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Meet our Team
All of our counselors at the Center for Emotional Healing are licensed professionals with advanced degrees in mental health. Each staff member offers a unique set of skills and services with extensive expertise in each of their specialties. Our mixture of traditional counseling techniques and holistic healing methods make us unlike any other practice around. Our goal is to create unique service plans for each and every one of our clients that help individuals on a physical, spiritual and emotional level. Individuals of all ages are welcome.
Kelly Fortin, LPC/Owner
Kelly Fortin, is a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in anxiety, depression, life transitions/adjustments, relationship challenges, self esteem issues, trauma and parenting. Kelly has a particular interest in working with teen and adult clients who are navigating through life stressors, such as challenges academically, career wise and in your personal life. Kelly strives to create a safe and nurturing environment where individuals feel supported in their efforts to change, grow and connect to their strength.
Kelly’s treatment approach is behavior and goal-oriented, utilizing modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness practices. Kelly teaches clients effective coping mechanisms that they can use on a daily basis and gives them the tools they need to overcome both the current challenges they are facing in addition to the ones they will face in the future.
Kelly will work with each client to help them find their unique and individual needs in order to provide the best possible care.
Request an appointment below (Please note this is a request for services, not a confirmed appointment. Someone will be in contact with you shortly to schedule)
Alexandria Silva, LPC, LADC
Alex Silva is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor who values providing all clients with a safe and supportive space while respecting their autonomy, individuality, and unique needs.
Alex’s general focus includes a client-centered approach where she provides solution-focused strategies to help individuals achieve success as defined by their personalized goals. She is understanding of the ways stress, anxiety, and conflict can negatively impact one’s life and she supports others by working together to create resolutions that not only resolve presenting problems but offer long-term change.
Alex also specializes in substance abuse and addiction services. Her extensive training has provided her a well-rounded understanding of the concerns related to addiction and the challenges it can create both physically and mentally. Alex works to support adults and their loved ones as they navigate the journey of recovery, and she helps to reduce any fears that may come with change. Her approach includes utilizing evidenced-based practices and offering education on relapse prevention techniques to help improve one’s situation without feeling that relying on negative habits is the only answer.
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Megan Kiely, LMFT
Megan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who utilizes a strength based approach, Solution-Focused Therapy, when working with most presenting problems due to the belief that we all have strengths and skills that can be employed to attend to the things in our life that we are struggling with. She also uses other forms of therapy or interventions when necessary to be able to meet the client where they are.
She has spent many years working with teens, families, and couples through various difficulties including; anxiety, depression, self esteem issues, family conflict, and marital distress. She works hard to incorporate your interests and aspirations into your therapeutic work in order to tailor the therapy experience to each client.
Megan believes in working in collaboration with her clients to achieve their goals that would lead them to their personal view of a more positive and happy life. It is her intention to build a therapeutic relationship that is based in acceptance, comfort, understanding, and connection. She is eager and excited to work with you to achieve your goals to an overall happier life. It’s time to prioritize your mental health!
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Elizabeth Fudge, LMFT
Liz is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who is passionate about supporting her clients through their journey towards living in more free and authentic relationships with themselves and others. Liz values and honors the uniqueness of each individual, couple, and family that she has the privilege of co-creating a therapeutic relationship with. She is invested in helping her clients learn how to repair relationships with themselves and others, create new awarenesses, enhance resilience, and hold space for the courageous process of healing. Her systemic approaches to treating anxiety, depression, attachment disorders, adjustment disorders, parenting stress, and shame warmly invites her clients to explore and process their human experience, discover their truth, and thrive. She has an extra special passion for working with couples at any stage and condition of their relationship. Liz holds a Bachelors Degree in Social Work and a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, both from Southern Connecticut State University, and was the proud recipient of a national award for her parenting education work. She is excited for the opportunity to meet you and be a part of your journey of healing!
Request an appointment below (Please note this is a request for services, not a confirmed appointment. Someone will be in contact with you shortly to schedule)
Kimaira Bernardini, LPC
Kimaira is a Licensed Professional Counselor who believes that brave spaces can support clients to achieve personal growth and healing. She is passionate about meeting the client where they are and building this brave space together. She has worked with clients struggling at many different stages, including those challenged by addiction, anxiety, depression, life transitions, stress management, and bipolar disorder.
Kimaira has experience using CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Positive Psychology, Solution-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, and Auricular Acupuncture. Using these different modalities, Kimaira collaborates with the client to recover and progress in life. She is dedicated to helping clients access resources and recognize their capabilities.
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Elizabeth Czarnecki, LPC
Elizabeth “Liz” Czarnecki, is a Licensed Professional Counselor who studied at Springfield College with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health and Marriage and Family Therapy. Liz has been counseling since 2011 in a variety of settings including in home counseling with young adults, outpatient office, in schools, community based settings, and in methadone maintenance programs. In addition Liz has taught psychology undergraduate and graduate level courses since 2015. Liz has a passion incorporating a person’s complete well being into counseling and understanding the mind body connection. Outside of sessions Liz actively participates in playing tennis, exercising, reading and she loves cats!
Liz’s approach to counseling includes utilizing hope and strength based approaches to assist others through difficult times. Liz beliefs helping clients set personal goals and live up to their fullest potential includes a path to success. Liz specializes in treating anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, relationships challenges, stress, adjustments, grief, and life transitions. Liz has a passion working with adolescents, young adults and adults. Liz uses a variety of counseling techniques to from Person Centered counseling, Positive Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Motivational Interviewing to collaborate with the client and make positive, healthy changes. Liz believes that recovery is possible and excited to help you on your way!
Request an appointment below (Please note this is a request for services, not a confirmed appointment. Someone will be in contact with you shortly to schedule)
Nicole Michaud, LPC
Nicole is a Licensed Professional Counselor who believes in the importance of making her client’s feel valued, safe and understood. She feels this will allow clients to able to work towards self discovery, growth and healing.
She specializes in working with a diverse population of teens and adults to navigate through a variety of challenges. She has a strong background helping clients struggling with anxiety, depression, self discovery, life transitions and grief.
Nicole’s approach is very client centered, she uses a variety of modalities tailored to each client. She works to provide clients with tools to manage their struggles, using techniques such as relaxation, meditation and self discovery work.
Request an appointment below (Please note this is a request for services, not a confirmed appointment. Someone will be in contact with you shortly to schedule)
Jake Coopersmith, LPC
Jake Coopersmith is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has his Masters in Mental Health Counseling and a bachelor’s in psychology with a minor in Philosophy. Jake’s experience includes working in the healthcare/therapeutic field for over 6 years through a multitude of therapeutic healthcare facilities including: rest-home's, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, outpatient therapeutic offices, and provided in-home family therapy to at-risk teens and adolescents. Specializations include: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy and Reality-Therapy, with a concentration in Grief Counseling and Narcissistic Trauma-Bonded Relationships. Through a Person-Centered Holistic approach, treatment encompasses healthy physical, emotional, and psychological healing that combines therapeutic practices and utilizing the client's innate skills and resources to help the clients reach life-long therapeutic goals.
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Katlyn Prigionieri, LMFT
Katlyn is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in working with adults who struggle with life transitions, codependency, relationship conflicts between spouses and family members, communication, anxiety, depression, PTSD and trauma, perinatal mood disorders, miscarriage, grief and loss, and substance use disorders. Katlyn is passionate about using a person-centered focus, and having an approachable, compassionate, and welcoming presence for her clients to feel comfortable to open up about their daily struggles. Katlyn is invested in helping individuals gain confidence in themselves and their relationships. She works to do so by validating one’s experiences, both positive and negative, in order to help clients succeed in their personal goals to lead a happier more fulfilling life.
Other modalities she specializes in include Mindfulness Based Practices, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy including Radical Acceptance, Assertive Communication and establishing healthy boundaries, Schema Therapy, Attachment Theory, Marriage and Family Therapy, Gottman Method, Emotion Focused Therapy, and Trauma Informed Care.
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Cassidy O'Brien, LCSW
Cassidy O’Brien is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who has spent the majority of her career working with adolescents and adults using experiential, nature-based therapy approaches to assist clients with a vast array of mental health disorders. She takes a holistic approach to therapy while also combining traditional methods such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to achieve long lasting results. Cassidy believes that each client is the expert on their own life and that each individual has the unique ability within themselves to solve their own dilemmas with the support and guidance of a professional mental health provider. Cassidy empowers, motivates, and challenges her clients as they navigate their therapeutic journey to self-discovery and success.
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Jordan Montague, LMFT
Jordan earned her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Southern Connecticut State University. She has extensive experience with adults and adolescents and their families in areas such as anxiety, panic, depression, LGBTQ+ issues/gender and sexuality, women’s issues, issues related to ADHD, school stressors, family distress, communication issues, grief and loss, and life transitions. Jordan has experience coordinating treatment with outside resources such as schools, medication providers and DCF services. She is a certified MATCH-ADTC practitioner (Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems), and has been trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques. Jordan also uses modalities including solution focused therapy, narrative therapy, mindfulness and feminist theory to help clients achieve their goals. Through collaborative partnership, Jordan helps guide clients into a fuller and more joyful reality, helping to build new skills to face challenges, and increase connection and meaning. Jordan believes that building a trusting and genuine relationship with your therapist is an essential part of your success as a team. Jordan aims to help you to feel comfortable and supported in a non-judgmental environment.
Request an appointment below (Please note this is a request for services, not a confirmed appointment. Someone will be in contact with you shortly to schedule)
Elizabeth Shea, LCSW
Elizabeth Shea, bilingual LCSW- fluent in English and Spanish. Liz specializes in children/adolecents and families and comes to us with over 15 years of experience in the field. Liz has worked in community based outpatient clinics, as a social worker for the state of Connecticut as well as a certified social worker in the Danbury public school system. Liz also has experience with the foster care system. Liz is trained in trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy, positive discipline, is certified in Reiki I and II and has had training in sound healing.
Liz uses a person-centered approach and draws on individual and family strengths as resources to aid the treatment process.Liz focuses on building connections with clients in order to facilitate a positive working relationship using empathy, active listening, and humor. Liz understands the challenges of connecting with a mental health provider that meets each clients individual needs and is here to make finding support as easy as possible.
Request an appointment below (Please note this is a request for services, not a confirmed appointment. Someone will be in contact with you shortly to schedule)
Tricia Bailey, LPC
Tricia is a Licensed Professional Counselor who graduated from University of Saint Joseph. Tricia comes to us with many years of experience working primarily with adults specializing in depression, anxiety, grief, trauma and relationship issues.
Tricia's approach to therapy is collaborative and person centered and her role is to assist clients in their self discovery, self improvement and healing. Tricia recognizes that change can be hard and uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness and other interventions to assist clients in developing healthy coping skills and reach their personal goals.
Through a strengths based perspective, compassion, validation and at times a bit of humor, Tricia's goal is to provide you with a nonjudgmental, safe and trusting environment. The therapeutic relationship is an important one and she aims to develop a genuine and honest connection with you.
Request an appointment below (Please note this is a request for services, not a confirmed appointment. Someone will be in contact with you shortly to schedule)
Davina Przygoda, LCSW
Davina is a Licensed Clinical Social worker who is passionate about working with diverse populations and helping others seek a sense of peace related to their relationship with their mental health. She has a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Social work and has a background working in inpatient psychiatric and medical hospital settings for the past few years. Davina has worked with a variety of populations from children to older adult and has a special interest in the older adult population.
Davina primarily works with clients who are struggling with anxiety, depression, stress and adjustment disorders. She has experience with person centered, strength based and solution focused modalities, however she caters to each client and their needs to create a safe and welcoming environment. Self-determination, validation, and compassion are important areas that Davina strives to achieve when working with her clients. She hopes you will feel empowered and heard when working with her.
Request an appointment below (Please note this is a request for services, not a confirmed appointment. Someone will be in contact with you shortly to schedule)
Melissa Jacobs, LPC, LADC
Melissa is a licensed professional counselor, licensed alcohol and drug counselor, and nationally certified counselor with expertise in treating and healing a variety of mental health illnesses. She uses her own personal and professional experience to benefit others and support them in their process of healing and recovery. She is drawn to practices such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), Body Centered Psychotherapy, and mindfulness to help her clients build a healthy relationship with themselves, others, and the world around them.
Melissa has extensive experience working in residential treatment centers with individuals struggling with substance use disorders, eating disorders, trauma, anxiety, depression, body image issues and difficulties with emotion regulation. She uses a psychotherapeutic approach integrating neuroscience, trauma research, meditative practices and relational awareness for healing and wellbeing.
One of Melissa’s greatest joys in being a therapist is cultivating a trusting relationship with her clients, offering them a safe space where they can be vulnerable and explore buried, hurt parts of themselves, while being witness to the healing of wounds that drive unhealthy, harmful behaviors. Melissa’s goal is to create a safe and compassionate environment where her clients can begin to develop an appreciative, loving, and non-judgmental relationship with themselves.
Request an appointment below (Please note this is a request for services, not a confirmed appointment. Someone will be in contact with you shortly to schedule)
Kristin Ferguson, LPC
Kristin is a licensed professional counselor who has spent most of her career working with children, adolescents, teens, and adults, who have experienced anxiety, sexual assault, previous trauma, and more. She uses a cognitive behavioral approach while putting the needs of her clients first. She believes that having a variety of viewpoints can help someone overcome erroneous thought patterns and start to break free from ingrained routines and habits.
Kristin focuses on the present by challenging people on how they experience and react to events, guiding them to make small changes in order to begin to free themselves and become more mindful and self-loving. She believes people need to be reminded of their inner strength and how their daily decisions can lead to a rewarding and fulfilling lifestyle. Even when we feel helpless against the outside world, we can always find a method to adjust that will make us happy.
Request an appointment below (Please note this is a request for services, not a confirmed appointment. Someone will be in contact with you shortly to schedule)
Amber Perez, LCSW
Amber Perez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked with adolescents professionally for the past 15 years. Amber received her Master’s Degree in clinical social work (specializing in children and families) from Fordham University in May of 2010.
Amber has been practicing as a LCSW since 2018 and specializes in Attachment Based Family Therapy, Multi-Dimensional Family Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Trauma Focused-CBT, Psychoeducational Therapy, Client Centered Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy.
Amber specializes in supporting children (10yo and above), adolescents, young adults, and families in treating substance abuse/use, ADHD, family attachment ruptures, breakdown in communication within relationships, grief and loss, adjusting to life changes, transitioning to/out of college, parent/caregiver/child relational problems (biological, fostering, adoptive, blended), mood disorders, and anxiety disorders.
Amber worked in residential settings (medically complex, substance abuse/mental health), group homes, adoption services, in home services, and school settings. Amber has experience working with the LGBTQIA community. Her theoretic approach is based on the belief that everyone has the right to find their voice and feel heard and will allow the space to do so by building connections with clients and their families.
Amber believes in helping clients identify their strengths and build upon them to gain confidence, build skills, and heal while offering a genuine and safe space free of judgement.
Request an appointment below (Please note this is a request for services, not a confirmed appointment. Someone will be in contact with you shortly to schedule)
Ashley O'Neill, LCSW
Ashley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who graduated from the University of Saint Joseph with a Master's degree in Social Work in 2020. Ashley has a passion for suicide prevention and has spent the last four years providing psychotherapy to adolescents, teens, and young adults in an outpatient setting.
Ashley provides a safe and judgment-free space in addition to evidence-based treatment models and a variety of different treatment modalities to help adolescents, teens, and young adults that may struggle with relationships, life transitions, stress management, low self-esteem, grief, anxiety, depression, and trauma.
She specializes in an evidence-based treatment approach called trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. She also looks closely at each individual's environment and examines the role it plays in everyday functioning and overall well-being. Ashley uses motivational interviewing to work collaboratively with each client and their family to reach their treatment goals at a pace comfortable for them.
Request an appointment below (Please note this is a request for services, not a confirmed appointment. Someone will be in contact with you shortly to schedule)
Jenny Cannon MSN, NP-C, Nurse Practitioner
Jenny is board certified through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Southern Connecticut State University and worked for over 10-years with a focus in intensive care and emergency medicine. She also worked for the State of Connecticut’s Office of Victim Services as a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) and in 2013 received the Commitment to Excellence award for outstanding care to victims of sexual assault.
Jenny graduated from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut with a Masters Degree in nursing. As a Nurse Practitioner she has worked in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings, including internal medicine, short/long-term rehabilitation and community health settings. Jenny has experience treating individuals with both complex medical and psychiatric needs and offers primary care, medication management and addiction medicine services to patients.
In her spare time, Jenny can often be found in the gym lifting weights and training for future bodybuilding competitions. She competes in the Figure division and won 1st place in the Masters class in her very first show in June 2022. Jenny is married and has two teenage children, 3 dogs, 3 cats and a koi pond. As you can see, Jenny cares about animals just as much as she cares about her patients and is passionate about treating those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Please reach out to our client coordinator to inquire about services with Jenny.
Heather Spear, APRN-BC
Heather Spear APRN-BC has been in practice over 30 years. She recognizes that the therapeutic relationship is key to promoting a trusting partnership with her patients. Her expertise includes medication management, cognitive behavioral therapy, medical illness and coping, bereavement, chronic pain and older adult mental health.
Heather provided medication management/treatment and psychotherapy for patients at the Connecticut Anxiety and Depression Treatment Center in Farmington, CT from 1994 until May 2022. She worked at UCONN Health for over 25 years in positions including the Psychiatry Consultation Liaison Service, the Outpatient Clinic and the Geriatric Service including implementing the NICHE Program (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders). She also worked at Hartford Hospital/Institute of Living in the Geriatric Intensive Outpatient Program and the Geriatric Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic.
She graduated with an MSN with distinction from Yale University majoring in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing with a specialty in Consultation Liaison. She is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and is a member of American Nurses Association and American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Her interests for balancing life include family, friendships, swimming, reading, gardening, prayer and her Golden Retriever Jackson.
Heather’s primary responsibility at the Center for Emotional Healing will be medication evaluation and treatment. Most patients requesting psychotherapy will be referred to colleagues within the practice although individual requests will be considered.
Please reach out to our coordinator to inquire about services with Heather.
Sarah Mackiewicz, Client Coordinator and Therapist intern
As the client coordinator, Sarah works with individuals interested in pursuing therapy. Her goal as coordinator, is to ensure that getting the help you need is as smooth and as comfortable as possible.
Additionally, Sarah comes to us with over a decade of experience working directly with children, teens and their families amongst a wide range of mental health needs. Sarah has found a specific passion for working with autistic individuals.
Sarah is currently enrolled in a graduate program to pursuit her Master's degree in professional counseling. Under the direct supervision of Kelly Fortin, LPC- Sarah will be offering telehealth therapy sessions for neurodivergent children, teens and their families.
These unique session with Sarah are being offered at a significantly reduced rate starting January 1st. Contact us today to schedule with Sarah.
Sarah can be reached confidentially via email or phone
Patti Mackiewicz, Billing specialist
Patti comes to us with many years of experience in the business world. Although Patti has held many different roles throughout her lifetime, she says her most influential role was as an administrative assistant for a Legal Law Library. Patti held that position for 26 year before deciding to retire to spend more time with her family.
Patti's main role at C4EH is to assist with all things insurance. For questions related to insurance claims or issues she can be reached via email