Central Nassau Guidance and Counseling Services, Inc., Hicksville NY

Spent 4 years dedicated to CNG
My goal of counseling was to see a psychiatrist or psychologist to determine and diagnosis the issues with my memory and disorganization that has affected my life since childhood, in hopes for applying and receiving some kind of disability to help me with food and shelter being I am now a senior citizen and was living in a tent
After not being allowed to see a psychologist or psychiatrist for the first year, and then restricting me from seeing a very nice psychologist in East Norwich
I have asked many times to meet with the director of CNG only to be denied
The turnover rate of care coordinators is extremely high as well as the turnover rate of social workers
I feel this organization has blamed me for their inability and effectively to help me move forward with the goals I presented with!
Intact with all the pushing of medications and ridiculous inconsiderate diagnoses based on 15 minutes with an over weight disheveled, nurse practitioner
I am sorry that I stayed so long and trusted this organization and their inability to focus on the client rather than then the money they take from Medicaid

The counselors here are not people to trust with your mental health. As multiple reviews have stated they have issues with belittling and harassing clients as well as using their positions to exacerbate problems. It's clear that the staff here have a high school mentality and have zero interest in helping anyone.

I'd give lower if I could. Therapist basically told me they would talk to me a few times and then once I was stable refer me out to outside therapy places, said that was the policy of the place. She also said I might be a hypochondriac when I brought up my long standing issue with an anxiety disorder. Childish therapy with affirmation cards. Multiple missed appointments but god forbid you miss one they will stop your services without reaching out.

If your child need mental help therapy don't go here. First Dr. Ramani the Psycatrist is awful she should not be practicing. Kept prescribing medication that I kept telling her my daughter is having a bad reaction to her response was "What do you want me to do" I said prescribe something else she said call me in 30 days? I went to my pediatrician she said y on earth would she prescribe this medication to your child this isn't fit for adults? Second, the therapy was one day per week for 30 minutes the first 15 minutes of that was BS and when the therapist finally decided to give my child some therapy it was a worksheet that said list three positive things? I complained and was told to go elsewhere was also told that they cant give more than 30 minutes of therapy to anyone. Meanwhile at intake they tell you all sorts of things to keep you as a patient. STAY AWAY FROM HERE

Josann Matassa, PMHNP, is a wonderful professional person from the inside-out. She provides her support in all areas, addresses all concerns seriously, makes sure her explanations in details are understood, and ultimately cares about the well-being of her patient (s).

An agency that can take intake appointments *only* on Tuesdays at 9 am is already a huge red flag. Why not make it easier for people seeking help, rather than harder?

Caitlin R (Roeder) who works as a therapist here, gives this establishment, a 5 star review here. Also, does Kerry Roeder, a family member. Very pathetic that you need to deceive people so much so that you have to state, this is a great place, when many people have given you one star and are very/ extremely disappointed with their experience here.

I called this location looking for a therapist and the receptionist was extremely rude. I told her that I was seeking a therapist to help me through a tough time. She told me that I needed to call back on tuesday at 9am. I told her that I’m a teacher and wouldn’t be able to call at that specific time and what other time would work. Her response was to reach out to another company if that time does not work for me. This really upsets me that someone would be that rude and unkind to someone who is reaching out for help.

(edit at bottom) Do NOT reach out to Central Nassau. They were supposed to call me back weeks ago to finish my psych eval, I have reached out to them multiple times and have been told someone from my NP's office will get back to me but it never happened. They've also mixed up other people's information with mine more than once. CNG is disorganized and apathetic save your time and energy.
Edit: A therapist reached out to me with an apology and got me set up with someone to work with. I appreciate her taking initiative to fix the issue when no one else would, but as a whole there are a lot of logistical issues at CNG.

I attended CNG as a court appointed client. I was never told of any fees from day 1. The reason I was arrested was for chronic cluster headaches and I’m not white and I get arrested instead of going to the hospital. CNS gives me a bull** prognosis saying it only lasts 6 months. LOL. Its a lifetime disease. Well after a year and 2 therapists later they said I was cured, and of course my case was over, not guilty, but I ended up with a bill from my insurance company for almost $3,000. Not for profit my a$$! I try to call and find what is going on and tell them that #11 of their bill of rights should give explanation of bill and cost of work before anything is done. This is a great misuse of power and control from this “not for profit” company for someone on medical disability. I try to call the director/supervisor everyday for over a month and of course she is unavailable. The billing desk refuses my calls and says the supervisor/director will only speak to me re this and I have left numerous phone messages to no avail.

Central nassau guidance has been a saving grace for me! With very supportive people. If you jump in with both feet these people will catch you even if you fall. What there doing is extraordinary work with an amazing following and huge outreach I am beyond grateful for everyone who works there. Each person who works there shows you humility which sometimes can be more than what you need. Just someone to look at even as an inspiration. I’d like to give a shoutout to Adrianna whose been with me since day 1 and has answered every detailed oriented message I have left and shown me there is light when things seem so dark.

This place is the most unprofessional agency i've ever been a part of. They have good counselors and that's about the only good thing i can say. Thier doctors are a joke simply put. Dr Ramani is a disgrace of title of doctor. (this woman started taking me off an antidepressant and then stopped answering when i tried to make appointments. She even at one point asked me who prescribed the medicine WHEN SHE WAS THE ONE WHO PRESCRIBED IT). These people should not work with adolescents. They do not have the patience or the professionalism to work with children struggling with mental health. Please Please choose a different agency! The behaviors at central nassau guidance are borderline criminal to be honest. Your child's mental health should not be handled by incompetent people who don't care! I'd give zero stars if i could

I been with CNG for over two years and I have to say they helped change my life. I have nothing but good things to say about everyone that has helped me get my life back. The counselor's my peer councillor my prescriber have all been wonderful. I am very grateful for CNG you all made me a better person to live a life without drugs I have a full time job now just took my Permit test to get my license back my life has become better since I became a patient with them. Big shout out to all of you that brought me back I will never forget how you helped me so thank you from the bottom of my heart

As a former intern turned employee at CN Guidance, it has been eye opening to work for an organization that integrates care for clients in the way the agency does. Despite numerous departments having different roles and functions in client care, the culture/climate harbored within the agency proves their dedication to the mission of empowering individuals served to live healthy and fulfilling lives. CN guidance works to support not only individuals, but communities. This is a wonderful place to work

I started working at CN Guidance two years ago, first as an intern and now as a staff member. It was truly amazing to see how my colleagues came together in a pandemic to get our group therapy program up and running virtually when our clients did not have access to the internet via smartphones and computers. CNG has worked tirelessly to advocate on behalf of our clients to get them the technology and the know how to gain access to mental health care. It is this passion and drive that each member of the team brings into the treatment and advocacy of our clients. We work together to support our clients as they reach their goals and achieve empowerment. I am grateful to be a part of this wonderful team.

My family had been going through a terrible time, with my mom being seriously ill and an in-home aide working for her who was inappropriately controlling and borderline abusive. For over 4 years, the situation deteriorated and communication between my mom and her children (and our SOs) became more and more difficult in every possible way. It looked pretty hopeless, and was a heavy burden on all of us in the family. But once Jordana S.from CN Guidance and Counseling entered the situation and began mediating weekly conversations with all of us, it was just a few weeks before Mom and her husband began to understand the nature of the problem, and how to resolve it. The problematic aide was fired. Everyone seems to be happier and calmer since. I was truly stunned by Jordana's effectiveness with a problem that I thought was completely impossible to solve, after years of trying and failing to do so. I am so grateful for her professionalism, empathy and expertise in helping us get to a much easier and healthier place. I will never forget the impact this experience has had on our lives.

I have really appreciated the services that were offered to me through the UJA program. I have especially appreciated Jordana's understanding, non-invasive approach, and her ability to ‘read’ and ‘interpret’ my needs with observational feedback, really direct and sensible processes and suggestions that I could choose to or not to follow. I also appreciate her being able to guide me through some of the more challenging processes in order to be able to process it myself and then apply it in my own life until I felt a sense of ownership over it. I most definitely have a great sense of being supported and understood — having someone who you trust be there consistently who is listening and who surprises me with how much she is willing and able to make a valuable contribution to improving my sense of well being is really amazing. Thank you.

Due to non-COVID related health concerns this past year has been extraordinarily stressful for me and my spouse. Dealing with these stressors during a pandemic has made them all the more challenging. Having a therapist from the JCC to regularly talk to has been a light in the darkness. My therapist, Jordana, has been extraordinary- thoughtful, patient, kind, and caring. Thank you for this program, and for the support it has provided.

I have to say that after almost a year of consistent therapy, I am in a completely different place emotionally, mentally and spiritually thanks to this program. I am grateful beyond words for the difference and positive impact that this program has afforded me. The care, attention, and patience provided has given me hope that I can make mistakes, learn from them and progress toward conquering them. I have missed appointments, relapsed, regressed and then progressed, and throughout the entire journey this program has been supportive and willing to help. I have been working with Jordana the entire time and to give her accolades for the quality of her support would not even being doing it justice. She has and continues to provide numerous tools, apps, worksheets, and perspectives on all areas that I struggle with. These include but are not limited to addiction, self worth, organization, coping skills, and self reflection. Her demeanor is calm, understanding and even light hearted when appropriate. She talent lies in not only recognizing issues or problematic behaviors/decisions, but in the way her line of questioning helps lead me to recognize these issues on my own. Help offered from another person is nice, but feeling like the lightbulb has come from yourself, the help and perspective is so much more impactful. Thank You to Jordana and the entire program and I look forward to making more progress with your support!