Thomas Qualtere, MD Medical Director
Dr. Qualtere graduated from Syracuse University and attended University of Guadalayara Medical School in Mexico. He completed his psychiatry residency & fellowship at Albany Medical School. Dr. Qualtere is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurolology. He is a distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Qualtere is also the Medical Director of Albany County Department of Mental Health. He has extensive forensic experience, doing evaluations for the Attorney General’s office, working with several of the District Attorney’s offices in New York State, as well as individual consults for private attorneys nation wide.
Mary Halloran-Ruhle, MS NPP Associate Director
Mary received her undergraduate nursing education at Columbia School of Nursing, and her Master’s Degree from Sage Graduate School. Mary also has a post graduate degree in Psychiatry. She is a member of New York State Nurse Practitioner Association. Mary has worked as an Adjunct Professor at Russell Sage College School of Nursing. She has extensive experience working with children, adolescents and adults. Mary has worked in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She currently is psychiatric consultant for Albany County Department of Mental Health. Mary consults with local schools. Her specialties include Autistic Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Mood Disorders, & Thought Disorders. Mary sees children ages 6 and up, adolescents, young adults and adults.
Kristen Lawler, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Kristen received her Bachelor’s degree in nursing from Russell Sage College, and her Master’s degree and Post-Master’s Certificate in Psychiatry from Sage Graduate School. Kristen is Board Certified in Psychiatry and is a member of the American Nurses Association, National Honor Society of Graduate Nurses, National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, and the New York State Nurse Practitioners’ Association.
Kristen has over twenty years of nursing experience in hospitals, nursing homes, primary care, in-home, and educational settings, providing care for those with mental health diagnoses, oncological issues, autism, as well as complex chronic and terminal illness.
Kristen treats a wide variety of mental health conditions that may occur at various stages of life. Her specialties include Anxiety, OCD, Depression, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Mood and Thought Disorders, as well as issues affecting Veterans and end of life issues.
Kristen sees children, adolescents, adults and geriatric clients and is accepting new patients.
Sue Naughton, LCSW-R
Susan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her Master of Social Work degree from SUNYA. She has worked in the mental health field for 30 years starting at the Albany County Mental Health Clinic, Children’s Treatment and Children’s Forensic Units. She subsequently became Clinical Director of Albany County Children’s Mental Health Services. Since retiring, Susan has maintained a private practice working with adults, adolescents and children. She treats all aspects of mental health issues and specializes in trauma related issues and parent/child problems.
Christian Youmans, LCSW-R
Christian B. Youmans is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He received his Master’s Degree in Social Work from the State University of New York at Albany. He has over 15 years of experience as a therapist. Mr. Youmans has treated a wide range of mental health issues. He has expertise in forensic social work/psychology. He has extensive experience in the evaluation and treatment of substance abuse issues with individuals and families. His therapeutic approach is client centered based, solution focus driven and underscored by cognitive behavioral therapy. He is a long standing member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). In addition, he is a member of the National Honor Society in Psychology. Mr. Youmans specializes in the treatment of individuals with depression, anxiety and sexual identity issues.
Robin Lippman-Scharf 
Robin is a licensed clinical social worker. She received her Masters of Social Work from SUNY Albany. She has extensive experience working with adolescents and their families. She worked as a school social worker for 30 + years for Capital Region BOCES, working with adolescents with mental health and learning challenges. In addition, she worked with youth and their families at The Center for Family and Youth and was a consultant at Residential Opportunities, now run by the Center for Disability Services. Since her retirement, Robin has been working as a private practitioner. Robin has been trained in mindfulness and specializes in working with women, young adults and adolescents using stress reduction techniques and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Luann Alimena, LCSW- R
Luann has been a full-time school social worker for the Capital Region BOCES for 26 years. She has been a Private Practice Clinician, working in many different mental health settings and clinics for several years as well. Luann works with all ages and is comfortable with addressing any life struggles or issues. She takes a solution-focused, practical approach in her practice. Luann’s hours are Tuesday – Fridays 3:30 pm – 7:30 pm and she takes most insurances.
CROWN - SMHA 