Meet the Team
Heather Simonson
Founder
LCSW, CST, CSE, ERYT, RPYT, RCYT
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Heather Simonson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator and Sex Therapist and was voted as Long Island’s Best Sex Therapist. Heather’s education and experience in both counseling and health education, combined with her knowledge of integrative therapeutic techniques enable her to employ a truly holistic perspective of healing. She draws from both eastern and western practices in her powerful work with clients providing individual, couples and family counseling for people of all ages and abilities.
Heather helps her clients connect with their personal strengths and utilizes a holistic approach to bring the body, mind, and spirit into balance. Heather specializes in sexual and reproductive health, relationships and intimacy, parenting and pre/postnatal transition issues as well as mood disorders. She is also a Yoga Alliance Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (ERYT) receiving both her 200 and 500 level training as well as her 85-hour Children’s Yoga teacher certification from Always-At-Aum. Heather learned that she was pregnant with her son during her YTT which was the best gift she could have asked for. Due to her in-depth experience while pregnant and discovering the power yoga has on wellness during pregnancy, the quality of birthing and ability to parent she subsequently decided to further her work in reproductive health and earned an additional certification in prenatal yoga from the Integral Yoga Center. Birthing her children with the gift of yoga propelled her into making it part of her life’s work to share these tools with expecting parents. Heather then received certifications in fertility yoga and opened The Yoga Womb, a Yoga Alliance approved 85-hour Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training, to provide teachers with the confidence and skills to teach both pre/postnatal yoga. Heather’s journey continued as a healer by becoming a Reiki Master and truly making it her mission to empower others to live the life they deserve and to embrace and connect with their bodies and themselves with pride.
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Heather has a rich variety of professional experience that rounds out her clinical practice. She is a nationally known trainer and counselor in the areas of sexuality and youth development and the co-author of “EMPOWER NOW!” an innovative holistic workshop and journal article for empowerment in life skills and sexuality for youth. Heather facilitates sexual development and puberty education workshops throughout Long Island and as a parent herself, she is inspired to help other parents talk about these important topics. A nationally-known expert in the field of sexuality education and, Heather has created a comprehensive series of programs and trainings to give parents, as well as educators the skills to bolster their connection and enable them to talk openly and honestly about the tough stuff.
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Heather is ready to help anyone that is committed to “sea-ing” change within themselves and finally get the life they have always dreamed of.
Kari Gruber
LCSW
Kari is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a decade of experience working in community-based mental health clinics for some of the area's largest health and human service agencies. It was in these spaces where she was able to work on refining her approach to therapy, which is rooted in deep listening, empathy, curiosity, and non-judgement.
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It is very easy to feel overwhelmed, stressed, and unbalanced in the world that we live in. It is also very easy to become disconnected from ourselves and our own wants, needs, and strengths due to the many roles we find ourselves in and perhaps play for others. Kari's practice is centered on the premise that healing and sustainable wellness are nurtured through regular connection to our physical, mental, energetic, and spiritual selves. She believes in creating a space where one can feel safe and take time to identify and connect with vulnerable experiences, beliefs, and emotions as well as the innate resilience that lives within all of us.
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Kari helps in navigating anxiety, depression, loss, low self-esteem, and challenges that can arise within major life transitions. She works with young adults and adults, and has experience working with adolescents, families, and groups. Kari's practice is informed by multiple schools of thought including Psychodynamic Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, and Cognitive Therapy. Her work pursuits in mindfulness and meditation regularly, and enjoy bringing these aspects into my practice as well. Kari feels privileged to be able to walk alongside others on their path towards their most authentic self. Kari received her certification to teach Mindfulness and Meditation from The Path.
Cindy Brahms
Cindy Brahms is a compassionate and gentle Certified Sound Healing Practitioner, bringing her warmth and kindness in creating a safe space for clients to receive Vibrational Sound Therapy (VST). Cindy has been studying sound healing, chakra meditation, mindfulness, and breath work for several years with seasoned teachers in their fields. Cindy is also a Certified Somatic Therapist (Level 1), trained in Transformative Touch (TT) Somatic Therapy. This healing modality uses gentle touch and talk in order to create deeper personal awareness and discover the wisdom and messages of one’s own body, reduce stress and strain, connect to self; mind-body-heart-soul, and to be able to move forward in one’s life with greater ease and freedom. You are welcome to schedule a 15-minute free consultation to learn
more about either service. www.cbwellbeing.com
Prior to her current wellbeing work, Cindy was a dedicated professional in non-profit management with volunteer and homeless services over the past two decades. Her giving and intuitive nature of wanting to help others serves her well in this practice of offering Sound and Somatic to others for their own stress reduction and self-healing journey. Cindy is a long-time resident of Long Island where she and her husband raised their family, now 3 young adults off on their own. Her senior dog Maya, a Tibetan Terrier, keeps her busy and grounded, and Maya loves to chill when the bowls are played.
Susan Capuano-Fico
C.E.O.L.D.
Susan is a Certified End-of-Life Doula having graduated from the International Doulagiver Institute under Suzanne O’Brien, RN. A CEOLD is a trained non medical practitioner who cares for the emotional, spiritual and physical needs of the terminally ill and their caregivers. As such, Susan is trained in the most common disease processes and what to expect in each stage as well as the best symptom management to acquire a peaceful and comfortable end of life. She is proficient in living wills, advanced directives, legacy projects and personal eulogies. She is trained to hold vigil, create a sacred space, patient advocacy, forgiveness and making peace with oneself and loved ones before end of life. As well as alternatives to the traditional practices of burial, funeral and wakes.
Susan has been in the pharmacy profession for over 30 years, often times being called on to help with elderly patients’ medication regime and peace of mind. From a large family, Susan is at ease with people of all ages, but feels a special connection to the very young and the elderly. A mother of four, she has a deep spiritual understanding as well as a grounded and peaceful countenance. It is important for her to elicit laughter, comfort and connection with all those she comes across.
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Having battled both breast and colon cancer, as well as undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and several surgeries, among them a subtotal colectomy, she has personal understanding of patient care and dignity, as well as life, death and everything in between. She strives to encompass integrity, wisdom, empathy and compassion in all she does. After surviving cancer, she found a deep desire to be of service to those who require altruism, understanding and dignity the most. More importantly, She will be there as much or as little as needed to guide the patients and their loved ones through the stages of end of life with humanity, comfort, grace and dignity.
Kate Finnick
Kate Finnick has a Doctor of Naturopathy, a Master of Science degree in Clinical Counseling and is a certified Reiki Master and Meditation Instructor. She is also a certified School Counselor and has worked with young people as a guidance counselor for 23 years.
Kate began her practice as a mental health therapist however she soon realized that it is when we pay attention to creating balance in ourselves (body, mind and soul), we are able to experience our lives fully and thrive instead of merely surviving day to day. She returned to school to study additional modalities of holistic and natural health and since 2005 has made the focus of her holistic counseling practice helping individuals live their best lives by working with the triangle of wellness: Mind, Body and Soul. When these three parts are in balance, we experience optimal wellness, peace and happiness.
Through services that can include counseling, meditation, reiki and self love/self-empowerment growth, Kate assists individuals in experiencing improvements in many aspects of their lives including stress and anxiety relief, stronger immune systems, better focus/concentration, increased self esteem and emotional grounding. Through her work with adults and young people, she is dedicated to empowering others to be able to let their inner light shine!
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Gail Janicola
Gail Janicola is affectionately referred to as “The Mommy Mentor”. She has been a pregnancy and birth professional for over 26 years, as an educator, coach, doula, and doula trainer for Long Island Doula Association.
She is the author of The Ultimate Birth Experience – How to Take Control and Choose the Birthing Options That Are Best For You and Your Baby.
Gail is also a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and the founder of Moms On Top, an education and coaching resource for parents and parents-to-be. She is an expert on building communication and self-advocacy skills for the safest, most transformational, empowered births. Gail lives in New York, on Long Island, with her husband and Baci, her fur baby. She has 3 grown children who are the light of her life.
Cari LoMonaco
Cari LoMonaco is an experienced Relationship and Self-Development Coach with over 20 years in Massage Therapy and 8 years in Professional Relationship Coaching. She specializes in guiding individuals and couples through intimate relationship complexities. Her holistic approach integrates personal growth with relationship dynamics, emphasizing intimacy, communication, self-discovery, and conflict resolution.
Cari's mission is to foster self-awareness and self-love, empowering clients to forge lasting connections with themselves and others. With expertise in nurturing emotional and physical intimacy, facilitating communication, fostering self-discovery, and offering conflict resolution strategies, Cari provides invaluable support for navigating life's relational challenges, whether in co-parenting, strengthening partner bonds, or moving on from past relationships.
Carly McMann
​“ Carly Is a Mental Health Counselor (LP) dedicated to supporting individuals in their journey toward improved overall wellness. With a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, a B.A. in Psychology, and a B.F.A. in Dance, Carly brings a holistic perspective to her practice. She is also a certified fitness instructor with expertise in multiple fitness disciplines.
Carly’s background in dance and fitness has instilled a deep appreciation for the mind-body connection and the vital role that play’s in one’s overall quality of life. This passion is what led her to pursue counseling, where she works with individuals seeking support and positive change in their life. Carly is committed to creating a safe, non-judgmental space for clients to explore their emotions, overcome challenges, and develop the tools they need to thrive. Through her education and experience, Carly has developed a holistic approach to counseling that is tailored to fit each client’s unique needs. She focuses on empathy, active listening, and providing an environment that fosters personal growth. Carly works to guide clients to build healthier coping skills, gain deeper self-awareness, and create balance and fulfillment in their lives.
Mindfulness-based techniques play a central role in Carly’s approach, as these have been transformative in her own life. Her work is rooted in theories of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamc Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MCBT) to help clients develop lasting positive change. Although starting counseling may seem intimidating, it can be the most empowering experience! Carly is thrilled to join the team at Sea Change and is looking forward to working with you.
Sea Gypsy
It is pretty simple, live in kindness, let your heart guide the way and walk that journey in grace, acceptance, and gratitude. We will all hit some rough waters, you can either panic and drown or respect your fears and doubts and find a way to ride through these waves with clarity and peace toward your own personal bliss. I made some choices that were not always the right ones but through this practice, philosophy and prayer I have been gifted a chance for a healthier and more fulfilling life and I just want to share it with others. I may not be able to change the world but maybe I could change someone else’s.
Daughter of a hippie, I have been practicing for almost 3 decades and once my two wonderful free-spirited kids were old enough I took the plunge to become an RYT-200 in 2019 to only find a deeper meaning into this practice beyond the asanas. I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing this practice with others ever since.
Jihan Thomas
Jihan Thomas has been a consultant and practitioner in the holistic wellness industry for over 25 years. A terrible illness in college coupled with watching one of her best friends pass away from cancer at a young age forced Jihan into rethinking what brings true wellness and purpose-filled living. This started her journey into holistic, positive living incorporating both ancient and modern techniques in nutrition, exercise, mindset, essential oils, and dedicated spiritual practice. Jihan is passionate about helping people reach new levels in all aspects of their overall wellness. She is the founder of the TriHarmony Oilers - a worldwide Crown Diamond network of essential oil and natural product enthusiasts - and Living Fierce Club - an online holistic lifestyle training platform that provides affordable wellness & mindset coaching in a thriving, supportive community.
Grace DeBiccari
Grace DeBiccari is beyond thrilled to join the staff at Sea Change. She is a Reiki Master Practitioner who has a Masters in Speech Pathology. It was in her 17-year practice with her patients that she found overlapping importance in whole-body healing and mindful corrections in the body systems.
She offers both Private and Virtual Reiki Sessions in a safe, supportive space to allow for deep relaxation, peace, inner connection, renewed motivation, and healing. It is her belief that we can choose happiness no matter our external environment by clearing and balancing energy centers throughout the body and creating an environment of equilibrium and strength. Grace is also a seasoned Speech-Language Pathologist and provides training to improve your business skills, parent training, voice and diction techniques, transgender voice therapy and also baby and me language development classes.
In her spare time, Grace lives on her beloved Long Island with her loving husband and 3 precious children who renew her each day.
Kristy Evans
​Kristy Evans is a Social Work Intern at Sea Change with a deep commitment to supporting individuals and families through life’s transitions and challenges. With over 20 years of experience, she holds a Master’s in Education and will complete her Master of Social Work in December 2025.
Kristy has extensive experience working with youth and families navigating developmental disabilities, mental health diagnoses, identity exploration, and major life changes. She has particular expertise with autism, including Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profiles, and brings strengths in parent training, crisis management, and systems navigation.
She has also facilitated support groups for diverse parent communities and LGBTQ+ individuals, creating compassionate, affirming spaces for connection and healing. Passionate about gender identity, sexuality, and self-exploration, Kristy’s work is rooted in dignity, self-determination, and equity. She centers resilience, emotional safety, and authentic connection, supporting clients through trauma-informed, client-centered, and sex-positive dialogue.
Kristy is proud to be part of the Sea Change team, where she helps individuals embrace their full, authentic selves and “sea” their capacity for growth, healing, and transformation.
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