Meet Our Team
Kenneth J. Roche, MA, LMHC-D, NCC, CCMHC earned his bachelor's degree in Psychology from St. Joseph's College before completing his Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling at Adelphi University. He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with Diagnostic Privilege in New York and holds the National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) credentials. With decades of experience in both behavioral health and public service, Ken is committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care while helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life's challenges with confidence and resilience.
As Founder and Director of Clinical and Operational Services at South Shore Mental Health Counseling Services, Ken has provided counseling, psychotherapy, and case management to clients from diverse backgrounds while mentoring and supervising more than 45 student counselors and pre-licensed clinicians. He believes in building strong therapeutic relationships grounded in trust, respect, and collaboration, tailoring treatment to each client's unique needs, experiences, and goals.
Ken integrates a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches to help clients develop greater self-awareness, strengthen coping skills, improve relationships, and achieve lasting personal growth. His clinical interests include anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship concerns, life transitions, and stress management.
In addition to his clinical work, Ken has served with the Suffolk County Police Department since 1986, where he currently holds the rank of Police Sergeant. Throughout his law enforcement career, he has provided leadership in high stress environments, instructed at the Suffolk County Police Academy on mental health and communication, and championed officer wellness initiatives. He also spearheaded the partnership between South Shore Mental Health Counseling Services and the Suffolk County Superior Officers Association to provide confidential counseling and consultation services for senior police leaders and their families. Prior to his law enforcement career, Ken served for more than 30 years in the United States Coast Guard Reserve, retiring as a Master Chief Petty Officer and Command Master Chief after a distinguished career focused on leadership, mentorship, and service.
Danielle Finnerty, MA, LMHC earned her bachelor's degree in Public Health from Stony Brook University before completing her master's degree in Mental Health Counseling at Long Island University. She is passionate about helping individuals and couples navigate life's challenges with compassion, insight, and practical support. Danielle recognizes that life's emotions can sometimes feel overwhelming, and she strives to create a safe, supportive environment where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered throughout their therapeutic journey.
Danielle believes that every person and relationship is unique and takes a holistic, collaborative approach to treatment, meeting clients where they are while helping them work toward meaningful personal growth. She integrates evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Humanistic Therapy, tailoring treatment to each client's individual needs, experiences, and goals. Together, Danielle and her clients work to increase self-awareness, challenge unhelpful thought patterns, develop effective coping strategies, and build upon their inherent strengths. Her goal is to help clients gain the confidence, resilience, and practical skills needed to navigate life's challenges and move forward with greater clarity and purpose.
Amanda Tascarella, MA, earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Southern New Hampshire University in 2025. During her clinical training, she led groups focused on managing anxiety and worked with individuals across the lifespan, with an emphasis on trauma-informed care. Amanda is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She has experience working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and trauma-related conditions.
Amanda believes that each client is the expert on their own life. She views therapy as a collaborative process in which the client remains in the driver’s seat while she serves as a guide, offering support, insight, and direction along the way. Amanda helps clients process past and present experiences, recognize patterns, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves.
With a warm, compassionate, and nonjudgmental approach, Amanda creates a space tailored to each client’s individual needs. She balances support with thoughtful challenge, helping clients navigate the complex emotions that often come with growth and change. Her goal is to help clients feel understood while developing greater insight, meaningful skills, and a stronger sense of connection with themselves.
Elise Macanka, MA strives to create a safe, welcoming, and compassionate space where clients feel comfortable being their authentic selves. She believes therapy is a collaborative process built on trust, understanding, and a strong therapeutic relationship. Her goal is to support clients as they navigate life's challenges, deepen their self-understanding, and move toward meaningful, lasting change.
Elise is passionate about helping individuals recognize their strengths, build resilience, and feel empowered throughout their therapeutic journey. She utilizes an integrative approach that combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), relational, and psychodynamic techniques, tailoring treatment to each client's unique needs, experiences, and goals. Together, Elise and her clients explore patterns that may be contributing to current difficulties, develop practical coping strategies, strengthen self-awareness, and cultivate healthier ways of thinking, feeling, and relating to themselves and others. She is committed to fostering a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, accepted, and encouraged as they work toward the life they envision for themselves.
Jayda Konakli earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology from St. John's University and is currently pursuing her master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Capella University. She is passionate about creating a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment where clients feel comfortable being themselves. Jayda believes in meeting clients where they are and fostering a collaborative therapeutic relationship built on trust, empathy, and respect.
Jayda is dedicated to helping individuals navigate life's challenges, build upon their strengths, and work toward meaningful personal growth. She utilizes evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Person-Centered Therapy, tailoring treatment to each client's unique needs, experiences, and goals. Her aim is to provide compassionate, individualized care that empowers clients to develop practical skills, increase self-awareness, and achieve lasting emotional well-being.
Nally is a Care Coordinator and undergraduate psychology student with a passion for supporting others and helping them feel welcomed and connected to care. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in psychology and hopes to become a licensed counselor in the future. In her role, Nally enjoys connecting individuals with helpful resources, providing support, and creating a positive and welcoming experience. She looks forward to continuing to learn and grow while making a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves.
