Meet Our Team

Despina Mitchell graduated from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in 2006 and has been providing therapeutic services to individuals, couples, and families across the community for over 20 years. She is a passionate advocate for fostering healthy partnerships and is dedicated to helping couples refine their relationships through improved communication with the goal of strengthening their emotional, mental, and physical connection.

Deciding to engage in therapy reflects a willingness to be vulnerable. Despina recognizes this and highlights the need to approach sensitive subjects with care, as many of the discussions can be quite delicate. She focuses on tackling complex issues and collaborates with couples to navigate communication patterns that often lead to feelings of being stuck, unseen and oftentimes unheard.

With compassion and interest, Despina takes a direct yet supportive approach with couples to reignite curiosity in their partnerships. She guides them to identify both their individual needs and those within the relationship, acknowledging that these needs have likely evolved since the partnership began. Despina empathetically supports couples as they navigate issues such as disconnect, betrayal and breaches of trust, helping them envision a new version of themselves and empowering them to define what that looks like. While many couples initially seek therapy to enhance communication, she recognizes that deeper struggles often exist beneath the surface, necessitating her attentive support to cultivate a more profound connection.

In her practice, she employs an integrative therapy approach, utilizing various theories and modalities proven effective in creating and maintaining healthy relationships, such as the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Imago Relationship Therapy, Relational Life Therapy, and Internal Family Systems. Despina creates a safe, nonjudgmental environment where individuals and couples can openly discuss all facets of their relationship, including the most intimate details. Together, she explores the barriers that impede psychological, emotional, and physical connection, recognizing that feeling disconnected can hinder vulnerability and secure attachment—both vital in creating a strong bond. She collaborates with her patients to define what meaningful change looks like for them and supports them in achieving their goals.

Despina is clinical fellow of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and is certified in medical family therapy, Additionally, she is an AASECT (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists) certified sex therapist. Outside of her clinical work, she demonstrates her dedication to the community by serving as the fundraising chair for the associate board of Golisano Children’s Hospital and is the secretary for the Specialized Providers Network—a nonprofit dedicated to creating resources for the mental health and medical community, emphasizing integrity, training, and commitment in specialty practices.

Recognizing that relationships frequently face external pressures and internal challenges, she is committed to guiding you through these obstacles, helping you forge a path toward a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Ali is a Marriage and Family Therapist working under the direct supervision of Despina Mitchell, LMFT. She completed her Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Syracuse University and has been with Eastside Marriage & Family Therapy since December 2022. Her therapeutic experience includes work with individuals and couples helping them to gain tools to improve communication, navigate life transitions, set boundaries, heal infidelity and resentment, enhance intimacy, rebuild trust, manage emotions, resolve conflict, cope with anxiety & depression, and address general individual and relational turmoil.

It's common to feel stuck and overwhelmed at certain times in our lives when we catch ourselves in cycles that we can't seem to break out of. Ali helps clients to identify and change patterns so they can find a renewed sense of connection, confidence, and wellbeing. She takes a warm and non-judgmental approach while also being direct and holding clients accountable as they work collaboratively towards growth and healing.

When working with couples, Ali provides compassion and structure so both partners can share their experiences openly. Respect and accountability are key aspects of the process as each partner is encouraged to take an honest look at their thoughts and actions and begin making changes for the good of the relationship. Ali uses a variety of theoretical frameworks to guide clients in a way that best fits each individual, couple, and family. Therapy sessions are designed to provide you with insight and tools that you can begin using immediately to create lasting change in order to build the life and relationship you've always wanted.

Drew is a Limited Permit Marriage and Family Therapist at Eastside Marriage & Family Therapy working under the direct supervision of Despina Mitchell, LMFT. He completed his Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Additionally, he holds a Doctorate of Executive Leadership from St. John Fisher University and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership from Medaille University. He has over 15 years of experience in higher education teaching communication and leadership. His clinical training began at Strong Family Therapy Services located in the University of Rochester Medical Center. Drew also trained at URMC Mental Health and Gender Wellness at GOG.

Drew’s therapeutic experience includes work with couples and individuals on issues such as communication challenges, family dynamics, mistrust in relationships, sexual concerns, decision making, goal setting, pre-martial planning, and adjusting to new stages of life.

Drew understands that clients don’t make the decision to come to therapy lightly. Perhaps you’ve been trying to make changes in your life but just feel stuck. Maybe you and your partner are experiencing a period of conflict or questioning your future. Perhaps you’ve experienced a season of change or loss and don’t know what to do next. No matter what your circumstance, Drew approaches each client with kindness and compassion. It is very important to him to create a safe environment where you feel heard and understood. Drew works with clients to develop goals for therapy and guides them through a process that adapts to each person’s needs.

Shannon is a Marriage and Family Therapist, who will be joining us this fall and will be working under the supervision of Despina Mitchell, LMFT, CST. She earned her M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Rochester. Shannon completed clinical training at Strong Family Therapy and Highland Family Medicine, where she provided therapy for couples, families, and individuals. Shannon has also completed advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT Externship), a leading evidence-based approach in couples therapy.

Before becoming a therapist, Shannon earned her undergraduate degree at Georgetown University and built a career in the corporate worlds of New York and San Francisco. Over time, her belief in the profound impact of relationships on our human experience inspired her to bring her skills and energy into the field of therapy.

Shannon is passionate about helping couples find their way back to one another during life’s stressful seasons and tap into the powerful benefits of healthy emotional and physical connection. With warmth and curiosity, Shannon creates a non judgemental space where couples can slow down, better understand what’s happening between them, and begin rebuilding the closeness they long for. Coming to therapy is itself a significant step, and Shannon works to ensure that both partners feel safe, heard, and understood as they develop the skills to create the relationship they want.  

At home, Shannon and her husband are raising three teenagers and embracing the chaos of family life, supported by the therapeutic companionship of their Bernese Mountain Dog, Nellie.