Our Staff

Executive Director
Sarah (she/her) has been working with children, families, and adults in New York for over 10 years. She has an expertise in supporting clients who have experienced trauma and is certified in TF-CBT, an evidenced-based model for working with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma.
In her clinical practice, she starts with relationality. She works with clients collaboratively and pulls from a variety of modalities to help promote healing and resilience. She believes mental health care is a fundamental part of health care and is passionate about Droste’s mission to ensure access to quality mental health services, regardless of financial means.
Before joining Droste, Sarah worked as a bilingual therapist in a trauma-focused mental health clinic, as a Special Victims social worker, and, most recently, as the Director of a shelter and foster care program for unaccompanied minors. Sarah is committed to supporting clinical practitioners and has presented on chronic trauma, resilience, safety assessments and planning, and supervision best practices at the local, national, and international level. She has co-authored papers on suicide and treating chronic trauma. She is a lecturer at Columbia University’s School of Social Work and provides supervision to other clinicians.

Administrative Support Volunteer
Melissa Nereus (she/her) is a recent graduate student from Pace University with a master’s in psychology. She has a bachelor’s in Psychology with a clinical concentration from Hunter College. She provides programmatic and administrative support to the Executive Director.
Melissa believes that proper care and attention to one’s mental health is important for a healthy lifestyle and is integral in healthcare. She cares deeply about helping others and plans to gain further knowledge and experience within the field of psychology by applying to doctoral programs. She’s excited to support Droste’s work and provide a helping hand on all matters, big or small.

Administrative Support Volunteer
Ashley Seepaul (she/her) is a recent graduate student from Pace University with a Master’s in Psychology. She received her Bachelor’s and Departmental Honors in Psychology with a clinical concentration from Hunter College. She provides programmatic and administrative support to the Executive Director.
Ashley believes that prioritizing and normalizing mental health is crucial for living a healthier and more fulfilled life. She is profoundly invested in promoting the welfare of her community. Her enthusiasm lies in making therapy a readily available, empowering, and inclusive experience.

Social Media Volunteer
Madison Loughlin (she/her) is an undergraduate student at Georgetown University where she is pursuing studies in psychology. She is also interested in exploring journalism and anthropology. She manages Droste’s social media and blog posts.
Madison believes that mental health is a fundamental part of the human experience. As a born-and-bred New Yorker, she knows both the joys and stress of living in the city. She cares deeply about supporting the well-being of her community. She is excited to support Droste’s work in de-stigmatizing mental health care and making therapy an accessible, empowering, and welcoming experience.