Danielle Battease, BS, AAS
Supported Education and Employment Specialist

Hi! I’m Danielle Battease, and I am the Supported Education and Employment Specialist for the OnTrackNY program at Parsons. I help with young adults with their school and/or work goals. My main focus is providing young people with educational and employment opportunities that will provide a positive experience for them and assist them in preparing for their future. Many of the OnTrackNY participants that I work with have become employed or are in school or a training program. Working with the OnTrackNY participants has been a great experience. I look forward to getting more participants established with educational and employment resources as I continue my career with OnTrackNY!

BIOGRAPHY

Although Danielle Battease received her bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, she realized shortly after college that she was more interested in helping people than in working in the athletic industry. She has worked with NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, NYS Office for Children and Family Services, and NYS Office of Mental Health licensed facilities over the past ten years. Prior to joining the OnTrackNY team, Danielle was a supervisor in Parsons’s residential program. She has since completed her AA degree in human services. Danielle enjoys working with the young adults the OnTrackNY program serves, and she looks forward to helping each participants their educational and employment goals.

Jenna Bernhardt, LCSW
Primary Clinician and Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator

Hi! I’m Jenna Bernhardt, and I am the Primary Clinician and Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator with the OnTrackNY program at Parsons. I support young adults in taking a look at their values and life dreams while trying to make sense of how this fits in with managing their mental health. I hope to be able to provide a supportive environment for young adults and their families to explore past, present, and future challenges and successes. I’m a believer that mental health is a part of our overall wellbeing and deserves ongoing care just as much as our physical needs.

BIOGRAPHY

Jenna Bernhardt, LCSW, is a New York state licensed clinical social worker and graduate from the SUNY Albany School of Social Welfare master’s program. She has been working in the mental health field for eight years. Jenna has had experience with all types of populations and has helped them on their journey of living meaningful lives.

Andrew Casey, RN

Hi! I’m Andrew Casey, and I am a registered nurse working with the OnTrackNY program. My role on the team is to help young adults achieve a comprehensive state of wellness. I work with participants to help them achieve their goals in areas such as diet, exercise, sleep, and tobacco use. Working together we can develop an individual plan that works for you.

BIOGRAPHY

Andrew Casey is a registered nurse and received his degree from Excelsior College. Andrew has experience in working with clients in all stages of recovery in both inpatient and outpatient settings. He looks forward to working with you to help you meet your goals.

Liz Espinoza, LCSW
Primary Clinician/Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator

Hi, how are you? Pleased to meet you! I’m Liz Espinoza, LCSW, Primary Clinician at OnTrackNY Parsons. My role is to support young people and their families as they begin to learn about their experience and work towards recovery and their life goals. It takes a village they say, and I hope to part of that in your recovery story.

BIOGRAPHY

Liz Espinoza is a bilingual New York state licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). She received her Master’s in Social Work from the State University of New York at Albany and has been in the field for more than 10 years providing support to people on their road to recovery. Liz is the Primary Clinician for OnTrackNY where she provides individual, group and family therapy for young adults and their family. 

David McKeon, LCSW
Supported Education and Employment Specialist (SEES)

Hello! I’m David McKeon, and I work on the OntrackNY team as the Supported Education and Employment Specialist. I love the work I do at OnTrackNY and I am proud to be a part of such a great team! Do you want to finish high school or earn better grades in college? Do you want to work full-time or part-time? I can work with you on all the steps needed to achieve your school and employment goals. There is nothing more exciting than to see a young person succeed in their chosen goals. I am on the job and here to help!

BIOGRAPHY

David McKeon is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with more than 15 years’ experience in human services. David received his master’s in Social Work (MSW) in 2006 from SUNY Albany and over the course of his career he has focused his work in the field of mental health. David has worked in the Capital Region his entire career and is very familiar with community resources to assist young adults in their academic and vocational goals.

Laurie Nadal, MD
Psychiatrist

Hi! I’m Laurie Nadal, and I am a psychiatrist working with the OnTrackNY Parsons team. I help young adults and their families explore medication options and prescribe medication when it would be helpful. I also work with participants around their physical health goals and work closely with our team nurse. Whenever I prescribe medication, I want to make sure that it fits with the young person’s goals, such as being active, having friends, and going to work or school.

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Nadal received her medical degree from Albany Medical College. She completed her Psychiatry Residency and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. Dr. Nadal is Board Certified in General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She has years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents and adults in a variety of treatment settings, including inpatient, partial hospitalization and outpatient. 

Lauren Utter, Psy.D.
Team Leader

Hi! I’m Lauren Utter, and I am the team leader for the OnTrackNY program at Parsons. I work with young adults to support them in achieving their goals. Many of the OnTrackNY participants I work with have been able to take steps in feeling more comfortable around friends, have learned ways to deal with upsetting experiences or symptoms, and have made progress in work and school. Working together with you and your support network is important to me from the start.  I look forward to learning more about you!

BIOGRAPHY

Lauren Utter, Psy.D., is a New York state licensed clinical psychologist and graduate of the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology (now William James College). She completed her pre- and postdoctoral training at the Yale School of Medicine and received specialized training in early intervention for psychosis at the Yale STEP Clinic.  Lauren is passionate about supporting young adults and their family members whom have been affected by psychosis. She feels privileged to be a part of the recovery journey for young adults and their families.