TEAM CTHC
We are an integrative practice of psychotherapists, APRN’s and recovery coaches dedicated to guiding, inspiring, and empowering individuals to live authentic, happy, and healthy life. From navigating personal and professional roadblocks, to achieving optimal health and wellness, our interdisciplinary team provides innovative support and guidance centered on the whole person.
Our team works collaboratively if the need arises to address the needs of the entire family system. Should multiple members need services, CTHC is here to provide a safe supportive space to address each individual as need.
Jennifer Barba
Founder of CT Healing Center
Jennifer Barba is the founder of Connecticut Healing Center and a highly respected clinician with over 25 years of experience supporting adolescents, adults, and families. Her work is rooted in a deep commitment to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with clarity, resilience, and compassion.
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Throughout her career, Jennifer has worked across a wide range of clinical settings, developing extensive expertise in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, mood disorders, psychosis, and complex mental health conditions. She provides comprehensive diagnostic assessments and therapy for individuals, families, and groups, tailoring care to meet each person’s unique needs.
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Her clinical approach is grounded in evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed treatment. Over time, her work has evolved to include specialized focus areas such as addiction and recovery, where she has supported individuals and families through some of their most challenging transitions. More recently, Jennifer has expanded her work to include the intersection of mental health and physical health recovery, recognizing the critical role that emotional well-being plays in overall healing.
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Jennifer’s leadership experience includes serving at the Hospital of Saint Raphael and within the Yale New Haven Hospital Psychiatry Department, where she was Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service. In this role, she oversaw both clinical and administrative operations across inpatient and ambulatory psychiatry programs, further strengthening her ability to deliver high-quality, coordinated care.
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Beyond her clinical work, Jennifer is deeply committed to community involvement and expanding access to recovery resources. She founded and operates Keystone House sober living homes as a nonprofit initiative, providing structured, supportive environments for individuals in recovery. In honor of her brother, she also founded Matt’s Homestead, a community-based initiative dedicated to offering support, connection, and essential resources for those in early recovery. Her work in this space reflects a long-standing commitment to helping individuals build sustainable, meaningful lives beyond treatment.
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Jennifer earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from Simmons University School of Social Work and has been in private practice for over two decades. Through Connecticut Healing Center, she has built a practice centered on thoughtful clinician matching, high-quality care, and a commitment to meeting individuals wherever they are in their healing process.
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While Jennifer maintains a limited caseload, she continues to work directly with select patients and remains actively involved in guiding the clinical vision and standards of care across the practice.
CLINICIANS
Cameron Bakhtiar
Recovery Coach
Cameron is the Director of Keystone House Recovery Homes and services as the Vice President of Matt's Homestead. Cameron is an experienced recovery coach serving individuals and families.
Frances Bernasko
APRN
Frances Bernasko, is an experienced and compassionate APRN with a robust background in primary care, family medicine, psychiatry, and addiction medicine. Frances is dedicated to building strong, trusting relationships with patients, families, and healthcare professionals. Her extensive experience and dual certifications as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner uniquely position her to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care.
Theresa Brown
MSW, LCSW
Terri Brown, has a Master's degreein Social Work from Florida Gulf Coast University. She has been a License Clinical Social Worker for over 10 years. Terri utilizes a multidimensional approach to therapy, exploring each individual's biological, psychological, social and spiritual needs. She supports others in building self-worth, improving communication intheir relationships and reaching their goals.
Alyssa Burns
LCSW
Alyssa is a licensed clinical social worker with nearly 10 years of experience. She tries to meet clients where they are at and provide a safe and supportive environment while they are working on becoming better versions of themselves. I have experience working with adolescents, young adults, and adults that are impacted by depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues and major life adjustments (such as death, career changes, and education transitions).
Susan Cutillo
LCSW
Susan Cutillo is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Susan has provided over 30 years counseling services to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. She has extensive experience assisting clients with life transitions, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, anger management, low self-esteem, personal growth, trauma, bipolar disorder, women’s issues, and chronic mental illness.
Rachel Jones
Staff Licensed Clinician
Rachel has been a licensed clinical social work for over 10 years. She works with individuals who are trying to cope with anxiety, depression and trauma; primarily with adults and adolescents transitioning into adulthood. She is experienced with trauma and EMDR.
Kathryn Kennedy
Licensed Professional Counselor
Kathryn is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a strong passion for helping others. She is dedicated to supporting, educating, and motivating her clients. In her practice Kathryn has focused on children, adolescents and young adults with a wide variety of diagnoses.
Christina Lizardo
APRN
Christina Lizardo is a bilingual board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a passion for patient centered, culturally diverse and holistic care. Christina began her journey into the mental health care field working for Fairfield County’s top Behavioral Health Centers; including Stamford Hospital, Hartford Healthcare and Yale New Haven Hospital.
Maria Cacace Mele
LCSW
As a licensed Clinical Social Worker, with extensive experience, I help individuals, couples and families' navigate life transitions, manage anxiety and depression, hea from trauma and address substance use concerns. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you feel empowered. I believe in identifying and building on one's strengths while supporting healthy change. Together, we will work toward goals such as emotional wellness, personal growth, confidence and balance.
Kevin Munley
Licensed Professional Counselor
Kevin has spent his career working with clients who have co-occurring disorders, simultaneously assisting them in treating both their substance use and their mental health issues. He is passionate about healing trauma and will often utilize EMDR for those who are suffering from past traumas in their present lives. Engaged and patient, Kevin strives to help clients identify their own goals and work toward their path of self-improvement.
Candy Murias
Clinical Social Worker
Candy is a bilingual (English/ Spanish) social worker who graduated from Western Connecticut State University cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and Sociology/ Anthropology. She went on to obtain her master’s degree in Social Work at Fordham University. Candy prides herself on being non-judgmental and offering culturally competent services. She is client-centered and believes in a collaborative therapeutic process.
For over 25 years Tom has provided clinical social work services to adults, children and families. In his career, Tom has worked in both non-profit agency and private practice settings. Tom is an active member of the National Association of Social Work and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Connecticut. Tom specializes in the areas of substance abuse, adoption, foster care and LGBTQI issues.
Staff Licensed Physician
Thomas Murphy
Megan Padilla
Megan is an LCSW who provides client-focused and strengths-based care. She has experience working with adolescents and adults. Using talk therapy, psychoeducation, and emotional education, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, she is equipped to meet you where you’re at and collaborate. She has a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Southern CT State University and a Master’s from Fordham.
LCSW
Leslie Parker
Clinical Director, LCSW
Leslie Parker holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Psychology from Fairfield University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University. She has provided social work services in a variety of settings including emergency shelters for children and teens, public and private schools, inpatient psychiatric hospitals and outpatient therapy clinics. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing guitar and swimming.
Gina Petrucci
LCSW
Gina Petrucci has been a lead clinician at Yale Psychiatric Hospital and the Hospital of St Raphael for the past 18 years. She’s also been in private practice for 15 years and has a passion for working with more complex patient populations. She has extensive DBT training and specializes in social work with adolescents and young adults.
Brian Figueroa-Samano
LCSW
I am a bilingual (English/Spanish) therapist with extensive experience addressing anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, and related mental health concerns, I specialize in helping individuals and families navigate the challenges of biculturalism, phase of life issues, stress management, behavior management, emotional regulation, and building stronger parent-child relationships.
Jeffrey Schardt
LCSW
Jeffrey has over 10 years of experience supporting individuals facing mental health challenges, substance use concerns, and co-occurring disorders. He earned his Master’s degree from Fordham University and has dedicated his career to helping people navigate life’s challenges and create meaningful, lasting change. Specializing in substance use and co-occurring disorders, he works collaboratively with clients to identify goals, build on existing strengths, and develop tools for growth.
Chris Simpson
LCSW
Chris is a seasoned clinician with over 35 years of experience in providing therapeutic support
to adults, couples, and families across various settings. A graduate of New York University’s
Silver School of Social Work, Chris has dedicated her career to helping individuals navigate a
wide range of concerns, from severe mental illness to trauma and addiction.
Lauren Shemanski
LCSW
I provide individual and family therapy for children, teens, and adults. I received my masters in social work from the University of Connecticut and hold a certification in school social work. I approach treatment from a solution-focused and strengths-based perspective with tailored therapeutic interventions to meet your individual needs. I believe that by building a strong therapeutic relationship, we can be successful in accomplishing your goals.
Mary Ann Starks
APRN
Maryann graduated from the Yale School of Nursing in 1984. Since then she’s worked in the Veteran's Administration and maintained a Private practice. She has enjoyed many years of working with people struggling with Bipolar Disorder/Major Depression/PTSD/Anxiety Disorders.
Seth Stevens
Clinical Psychologist III
Seth is a licensed psychologist practicing for the last 23 years. He has worked in the public schools as well as privately with individuals of all ages. Seth specializes in anxiety, negotiating relationships, GLBTQ related concerns, and self-acceptance. Seth will lead you on journey of growth and healing.
Alanna Voloshin
LCSW
Alanna graduated from Simmons University with her MSW. With over 13 years of experience, her approach is collaborative, specific, and individualized for every client. She implements a combination of therapeutic modalities including Psychodynamic, Mindfulness, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Attachment-Based Family Therapy.
Kristen Wiltshire
LCSW
Kristen Wiltshire is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over two decades of experience. She is well-versed in various therapeutic techniques and treatment modalities thus ensuring a treatment plan can be tailored to meet the unique needs of each age group and individual. Kristen believes in creating a safe and inviting environment for her clients.
Attorney Michael Dolan
Legal Representation
Part of the healing process is to address the matters that create stress in your life. At CTHC, we help our patients address issues to include outstanding legal matters. We often direct clients to outside agencies to aid our patients. Attorney Michael Dolan is one of the compassionate legal experts who is readily available to assist CTHC patients.
ADMINISTRATION
Donna Ricci
Billing Manager
Maria Renaldi
Office Manager