Counseling

We are mental health providers with extensive experience working in healthcare, palliative care, and mental health settings. Illumine Counseling therapists focus on treating individuals, couples and families living with and beyond illness. 

Our specialties include adjusting to a new diagnosis; living with chronic or terminal illness; transitioning to life after treatment; coping with grief and loss; and navigating the significant life changes and challenges of young adulthood, career transitions and aging.

Our Therapists

Kimarie Knowles, LCSW-R

(she / her / hers)

I believe that even in the most difficult times of life, people have an amazing capacity to grow, learn, connect, love, and find meaning and purpose. This can be balanced with the more uncomfortable feelings that come along with illness, survivorship, loss, caregiving and change. I offer a non-judgemental and empathic therapeutic space where we will work together to find this balance.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. I have worked in the field of psycho-oncology and mental health for over 16 years and have extensive clinical understanding of the needs of patients and caregivers throughout the disease continuum, from initial diagnosis, through treatment, to end of life, survivorship, recurrence, chronic illness, bereavement and life transitions.

I completed advanced training programs in cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, complicated grief therapy, and meaning-centered psychotherapy. I have published academic papers and presented on topics such as coping with chronic cancer, survivor guilt, fear of cancer recurrence, dating after treatment, and grief, loss and bereavement. 

In addition to my therapy practice, I have taught courses in the MSW (Masters in Social Work) programs at Fordham University and New York University.

Tashi Ridley, LCSW

(she / her / hers)

Therapy can help you to harness your strengths and develop additional skills to cope with illness and change. At a time when you might feel disoriented, stuck or uncertain about how to move forward, I work with you to explore any potential barriers and identify pathways for growth. To facilitate your navigation, I strive to create an environment that feels safe and free from judgment, where you can feel seen and heard. 

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and honed my skills while working with patients, families and caregivers grappling with cancer and other medical issues. With experience in a variety of settings from private practice to hospitals and palliative care centers, I am adept at supporting individuals, couples, families and health care providers on the issues that arise over the trajectory of illness.

I have experience with a wide range of approaches and completed advanced training in couples and family therapy, clinical assessment and diagnosis, trauma-informed clinical practice, palliative care, and complicated grief therapy. My publication and presentation areas include coping with chronic cancer, supporting patients and families in intensive care units, providing psychosocial assistance for terminally ill patients and their families, and the impact of beliefs and expectations at end of life. 

il·lu·mine

Middle English: from Old French illuminer, from Latin illuminare
Meaning: To light up; brighten.