Dr Jessenia Ogunade

Tab 01 · Profile

Profile

Dr. Jessenia Ogunade is an international psychologist, licensed social worker, educator, executive coach, and retired law enforcement officer with nearly three decades of experience leading trauma recovery, organizational culture reform, and culturally responsive mental health initiatives at the intersection of gender and policing. As a first-generation, bilingual Afro-Latina woman of Dominican descent and a 20-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, including leadership in the NYPD Co-Response Unit, Dr. Ogunade brings unmatched operational insight and a decolonial lens to institutional consultation. She specializes in designing trauma-responsive systems, mitigating operational stress, and creating sustainable support structures specifically tailored to the unique career trajectories, systemic barriers, and workplace experiences of women in law enforcement. Dr. Ogunade is the founder of Larimar Counseling Services LMSW, PLLC, a practice centered on trauma, grief, and wellness for first responders and female officers. Trained in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), alongside certification in Executive and Leadership Development Coaching, she regularly advises executive leadership, public agencies, and private entities on law enforcement wellness strategies, gender-informed crisis intervention, and trauma-responsive governance. A faculty member and clinical supervisor in the Trauma Studies Department at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy in NYC, Dr. Ogunade’s scholarly work and consulting practice explore how power, privilege, and institutional culture impact identity, trauma, and retention within high-stakes environments. She also serves on the Orange County Community Services Board, delivering actionable, high-impact strategies that challenge systemic inequities and transform organizational health.

Tab 02 · Areas of expertise

Areas of expertise

• Trauma-informed therapy Provides individual therapy using evidence-based trauma-specific approaches at Hudson Valley Counseling & Wellness, and holds certifications including Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP II) and training in EMDR, Brainspotting, Internal Family Systems (IFS) and SMART.
• Gender-based violence & law enforcement research Author of the doctoral study 'An Exploration of Police Views on Gender-Based Violence in the Dominican Republic' and has presented on trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches to GBV for law enforcement professionals at conferences in Ontario and Dallas.
• Grief counselling & education A Certified Grief Educator who has presented 'Grief in Law Enforcement' at the Trauma Informed Police & Trauma Conference in Melbourne and the National Conference on Law Enforcement Wellness & Trauma in Orlando.
• Crisis intervention & CISM Certified in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and Crisis Intervention Training (CIT); as an NYPD Police Officer, engaged with individuals with a mental health history and provided resource support to uniformed officers encountering people in mental health crisis.
• Clinical supervision & teaching Faculty and Clinical Supervisor at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy's Trauma Studies Center, and a former Lecturer in the Psychology Department at Bronx Community College.
• Executive & leadership coaching A Certified Executive & Leadership Development Coach and graduate of the Leadership Orange E.D.G.E. Program and the APA PACE Leadership Development Institute.

Tab 03 · Service record

Service record

• - Harlem Dowling Westside Center, New York, NY Case Manager Delivered intensive home-based counseling services to diverse families transitioning from the shelter system to permanent housing, ensuring stability and long-term success. Designed and implemented goal-oriented interventions, including crisis management strategies and skillbuilding techniques, to empower families in overcoming barriers to self-sufficiency. Facilitated access to critical support services and established linkages to community resources, fostering holistic well-being and economic independence. Cultivated strong, trust-based relationships with clients from varied cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, adapting services to meet individualized needs and challenges.
• - Coalition for Hispanic Family Services, Brooklyn, NY Intake Coordinator Responded to ACS/ECS referrals, ensuring timely child placements and conducting comprehensive psychosocial assessments, Uniform Case Reviews (UCR), home studies, and recertifications. Supervised family and foster home visits, facilitated case transfer conferences, and represented the agency in court proceedings to advocate for the best interests of children. Supported predominantly Latino and Black families with culturally sensitive approaches, addressing systemic challenges and fostering equity within child welfare services.
• - Little Flower Children’s Services, Brooklyn, NY Adoption Supervisor Led and supervised a team of five adoption caseworkers, ensuring strict compliance with agency policies, procedures, and legal mandates to facilitate safe and timely adoptions. Provided mentorship, guidance, and performance evaluations to caseworkers, fostering professional development and enhancing service delivery. Oversaw the maintenance of detailed documentation, case records, and statistical reports, ensuring accuracy, organization, and timely submission to meet regulatory and agency standards. Streamlined workflows and implemented best practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness in managing adoption cases.
• - F.E.G.S. Mental Health Clinic, Bronx, NY Therapist Conducted comprehensive intake screenings and psychosocial evaluations, tailoring assessments to meet the unique needs of each client. Provided bilingual therapeutic services (Spanish/English) to children and adults in individual and group sessions, addressing a wide range of mental health needs in a diverse community. Developed and implemented outcomeoriented treatment plans, collaborating with psychiatrists and other professionals to ensure holistic and effective care. Actively participated in utilization review and interdisciplinary team rounds, contributing insights and recommendations to optimize treatment outcomes. Demonstrated cultural competence and sensitivity, fostering trust and engagement with clients from varied backgrounds.
• - City of New York Police Department, New York, NY Police Officer Engaged with individuals who have a mental health history, propensity for violence and pose no immediate safety risk, and provided in person resources. Provided immediate resource support to uniformed members of the service who encountered, detained or arrested individuals exhibiting mental health issues. Engaged, assessed and connected clients to mental health resources and follow up as appropriate. Conducted pro-active client outreach, training presentations to NYPD personnel and community-based service providers.
• - Gay Men’s Health Crisis, New York, NY Independent Contractor Provided short-term, goal-oriented counseling and facilitated access to community resources for interns, ensuring comprehensive support. Collaborated in weekly clinical case conferences and completed administrative duties to maintain program efficiency and care quality. Fostered an affirming and inclusive therapeutic environment, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and expertise in serving the LGBTQIA community.
• - Mental Health Association, Goshen, NY Clinical Counselor Supervised clinical, administrative, and technical operations for staff responding to crisis calls, chats, and texts, providing coaching and performance feedback in collaboration with the Program Manager. Conducted debriefing sessions with staff following challenging interactions, offering support and guidance to maintain counselor well-being and effectiveness. Ensured compliance with program standards, policies, and procedures during shifts, prioritizing tasks and delegating responsibilities to maintain seamless operations and coverage.
• - Mental Health Association, Middletown, NY Program Manager Led a multidisciplinary team, including team leads, crisis counselors, and administrative staff, ensuring optimal program implementation, sustainability, and compliance with organizational protocols. Oversaw program development, fiscal management, and regulatory adherence while delivering direct clinical services such as assessments, crisis counseling, and integrated health care management. Collaborated with community agencies and service providers to enhance program reach, foster partnerships, and ensure high-quality service delivery.
• - Montefiore - Nyack Hospital, Nanuet, NY Clinician Conducted intake screenings and psychosocial evaluations for LGBTQIA clients at the PRIDE Clinic and patients admitted to the ER Behavioral Unit for psychiatric evaluations. Provided discharge planning services, including community referral linkages, to support clients’ continuity of care and recovery. Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team during utilization reviews and staff rounds to develop and implement comprehensive treatment plans.
• - Hudson Valley Counseling & Wellness, Goshen, NY Therapist Conduct intake screenings and psychosocial evaluations for clients experiencing psychological distress related to unresolved trauma or grief. Develop and implement outcome-oriented treatment plans grounded in a trauma-informed care model to address clients’ unique needs. Provide individual therapy using evidence-based trauma-specific approaches to foster healing and resilience.
• - Orange County Mental Health Department, Goshen, NY Independent Contractor Conducted intake screenings and psychosocial evaluations for cases referred by the Sexual Assault Trauma Unit, tailoring assessments to address trauma-specific needs. Provided individual and family therapy using trauma-informed treatment approaches to support survivors of sexual assault. Collaborated with a countywide multidisciplinary team, participating in utilization reviews and staff rounds to ensure comprehensive and coordinated care.
• 09/24 – Present Faculty & Clinical Supervisor, Trauma Studies Center, Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy, New York, NY Teaches and provides clinical supervision within the Trauma Studies Center.
• 01/05 – 05/08 Lecturer, Psychology Department, Bronx Community College, Bronx, NY

Tab 04 · Consortium delivery

Delivery within the consortium

• Supports
  Gender-Responsive Practice →
• Supports
  Wellbeing →