Clinical Staff

Jeanine Dalessio Vaughn, LMFT, earned her master’s degree from The University of Connecticut’s Marraige and Family Therapy program. She currently works with individuals, couples, families, and providing parent/caregiver support. Jeanine works with all age groups. Jeanine utilizes a client-centered and strength-based approach including cognitive behavioral techniques and various family therapy techniques to empower change in clients. Jeanine believes therapy as a journey to self-love, acceptance, understanding, and connectivity. She fosters growth and change through various coping strategies, interventions, and discussions to work towards success.

Jeanine is also trained in Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma or Conduct Problems (MATCH) and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT).

Renee Lacadie, MS, APRN, AGPCNP-BC is certified by the ANCC as an Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. She has completed a Post-Masters Certification program to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Renee has worked in healthcare for 15+ years in both inpatient and outpatient care experiences. She works with individuals ages 13 and older.  Her primary focus has been working with adults, older adults, and their families. She works closely with clients to plan an effective and individualized treatment plan. 

Emily Baldovin; LPC, LMHC, NCC, earned her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health counseling from St. John’s University and is licensed in both NY and CT. She specializes in individual therapy with adolescents and teens, and the family work that follows. She has work experience with substance use disorders, severe mental health disorders, and the LGBTQIA+ community. Her approach is client centered and she utilizes CBT, with a trauma-informed foundation. Emily utilizes mindfulness practices, art therapy, and grounding techniques to help clients increase coping mechanisms. Emily believes in creating a space where clients feel comfortable to be themselves, free of judgement and conditions, and are motivated to create a better quality of life for themselves.

Madison McNally, LCSW, received her bachelors in social work from Eastern Connecticut State University, and her MSW from Wheelock College. Maddy has practiced clinical social work in partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient settings with a focus on pediatrics. It was in this setting she developed creative and expressive therapeutic groups focused on fostering connection and teaching self-regulation through somatic interventions.

Maddy works with children, adolescents, young adults, and families. She specializes in anxiety, depression, oppositional behavior, trauma, and attachment. Maddy is also in the process of becoming a certified grief counseling specialist. She utilizes a mix of interventions including cognitive-behavioral approaches, yoga, sensory integration activities, horticulture therapy, and play to encourage co-regulation and self-regulation mastery.

Andrea Shaker, LPC, earned her master’s degree in Community Psychology concentration in Forensic Psychology at the University of New Haven. She specializes in family therapy, couples, and individual therapy (ages 9 and up). Her approach is client-centered and she utilizes cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, and family therapy techniques. Andrea is passionate about creating a holistic, nonjudgmental, and comfortable healing environment for clients to grow in a safe environment. She is trained in multidimensional family therapy and CBT. Andrea enjoys working with individuals coping with symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma, and self-esteem. She also enjoys working with families and couples to help build healthier relationships.

Dr. Laura Palmese obtained her doctorate from the University of Hartford’s Graduate Institute of Clinical Psychology. Her post-doctoral training focused on treating Veterans diagnosed with PTSD and she is VA-trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for military populations. More recently, she has worked with older adults struggling with issues such as grief/loss, chronic pain, terminal illness, cognitive decline, and major life transitions. Dr. Palmese has over 13 years of experience in conducting a full range of clinical services. She works exclusively with ages 18+ and operates from a Cognitive-Behavioral perspective although is flexible depending on individual needs

Shelly has been in nursing for over 13 years earning her RN from Goodwin University and her psychiatric degree from the University of New Hampshire. She is dually board certified in family practice and psychiatry. She has a strong practice background in integrated care combining primary care and psychiatry utilizing a holistic approach to treatment. She works with individuals ranging in age from 17 years old through adult with varying diagnosis. She is an empathetic, non-judgmental provider and utilizes evidence based treatment to ensure excellent outcomes for her clients.

Amanda is a Masters level Art Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Nationally Certified Counselor. She received her graduate degree from Albertus Magnus College. Amanda specializes in working with individuals struggling with grief, loss, and other major life transitions. She also has experience working with service members and their families. Amanda utilizes an integrated approach to treatment which includes psychodynamic theory, cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and creative expression. She is currently offering in-person and telehealth sessions.

Dr. Ryan Lieberman is an adult and adolescent psychiatrist who has been in practice for the past 16 years primarily in the CT and NY area. Dr. Lieberman is a graduate of the Yale University School of Medicine and Yale/New Haven Hospital Psychiatric Residency program. Prior to moving to CT, Dr. Lieberman spent four years in the Philadelphia area earning his BA in economics from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Lieberman has extensive experience in both the psychopharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management of a variety of psychiatric illnesses, as well as more specialized experience working with the LGBTQ population.

Donna McDonald is a board-certified advanced practice psychiatric nurse practitioner specializing in treating adults and children with mental health illnesses. Donna has cared for patients with psychiatric illnesses for over 12 years and is passionate about providing quality care and treatment. Donna is known for her caring and empathetic demeanor. She specializes in treating adolescents and adults across the lifespan with depression, anxiety, bipolar spectrum disorders, ADHD, PTSD, and many other psychiatric disorders. Donna also specializes in substance and alcohol abuse disorder and her experience consisted of assisting with the development of a unique program incorporating yoga and recovery combining elements of exercise, and mindfulness in an inpatient program to help women recover from trauma, addiction, and other issues.

Donna works with patients from all cultural backgrounds and helps them achieve their treatment goals. She customizes treatment plans to the individual needs of her patients. In addition to providing medication management, she helps her patients establish healthy coping mechanisms to promote well-being.

Michelle received her master’s degree and LPC from Southern Connecticut State University. She has been practicing for 28 years and has experience with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Michelle draws upon cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), with experience in treating anxiety, depression, trauma related issues, autism spectrum, and general life adjustment issues. Through CBT, clients develop strategies to cope with and overcome life’s challenges. By gaining increased self-awareness, Michelle believes that clients are empowered to not only identify negative patterns, but also to stop them from reoccurring so individuals can achieve their goals.  

When combined with a client-centered and solution-focused approach, Michelle works to help individuals recognize and capitalize on their strengths to foster meaningful, lasting change in a safe, judgement-free setting.