Alex Klein, MS, LCSW, Therapist

For nearly 20 years, Alex has been working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families. Starting in entry-level, direct-care positions, Alex has steadily expanded his education, increased his training and certification, and broadened his experience and skills in this field. While rising within the ranks of previous organizations, Alex developed a vision for combining dynamic counseling and community partnerships to meet client needs in the least restrictive environment. Alex’s creation of SPBH is a manifestation of his prior experience and his mission moving forward: to direct a therapeutic program in which clients and families receive treatment on the path to living productive lives within their own communities. read more»

Brittany Parker, LMFT, Therapist

Brittany has been working for over 8 years directly with adolescents and their families at a therapeutic boarding school in Madison, CT.  She joined after receiving her undergraduate degree in psychology.  She began as a counselor, where she built meaningful relationships with students and staff, assisted in crisis management, and led diverse student activities.  She served as an administrator and advisor, providing case management services to up to 10 students.  Brittany helped develop, teach and implement individual treatment plans for students. She worked in collaboration with psychiatrists, therapists and residential case managers and  developed goals and objectives for the students and their families.

Brittany graduated with her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and completed her clinical internship hours at a residential boarding school, providing student counseling sessions, family sessions and group therapy. During her year and half of clinical supervision, she worked with individuals and couples under the guidance of a trained Marriage and Family therapist.  This experience has guided the development of her theoretical orientation as well as enabled her to gain knowledge and receive feedback in her work.

As a former college field hockey player, Brittany offers a deep understanding of the athlete’s role as well as the inner workings of the larger sports community.  The application of this experience helps guide her work with high school and college athletes struggling with mental health conditions who may experience the stigma of seeking professional support. Brittany believes in a holistic approach that integrates systems theory and emotionally focused therapy, while emphasizing the importance of staying active to help clients achieve their ultimate potential.

Jake Zoubek, LMFT, Therapist

Jake comes to The Center with 5 years of experience working directly with individuals with behavioral health needs, ranging from autism spectrum disorder to anxiety and substance use disorders. Jake completed his bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in addictions. During his time at college he worked with adolescents with autism, providing one on one care to improve maladaptive behaviors. Jake also spent 6 months in Spain, studying psychology, which afforded him an opportunity to grow as a culturally competent therapist.

During his time in graduate school, Jake worked as a milieu therapist at a residential substance program, providing support to adolescents struggling with substance abuse in an inpatient setting. He provided individual, group, and family therapy to adolescents and young adults struggling with substance use and co-occurring mental disorders. During this time, Jake also created and facilitated a parent support group for loved ones of clients. Jake worked as an in home counselor for a community mental health agency, helping adolescents with conduct/substance disorders navigate struggles within school, community, family and judicial settings. Jake brings a solution focused approach to therapy, providing clients with support while helping them take steps to achieve their goals.

At The Center, Jake works with adolescents and their families, he is active as a clinician and as a connections coach. Additionally, Jake provides supervision and consultation for all of our Connection coaches.

In his free time you can find Jake snowboarding, rock climbing, and doing anything else that gets his heart racing!

Jessica Besset​te, LCSW, Therapist

Jessica is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who is able to work with a range of diagnostic profiles. She started her career in an in-home setting with children who were in the foster care system. Jessica worked closely with the Department of Children and Families, foster parents, and biological parents to ensure safety and emotional well-being of the children she worked with. During this time, the focus of her work was largely on trauma and reactive attachment. Jessica then transitioned to inpatient work, focussing on acute issues, solutions and safety. Jessica enjoyed the fast pace of the hospital setting and the time sensitive work that it required.

Her commitment to strength-based and humanistic approach highlights her belief in the potential of each individual she works with. She tailors her interventions to suit the unique needs of her clients, recognizing that therapy is a personalized journey and it is not a one size fits all. 

Jess is a versatile clinician who can move seamlessly through traditional approaches to treatment such as CBT, DBT and whatever to a relational approach that’s built on trust and respect. Jessica prides herself on viewing therapy through a teamwork lens. She believes that success stems from the therapist and client working together to identify the issues and come up with solutions. Jessica finds it of utmost importance that the first few sessions are utilized to build rapport, get to know one another, and identify what areas to focus on in therapy. She believes in the goodness of fit and in order for the therapeutic work to grow, there must be a level of trust along with a general fondness of the therapist. She finds fulfillment in helping others achieve their peak potential and brings high energy and creativity to her work.

Outside of her professional life, Jessica is dedicated to her well-being through activities like working out and spending time with her family. She works to have a balanced approach to life and brings this to her practice.

Emily Fulcher, LPC, Therapist, Creative Director

Emily first decided to enter the therapeutic field after dealing with a serious medical condition as a child. Through her time in the hospital, Emily felt immense impact from the compassionate adults helping her cope and process her medical experience. Emily became inspired by the visual arts and the ability to cope with the world around her through creativity. This led Emily to pursue a career in human services, working with youth and young adults in various settings.

Emily received her undergraduate degree in Art Therapy and her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Art Therapy. Within these programs, Emily had various experiences in the field working with youth in nonprofit, art studio, and hospital environments. Emily’s most recent fieldwork consisted of working with adolescents in a a partial hospital setting supporting client’s transitions out of inpatient mental health settings.

Emily previously spent 8 years working at a nonprofit serving children and families with life-threatening and serious illnesses. Emily spent several years working on family and child-exclusive programming, volunteer coordination, and creative program design with the organization. During this time, it became clear to Emily that the mental health needs of individuals experiencing hardship and transition were not addressed to their potential.

Emily can best be described as creative and goal-oriented, which are characteristics important to her therapeutic work. Emily utilizes the visual arts and creative expression in her work with clients of all ages, especially children. Emily believes that there are several ways to cope through challenges and obstacles, and her clinical responsibility is to work with clients to explore and utilize these options. She believes that medical and psychiatric challenges affect the individual facing them as well as the entire family and support system. Through fostering a safe environment and meaningful relationships, Emily aims to connect with each client she works with on an individual basis, meeting them where they are at.

In her free time, Emily enjoys creating art, reading, cooking, and traveling with family and friends. She enjoys spending time at the beach and being outdoors with clients whenever possible. Emily hopes to integrate these passions and experiences in her creative and therapeutic work at Shoreline.

Tatiana Bicknell, LCSW, Therapist

Throughout her own journeys and experiences during her lifespan, Tatiana knew going into college she needed to be in the social work field. She is passionate about breaking the stigma for mental health needs, along with advocating for young individuals to have a voice in their current system. Growing up in a half Hispanic household, Tatiana developed knowledge of cultural differences and competency. Tatiana is known for her calm, patient personality, along with her sense of humor which has helped create a safe space for all people to come and have someone to be vulnerable with. Tatiana believes in using a strengths-based approach in therapy by exploring personal, family and community strengths as a guide in setting goals, challenging negative thoughts and behaviors and building one’s confidence in their ongoing journey to resilience.  Tatiana has experience with evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Play Therapy, along with Family-Based Therapy for eating disorders.

Tatiana enjoys working with children, adolescents, adults and families. In her previous work places, she gained experience working with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, ADHD, trauma, OCD and children and teens adjusting to parent’s separation and/or divorce. Upon completion of her Master’s degree, Tatiana has worked in many therapeutic settings including in-hospitals and intensive-outpatient settings for adults and adolescents. In these settings, Tatiana provided individual and family sessions, along with leading therapeutic groups in body acceptance, relapse prevention, DBT and CBT skills. Tatiana’s part-time work included providing individual and family psychotherapy to children, teens and their families at a town youth and family agency.  Tatiana also co-leads an 8-week Girl’s Group for 6th and 7th grade girls to discuss topics such as communication, empathy/respect and self-love.

Tatiana is a native to Connecticut and has lived in several towns in the New Haven County area. Tatiana received her undergraduate degree in Sociology with a Criminology concentration and has earned her Master’s in Social Work. In her free time during warmer months, Tatiana enjoys going on hikes and getting sun on the beach. All year round, she spends time with her three rescue dogs, watching scary movies and enjoying Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.

Sarah Garcia, LMFT, Therapist

Sarah began her career working directly with women and their families struggling with addiction. This work motivated Sarah to pursue her degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Sarah’s work considers the whole familial system understanding the power and effect of each interaction between each member. Sarah uses this line of thinking even when working with an individual. In complex scenarios, this perspective motivates Sarah’s collaboration with psychiatrists, therapists, residential case managers, or whoever else plays a role in her client’s life.

Sarah works with intention, and her purpose is to align her clients with their full potential. She is confident she can help her clients discover what brings them true joy and drive while helping them process significant events in their lives. Sarah does this by working with people in supporting them in regaining their power through the creation of self-esteem or self-efficacy. Sarah knows therapy is a place for people to share and explore their own lives and in that exploration, healing begins. Sarah’s therapeutic room becomes a space where people can learn and discover themselves through stories.

Finally, Sarah works with the mind-body connection and shows clients how to understand the signals in their own bodies. Her clients’ stronger connection to their own signals helps them better understand their own emotions, motivations, and reactions. She uses solution, narrative, and emotionally focused collaborative approaches to therapy. All these therapeutic approaches rely heavily on the therapeutic relationship. Sarah connects with her clients through her sense of humor and acceptance. Clients can feel safe enough to open up and have their stories heard.

When Sarah is not working, she enjoys riding and working on her bicycle, rock climbing, snowboarding, horseback riding, and yoga. Sarah has found success with her own anxieties and depression through physical activity and the communities created surrounding each activity.

James Stone, LMSW, ​Therapist, Director of Community Outreach

James began his career as a personal trainer helping people overcome physical challenges. This work demonstrated the importance of physical and mental health in supporting a good quality of life. Through building relationships with his training clients, James realized the importance of tailoring good quality care to fit each client’s individual needs. It became clear that this was essential to helping clients accomplish goals and objectives. James graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a graduate degree in social work so that he could have more of an impact working with clients in instituting change and improving the overall quality of life.

In valuing his role as a therapist, James tries to be a guide and advocate, recognizing that clients are experts in their own lives and act as the main drivers of change. He views building on the strengths that the client already brings to the table as an integral part of the process to institute lasting change. James also believes that the strength and quality of the therapist-client relationship is a critical piece of the therapeutic process.

James also brings knowledge from his experience working in a public school environment as a school social worker. He enjoys working with young people to help them overcome academic, social, and professional challenges and will utilize personal experience when applicable to help clients feel understood and valid in their own struggles and circumstances. Through consistent encouragement and process-focused approaches, James will work with young people to accomplish their goals and improve their lives.

James was born in New York City and grew up in Darien, CT. When he is not working, he enjoys weightlifting, playing league baseball, traveling, and spending time with his dog, Unagi and two cats, Stuart and Emma.

Jordan Faigen, LMFTA, ​Therapist

Jordan joins us from Los Angeles, California, following years of living in major cities throughout the country and abroad. During her time in places like San Francisco and New York City, Jordan was building relationships with others as a non-profit walk-a-thon manager, as a yoga teacher and a board game creator.

While living abroad in Tel Aviv, Israel for several years, Jordan navigated the fast-paced world of a tech startup as a product manager. And after the stressful and long work days, she found herself drawn to yoga and the mind-body connection to find balance. Following the completion of her 200 hour yoga teacher training in Israel, Jordan focused on teaching thoughtful and anatomically-aligned movement in her yoga classes back in the states. After managing several yoga studios and teaching hundreds of students, Jordan was ready to expand the ways she could help people connect with themselves and find deeper healing.

In 2022 Jordan completed her masters in psychology with a focus in marriage and family therapy. During her clinical internship, she spent the year as a school therapist working with students from Kindergarten through eighth grade. Jordan helped these students negotiate their first year back in school following a year of remote learning that started early in 2020. Jordan wove together her knowledge of breathwork and mindfulness, with play therapy and a Rogerian approach to help these students navigate anxiety, depression and trauma. Students walked away with coping skills, increased self-esteem and a greater understanding of themselves.

Now that she is settled in Connecticut, Jordan is excited to continue her journey of helping others through her clinical work as an LMFTA. Jordan has expanded her clinical experience to include families, couples and adults, and addresses the larger family systems at play. With her calming presence, Jordan invites clients to be themselves and she always meets her clients where they are in the present moment. Jordan’s greatest joy is providing clients with tools to relieve their own suffering so they can live up to their full potential.

When Jordan is not in session, she enjoys being an amateur interior designer in her own home. And you can find her staying active through yoga, hiking and walking her dog.

Gretchen Holthausen, MS, LPC, Therapist

Gretchen Holthausen is privileged to work as a Licensed Professional Counselor to develop knowledge, build self-advocacy, and sustain growth within teenagers, adults, and families. She utilizes an empathic, holistic and client-centered approach to honor exactly where individuals are in their lives and develop a trusting therapeutic relationship within a safe space. Founded upon the belief that people do better when they can, Gretchen works with individuals to identify and work towards meaningful goals and, ultimately, through acceptance and empowerment, bring about change and fulfillment.

In addition to working with children, adolescents, adults, and families in a community-based clinical setting over the last three years, Gretchen has worked for 12 years as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist within a Connecticut public high school. In turn, she has experience across multiple environments in routinely supporting individuals with ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, Depression, executive functioning difficulties, Gender Dysphoria and PTSD. In addition to helping individuals and families process and work through divorce and family conflict, she also specializes in assisting teenagers in accessing appropriate supports, increasing independence, and navigating the transition from high school to post-secondary education and work.

Gretchen welcomes all individuals regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity and/or expression. She brings a positive, honest, strength-based approach to her clinical work while incorporating research-based techniques founded in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), meditation, mindfulness and psychoeducation.

A firm believer in the power of laughter within the context of hard work, when appropriate, Gretchen incorporates humor in her work with individuals and families. Finally, she subscribes to the notion that no success is too small to honor. As it takes a great deal of courage to make intentional change in one’s awareness, behavior, perspective, response and understanding within the therapeutic process, it is important to celebrate growth each step of the way.

Molly O’Reilly, LPCA, Therapist

Molly is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate with a passion for working with children, adolescents, and families.  Upon completion of her Master’s in Education at SCSU, she began her career as an elementary school teacher.  After teaching a variety of ages, she then assisted in opening a preschool in Charleston, SC where she served as the School Director.  Through this early education avenue, she discovered her true passion for helping children navigate their emotions, form relationships, and build the foundational skills to be successful.  She realized she could reach her full potential helping others outside of the classroom, working on a more individualized level with children and their families.

She then attended The Citadel Graduate College to earn a Master’s in School Counseling and went on to work in an elementary school for two years in the role of School Counselor.  Through this experience, she gained a deep understanding of the social-emotional needs of school-age children and how to adapt her approach in order to best support them.  This involved rapidly building a close connection not only with the child, but their family and support systems as well.

Molly believes that how much people know about themselves is as important as what they learn about the world around them.  With security and a sense of control, they can gain insightful perspectives and build habits to improve quality of life.  In the counseling role, she is able to empower others to find this in a way that is adaptable to fit their evolving needs.  She focuses on building confidence with an individualized skill set to create a desired outcome and future.  Her approach is person-centered combined with Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Play Therapy.

In Molly’s free time, you can find her with her dog, friends and family.  She enjoys finding creative outlets through music and crafting, staying active, being outside, reading, and practicing self-care.

Kara McHugh, LPCA, Therapist

Kara joins the Shoreline Therapy Center team as a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate. As a naturally curious, empathetic, and person-centered individual, Kara is fervent in connecting with and supporting her clients along their journey to healing, well-being, and self-actualization.

Kara received her BA in Psychology from Marist College and her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Fairfield University. Before her counseling career began, Kara served for 5 years as an assistant women’s lacrosse coach at the Division 1 level. With her personal experience as a collegiate athlete and her professional coaching experience, Kara recognized the lack of mental health resources for student-athletes. It was apparent that there was a direct link between student-athletes’ mental health, their physical performance, academic achievements, and interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships. Not only were student-athletes lacking proper resources, but the stigma attached to mental health care enabled them to continue to suffer in silence. To better support the student-athletes, Kara joined the University’s Athletic Department’s first mental health working group that provided necessary resources and programming to help support the overall well-being of the student-athletes – mind, body, and spirit.

With her personal and professional experience, along with the declaration of the mental health crisis 2020, Kara became passionate about holistic mental health and entered the helping professions. Kara’s clinical work has been with adolescents, emerging young adults, and adults. In her practice, she utilizes holistic, humanistic, and person-centered therapeutic modalities. Kara brings a positive, genuine, and strengths-based approach to her clinical work while incorporating research-based techniques founded in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT), solution-focused therapy (SFBT), psychoeducation, and mindfulness. Kara is focused on cultivating an inclusive, safe, and trusting environment with her clients paying close attention to the therapeutic alliance they will share.

Outside of Shoreline Therapy Center, Kara prioritizes spending quality time with the ones she loves, traveling, practicing self-care, being outdoors, reading, exercising (yoga, Pilates, peloton), rollerblading, pickleball, eating delicious food and ice cream, and going to concerts. Kara values authentic relationships and appreciates the power of vulnerability.

Chloe Esposito Dukesherer, LPCA, Therapist

Chloe Esposito Dukesherer (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) who graduated from a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program. Chloe graduated second in her class and received the University’s Silver Medal of Excellence and Outstanding Research Award.

Before pursuing a clinical mental health counseling career, Chloe was a competitive figure

skater and communications professional at a major feature film studio. She is passionate about helping guide clients through transitional periods, including losing a loved one, academia, parenthood, relationships, career, and athletics. Chloe is experienced in treating and working with a wide range of mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety and stressors, trauma, neurodevelopmental, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Additionally, Chloe views the therapist’s role as an integral part of advocacy, ensuring her clients in school and other settings receive the support and resources necessary to thrive.

Chloe’s goal is to create a safe and nurturing therapeutic space and to be an ally in helping clients find inner strength, self-compassion, and the right tools to overcome adversity. Chloe’s therapeutic style is warm, compassionate, strength-based, and non-judgemental. She believes transparency between the therapist and client is imperative in creating a strong therapeutic relationship. This means she will laugh with you and also challenge you if needed.

Chloe combines person-centered therapy (she is a humanist at heart) with training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), emotionally focused therapy (EFT), and somatic therapy. She presents opportunities to reflect on and identify underlying issues of the past while also offering skills and tools to use in moments of great distress. All treatment she provides is practiced through a multicultural lens, understanding that various aspects of a client’s cultural identity influence mental health.

Chloe is certified in psychological first aid (PFA) and therapeutic crisis intervention (TCI), an American Counseling Association (ACA) member, and a certified ISSA cardio and cycling instructor. Outside of Shoreline Therapy Center, Chloe is a Mom, writer, and researcher who strongly believes in the power and healing nature of movement and exercise. She loves music, traveling, theater, art, and weekend trips to New York City.

Hailey Byrne, LMSW, Therapist

Hailey is a Licensed Master Social Worker who is passionate about working with children, adolescents, and their families and helping them foster emotional intelligence and mental well-being. She is committed to providing a safe, supportive space where clients can explore their emotions, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and build strong self-esteem.

During her undergraduate career, Hailey was appointed as the undergraduate research coordinator of a child and adolescent anxiety lab. She also pursued an internship where she was able to gain experience in both a children’s outpatient clinic as well as an intensive outpatient program for kids aged 5-12. Hailey previously worked in a public middle school providing individual and group services to students. Hailey received a certificate in Interdisciplinary Early Intervention with Infants and Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder through her graduate level work.

Hailey uses a systems theory that emphasizes the importance of building a relationship with her clients as well as their families. Additionally, she integrates a strengths-based approach in her work with clients to help them discover their highest potential. Hailey enjoys being creative in her practice in order to tailor her interventions to the needs of the individual or family she is working with. She uses engaging therapeutic techniques, such as play therapy, art therapy, and interactive activities, which can be particularly effective and rewarding when working with younger clients.

In her free time, Hailey enjoys spending time with friends and family. She loves spending time at the beach, staying active, walking her dog, and practicing self-care.

Alex Palmer, LMSW, Therapist

Alex was raised in Madison and now calls Fairfield County home. Her core beliefs are that people are resilient and deserve to live to their potential. Through this lens, Alex begins by meeting her clients where they are and working with them to find a new achievable level of functioning

Alex’s interest in others began while working with the memory care community and those with dementia. Working with others became a calling for her. While completing her clinical hours for graduate school, Alex began work at a non-profit community health agency in Bridgeport. There, she worked with children and their families as a therapist and advocate. Alex became credentialed in trauma therapy, TFCBT and CPP. She is an avid learner and is always looking to employ new areas of concentration with which she can incorporate to her current practice.

Alex is active in her community, having served as a Girl Scout Leader, cheer coach and the PA announcer for the high school hockey team and is an alumni class representative for her college. When not in the office, Alex can be found walking her dog, reading, doing crossword puzzles and working in her garden.

Victoria Major, LPCA

Victoria (she/her) is a Clinical Intern and Graduate Student who is excited to embark on her professional journey. Having grown up in a South Asian household, Victoria has developed a profound appreciation for cultural awareness and sensitivity, which she brings into her therapeutic practice. Her personal experiences enable her to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and understand their unique perspectives.

Victoria is dedicated to providing compassionate and supportive care to all her clients. She employs a humanistic approach to therapy, emphasizing the importance of empathy, unconditional positive regard, and the inherent worth of each individual. Victoria has completed extensive coursework in mental health and therapeutic techniques and is gaining hands-on experience under the supervision of our licensed therapists. Additionally, she integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to help clients identify and modify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, promoting overall well-being.

Creating a safe and welcoming environment is Victoria’s top priority. She believes that therapy should be a space where individuals feel comfortable expressing themselves and exploring their thoughts and feelings without judgment. Her goal is to foster a therapeutic relationship based on trust, respect, and mutual understanding.

Victoria is particularly interested in helping individuals navigate a variety of challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, stress management, and family dynamics. Whether clients are dealing with overwhelming emotions, past adverse experiences, or relationship difficulties, Victoria is committed to supporting them on their journey toward healing and personal growth.

Outside of Shoreline Therapy Center, Victoria enjoys drawing, painting, reading, listening to music, going on walks, and spending time with family and friends. She believes in the importance of self-care and maintains a balanced lifestyle.

Tanya Adler, LMSW, Therapist

Tanya is a masters-level clinical intern. She is passionate about supporting people in living happy and healthy lives. Tanya strongly believes in the power of human connection, empathy, and authenticity, which serve as the backbone of her practice. She shows up in a warm, lively, and honest way.

In 2020, Tanya received her B.S. in Allied Health Sciences with a minor in psychology. Additionally, in 2022 she received her M.S. in Health Promotion Sciences and a graduate certificate in health psychology. Tanya is currently in her final year of her Master of Social Work (MSW) program.

Tanya’s previous clinical internship for her MSW program was at an outpatient behavioral health center. She worked with individuals ages 18+ with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders at various levels of care in both group and individual formats. She also has six years of experience working on various research projects at an outpatient substance use treatment program. These research studies primarily focus on HIV-prevention and harm reduction strategies, and she currently assists these studies as a graduate research assistant.

Tanya’s practice is grounded in communication and curiosity. She strives to provide a safe space in which clients can learn and grow. Tanya utilizes a holistic, collaborative, and strengths-based approach, and she incorporates techniques from cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and motivational enhancement therapy (MET).

Tanya enjoys spending time with her family, including her twin sister, and friends. She is an avid reader, loves connecting with friends/family over a yummy meal, and enjoys being outdoors/connecting with nature. Her favorite season is fall—she loves sweater weather, all things pumpkin, and baking fall-time sweets. Tanya is a fierce proponent of the mind-body connection and believes in the healing power of movement and mindfulness—she enjoys going on walks, doing yoga, meditating, journaling/writing, and hiking with her sister.

Victoria Vaillancourt, Clinical Intern

Tori was drawn to this field by her passion for helping people understand themselves and the world around them. She is guided by her empathy, honesty, and positivity which allow her to create a safe and welcoming space for her clients to feel motivated to be their truest selves. She enjoys working with clients of all ages to promote growth in emotional well-being and life satisfaction.

Tori received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2023 at Sacred Heart Univerity with a double minor in Criminal Justice and Creative Writing. During her undergraduate career, she was a part of the psychology research team that studied therapy dogs’ effects on students’ cortisol levels and self-efficacy and later presented this research at a conference. She also had the opportunity to partner with The Exceptional Sidekick to foster and train a psychiatric service dog. She is in her final year at Sacred Heart University obtaining her Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Her end goal is to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Her career in mental health began about 3 years ago when she started as a mental health worker at an inpatient psychiatric facility. As a mental health worker, she provided care in day-to-day activities with pediatric, adolescent, and adult clients. After a year, she moved to the Creative Rehabilitation Services department where she continues to work as a creative therapist. As a creative therapist, she runs psycho-educational groups; teaching clients life management skills. Alongside her job as a creative therapist, she also works in a long-term care facility with older adults as an assistant director of therapeutic recreation. In this role, she engages her residents in exciting group activities.

While Tori believes in a humanistic client-centered practice, she also recognizes the individual needs of each client she works with; molding her therapeutic style to their goals for therapy. She sees herself as a guide for her clients helping them create their solutions and pathways to a happy and successful lifestyle. She seeks to incorporate creative approaches to therapy. She appreciates the techniques used in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychoanalysis, and Dialectal Behavioral Therapy (DBT) which connect behaviors with emotions and previous experiences to understand why we feel the way that we do and techniques for managing and coping with such.

In her personal life, she enjoys writing poetry, hiking, and creating her recipes in the kitchen. As an animal enthusiast, she loves spending time with her goats, chickens, turkeys, and her dog “Honey”. Outside of work, she spends lots of time in her garden and at local farmer’s markets.

In 2020, Tanya received her B.S. in Allied Health Sciences with a minor in psychology. Additionally, in 2022 she received her M.S. in Health Promotion Sciences and a graduate certificate in health psychology. Tanya is currently in her final year of her Master of Social Work (MSW) program.

Tanya’s previous clinical internship for her MSW program was at an outpatient behavioral health center. She worked with individuals ages 18+ with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders at various levels of care in both group and individual formats. She also has six years of experience working on various research projects at an outpatient substance use treatment program. These research studies primarily focus on HIV-prevention and harm reduction strategies, and she currently assists these studies as a graduate research assistant.

Tanya’s practice is grounded in communication and curiosity. She strives to provide a safe space in which clients can learn and grow. Tanya utilizes a holistic, collaborative, and strengths-based approach, and she incorporates techniques from cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and motivational enhancement therapy (MET).

Tanya enjoys spending time with her family, including her twin sister, and friends. She is an avid reader, loves connecting with friends/family over a yummy meal, and enjoys being outdoors/connecting with nature. Her favorite season is fall—she loves sweater weather, all things pumpkin, and baking fall-time sweets. Tanya is a fierce proponent of the mind-body connection and believes in the healing power of movement and mindfulness—she enjoys going on walks, doing yoga, meditating, journaling/writing, and hiking with her sister.