meet the gold mind team
our trusted clinicians
The Gold Mind team brings together experienced mental health counselors, therapists, and psychotherapists right here in NYC. We can't wait to help you through a holistic journey in a setting where you feel genuinely supported. Each member of our team combines real expertise with authentic care. Learn more about our approach below.
Rebecca Kangwa, LMHC
Founder, Licensed Therapist, & Clinical Supervisor
Rebecca is a licensed therapist in NYC who helps women become the best versions of themselves. She supports clients in healing from past trauma, understanding their emotions, and creating stronger, healthier relationships. Many of the women she works with feel stuck in patterns that no longer serve them, whether it’s anxiety, people-pleasing, or relationship struggles.
Rebecca uses a holistic method to safely process trauma and help clients feel more grounded, confident, and connected. Her style is warm, supportive, and effective, making it easier to do the work.
Meet the Founder
Meet Our Team of Clinicians
Maryann Salazar, lmhc
Licensed Mental Health Counselor & Clinical Supervisor
Maryann’s approach is grounded in understanding your unique life experiences, identity, and cultural background. This allows her to best identify solution-focused strategies to meet your goals.
Carly Barocas, mhc-lp
Couples Therapist, Mental Health Counselor - Limited Permit
Carly works with NYC couples who've gone from easy Sunday mornings to walking on eggshells, afraid to bring up anything real—whether it's the dishwasher argument that's actually about feeling unappreciated or the money talk.
Maryann Salazar, lmhc
Licensed Mental Health Counselor & Clinical Supervisor
Maryann’s approach is grounded in understanding your unique life experiences, identity, and cultural background. This allows her to best identify solution-focused strategies to meet your goals. She specializes in working with women, men, and couples navigating stressors related to relationships, life transitions, and trauma. Together, she will work with you to identify your goals, barriers, and develop tools that support your mental health and overall well-being.
Maryann welcomes you to start your individual or couples therapy with a brief phone consultation to discuss how she may best support your goals for therapy and ensure that your work together feels safe, collaborative, and empowering. In addition to her work, Maryann enjoys spending time with nature, and also exploring new restaurants throughout the city.
Carly Barocas, mhc-Lp
Couples Therapist, Mental Health Counselor - Limited Permit
Maryann’s approach is grounded in understanding your unique life experiences, identity, and cultural background. This allows her to best identify solution-focused strategies to meet your goals. She specializes in working with women, men, and couples navigating stressors related to relationships, life transitions, and trauma. Together, she will work with you to identify your goals, barriers, and develop tools that support your mental health and overall well-being.
Maryann welcomes you to start your individual or couples therapy with a brief phone consultation to discuss how she may best support your goals for therapy and ensure that your work together feels safe, collaborative, and empowering. In addition to her work, Maryann enjoys spending time with nature, and also exploring new restaurants throughout the city.
matt orlewicz, mhc-lp
Mental Health Counselor - Limited Permit
Matt meets every client with warmth, respect, and compassion. He is dedicated to creating an empowering and trusting environment in sessions, creating a space where vulnerability and authenticity are used as tools for healing in collaboration with his clients.
Jena Scott, mhc-I
Mental Health Counselor Intern
Jena is a mental health counselor who supports adults and couples. She embraces a holistic approach that acknowledges the deep connection between mind, body, and soul, understanding that emotional pain often expresses itself beyond just our thoughts.
Matt meets every client with warmth, respect, and compassion. He is dedicated to creating an empowering and trusting environment in sessions, creating a space where vulnerability and authenticity are used as tools for healing in collaboration with his clients.
Matt brings a culturally responsive approach to each session, with an emphasis on working with LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrant populations, and persons with disabilities. Matt shines as a compassionate, affirming therapist and member of The Gold Mind team who assists clients facing anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, and the stress of day-to-day life. He’s especially passionate about supporting those who have felt unheard or unseen in other spaces.
In his spare time, Matt enjoys unwinding with a good book. He’s especially fond of fantasy and science fiction, with some of his favorites including The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson, the Red Rising trilogy by Pierce Brown, and The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. Matt also likes to relax by playing video games - The Legend of Zelda series is his all-time favorite. When he's not reading or gaming, he enjoys taking long walks through the city,
matt orlewicz, mhc-lp
Mental Health Counselor - Limited Permit
Carly barocas, mhc-lp
Couples & Mental Health Therapist - Limited Permit
Carly works with NYC couples who've gone from easy Sunday mornings to walking on eggshells, afraid to bring up anything real. Whether it's the dishwasher argument that's actually about feeling unappreciated or the money talk that's really about trust, Carly helps couples decode their patterns and find their way back to each other.
For individuals navigating depression, anxiety, neurodivergence, or those messy life transitions, Carly offers the same blend of warmth and realness. She understands that ADHD brains work differently, that anxiety lies, that change is hard even when it's good, and that sometimes you need someone to sit with you in the mess.
Her approach blends evidence-based practices (CBT, DBT, ACT, and the Gottman Method) with
a hefty dose of genuine human connection. Carly believes therapy should feel collaborative, not clinical, like talking to someone who actually gets it and isn't afraid of the messy parts.
Off the clock, you'll find Carly baking sourdough loaves, crocheting her feelings into blankets, or reading three wildly different books at once (because why choose?.
