• Portrait of a woman with long dark hair, smiling, wearing a black turtleneck against a plain white background.

    Hope Ansanelli, LMHC

    CLINICAL DIRECTOR & FOUNDER

    I’m a psychotherapist, Clinical Director, and founder of Amityville Psychotherapy. I believe healing is a deeply human process. Therapy can be challenging, but it can also be thoughtful, meaningful, and sometimes even lighter when there’s room for joy and playfulness.

    My clinical approach draws from attachment theory, psychodynamic therapy, Jungian and shadow-oriented work, and existential-humanistic philosophy. I’m interested in the deeper patterns that shape how we relate to ourselves and others—how early relationships, unconscious dynamics, and life experiences continue to influence us in ways we may not always recognize.

    Before becoming a therapist, I served in the Peace Corps in Peru, working with communities on recycling and environmental initiatives. During that time I deepened my yoga, meditation, and somatic practices, eventually becoming a yoga teacher. Those experiences reinforced something I often see in therapy: our bodies frequently hold insight that our minds struggle to articulate.

    In therapy, we explore attachment patterns, unconscious dynamics, and the parts of ourselves that may have been pushed aside or overlooked. The process is collaborative and grounded in curiosity, reflection, and respect for each person’s unique experience.

    I created this practice to build a clinical environment that values thoughtful care, sustainability in the work therapists do, and dignity for every person who walks through the door.

    I remain engaged in my own therapy and psychoanalytic work and continue to be interested in the questions many people bring into therapy—questions about meaning, identity, relationships, and how we become more fully ourselves.

  • A woman with curly brown hair smiling at the camera, wearing a beige cardigan over a white ribbed top, in a well-lit indoor setting.

    Zuleima Benitez, LMHC

    CLINICIAN & SUPERVISOR - ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

    My experience ranges from working with clients navigating challenges such as depression, anxiety, relationship issues and life transitions. My therapeutic approach is rooted in meeting you where you are while gently challenging you and exploring connections between past and present experiences in order to foster growth and understanding.

    Life can be difficult, messy and also fulfilling. Together we will work through those moments to help you find resilience, strength and empowerment.

  • A smiling young woman with long dark hair wearing a black top and jewelry outdoors during autumn, with trees and fallen leaves in the background.

    Sarah Schaber, LMHC

    CLINICIAN - ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

    Life can feel overwhelming at times, but even in those moments, you can pick up the pieces and create something greater. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I support women navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, adjustment challenges, and self-esteem struggles. Together, we explore how past experiences shape the present and work to build the life you want.

    I create a collaborative space where therapy feels more like a conversation and less like a chore. I blend humor with meaningful reflection to help you feel heard and understood, even when the work feels uncomfortable.

    Your counseling experience focuses on what matters most to you. You’re in the driver’s seat, and I’m here to guide, encourage, and support you along the way.

    Individual Virtual Sessions - Adults (18+)

    Specialties/Focus Area: Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions, Adjustment Challenges,

    Self-Esteem

    Types of Therapy: Person-Centered,Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Strengths-Based,

    Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

  • Portrait of a young man with short dark hair and a beard, wearing a purple button-up shirt, standing with arms crossed against a gray textured background.

    Rexhep Rizani, MHC-LP

    CLINICIAN - ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

    Pronouns: He/Him/His

    Types of Therapies Offered: Individual and Couples

    Location: In-person & Virtual

    Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Familial or Relationship Distress, Trauma, Grief, Life transitions

    Modalities: Psychodynamics (Relational), Internal Family Systems, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

    Clientele seen: Teenagers (13-17), Young Adults (18-24), Adults (24-64)

    Getting to know Rexhep Rizani

    “I envision a collaborative effort with every client by creating a safe, non-judgmental, and warm environment that allows them to explore who they are and gain clarity and introspection. I will always encourage growth through empathy, compassion, and understanding. Lastly, here’s a metaphor to pique your interest: You command your ship; I am just a lighthouse beacon guiding you through treacherous waters. But it’s okay! It is part of the process, and I thank you for choosing me to join you on your journey.”

    About Me

    Hi there! I’m Rexhep, a mental health counselor with a limited permit. I'm passionate about helping people enrich their quality of life and believe in the importance of human connection and compassion. I envision my therapy room or virtual space as inviting, warm, and nonjudgmental, where you can feel safe as you explore vulnerable topics.

    My Approach

    Therapy works best in a collaborative effort where you are the expert in your journey. My role as a therapist is to encourage self-exploration, help you identify unconscious patterns, and gain new insight into your life.

    “We may be done with our past, but the past ain’t through with us.”- Magnolia (2000)

  • A woman with glasses and long dark hair smiling, standing in front of a fountain with water jets, outdoors during the daytime.

    Amanda Migdal

    MHC INTERN - ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

    Amanda Migdal is a Mental Health Counseling graduate student at SUNY Old Westbury and a counseling intern at Amityville Psychotherapy. Drawing on over five years of experience as an Early Intervention Service Coordinator, she is passionate about supporting individuals and families as they navigate anxiety, stress, relationship challenges, and life transitions.

    Amanda is particularly interested in how early experiences and family dynamics shape how people see themselves and relate to others in the present. She strives to create a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard and understood, and she is dedicated to helping people build insight, resilience, and healthier patterns of coping across all stages of life.