The counselors at SUNY Polytechnic Institute are experienced, licensed mental health clinicians with an extensive background in both mental health and college counseling. They are dedicated to the personal development and growth of SUNY Poly’s students. It is important that you have confidence in your counselor’s ability to help you. Please take a look at our bios below and feel free to ask questions about our training and the way we work.

Sandra A. Mizerak NCC, LMHC
Senior Counselor
Sandra.Mizerak@sunypoly.edu

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. I received my degree from SUNY Oneonta with a Master’s Degree in Community Mental Health Counseling. I have over twenty years’ experience working as a college mental health counselor and a total of over twenty-six years working as a licensed therapist.

My clinical orientation is eclectic, ranging from a variety of techniques including, but not limited to Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused
Therapy.  My professional experiences both as a college mental health counselor and working in the private sector have been in childhood trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, interpersonal violence, sexual violence, self-esteem, female empowerment and grief. I worked as a sexual assault therapist for adults back when I lived in Illinois for four years. I was fortunate to have worked with amazing people which changed the trajectory of my role as a therapist For the past decade I have incorporated Positive Psychology into my work. My strengths lie in my ability to be empathetic, compassionate, helping a person find their “inner voice” and teaching them how to use it.

My mantra has always been “know your own worth”. I am trained to use Energy Tapping in my counseling sessions. Tapping is a set of techniques which utilizes the body's energy meridian points. You can stimulate these meridian points by tapping on them with your fingertips, thus releasing your negative emotions. I really like to be able to offer students tools they can use to help manage anxiety and other distressing emotions; especially those that get in the way of their personal and academic goals. As a counselor, I strive to create a safe space that is free of judgment and bias allowing students to be open to explore and share their individual beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviors. I really enjoy working with college students and feel fortunate to be a part of the SUNY Poly Wellness Center.

Nicole Ollerenshaw NCC, LMHC
olleren@sunypoly.edu

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). I graduated from SUNY Oswego in 2013 with a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling.

My experience includes working with diverse populations in a community mental health clinic, private practice, and most recently with community college students. Very early in my career I realized I had a passion for working with college students, both traditional and returning adults, which has only been solidified through my work on college campuses.

I have extensive training and experience supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, I have experience and interests in sexual assault/domestic violence, Autism spectrum, anxiety, depression, and trauma. My therapeutic style includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.

I aim to create an empathetic, comfortable, and safe space for students where no issue is too big or small. As a first-generation college graduate, I have experienced how navigating college while balancing other aspects of life can have its obstacles. I work to help students develop and improve their self-advocacy skills while also working to decrease the stigma around counseling and mental health.