Faculty
Presence Psychotherapy is an innovative presence-based trauma model designed to facilitate trauma healing in our world.
Our esteemed faculty are all dedicated to guiding people toward healing and overcoming marginalization.
Michelle Lepak, LCSW
Developer, Executive Director and Lead Trainer
Michelle Lepak, LCSW, developed the Presence Psychotherapy treatment model. For over 20 years, Michelle has been dedicated to providing effective, embodied trauma treatment that is relationally attuned and mindfulness-oriented. Integrating neuroscience, Buddhism, a vast range of spiritual practices, somatic inquiry, contemporary psychoanalytic concepts, attachment theory, parts inquiry,and memory consolidation, Michelle created Presence Psychotherapy to offer a comprehensive spiritually-based treatment model. The model’s integration of Presence Awareness emerged from Michelle’s personal experience as a meditator for 30 years.
The American Psychological Association published Michelle’s work in the Journal of Integrative Psychotherapy, Presence Psychotherapy: A Novel Trauma Treatment Model for thorough Memory Reconsolidation. The Presence Psychotherapy model has also been published in the International Journal of Trauma Care.
Michelle has been clinical associate faculty at the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Psychiatry, has taught somatic based trauma treatment to postgraduate psychologists and social workers at Rutgers University, and the NYC postgraduate Training Institute of Mental Health, and multiple postgraduate institutes. She has presented at multiple conferences. Michelle has completed three years of Somatic Experiencing training, is trained in EMDR and AEDP, has completed three years of contemporary psychoanalytic training and is a Certified IFS therapist and approved IFS consultant.
Gregory D. Carson, LCSW, SEP
Assistant Director and Trainer
Gregory is a Certified Presence Psychotherapist, a Certified Presence Psychotherapy Consultant, and second author of “Presence Psychotherapy: A Novel Trauma Treatment Model for thorough Memory Reconsolidation.” He also authored a chapter in Stephanie Wise and Emily Nash’s recently published book “Healing Trauma in Group Settings: The Art of Co-Leader Attunement” (Routledge, January 2020).
Gregory is Chair of The National Institute for the Psychotherapies’ Clinical Affiliate Program, Co-Founder of their Trauma Group Therapy component, and serves on their Executive Committee. He is a Certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), an EMDRIA Certified Consultant in EMDR, and is trained in Internal Family Systems, Coherence Therapy, Group Psychotherapy, and IFS for couples (IFIO). He is an Associate Instructor of the Coherence Psychology Institute, has served as faculty at The Training Institute for Mental Health, the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy, and at The National Institute for the Psychotherapies in both their Integrative Trauma Program and their Psychotherapy Integration Program.Gregory maintains private practices in NY and NJ where he offers individual, couples, and group psychotherapy as well as clinical consultation.
Senior Training Assistants:
Joanne Cohen-Katz, Ph.D
Joanne Cohen-Katz, Ph.D. is a psychologist and certified Presence Psychotherapsist with a long time interest in meditation and mindfulness. She co-founded a hospital based Center for Mindfulness and taught Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for over 15 years. She is also a Level 3 trained, certified IFS therapist, who integrates a mindfulness approach with IFS in her clinical and consultation practice. She is especially delighted to assist Michelle at the Omega Institute, where she first learned Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction over 25 years ago!
Cathleen Lawrence, LCSW
Cathleen Lawrence, LCSW is a Certified Presence Psychotherapist in private practice specializing in trauma-informed and body based approaches to healing. She integrates Presence Psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems and Brainspotting to support nervous system regulation, trauma processing, and relational healing. She receives ongoing consultation and training in these modalities. Cathleen is a Training Assistant for Presence Psychotherapy Level 1, Level 2, and IFS with Presence Integration. In these roles, she contributes to the development and delivery of professional training programs for psychotherapists. Cathleen is also the Continuing Education Director for Presence Psychotherapy Institute.
Melani Levine, LCSW
Melani Levine, LCSW is a Certified Presence Psychotherapist. She also has an approved consultant for the Internal Family Systems Institute, is a certified IFS therapist, PA, and completed training in IFS Level 3, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level 1, EMDR Level 1,2,3 and Psychodrama. She has a private practice in Montclair, NJ and specializes in Trauma and addictions.
“As I continued studies into all of these modalities I discovered how powerful it is to bring the Four Dimensions of Presence into my clinical work. It deepens the work and creates safety while allowing a deep knowing of your own presence that supports healing.” – Melani
Hayley Newell, R.T.C.
Hayley Newell, RTC, is a Certified Presence Psychotherapist, Certified IFS therapist. and Somatic Therapist who lives in British Columbia, Canada. She assists Level 2 Internal Family Systems trainings. Hayley is a certified yoga instructor with a background in mindfulness, and has taught workshops on the brain, the nervous system and as well as parenting classes.
Esti Marcus, LCSW, SEP
Esti Marcus, LCSW, is a certified Presence Psychotherapist and Clinical Program Assistant for Institute Level 1 and Level 2 trainings. She is an integrative trauma therapist who incorporates various modalities within her Presence Psychotherapy work. Esti is also a professor at the Touro University Graduate School of Social Work.
Her post-graduate training, in addition to Presence Psychotherapy, includes Integrative Trauma Certification from NIP, Somatic Experiencing, IFS, Memory Reconsolidation, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, EMDR, and AEDP. She is particularly interested in drawing on Jewish wisdom and helping clients connect to deeper sources of meaning, presence, and spirituality as part of the healing process.
Rebekah Gong, LCSW
Rebekah (she/they) is a Certified Presence Psychotherapist, Certified IFS Therapist, Certified EMDR Therapist, and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist. She is also trained in Deep Brain Reorienting, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and relationship-focused modalities, including IFIO and EFT. She specializes in culturally attuned, experiential therapy for adult individuals and couples, with a focus on complex trauma, relational wounds, sex and intimacy, and identities shaped by race, queerness, immigration, neurodivergence, and other marginalized experiences. She maintains a bilingual private practice serving clients in CA, WA, and NJ. Rebekah explains that “Presence Psychotherapy has deepened her personal spiritual practice and profoundly informs how she shows up as a therapist.”
Presence Psychotherapy Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing
Clover Educational Consulting Group is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Clover Educational Consulting Group maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Presence Psychotherapy Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7994. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Presence Psychotherapy Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.