Therapist: Jessica
Hello, I’m Jess!
Jessica Cullan, LCSW (Connecticut)
My approach
Life presents itself with a variety of challenges, and sometimes how we respond can surprise us. Your mental health is so important for your overall wellness, and you deserve to feel joy in your life. My goal is to provide a safe environment in which we can work together through those times of challenge where you are not feeling like your best self. My genuine approach will highlight your strengths and empower you to overcome these life challenges. I will use evidence-based practice to teach you skills to use for more healthy ways of coping with your life stressors.
Background
I graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University with my Bachelors’ degree in social work. I then completed the graduate program at Rhode Island College where I earned my Masters’ degree in clinical social work. I have previously worked in a range of settings, including work in schools, communities and traditional outpatient. My most recent work has been overseeing an intensive evidence-based practice working with families affected by substance misuse.
Professional interests
I especially love working with children, adolescents, and families.
treatment areas and modalities
My passion is working with individuals who are facing life transitions, increased stress, challenges in relationships, family conflict, grief and loss, low self-esteem, or experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression.
I am skilled in:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Solution Focused Approach
Strengths Based Approach
Empowerment Model
Family Systems
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Anger Management
Therapist: Christina
Hi, I'm Christina!
Christina Cozza, LICSW (Massachusetts)
I am a dog lover, adventure seeker, and strong believer in vitamin sea. Some days can't be fixed by petting your dog, listening to beach waves, or eating your favorite donut. That's why I'd love to be the one to share that space with you and do some work alongside you.
Background
I am a therapist independently licensed to practice clinical social work in Massachusetts. I earned my Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Social Work degrees from Simmons College in Boston, MA and have spent the majority of my career working with currently and previously incarcerated individuals, law enforcement, first responders, and mandated clients.
Professional interests
I have extensive knowledge and experience working with individuals with histories of trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, and other mental illnesses. I have worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings and specialize in working with veterans, addictions, mental illness and trauma. I especially love working with first responders, law enforcement, and veterans.
Treatment areas and modalities
My style could be described as eclectic, as I focus on a person-centered model and enjoy using different treatment modalities, tailored to the individual I am working with.
I am skilled in:
Trauma Treatment
Anger Management
Empowerment Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy
Work with Veterans
Therapist: Lauren
Hi, I’M LAUREN!
Lauren Shea, MSW, LCSW (MA), LMSW (CT)
Massachusetts & Connecticut
I am a family-oriented wife, restaurant connoisseur and music lover. For as long as I can remember, I have been passionate about helping others. I am here to offer guidance and supportive care while you journey through life. Whether you are overcoming anxiety, depression, experiencing grief and loss, or just need someone to actively listen, you have come to the right place
BACKGROUND:
I earned a dual Bachelors’ degree in (i) Psychology and (ii) Human Services and Rehabilitative Studies at Assumption University, followed by my Masters of Social Work with a concentration in Children, Youth, and Families at Boston College. I am provisionally licensed in Massachusetts and Connecticut. I have spent most of my career teaching social skills and applying counseling techniques to support the emotional well-being of students. My additional experience includes direct care services, in-home family therapy, and most recently inpatient and outpatient hospital care.
PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS:
My particular interests involve working collaboratively with individuals who are dealing with increased stress, anxiety, depression, and grief and loss. I especially love empowering children and adolescents to improve their self-esteem and awareness as they navigate relationship challenges, address family conflict, and adjust to life transitions.
TREATMENT AREAS AND MODALITIES:
By integrating a variety of models into my practice, I have realized that there is no “one-size fits all” approach to therapy. My process of creating a calm and safe space serves to facilitate therapeutic growth and positive change. Together, our focus will be on increasing your inherent strengths and personal resilience. During the course of treatment, you will develop coping mechanisms and learn problem-solving strategies to effectively manage stress and anxiety.
I am skilled in:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Play Therapy
Social Skills Training
Solution Focused Therapy
Strengths-Based Therapy
Therapist: Ali
Hi, i'm ali!
Ali Melchionna, MSW, LCSW
Massachusetts
BACKGROUND
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at Ithaca College. After teaching high school music for several years, I realized my interests and strengths lived more in helping my students to navigate social-emotional and intrapersonal obstacles they were encountering throughout adolescence, and decided to pursue my Master’s degree in Social Work at Salem State University. My experience is primarily working in different levels of care with clients struggling with eating disorders. I am provisionally licensed in Massachusetts, and working towards my independent licensure.
PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS
My professional interests and background involve working with individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorders, depression, anxiety, and trauma as well as those struggling in their relationships with food, body image, and exercise. I’m passionate about helping my clients utilize self-compassion and self-awareness to explore their belief systems, thoughts, and behaviors to make meaningful and lasting change in their lives. I especially enjoy working with adolescents, young adults, and athletes.
my approach
I believe that everything individuals need to become their most successful and authentic selves is already inside of them, and my job as a therapist is to help empower my clients to realize and access their own potential and resilience. I love incorporating my sense of humor into my clinical practice, and I strive to create a safe space for clients to process stressors and obstacles they encounter in their lives.
I am skilled in:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Mindfulness
Motivational Interviewing
Empowerment Therapy
Strengths-Based Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Internal Family Systems
Therapist: MaryKate
Hi, I’M MaryKate!
MaryKate Irving, LCSW
Connecticut
MY APPROACH
Every stage and phase of our lives comes with a multitude of stressors, changes, and challenges. It can often feel isolating, confusing, and overall difficult in times like this. Therapy and working on bettering one’s mental health should be a place of safety and comfort and I am passionate about helping those that I work with feel this during their work! My goal is to always provide that emotionally safe environment in order to be able to work on the struggles you are facing. We all have our own individual needs and in my work with clients, I am focused on personalizing your experience to meet those needs, using the strengths and supports around you. Through my background and experience I will utilize therapeutic interventions and help you to develop healthy skills to cope with those stressors that you are facing. Together we can work towards finding the healthiest version of you and do so in ways that feel manageable and possible!
BACKGROUND:
I graduated from Quinnipiac University with my Bachelors’ degree in Social Services. I then went on to the University of Connecticut School of Social Work where I earned my Masters’ degree in Clinical Social Work. Prior to Centered Minds, I have worked in many different settings, including community-based clinics where I provided therapy in both in-home and in-office settings. I also worked with families involved with the Department of Children and Families, as well as provided clinical care within a high school and adolescent shelter. Most recently, I have been working with young adults in an outpatient setting, specifically those struggling with life transitions, heightened anxiety, and struggling with relationships in their lives.
PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS:
Through my work with many different populations and in a variety of settings, I have found enjoyment working with young adults, whether that includes those transitioning from high school into college and the many changes that arise with this, or those in the working world, adjusting to the struggles of balancing relationships, finding self-love, and managing the many shifts that take place in this stage of life. The heightened anxiety, stress, and challenges that arise during this time are areas of mental health that I truly enjoy helping others work through.
TREATMENT AREAS AND MODALITIES:
One thing that I find very important in treatment is understanding that each and every person struggles in their own ways and therefore responds and receives therapy in their own ways as well. Through my knowledge and use of multiple different treatment modalities, I work with you to find the approach that feels right for your specific needs. Using a strength-based approach and focusing on attainable and realistic treatment goals is in the center of my practice in order to truly meet the needs every individual has when engaging in therapy.
I am skilled in:
Attachment Based therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Family Systems Approach
Motivational Interviewing
Solution Focused Therapy
Strengths Based Approach
Trauma-Informed Therapy
Therapist: Lyndsey
Hi, i'm lyndsey!
Lyndsey Johnsen, LCSW
North Carolina
Self-care practices and relaxation exercises are a routine of mine. On a part-time basis, I am also a dog walker/pet sitter, sushi and crab cake enthusiast, nature and beach lover, concert goer, and traveler.
BACKGROUND
I graduated from Aurora University in Illinois, a Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work. I am independently licensed to practice clinical social work in North Carolina.
My background includes work with young adults, college students, and adults experiencing anxiety, social anxiety, executive dysfunction, depression, mood disorders, vocational stress, complex trauma, birth trauma, grief and loss and pregnancy and postpartum disorders. In the past I’ve been employed in a hospital setting in the areas of inpatient crisis work, social work case management, and hospice services. In non-profit work, I facilitated outpatient therapy, in addition to facilitating adoptive parent support groups and social skills groups for children and teens in foster care and in a mental health residential setting. I also have over 13 years of collaboration and consulting experience. In this role, I worked with schools and childcare providers on behalf of children with developmental, mental health and social emotional issues.
PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS
I love working with young adults and adults who are going through major life transitions, those who struggle with self-esteem, and individuals in search of meaning and life purpose. I am passionate about supporting mothers through all stages - pregnancy, postpartum, birth trauma, and parents that are seeking assistance with child behaviors. I also enjoy supporting individuals with anxiety disorders, depression, mood disorders, grief, loss, work related stress and burnout, stress management, trauma, and relationship issues.
my approach
I utilize integrative therapy to blend different therapy approaches. This may include varied clinical modalities with the integration of mind/body practices such as mindfulness, breathwork, self-compassion exercises and meditation.
I am skilled in:
Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Strengths-Based Approach
Trauma Informed Care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Brief Solution-Focused Therapy
Attachment-based Therapy
Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)