Life Stages has been a rich environment for me and Co-Founder Teresa Grella-Hillebrand affording us the ability to offer comprehensive, innovative treatment approaches to those we serve.
I have 20 years of experience working in the field of addiction and mental health, and was the Director for a prominent agency on Long Island. I was responsible for all aspects of staffing and programming which included a Women and Children's Program, Men's Program, DWI Program, and an Adolescent Program. After many gratifying years, I recently retired from that position and am now in full time private practice. I am very excited to be in a position to devote more time to my practice.
Margaret Christy, M.A. LMFT
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in working with couples and adolescents. I hold a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Hofstra University. I am also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, a Certified Family Trauma Professional and a Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional.
I have years of experience working with at risk youth and their families on Long Island. I also offer counseling services to deaf, hard of hearing and cochlear implant individuals, couples and families.
Whether you’re struggling with a specific issue or just have the feeling there should be more to life, I can help you find possibilities for change. My goal is to provide my clients with the knowledge and understanding of how relationships work and how problems can be resolved in the most challenging situations. I believe every person grows from the relationships they’ve experienced. It is my mission to help clients establish resources and build upon strengths to enhance happiness in relationships. In therapy I provide a space for reflection and aid in decision making.