Our Team

Carolyn Christie-McAuliffe PhD, FNP

Carolyn has been a nurse for more than thirty years working as an RN, educator,

administrator, researcher, and Nurse Practitioner. Carolyn attended Crouse-Irving

Memorial Hospital School of Nursing where she received a diploma in Nursing.

She began her career working on a variety of medical - surgical floors and

intensive care units. While in the acute care setting, Carolyn developed an appreciation

for helping patients stay healthy and prevent disease. That experience led her to obtain a Master’s in Nursing as a Clinical Nurse Specialist focused on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. After graduating from Upstate, Carolyn continued in the clinical setting, concurrently teaching at her Alma Mater, Crouse-Irving Memorial School of Nursing. Obtaining her PhD in Nursing at Binghamton, Carolyn worked in a variety of settings including in and outpatient oncology, family medicine, and home care. Her dissertation research was a qualitative study aimed at discovering insight into how to help people want to be healthy.

Carolyn has extensive teaching experience at all levels of nursing education and though she has retired from academia, she continues to serve as a preceptor to undergraduate and graduate nursing and medical students. In 2007, she returned to Binghamton to obtain her Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certification. She is licensed in the State of New York and authorized to practice independently as a Nurse Practitioner.

Carolyn has also served as a Director of Research, Compliance Officer and NP in primary care and oncology medicine. For five years before launching her own practice, Carolyn had the honor and privilege of working with cancer patients and their families to decrease the likelihood of cancer recurrence. She has spoken extensively to professional and lay audiences about integrative medicine and health promotion as well as authored chapters, articles, and books on compassionate, safe, and high quality patient care.

Carolyn's strong preference in promoting health and treating disease begins with using food as medicine. She also advocates lifestyle modifications that embrace healthy exercise, ensuring restorative sleep, and work, to achieve inner peace. That said, she can and will prescribe conventional medication and treatment as needed.

Focusing on gentle healing of the mind and body, Carolyn is open to finding new ways to help her

patients and is not limited to only conventional practices. Carolyn also readily collaborates with area specialists in both conventional and alternative medicine.

Carolyn lives in Skaneateles, NY with her husband Chris,

two sons, and three golden retrievers.

Her hobbies include music, reading, and crafts.

She volunteers at the Syracuse Rescue Mission and HeartlightCIP.

Within the Integrative Practitioners' office space, we have the privilege of working with a group of talented, individual contractors. Our independent associates share like-minded views of the journey to overall wellness.

PLEASE NOTE: The following colleagues are not part of Integrative Practitioners practice but rather simply share office space.

For questions or to make an appointment, please contact them directly via the contact information provided with the description of what they provide.

Meg Tobin, MA, LMHC

Meg Tobin is the owner of Breathing Space Studio in Erieville, NY, where

she offers retreats, workshops, online classes and individual

or group psychotherapy to encourageconscious connection on all levels –

physical, emotional and spiritual. Her philosophy is heart-centered

and spirit-filled, thus providing a safe place for exploration of all feelings

and experiences, whatever they may be. Meg begins where you are,

with the truth that within each person lies a pure center

untouched by life's struggles.

Meg is a Certified Trauma Professional through

the International Association of Trauma Professionals, a Certified EFT (Tapping) Practitioner,

trained at Level I of the Trauma Resiliency Model, and Certified Facilitator of Beautiful You: From Girl to Woman Playshops. Meg supports your journey of self re-discovery and honors your inner wisdom. Visit Meg at www.breathingspacestudio.com or reach her at 315.288.3900.

Sunny Raymond, MA

MA School Counseling / Mental Health Counseling Intern

Sunny Raymond has held a Master's Degree in School Counseling from the Counseling Education program at Syracuse University since 2003. She is currently completing her licensing requirements in Mental Health Counseling as an Intern at The Counseling Collective at Breathing Space. Sunny will be offering groups and individual therapy under the supervision of Meg Tobin, LMHC.

Since earning her 1st Master's Degree 16 years ago, Sunny has worked in the K-12 public school setting primarily working with children between the ages of 11-18 and their families. In her role as a school counselor she has provided mental health support in areas of grief, anxiety/depression, social skills/friendship building, family/adult relationships, emotional regulation, body image/disordered eating, and racial/multicultural issues. Sunny has a wide range of experience working with a variety of young people around issues of Autism Spectrum, Down Syndrome, LBGTQ, ADHD/ADD, OCD, ODD, Selective Mutism, refugees, and culturally diverse. Because she studied in Mexico and Spain, and worked in Syracuse City Schools, Sunny is proficient in Spanish!

“My goal in working with young people is to help them fill their tool box with resources that will empower them to face life’s challenges with hope and integrity. Through the use of different modalities such as art, movement, talk, and literature my goal is to meet kids where they are and help guide them to where they want to be.” ~ Sunny

We are offering a sliding fee scale for Sunny's sessions as insurance will not reimburse for Interns.

Contact Meg Tobin at 315.288.3900 or email meg@therapycny to see if Sunny would be a good fit for your child!

Karen Ristoff, MS,LPMHC

Karen has her B.A./Psychology from Columbia College, M.S./Mental Health Counseling from SUNY Oswego, and is a Nationally Certified Counselor. She is also a Certified Holistic Health Coach from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, NYC. Working in a variety of mental health settings, including private practice and clinic work in downtown Syracuse, has exposed her to many different kinds of experiences within the sanctity of the counseling room. Her main focus is on creating a safe haven filled with unconditional acceptance, so that the client can experience a therapeutic relationship that fosters the process of deep healing, at a pace that is comfortable for them.

As a wellness-focused counseling professional, Karen combines mental health therapy with current wellness modalities as a way of supporting transformation. From there, Karen and the client can collaborate and create truly individualized wellness plans that may subsequently empower the client towards reaching mental health and wellness goals. This integrative approach can create an energy cascade that builds upon itself, supporting sustainable positive changes.

While her work lends itself to all populations, she has a strong focus on working with those struggling with chronic stress, difficult or mid-life transitions, fatigue, and self-care; as well as other mental health challenges, including anxiety, trauma, bereavement, and depression.

“I am most passionate about being present with others in a way that allows them to feel safe, hopeful, and inspired, while empowering them to manage the struggles that are part of the

fabric of their lives. It is my great honor to be doing this work with

the brave souls who reach out for support, and

I like to believe that I am a walking, talking example

that it is never too late to reach for your life.”

-Karen

Certifications in progress:

Certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider (CMHIMP), PESI

Certified EFT Practitioner (Emotional Freedom Technique/Tapping), International Metaphysical University

Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, International Association of Trauma Professionals

Karen holds a NYS Limited Permit and is working towards completion of her NYS Licensure

hours under the supervision of Meg Tobin, LMHC. Her services are self-pay on a sliding scale.

Please call 315.345.0021 for more information

Taylor Pfau, LCSW-R

"I have been working in the mental health field for many years. Over time in my practice I have developed an integrative systems approach to mental health and overall wellness. Depression, Anxiety, and Trauma related struggles make it difficult to function effectively in school, work or within relationships. I offer many unique integrative interventions to help ensure that the individual and family reengage in their personal enjoyments and find the optimum potential of their lives.

Please explore my website, http://www.taylorpfaulcsw.com/ and see what approach fits you or your family's needs. Contact me by phone at 315-415-2533 or Taylorpfau@aol.com. I look forward to assisting you on your journey."

Lauren Ippoliti, LCSW

"I work with all ages - children, teens, adults, families and couples - and specialize in trauma work using TF-CBT and EMDR. I also enjoy working with issues related to addictions, parenting, divorce or separation, domestic violence, culture transitions and refugees, relationships, and emotion/mood regulation difficulties. I approach therapy with DBT, CBT, Collaborative Problem Solving and Family Systems Therapy approaches."

For more information, please visit: www.laurenippolitilcsw.com.

Nicole Waldschmidt is a NYS licensed Mental Health Counselor who works with children, adolescents, and adults. Her services include traditional individual and couples counseling, as well as psychotherapeutic reiki sessions.

Nicole facilitates the healing process for those who have experienced personal trauma, as well as those struggling with difficult life transitions.

To learn more about Nicole and the services offered at Positively You, LLC please visit: www.pytherapy.com or contact her at (315) 707-8681.

Dr. Kirsten Carle is a naturopathic doctor who specializes in the use of natural therapies, including diet, stress management and other lifestyle modifications as well as nutritional supplements, herbal medicine and homeopathy to address a wide array of health issues. Her holistic approach focuses on the person rather the disease, helping people to uncover and address their unique obstacles to optimal health and well-being. She is licensed to practice naturopathic medicine in Vermont and worked there for over five years, initially as a primary care provider and later specializing in tick-borne infections, such as Lyme disease, and other chronic debilitating health conditions.

Because New York does not yet license naturopathic doctors, she is unable to medically diagnose or treat in this state, but she continues to use her naturopathic knowledge to provide targeted healthcare guidance during her one-on-one consultations.

Dr. Carle’s additional areas of specialty include: hormonal concerns, mood disorders,

autoimmune disease, gastrointestinal conditions, sleep disturbance, skin issues,

detoxification and many more.

She is experienced in working with the highly sensitive patient and has a variety of

therapies that work well for patients intolerant to many medications and even

herbs and supplements.

To schedule an appointment or a free 15-minute phone consult with Dr. Carle, please

contact her via phone (518-303-2916) or email (drkirstencarle@gmail.com).

Natasha Ruiz is a Family Nurse Practitioner who

treats children (ages 3 and up) and adults. She

specializes in Integrative/Functional medicine

which is a patient centered, holistic approach to

addressing the root cause of symptoms.

Natasha has worked at The Stram Center for

Integrative Medicine, The UltraWellness Center ,

St. Peter's Hospital and Canyon Ranch. She also

has extensive training through The Institute of

Functional Medicine and ILADS.

An evaluation with Natasha could involve the following: physical exam, ordering of labs/medications/supplements, comprehensive intake including: personal health history, family history, psychosocial history and comprehensive review of prior health records. She has considerable experience in treating the following conditions:
Lyme/tick borne illness, autoimmune disease, gastrointestinal conditions, thyroid/adrenal imbalance, PANDAS/PANS, diabetes, heart disease, skin conditions, ADD/ADHD, Autism, mood disorders, mold toxicity,
heavy metal toxicity and more

To schedule an appointment with Natasha Ruiz, FNP: Phone:518-992-6220
Email: natasharuizfnp@gmail.com

We also work with many local healthcare resources in order to coordinate and facilitate expert integrated care

Though this is not a complete list, some of the services we help coordinate are:

Compounded medications

Nutritional counseling

Chiropractic care

Physical Therapy

Physical Training

Yoga/Yoga Therapy

Psychology/Emotional Counseling

Complementary and alternative medicine interventions such as:

Massage

Acupuncture