Behavioral Health

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Jason Kersten, LCSW
Behavioral Health Program Director
Jason is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Behavioral Health Coordinator at Community Health & Wellness.  He specializes in working with adolescents, men, and women that are currently struggling with depression, life transitions, communication issues, grief/loss and anxiety. He also works with clients that have been through traumatic experiences and have a difficult time finding a new path in the midst of that trauma. He also works with the teens of our community in the school setting.

​He utilizes multiple therapeutic theories in sessions including, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution focused Brief Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.  This is to help meet clients where they are at, identify their objectives for treatment and transform their lives into a life that they are looking to attain.  The supportive environment created hopefully gives the client an opportunity to find a path and goals that they want, and to assist them in getting there. Jason joined Community Health & Wellness Center in September of 2015. He received his Master’s Degree in Social Work from Columbia University.

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​Dr. Gengyun Wen, MD, PhD
Dr. Wen received his medical degree at Chinese Army Medical University, Chongqing, China. He completed residency training through Elmhurst Hospital Center/Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. In addition, Dr. Wen received his Ph.D. through the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. He subsequently came to U.S. on an O-1 visa (individuals with an extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics) to pursue medical research.

​Dr. Wen completed his Postdoctoral Research training at Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.  Prior to joining to CHWC, Dr. Wen was a staff psychiatrist at Natchaug Hospital in Connecticut. Dr. Wen also has his own private practice in psychiatry and addiction medicine.  Dr. Wen authored over 30 peer reviewed publications on bio-medicine at prestigious academic journals.

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​David Sperling, MD
Dr. Sperling received a B.S. in Pharmacy from SUNY Buffalo in 1965, and an M.D. from Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL in 1974.  Residency training was at the Institute of Living in Hartford, CT.  He is a Board Certified in Psychiatry from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and has practiced psychiatry for more than 40 years.

​During that time he worked initially for 20 years in private practice in Hartford,  followed by more than 20 years in outpatient psychiatry clinics at Mt.Sinai/St. Francis Hospitals, Danbury Hospital, BH Care, all of which he served as Medical Director of Outpatient Psychiatry, and DMHAS Waterbury as a Principal Psychiatrist.

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Rachel Dalton, LCSW
Rachel Dalton, MA, LCSW has dual master degrees from Southern Connecticut State University in Clinical Social Work and Psychology. She has several years of experience working with children and families from many different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds in a variety of settings, including in the home, outpatient clinics, schools and residential treatment.
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Rachel is rostered in trauma-informed Child-Parent Psychotherapy and is trained as a Circle of Security Parenting (c) facilitator. She specializes in early childhood (birth to 6), attachment, play therapy, and reflective therapy with teens and adults. She also has several years of experience working with adults with substance use disorders, mood disorders, and anxiety. Rachel strives to provide a supportive, nonjudgmental, compassionate space to every client she meets and enjoys tailoring her sessions to meet the needs of each unique individual.

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Martha “Martie” Boyer, LCSW
​Torrington & Winsted
Martie Boyer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Intake Coordinator for Community Health & Wellness.  An experienced clinician, she provides individual, couples, and group therapy.  Over the course of her career, Martie has worked on a wide range of issues, including trauma, domestic violence, substance use, anxiety, and depression. A kind and caring therapist, she uses a strength-based and holistic approach that focuses on body, mind and spirit to support health and well-being.

Martie received an M.S. in Counseling from the University of Hartford and an M.S.W. from Smith College School of Social Work, Northampton, MA.

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Katherine “Katie” Merrill, LCSW
Katie has a Masters degree from Fordham University in social work and a Bachelors degree from Western Connecticut State University in social work.  She worked for many years in a residential treatment facility where she learned about the power of relationship and community in the healing process. 

Katie has experience working with trauma, personality disorder, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.  She served in a private practice the last few years where she had the opportunity to work in cooperation with local schools. Katie enjoys working with teenagers as well as adults and children. Her approach is to try to meet people where they are at and to assist them to understand themselves and their perceptions through relationships.  Katie uses talk therapy, solution focus, CBT, and for children and sometimes teens she works through art and play.  In her free time, Katie enjoys spending time with her family and walking with her dog Mia.

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Nicole Collin, LCSW
Nicole Collin, LCSW, believes that every person deep down is wanting and worthy of a healthy and fulfilling life.
 
Nicole received her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology at the University of New Hampshire and her Master’s in Social Work at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work. During her final year at UConn, she interned here at CHWC where she provided individual therapy as well as co-facilitated our first Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM) women’s group.
 
Since joining our team in 2020, Nicole has worked primarily with adults on issues of self-esteem, trauma, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and behaviors. She has facilitated groups for trauma-focused women’s empowerment, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and the 9 Dimensions of Wellness model. Nicole is primarily at our Torrington office and spends Tuesdays at our satellite Winsted office.
 
Outside of the office, Nicole fills her time with family and friends, and her beloved dog Xena. She can also be found adventuring to new places, whether it be a different country or somewhere near the ocean, or in a book about a different world altogether. 
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Michelle McDowell, LCSW
Michelle McDowell believes in working with clients to assist them in rewriting the scripts of their lives and helps them envision new outcomes for themselves.
She utilizes aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Narrative Therapy to help clients find healthier ways of dealing with trauma and life stressors. She works with clients to identify their strengths and nurtures the beginnings of hope as they learn healthier coping skills and emotion regulation.
Michelle received her B.A. from the University of Connecticut and her Master’s in Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University. When not at work, she enjoys traveling, reading, and trying to new restaurants. ​

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Nicole Beaulieu, APRN
Nicole earned her Nurse Practitioner degree at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine.  Her thesis was “The Management of Medically Unexplained Symptoms in the Primary Care Setting.”  She became an RN when she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Duquesne University, and she has a bachelor’s degree in health science and psychology. Nicole graduated with a Post-Masters Certificate specializing as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and aspires to obtain her Doctor of Nursing practice (DNP).
 
​Nicole has worked in behavioral health, addiction and recovery medicine for more than 10 years, treating adults, teens, and adolescents at Mountainside Treatment Center, Newport Academy and Community Mental Health Affiliates. She also served in the surgical/trauma unit at Yale New Haven Hospital and in the Emergency Room and Emergency Crisis unit at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital as a Registered Nurse.
 
Nicole says, “I try to frame my practice on the whole person and the five dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual.”

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Nicole Battistone, LPC
Nicole has received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Saint Joseph. She has a wide range of experience which includes intensive in-home work with children and adolescents (IICAPS) and outpatient therapy. Nicole’s areas of specialty include grief and bereavement, adjustment disorders and life transitions, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, depression, time management/organization skills, social skills, and attention disorders. Nicole has been trained in the evidence-based trauma models ARC (Attachment, Regulation, Competency) and TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). Nicole also enjoys utilizing creative interventions (art and play) in her therapy work. Nicole is excited to be working with children and families within the school systems.

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Natalie Luciano, LCSW
Natalie Luciano earned her Social Work Degree from the University of Connecticut. She has 14 years of experience working with children and families in home and school settings.
 
Natalie is rostered in Child-Parent Psychotherapy and trained as a Circle of Security parenting facilitator. She has extensive experience in infant mental health and early childhood development. Natalie has also supported peers in leading reflective supervision groups. Driven by strong core of family relations, she takes pride in providing the best therapeutic care possible. In joining Community Health & Wellness, Natalie intends to extend her experience and services to children as a school-based clinician.
 
When she is not working, you might find Natalie making music, reading or painting. She hopes to one day illustrate and author children’s books.
 
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Raneem El-Ayoub, LCSW
Raneem El-Ayoub is a Licensed Clinical Social worker who graduated from the University of New England School of Social Work. Prior to earning her social work degree she received her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Southern Connecticut State University. Raneem has worked in a variety of settings over several years including residential programs, partial hospital and dual diagnosis programs, along with mobile crisis. She has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families.
 
Raneem focuses on using a strengths-based approach as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy with her clients. She believes every individual is unique in their own way and that treatment should accommodate their preferences and needs.  Raneem works with clients to establish a positive therapeutic relationship as she believes that is an important agent to change. Meeting you where you are and supporting you as you navigate through life and its challenges while also celebrating success and progress is what you can expect from working with her. In her role at CHWC, Raneem is working with Torrington Middle School students through its School-Based Health Center.
 
In her free time, Raneem likes to go to the gym/workout, travel, try new food, and spend time outside with her dog.  
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Suzanne Jacob Muccino, LCSW
Suzanne is a Licensed Clinical Social worker who has experience working with adults, adolescents, children and families in a variety of settings.  She has experience supporting clients with anxiety, depression, ADHD, Autism, PTSD, mood disorders, trauma, grief and loss, and life transitions. Suzanne has worked for several years in middle and high schools providing academic and behavioral support for special needs students.  She has completed trainings in working with Gender and Sexually Diverse Clients and has experience working with LGBTQ+ adults and teens.
 
Suzanne received her Master of Social Work degree from The Catholic University of America National School of Social Work in Washington, D.C.  In addition, she received a Master’s in Human Service degree from Post University and a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from the University of Hartford.
 
Suzanne utilizes a blended approach of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy and Person-Centered Therapy. She strives to create a safe and supportive alliance with her client which builds the foundation to collaborate on personal goals together. Suzanne often uses art-based therapeutic activities to encourage expression and find meaning.
 
Suzanne enjoys spending time outdoors with her four dogs and going to concerts or art events with family and friends in her leisure time.
 

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Kristina "Kristy" Clark, APRN
Kristy Clark, a dedicated psychiatric RN with over 30 years of experience, earned her BSN from East Carolina University and later obtained her MSN as a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from Walden University in 2022. Her extensive career includes roles in inpatient hospitals, the emergency department, and community health, where she served as a high school nurse.
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Kristy's recent tenure as a hospice nurse at Yale New Haven Hospital, reflects her commitment to supporting families in crisis across the lifespan. With a compassionate heart and a holistic approach to patient care, she emphasizes the interconnected well-being of body, soul, and spirit. Now poised to serve in the new CHWC facility in Canaan, Kristy looks forward to applying her diverse skills and experiences to enhance the overall health and wellness of those she serves. Her genuine concern for the well-being of others and her wealth of experience uniquely position her to make an impact in the community.
 
In her free time, Kristy enjoys hanging out with her dogs and volunteering at a local farm sanctuary. 
 

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Cheryl Cappabianca, LCSW, LADC
Cheryl received her Bachelor’s in Special Education from Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven and received her Master’s in Social Work from UConn.  She will be serving clients at our new facility in North Canaan. 
 
Cheryl has worked in the fields of mental health and substance use disorders for over 30 years.  She has provided services to clients affiliated with the Department of Developmental Services, the Department of Children and Families, and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services,
as well as local community providers.  She continues to provide Crisis Intervention Services at Hartford Healthcare. 
 
Cheryl’s clinical approach is person-centered and holistic, utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy as well as Motivational Interviewing treatment interventions.  
 
In her free time, Cheryl enjoys being outdoors, hiking, spending time at the beach, travelling, and reading. 

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Rachel Harbert, LMSW
Rachel Harbert earned her Bachelor of Psychology and Master of Social Work degrees from the University of Connecticut and initially joined the Community Health & Wellness team in 2023 as an intern. From there, she found CHWC to be an inspiring and worthwhile organization where she could utilize her passion for serving the community, eye for creativity, and drive to facilitate positive social change to the utmost. She joins us with a passion for working with individuals in the LGBTQIA+ and Ethical Non-Monogamous (ENM) communities with an intent to eventually engage in academic research and study to broaden the number and scope of up-to-date resources for the queer community.
 
Rachel integrates elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Emotion Focused Therapy to meet her clients where they are and readily adapts to updates in clinical understanding of work with individuals, couples, and society at large. She fosters a blooming zeal to learn and grow and, outside of her work, can be found crafting a new colorful decoration for her office, delving into an imaginative game of Dungeons and Dragons, or immersing herself in nature.

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Suzette Maschi, LPC
Suzette received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Western Connecticut State University, her master’s degree in school psychology from Southern Connecticut State University, and her master’s degree in school counseling from Central Connecticut State University. Suzette worked as a school counselor for fourteen years in an urban setting and two years as a school clinician in a mental health residential treatment center for women and girls.  She has extensive experience working with adolescents in both middle school and high school.  She also has comprehensive experience supporting clients with anxiety, ADHD, depression, suicidal ideation, life transitions, and reactive attachment disorder. Suzette utilizes a blended approach of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, person-centered, strength based, and solution-focused therapy.

​She is very happy to be working for Community Health &Wellness and looks forward to extending her experience and expertise to students as a school-based clinician.  In her free time, she enjoys reading, going on walks, and spending time with family.

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Manuelma "Anlly" Paulino, LMFT
​Anlly is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She received her associate's degree in human services at Northwestern Community College. She went on to pursue her bachelor's degree in human development and Family Studies at The University of Connecticut. Anlly later obtained her master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Central Connecticut State University. Prior to joining the Community Health & Wellness team, Anlly worked as a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Torrington. Anlly specializes in providing a therapeutic setting for individuals and families struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma. Anlly is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. As a Spanish-speaking therapist, Anlly takes pride in providing services to the Latino community.

When she is not working, Anlly enjoys spending time with family and friends. She loves to travel and relax on the beach.