About the Founders

Alssaro Counseling Services was established in 2006 by Yhatrid Algarin, LCSWR and Mario Passaro, LCSWR to provide high quality mental health services to a wide variety of clients.

Yhatrid Algarin, LCSW-R, CAMS II

Ms. Algarin received her clinical training from New York University and, since 1999, has been providing therapy to adults, children, adolescents, couples and families. She has taught, trained, and supervised other mental health professionals. Her special study has been in the area of issues relating to cultural and linguistic mental health services, child and adolescent trauma, ADHD, behavior problems, and depression in children. Ms. Algarin has also facilitated parenting groups to assist the families of children with ADHD, and other behavior problems, and to learn coping skills and behavior management strategies they can implement at home.

She has worked with several organizations during her career in Psychiatric Social Work; At the Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center she provided psychotherapy services to forensic patients. She worked for several years at the Puerto Rican Family Institute Bronx Mental Health Clinic where she counseled children, adolescents, and adults using individual, family, and group treatment modalities. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Ms. Algarin worked closely with the Project Liberty initiative to provide education and treatment for those affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the community. She was also a leader in the development and implementation of Innovative Services for Seniors – a program at Riverdale Mental Health Association that provides mental health and case management services to the geriatric population in the northwest Bronx. She worked on the advisory board of The College of New Rochelle (CNR) Social Worker program and established a program to develop cancer support groups through Gilda’s Club of Westchester in southern Westchester County. Ms. Algarin’s major therapeutic focus is in helping individuals, couples, and families improve communication, enhance self-esteem, and work through life-limiting blocks to greater happiness and fulfillment.

Ms. Algarin is mainly tasked with directing the day-to-day operations of Alssaro Counseling Services.

To contact Ms. Algarin, email yhatrid@test.alssaro.com

Mario J. Passaro, LCSW-R CAMS II

An extensive career in the psychiatric medical field lead Mr. Passaro to focus on clinical social work.   After working at New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center in White Plains and New York and Federation Employment and Guidance Services (FEGS) in the Bronx, New York, Mr. Passaro received his clinical training at New York University. He then worked for several years at the Puerto Rican Family Institute Bronx Mental Health Clinic where he provided clinical services to children, adolescents, and adults using individual, family, and group treatment modalities. As a leader, he  implemented the ACT Team program geared to provide psychiatric services to severely and persistently mentally ill individuals in the South Bronx. Mr. Passaro has been a faculty member in the graduate program at the College of New Rochelle (CNR). His courses included Behavior Dynamics and Introduction to Professional Counseling.

Mr. Passaro provides individual, couples, family, and group therapy for a variety of presenting problems, life struggles, and relationship issues. He especially enjoys the rewarding work of assisting couples with the often difficult, but frequently satisfying, tasks of navigating their relationships. He has a particular specialty with issues surrounding extra-marital affairs and emotional and/or sexual infidelity. He understands the “roller coaster ride” individuals and couples experience when there has been a breach of trust; Mr. Passaro can offer insights into the emotions, doubts and concerns of both the hurt partner and the unfaithful partner. His goal is to work compassionately, non-judgmentally and collaboratively with the couple. In addition to creating a safe place for the partners, he seeks for them to risk new ways of relating to each other, listening to each other, and expressing thoughts and feelings with each other. In the end, he wants his clients to ultimately discover new possibilities and solutions to their problems.

Mr. Passaro is also a certified anger management specialist, recognized by the National Anger Management Association.

To contact Mr. Passaro, email mario@test.alssaro.com