Cynthia R. Alardo

Cynthia R. Alardo (she/her/ella) joined the Sexual Violence Response (SVR) department at Columbia Health in January 2025. In her role as a Survivor Advocate, and Rape Crisis Counselor certified through the New York State Department of Health, Cynthia delivers objective, empathic, evidence-based, and culturally competent interventions to support survivors, co-survivors, and bystanders of power- and gender-based violence. She helps individuals access information, resources, and advocacy aligned with their self-identified goals. Cynthia is a member of the 24/7 crisis response team and regularly supports crisis response, accompaniments, and referrals as relevant.

Prior to joining Columbia Health, Cynthia served as a Senior Mental Health Counselor with the Center for Justice Innovation, where she supported justice-involved individuals through programming rooted in restorative justice principles and violence prevention. Concurrently, she worked at the Bronx Family Justice Center, connecting survivors and their loved ones to emotional, physical, and psychosocial support, as well as housing, legal, and case management services as relevant.

Cynthia also brings over a decade of experience in creative arts leadership and community-based engagement through her long-standing involvement in non-profit and faith-based community spaces. In these roles, she supported individuals and families through periods of crisis, facilitated healing-centered programming, and led outreach efforts focused on connection, resilience, and collective care. This background informs her holistic, strengths-based approach and commitment to creating spaces where individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Cynthia aims to leverage her interdisciplinary and creative expertise to advance Columbia Health’s mission and vision by supporting trauma survivors and their peers through informed, compassionate, and effective responses.

Fun fact: Cynthia has two cats named Daisy and Gatsby, inspired by the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Professional Experience

  • Senior Mental Health Counselor, Alternatives to Incarceration Programming - Center for Justice Innovation
  • Frontline Resource Navigator - Bronx Family Justice Center
  • Creative Arts & Community Leadership Facilitator – Iglesia Padre Hijo y Espíritu Santo Church

Education

  • B.A., Psychology, minors in Sociology and Music - Hunter College (CUNY)
  • M.A., Forensic Mental Health Counseling - John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY)

Certifications and Licensure

  • CPR
  • Mental Health Counselor Limited Permit (LP-MHC)
  • Mindfulness and Modification Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach 
  • NYS Adult Mental Health First Aid - National Council for Mental Wellbeing
  • Rape Crisis Counselor Certification - New York State Department of Health
  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Awards and Honors

  • Preventing and Managing PTSD Certificate - Academy for Community Behavioral Health
  • Responding to Emotional/Behavioral Emergencies in Foster Care Certificate -  New York Foundling Fontana Center for Child Protection

Languages Spoken

  • English
  • Spanish