Our Team
Our clinicians travel to homes, communities, and schools to provide you and your family with a comprehensive and individualized treatment . We are willing to train extended family members, schools, camp counselors and coaches.
Marian Budzynski-Moldan's Children's Book
Marian Moldan, LCSW-R
Founder and Director
Marian Budzynski-Moldan, LCSW-R is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.
Marian Moldan, LCSW-R has worked with Selectively Mute children, adolescents, and adults for over 35 years both as a clinical social worker and a special education teacher. Having overcome her history of selective mutism, Marian specializes in the treatment of Selective Mutism. She has served as a consultant to school districts on Long Island and Queens. She has collaborated with school personnel, psychiatrists, developmental pediatricians on work involving various anxiety disorders among the life span.
Marian speaks at international conferences and local conferences. She has authored:
- “Selective Mutism and Self-Regulation”, Clinical Social Work Journal (2005).
- “After Newtown, Listening to Those Who Aren’t Speaking”, Guest Blog Post Psychology Today & Amy Przeworski, Ph.D. by Kim O’Connell and Marian Moldan, LCSW-R (February, 2013)
- “Marian Moldan, LCSW-R, was asked to write two pieces in the book, “ Selective Mutism In Our Words” by Carl Sutton and Cheryl Sutton (2016)
Marian Moldan, LCSW-R developed one of the first group treatment models for selectively mute children. This agency has at least seven on-going groups at given time, ranging from toddler groups through adolescent groups for selectively mute and anxious youngsters. Marian Moldan, LCSW-R has an adult group in the Miller Place Office.
Marian Moldan, LCSW- taught the first credited course on Selective Mutism for teachers, speech pathologists, and school mental health professionals through SCOPE in Smithtown, New York. She is the Founder and Director of Childhood Anxiety Solutions, LCSW, PLLC and conducts weekly individual and group supervision. She maintains a patient caseload in addition to her other professional obligations. Marian Moldan, LCSW-R is the Recipient of the NASW – NYS Chapter of the 2011 Social Worker of the Year Award.
Sarah Acton, LMSW
Social Worker
Sarah Acton, LMSW, graduated Adelphi University in 2016 with a Masters in Social Work. As a former educator with a B.A. from Boston College (English/Secondary Education) and a M.Ed. from UCLA (Curriculum and Development).
Sarah has worked with children in and out of the classroom setting for over thirty years. Her experiences include both secondary and preschool settings with a focus on empowering children and families. Her goal is to help families understand and manage anxiety based behaviors and mood disruptions in order for clients to enjoy a better quality of life. Her ability to connect with clients help them feel safe and understood. Often, anxiety and mood disorders create further anxiety and this can be frightening and confusing. As a former educator and parent, Sarah is able to advantageously address both sides of the school desk. She utilizes evidence based techniques to help both children and adults. She is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure and response prevention, two well-documented interventions in the management of anxiety.
Her training also includes Trauma Focused Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Ego Supportive Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, The Neurobiology of Anxiety and Addictions, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and Mindfulness Training. She is always eager to pick up a book, watch a webinar, attend a class or read journal article pertinent to her practice. She is currently earning a certificate in the utilization of Telehealth. The most important component of therapy, Sarah believes, is the client/therapist relationship. Philosophically, she is Rogerian, which in plain language means she approaches her practice with empathy, genuineness and positive regard. She begins with strengths and then works to minimize cognitive or environmental obstacles which get in the way of self acceptance, social ease and optimal growth.
In addition to her work at at Childhood Anxiety Solutions, she is employed at Maria Regina Residence where she supports medically challenged senior citizens navigate increased limitations. From the perspective of both ends of life, Sarah can assure you that there is an innate resilience in each of us, just wanting to be tapped.
Amy Dulligan, LCSW
Social Worker
Amy Dulligan is a licensed social worker who specializes in the treatment of children with Selective Mutism as well as other anxiety disorders. She has extensive training in Selective Mutism and uses a variety of therapeutic techniques and evidenced based interventions in her work with children and their families. She believes in the education and involvement of families, school personnel and anyone who is an integral part of the child’s life. She utilizes both individual and group therapy to help children learn to manage their anxiety, improve their coping skills and achieve their goals. She provides treatment in various settings including the office, school and community.
Amy has her Master’s Degree in Social Work form Adelphi University and her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Dowling College. She receives weekly supervision from Marian Moldan who she has known for over 25 years. Amy continues to add to her skill set by attending trainings and conferences. These include but are not limited to: Motivational Interviewing, Play Therapy, Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Behavioral Therapy.
Amy’s past experiences include working with children and families within the foster care / adoption system. She has also worked with children with developmental delays and disabilities within early intervention and preschool programs.
Amy is married and has two children of her own, which has helped her to understand firsthand the many life stressors and challenges that children and families may face. She enjoys working with children and strives to provide client centered services in a nurturing and nonjudgmental way in order to help children and their families to function at their most optimal level.
Sara Micieli, LMSW
Social Worker
Sara Micieli LMSW graduated with her Masters in Social Work from New York University in May of 2020. Sara also has her Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Farmingdale State College which she earned in 2018. Sara has experience in a multitude of clinical settings, her first being interning at Childhood Anxiety Solutions under the supervision of Marian Moldan LCSW-R in 2017! Sara has a passion for working with children and families as her other clinical experiences include assisting children with their behavior and daily living skills at their group home, and working with adolescents, young adults, and families who have been affected by substance use.
Additionally, Sara has experience in providing individual, group, and family therapy and is proficient in working with substance use treatment, and school social work. Sara is knowledgeable of evidence-based practices including CBT, strength-based therapy, family dynamics, and motivational interviewing. In addition to her work at Childhood Anxiety Solutions, Sara is a middle school social worker providing mental and behavioral support and substance use prevention.
It is Sara’s intention to provide a safe and welcoming space for the client to explore their needs and goals to live their best and most fulfilling life.
Marisa Ohriner, LMSW
Social Worker
Marissa Ohriner, LMSW, graduated from Adelphi University in 2021 with a Master’s Degree in Social Work.
Marissa also earned a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from SUNY Old Westbury in 2013. Marissa has 9 years of experience working with individuals of all ages in managing mental health related symptoms. Marissa has experience working with diverse populations including adolescents in a school setting, and individuals impacted by serious and chronic illness. Marissa has experience working with individuals, groups, and families. Marissa utilizes a variety of evidence-based practices (but is not limited to) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational interviewing, Family Dynamics, and Strength-Based Perspective. In addition to her work at Childhood Anxiety Solutions, Marissa is a school based social worker providing substance use prevention, as well as mental health support for high school students.
Marissa is empathetic, supportive, and nonjudgmental. Marissa’s goal is to create a safe and welcoming environment for clients to feel empowered to attain their goals. Marissa encourages and welcomes collaborative teamwork between all parties involved in the child’s care. Marissa is knowledgeable of techniques for managing anxiety, having overcome childhood anxiety herself.
Lily Moldan, LMSW
Billing Assistant
Lily Moldan, graduating from Silberman School of Social Work with her MSW in May 2021, works with Childhood Anxiety Solutions as a billing assistant and will officially be on board as an LMSW upon graduation. Her social work experience includes working at NYU’s McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research with at-risk adolescents and the Bay Ridge Center for Older Adults. Utilizing her B.A. from Farmingdale State College in Criminal Justice and her M.S.W, Lily has exhibited a love for working with others. Lily describes one of the highest honors of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award that she was awarded in 2019 as her motivation to pursue a career in a helping profession to help others achieve happiness and overcome their internal and external hurdles. She is focused on developing her a speciality focused on anxiety, trauma-informed care and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Mayra Palacios LMSW
Social Worker
Mayra Palacios LMSW graduated with her Masters in Social Work from Adelphi University in 2023. Mayra also has her Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Queens College which she earned in 2020. Mayra is bilingual(Spanish) and has experience in a multitude of clinical settings, such as working with Individuals with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness, Substance Abuse, interning at a Preschool for children with disabilities, and working with Young Adults and Children diagnosed with Autism. Mayra enjoys working with children and young adults and is very passionate about what she does.
Mayra utilizes an eclectic approach in practice including CBT, strength-based therapy, solution focused therapy and motivational interviewing.