Syracuse | Rome
A safe and compassionate place to build individual confidence and develop healthy relationships
About Us:
Jill Weldum, President
Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (M.A.)
NYS Licenced Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Child Centered Play Therapist (CCPT)
AAMFT Approved Supervisor
Jill is the proprietor of Alkira Family Therapy and is licensed to practice in New York State. Her private practice has served families for 17 years, and she has supervised new therapists for 7 years. Jill Weldum is also a Certified Child Play Therapist (CCPT).
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Jill earned her M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Syracuse University. Her work experience includes HelpPeoples Employee Assistance Program, Upstate Medical Universitys Pediatrics Department, and teaching positions at Syracuse University and SUNY Cortland. She is published and has presented at national conferences on children and disabilities, and the effects of violence on families. Jill is a clinical member and approved supervisor of AAMFT.
Sara Farmer
Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (M.A.)
NYS Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
AAMFT Approved Supervisor in Training
Sara Farmer earned her Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Syracuse University. She has practicd at the Syracuse Vet Center, focusing on readjustment counseling for Veterns with PTSD and their partner. Also, Sara has worked at the Goldberg Couple and Family Center. Her primary focus for her work has been with couples and individuals.
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Sara realizes that relationships affects all areas of individuals lives - family, work, friends, just to name a few. Sara notes that our relationships enhance our lives, help us grow as individuals and provide support when life is challenging. In addtion, Sara speacializes in assisting individuals & couples with sexual concerns (sex addiction, sexual dysfunction, sexual intimacy and/or arousal issues). Sara will work with the individual or couple to enhance their sexual experience.
Furthermore, Sara is very committed to the LGBTQ Community and has established herself by creating secure and non-judgmental relationships with clients in this population. Moreover, Sara recognizes the needs of this population and she can provide hormone recommendation treatment and/or assessment.
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Efrain earned his Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Syracuse University and is currently completing his doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Efrain is a licensed, Marriage and Family Therapist who also works at The Brownell Center for Behavioral Health Services serving mostly Spanish speaking individuals, couples, and families.
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He utilizes an experiential and structural theoretical framework. He helps clients transform dysfunctional communication styles, increase self-esteem, and establish the appropriate structure and boundaries relationships need. Efrain's extensive experience ranges from working with families, couples and individuals who have experienced severe trauma in their lives to issues related to low self-worth and marginalization.
Efrain Agama
Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (M.A.)
NYS Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Spanish Speaking
Shawnese Givens
Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (M.A.)
NYS Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Shawnese holds a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Syracuse University. She is a licensed clinician whose work has largely involved families and individuals with an expertise in working with adolescents. She has also practiced at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy, a training institute where she worked within the Gay and Lesbian Affirmative Psychotherapy Division. Shawnese has a passion for working with LGBTQ youth and is trained to provide psychological evaluation and recommendation for medical treatments for transgender clients. Shawnese also works at the Dual Recovery Center of Central New York Services, serving clients dually diagnosed with chemical dependency and mental health issues.
Shawnese’s work is grounded in a belief that all people are fundamentally good and are striving to do their best. She also recognizes that people sometimes get stuck. Old wounds and systemic factors often get in the way of making changes. Using a culturally sensitive approach, grounded in psychodynamic principles, Shawnese will partner with you as you find your unique path toward creating change and healing.
Katie Glenwright
Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (M.A.)
Masters in Social Work (M.A.)
NYS Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
NYS Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Katie earned her M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy and M.A. in Social Work from Syracuse University and holds a license in both professions. Currently, Katie also practices at the Brownell Center for Behavioral Health where she works with a diverse group of individuals, couples and families.
Katie is profoundly impacted by the power of relational work with couples and families. She operates from the belief that we are all shaped by the systems that we are a part of. For instance, romantic partnerships, families of origin and procreation, and communities, are all examples of systems that influence the way we think, feel, and act. Katie utilizes the avenue of couples therapy and family therapy to assist clients to better understand themselves within these systems in order to open the possibility of interacting with their existing systems more effectively and understand themselves more deeply.
Of particular interest of Katie's, among many, is supporting our LGBTQ community through advocacy, providing assessments and medical recommendations for the transgender community, and creating a safe and secure space for self-identified LGBTQ clients and their loved ones. Katie utilizes a systemic approach to therapy, and understands the importance of a person's unique relationship with themselves and others. She invites you to collaborate with her to explore the self by increasing awareness, understanding and compassion and in turn create possibilities for more meaningful connections and strengthened overall well-being.
Rachel Church
Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (M.A.)
NYS Limited Permit Marriage and Family Therapist (LPFT)
Rachel earned her M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Syracuse University and is currently working towards NYS licensure. Rachel has experience working with young adults, adolescents and children struggling with depression, self-harm, anxiety, PTSD, OCD and anger management.
Rachel is strongly connected with the LGBTQ community and co-creates safe space for individuals, couples and families.
Rachel believes that our lives are shaped by the systems we are part of and she invites you and your family to work with her on exploring the impact of these systems and developing a deeper meaning of self that can help you create and strengthen a positive self and healthier relationships.
Lindsay is a Marriage and Family Therapy graduate student, and she has seven years of experience working with youth and families providing skill-building and direct services. Also, Lindsay has five years of experience working with youth who have experienced trauma. In addition to continuing to help youth and families struggling with the aftereffects of trauma, she is working towards play therapy certification and is developing expertise in couples therapy, pre-marital counseling, and grief counseling.
Jessica is currently working towards her licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy and holds a Master of Science in Teaching with a concentration in Health Education. She has experience working with families, couples, indviduals, adults, adolescents and children that have experienced or are currently experiencing anxiety, anger, depression, bipolar disorder and other mental health illnesses. Jessica works from a systemic approach providing insight to multigenerational patterns that are influencing present issues and concerns. One of Jessica's strengths is that she has the ability to meet each client's unique needs by developing a personal understanding of each of them and assists them in the exploration of self within their system.
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Lindsay Widrig, MA Jessica McConaghy
Student Intern, Syracuse University
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Cheryl is a warm and compassionate and she works with our clients to create a therapeutic relationship built on safety. She believes in the power of this work and how therapy can transform lives. Cheryl will work with you, hear and understand your story, as a place to begin to work toward healing.
Cheryl Hayes
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Administrative Assistant