Director’s Message
Excellence is a commitment to the patients and families we serve, and to ourselves.
Helping young people and their family members is more than our profession — it is our vocation. Adolescent mental healthcare is one of the most challenging and rewarding areas of medicine. Making a positive change in the life of a young person can set the stage for success throughout the rest of that person’s life, and benefit family members, friends, and future generations.
Young people, today, are experiencing unprecedented rates of mental illness. There has never been a more critical time to make effective treatment available to teens and families or for this field to develop new clinical insights to answer the growing need.

Every member of the Turnbridge Adolescent team considers these programs to be their life’s work and was selected because they want to become the best in their respective fields. Unwavering quality is the standard upon which this program is founded, and is the guiding principle that governs our work. Ours is a culture of performance.
Our care providers are exceptionally well-trained, highly skilled, experienced, and dedicated to using the most effective approaches. Turnbridge represents the best thinking, practices, and resources to address the complex issues of adolescent mental health.
Girl’s Treatment Team

Dr. Hassan Minhas, MD
Medical Director
Hassan M. Minhas MD is a board-certified psychiatrist with training in Adult Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Forensic Psychiatry.
In addition to serving as the Medical Director of Turnbridge, Dr. Minhas is also the Chief of Autism Services at the Hospital for Special Care, and an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Yale University School of Medicine Department of Law and Psychiatry.
He graduated medical school from Rawalpindi Medical College in Pakistan, then completed his internship, residency, and pediatric psychiatry fellowship at Brown University. Following his clinical training, he completed a fellowship in forensic psychiatry at Yale University.
Dr. Minhas has been the recipient of many awards and fellowships. Some of these include the APA Leadership Fellowship, the Brain Conference Travel Award, the Martin B. Keller Award, and the Haffenreffer Family Resident Award. Most recently, he was recognized by the Hartford Business Journal as one of their 40 under Forty honorees.
Achievements
Education and Training
- M.B.,B.S., Rawalpindi Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
- The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI
- Yale University, New Haven, CT
- Harvard-Macy Program for Post-Graduate Trainees
Honors and Recognition
- 2011 – 2013 Brown Psychiatry Residency Research Track Awardee
- 2011 Second Prize Psychiatry Residency Research Poster, Fourteenth Annual Research Symposium on Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- 2011 Runner-up to the Weinshilboum Prize (invited to attend the 10th Annual Psychiatric Genomics Course), Department of Psychiatry, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- 2012 Second Prize Psychiatry Residency Research Poster, Fifteenth Annual Research Symposium on Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- 2012 Travel Fellowship awardee, 17th Annual Research Colloquium for Junior Investigators, American Psychiatric Association
- 2012 – 2014 American Psychiatric Leadership Fellow, American Psychiatric Association
- 2013 Brain Conference Scholar Travel Award, American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training
- 2013 International Medical Graduate Fellow, American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training
- 2013 Society of Biological Psychiatry, 68th Annual Convention, Mentor-Mentee Program Participant
- 2013 Martin B. Keller Award for the Outstanding Resident in the General Psychiatry Residency Graduating Class, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- 2015 Haffenrefer Family House Staff Excellence Award; awarded to 5 graduating house staff across specialties for demonstrating excellence in clinical service, professionalism, leadership and scholarly activities, Rhode Island Hospital
State and National Organization Committees
- American Psychiatric Association
- Rhode Island Council for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
Hospital and Training Program Committees
- Brown University
- Bradley Hospital
- Butler Hospital
Publications
- Minhas HM, Pescosolido MF, Schwede M, Piasecka J, Gaitanis J, Tantravahi U, Morrow EM. An unbalanced translocation involving loss of 10q26.2 and gain of 11q25 in a pedigree with autism spectrum disorder and cerebellar juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A. April 2013;161(4):787–791
- Minhas HM, Vahabzadeh A. Autism Spectrum Disorder in DSM-5. The Residents’ Journal, American Journal of Psychiatry, May 2013;8(5):4-6
- Banerjee R, Liu JJ, Minhas HM. Lyme Neuroborreliosis Presenting with Alexithymia and Suicide Attempts. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. October 2013;74(10):981
- Minhas HM, Lowenhaupt EA. Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Ferri’s Clinical Advisor, 2015 edition.
- Minhas HM, Philip N. Antipsychotics. The Encyclopedia of Clinical Psychology, First Edition, 2015.
- Minhas HM, Lowenhaupt EA, Xavier, SL. Conduct Disorder. Ferri’s Clinical Advisor, 2016 edition.
- Minhas HM, Elliot MB, Price LH. Altered mental status due to hand sanitizer ingestion. British Journal of Psychiatry, December 5 2011. bjp.rcpsych.org/letters/
- Aoun EG, Minhas HM, Hunt JI. Synthetic Marijuana: a serious emerging substance use problem in adolescents. The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter (CABL). January 2014; 30(1)

Christopher Cutter, PhD
Chief of Adolescent Psychology
Assistant Professor, Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine
Dr. Cutter is one of the world’s foremost behavioral healthcare researchers and clinicians in the fields of psychotherapy development, behavioral medicine, and addiction medicine in urban and rural environments. He received his PhD in Counseling Psychology from Northeastern University, his Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from University of Southern California, and his BA in Psychology from California State University. He has held teaching and/or research positions at Yale University, Harvard University, Northeastern University, and University of Hartford. Dr. Cutter is currently a tenure-tracked faculty member at Yale School of Medicine’s Child Study Center.
Previously, Dr. Cutter was a clinical program developer within some of Harvard’s teaching hospitals, and directed the Pain Treatment Services Units for Yale’s Department of Psychiatry and Silver Hill Hospital. A former assistant dean of Yale College and a Beck Institute Scholar, Dr. Cutter has received numerous professional honors over the course of his career and his work has been widely cited in peer-reviewed manuscripts and continues to direct a highly active and prolific behavioral science clinical research laboratory out of Yale’s Child Study Center.
Dr. Cutter hopes to one day leverage the exceptional outcomes produced at Turnbridge to lobby congress to support legislation that will increase access to long-term dual diagnosis treatment for all populations.
Turnbridge is a leader in adolescent care where young people become better and caregivers become their best. Compassion for each young person and family we are privileged to help is at the center of everything we do.
Achievements
Education and Training
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Yale University School of Medicine (School of Arts and Sciences), 2009
- Predoctoral Fellow, Harvard Medical School, 2007
- Ph.D. Counseling Psychology, Northeastern University, 2007
- M.A. Marriage and Family Therapy, University of Southern California, 2002
- B.A. Psychology, California State University, Long Beach, 1998
Honors and Recognition
- 2017 Eastern Pain Association, Outstanding poster presentation
- 2013 Beck Institute Scholar at the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy
- 2011 National Institute on Drug Abuse Travel Award co-sponsored with the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and American Psychological Association Division 28 (Psychopharmacology and Drug Abuse) and 50 (Addictions)
- 2010 National Institute on Drug Abuse Psychotherapy Development Center Pilot Project Grant
- 2010 National Institute on Drug Abuse Junior Investigator Travel Award
- 2010 Psi Chi National Psychology Honors Society Summer Internship Teaching Grant
- 2009-14 National Institute of Health Clinical Loan Repayment Program by National Institute on Drug Abuse
Awards and Grants
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
- 1 R01 DA019511-03: “Counseling for primary care office-based buprenorphine”
- 1 RO1 DA020576-01A1: “Buprenorphine maintenance vs. detoxification in prescription opioid dependence”
- 1 R01 DA019511-03: “Pain and Opioid Dependence”
- 2 P50DA009241: “Psychotherapy Development Center Pilot Program”
- 5 R01 AA01892303: “Reducing Heavy Drinking to Optimize HIV/AIDS Treatment and Prevention”
- 1 R01 DA034678: “Automated Recovery Line for Medication Assisted Treatment”
Select Publications
- Moore, B.A., Barry, D.T., Cutter, C.J., Sullivan, L.E., O’Connor, P.G., Schottenfeld, R.S., & Fiellin, D.A. (2012). Counseling and directly observed medication for primary care buprenorphine/naloxone maintenance: A pilot study. Journal of Addiction Medicine. 6(3):205-211.
- Beitel, M., Savant, J. D., Cutter, C. J., Peters, S., Belisle, N., & Barry, D.T. (2012). Psychopathology and pain correlates of dispositional optimism in methadone-maintained patients. The American Journal on Addictions, 21, S56-62.
- Moore, B.A., Fazzino, T., Garnet, B., Cutter, C.J., Barry, D.T. (2011). Computer-based treatments for drug abuse and dependence: A Systematic Review. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 40: 215-223
- Garnet, B., Beitel, M., Cutter, C.J., Savant, J.D., Peters, S., Schottenfeld, R.S., Barry, D.T. (2011) Pain catastrophizing and pain coping among methadone maintained patients. Pain Medicine; 12: 79-86.
- Barry, D.T., Beitel, M., Cutter, C.J., Garnet, B., Joshi, D., Rosenblum, A., Schottenfeld, R.S. (2011). Exploring relations among traumatic, posttraumatic, and physical pain experiences in methadone-maintained patients. Journal of Pain,12: 22-28.
- Barry, D.T., Beitel, M., Breuer, T., Cutter, C.J., Savant, J.D., Peters, S., Schottenfeld, R.S., Rounsaville, B.J. (2011). Group-Based Strategies for Stress Reduction in Methadone Maintenance Treatment: What Do Patients Want? Journal of Addiction Medicine, 5: 181-187.
- Barry, D.T., Beitel, M., Breuer, T., Cutter, C.J., Savant, J.D., Schottenfeld, R.S., Rounsaville, B.J. (2011). Conventional and unconventional treatments for stress among methadone-maintained patients: Treatment willingness and perceived efficacy. American Journal of Addiction, 20: 137-142.
- Barry, D.T., Beitel, M., Cutter, C.J., Joshi, D., Falcioni, J., Schottenfeld, R.S. (2010). Conventional and non-conventional pain treatment utilization among opioid dependent individuals with pain seeking methadone maintenance treatment: A needs assessment study. Journal of Addiction Medicine, 4: 81-87.
- Barry, D.T., Beitel, M., Cutter, C.J., Garnet, B., Joshi, D., Schottenfeld, R.S., Rounsaville, B.J. (2009). Allopathic, complementary, and alternative medical treatment utilization for pain among methadone-maintained patients: An exploratory study. The American Journal on Addictions, 18: 379-385.
- Weinberg, I., Gunderson, J.G., Hennen, J., Cutter, C.J. (2006). Manual-Assisted Cognitive Treatment for the Deliberate Self-Harm for Borderline Personality Disorder Patients. Journal of Personality Disorders, 20: 482-492.

JOANNE RUGGIERO, LCSW
Clinical Director
Joanne Ruggiero is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience. She received her Masters’ in Social Work from the University of Vermont and her Bachelors in Psychology from Providence College. Joanne began her career working as a direct care staff in a residential program for adolescents with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
Joanne has worked extensively with people with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders in a variety of settings from in-home to the wilderness to group homes to outpatient. Most recently she managed an FQHC Behavioral Health Outpatient clinic for Wheeler Clinic in New Britain CT.
Joanne’s practice is strongly informed by a whole person, solution focused approach. Most recently she has completed her training to be an EMDR therapist. Joanne has a passion for helping people recover from addiction in part by her own experience with recovery.

Mark Beitel, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Associate Research Scientist, Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine
Dr. Mark Beitel is a practicing clinical psychologist, researcher, and professor. Dr. Beitel holds degrees in psychology from the University of Michigan, Fordham University, and the New School for Social Research. Beitel completed post-doctoral work at the Yale University School of Medicine.
Beitel serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Yale School of Medicine, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, trains students and conducts clinical research. Beitel is a prolific author who has contributed more than 40 research papers and peer-reviewed articles on psychotherapy, substance use, chronic pain, and connections between culture and psychology.
Dr. Beitel brings a passion for helping people understand and manage their mental health conditions and in-depth knowledge of the theory and practice of effective, evidence-based therapy to Turnbridge clients and families.
Achievements
Education and Training
- Ph.D. Fordham University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, 2003
- MA New School for Social Research, The Graduate Faculty, 1996
- BA University of Michigan, Psychology Honors Program, 1994
Professional Affiliations
- American Psychoanalytic Association, Research Associate (2004-08)
- American Psychological Association, Member (2003-08)
- Connecticut Psychological Association, Member (2004-present)
- Mind, Brain, Consciousness & Culture Faculty Group, Yale University, Member (2003-07)
- Society for Psychotherapy Research, Member (2003-present)
- The Diversity Initiative, Fordham University, Founding Member (2000-03)
- University of Michigan Alumni Association (2004-present)
- Yale Group for the Study of Native American (2013-present)
Select Publications
- Oberleitner, D.E., Marcus, R., Beitel. M., Muthulingam, D., Oberleitner, L., Madden, L. M., Eller, A., Barry, D. T. (in press). “Day-to-day, it’s a roller coaster. It’s frustrating. It’s rewarding. It’s maddening and it’s enjoyable:” A qualitative investigation of the lived experiences of addiction counselors. Psychological Services.
- Mun, C. J., Beitel, M., Oberleitner, L., Oberleitner, D.E., Madden, L. M., Bollampally, P., & Barry, D. T. (2019). Pain catastrophizing and pain acceptance predict pain severity and interference among methadone-maintained patients. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 75, 2233-2247.
- Barry, D. T., Beitel, M., Cutter, C. J., Fiellin, D. A., Kerns, R. D., Moore, B. A., Oberleitner, L., Madden, L. M., Liong, C., Ginn, J., & Schottenfeld, R. S. (2019). An evaluation of the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy for opioid use disorder and chronic pain. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 194, 460-467.
- Beitel, M., Wald, L., Hutz, A., Green, D., Cecero, J.J., Kishon, R., & Barry, D. T. (2015). Humanistic experience and psychodynamic understanding: Empirical associations among facets of self-actualization and psychological mindedness. Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapies, 14, 137-148.
- Beitel, M., Bogus, S., Hutz, A., Green, D., Cecero, J.J., & Barry, D. T. (2014). Stillness and motion: An empirical investigation of mindfulness and self-actualization. Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapies, 13, 187-202.
- Barry, D. T., Savant, J. D., Beitel, M., Cutter, C. J., Moore, B. A., Schottenfeld, R. S., & Fiellin, D. A. (2013). Pain and associated substance use among opioid dependent individuals seeking office-based treatment with buprenorphine-naloxone: A needs assessment study. American Journal on Addictions, 22, 212-217.
- Beitel, M., Hutz, A. E., Hopper, K. M., Gunn, C., Cecero, J. J., & Barry, D. T. (2009). Do psychologically-minded clients expect more from counseling? Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, and Practice, 82, 369-383.
- Barry, D. T., Bernard, M. J., Beitel, M. (2009). East Asian child rearing attitudes: An exploration of cultural, demographic, and self-disclosure factors among U.S. immigrants. International Journal of Psychology, 44, 342-350.
- Cecero, J. J., Beitel, M., & Prout, T. (2008). Examining the relationships among early maladaptive schemas, psychological mindedness, and adjustment to college. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, and Practice, 81, 105-118.
- Hutz, A. E., Martin, W., & Beitel, M. (2007). Ethnocultural person-environment fit and college adjustment in light of relevant demographics: Some implications for college counselors. Journal of College Counseling, 10, 130-141.
- Beitel, M. (1997). Nuances before dinner: Exploring the relationship between peer counselors and delinquent adolescents. Adolescence, 32, 579-591.

Ayotunde Ayobello, MD
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Ayotunde Ayobello, MD, is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist practicing at the Turnbridge Adolescent Primary Treatment Centers in Woodbury and Killingworth, Connecticut, and a clinical instructor at the Child Study Center at the Yale School of Medicine.
Dr. Ayobello’s fascinating background and unique talents help him to appreciate the human condition and relate with patients, families, and colleagues. Dr. Ayobello, who speaks Russian, attended Crimea State Medical University in Ukraine during Russia’s annexation of the region. After earning his MD, Dr. Ayobello completed his psychiatry internship at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute. While at Virginia Tech, Dr. Ayobollo was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society and received the Arnold P. Gold Award for Humanism and Excellence in Teaching. Dr. Ayobello completed his specialized training in child and adolescent psychiatry at Yale’s Child Study Center, where he continues to practice and instruct.
Among his many achievements, Dr. Ayobello is an accomplished oil painter whose works are inspired and influenced by his fascination with the subject of the mind. His paintings and commentary, which often include themes rooted in his creative interpretations of psychiatric concepts, have been published in some of the most prestigious psychiatric journals.
In his 2019 article “Sunflowers and Mortality,” published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, Dr. Ayobello cites the importance of appreciating “…the often-overlooked everyday pleasures that make life worth living: having breakfast with a loved one, the smell of fresh air in the morning, driving with the windows down, a laugh exchanged with a friend. Appreciating these little moments helps put things in proper perspective and, in so doing, ensures a life of fulfillment and contentment.” Dr. Ayobello’s exceptional intellect, talent, and relatability make him a tremendous asset to the patients and families he serves.

LAUREN SPRINGER, LMSW
Director of Family Relations
We know that mental health and substance use disorders are diseases which affects the entire family. As the Family Liaison for Turnbridge families, Lauren offers support, caring guidance and education to parents and families as they negotiate the pathway to their own recovery. She believes that parents having their own recovery program is not only essential to their own health and well-being, but in turn aids in their sons’ or daughters’ recovery.
Much of the insight Lauren brings to the position of Family Liaison is from her personal experience as the mother of a son who has the disease of addiction. Lauren believes that much of her strength comes from involvement in recovery programs as well as in helping other parents build a program of recovery to find peace and serenity in their own lives. Lauren is a Licensed Master of Social Work. She earned her Masters Degree from the University of Pennsylvania, with a concentration in adolescent health care. She has worked with adolescents and their families throughout her career in hospital setting, child protection, judicial system, special education and social service development in NJ. Lauren currently facilitates a Caron Foundation support group for parents of addicted children in Northern NJ.

Lauren Fournier, RN
Director of Nursing
Lauren is a Registered Nurse; she has dedicated her career to helping individuals with mental health challenges. Before becoming a Registered Nurse, Lauren received an undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Quinnipiac University. She went on to pursue her nursing degree from SUNY Adirondack and is currently pursuing her Masters in Nursing as an Advanced Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.
Throughout her career, she has worked in a variety of psychiatric settings including psychiatric emergency room, substance abuse treatment, and psychiatric home health services. However, her specialty has been working with adolescents. She spent six years working on adolescent inpatient psychiatric units, until her passion for helping adolescents led her to working at Turnbridge where she has continued to grow in her career.
When not caring for others, Lauren enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with her family.

Clara Chasse, LMSW
Primary Therapist
Clara Chasse is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Susquehanna University where she majored in Psychology with a minor in Leadership Studies. During this time, she engaged in research opportunities focused on disrupted attachment styles in young adults. Clara earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Saint Joseph where her research explored anxiety presenting as selective mutism and measuring effective forms of therapeutic approaches.
Prior to joining Turnbridge, Clara served as an AmeriCorps volunteer working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence in counseling, case management, advocacy, and in crisis management. Predominantly, Clara’s clinical experience has been working with children, adolescents, and their families. These various settings of experience include community based outpatient, school based, and inpatient psychology. Also, in addictive medicine for young adults struggling with substance dependency utilizing a medication assisted treatment (MAT) approach.
Additionally, Clara specializes in several therapeutic approaches including, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Strengths-based, Solution Focused, trauma focused, Positive Psychology, and Motivational Interviewing. She believes in a person-centered approach, supporting client identified goals, and exploring identified barriers to bridge strong and sustainable futures.
In her free time, Clara enjoys an active lifestyle, creating music, and international travel with friends and loved ones. She’s a life long learner and seeks out skills and new information to utilize her in practice on regular basis.

Erica Amato, LMSW
Primary Therapist
Erica Amato is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Connecticut where she majored in Psychological Sciences with a minor in Crime and Justice. Erica received her Master of Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University with a concentration in Mental Health and Substance Use: Co-Occurring Disorders.
Prior to joining Turnbridge, Erica has experience working with adults experiencing behavioral, mental health, substance use, and life skill challenges. During groups, individual, and family sessions, Erica uses a person-centered and strength-based approach with a focus motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and narrative therapy.
Outside of work, Erica enjoys exercising, music, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Abigail Horowitz, MSW
Senior Academic Advisor
Abigail Horowitz completed her Master in Social Work degree at Springfield College in 2022. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree(s) in Psychology, Spanish, and Youth Services from University of Saint Joseph. A certified school social worker in Connecticut, she has also participated in ADHD and academic coach training.
Prior to Turnbridge, she was a Residential Supervisor at a sub-acute psychiatric facility for children ages 6 to 13 and a Supervisor at an Extended Day Treatment Program. She has spent time abroad, volunteering with the elderly and youth in Central and South America and a semester studying abroad in Ecuador. Additionally, she was paramount in facilitating youth programs at a local YMCA and a key player in coordinating the YMCA College Tour in the mid-west and south for students for a number of years. She is passionate about mental health and education, which led her to her current position as the Senior Academic Advisor here at Turnbridge.

Tammy Platt
Academic Advisor
Tammy Platt is a certified teacher in Special Education, Physical Education, and Health. Tammy has Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Rhode Island and completed graduate work at Southern Connecticut State University. Tammy has been in education for over fifteen years and has extensive experience in general and special education. Tammy has a broad range of experience outside academics including coaching youth and high school sports and founding the first Unified Sports Program in region 14.
Tammy oversees the academic and fitness programs at Turnbridge’s Adolescent Boys Residential Treatment Center. Tammy is a consistent, reliable, and compassionate professional who strives for excellence in everything she does. Tammy takes an active role in client’s academic lives and provides assistance and individualized attention to promote each student’s success. Tammy is a fierce advocate for her clients and has fostered a safe learning environment which allows clients to develop meaningful educational goals that are consistent with their personal interests, values, and abilities.
Tammy’s passion for fitness and unwavering commitment to helping youth build a healthy relationship with their mind and body led to the development of our fitness program. The fitness program provides clients with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to empower them to independently navigate any fitness center safely and effectively. Through fitness, clients build the self-confidence and self-efficacy needed to tackle life’s stressors while having fun and building a sense of camaraderie and community with their peers. Clients leave feeling mentally and physically stronger and confident in their ability to tackle the obstacles that lie ahead.
Outside of work, Tammy lives an active lifestyle. She loves spending time with family, sports, and long summer days.

Hiliary Bassett, MA
Academic Advisor
Hiliary Bassett is a Connecticut Certified Teacher that specializes in therapeutic education. She received both a Bachelor of Arts in English Education and a Master of Arts in Education from Fairfield University. Hiliary specialized in secondary education and working with marginalized communities to overcome barriers to schooling.
Prior to coming to Turnbridge, Hiliary worked with students and families in special education and trauma-informed classroom settings, both private and public. Her background in therapeutic education aids in her understanding of our clients and accommodating specific needs that may stand in the way of educational success. She has ample experience creating Social Emotional Learning curriculum and incorporating therapeutic skills into the classroom environment. Hiliary believes in a holistic approach to education and in meeting a client where they are, celebrating successes and supporting setbacks. She creates personalized academic plans for clients while at Turnbridge and works with schools and families to ensure a smooth transition and appropriate services in their continued education.
Hiliary is a Connecticut native with a goal of hiking the highest peak of every state. She is an equine enthusiast and shares her love of horses with many clients on the Killingworth campus.

Kate Mezick, BA
Academic Advisor
Kate Mezick received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Minor in Psychology from Quinnipiac University. Kate has spent her career crafting exceptional skills in communication, empathy, and advocacy in the mental health field. She has over 8 years of diverse experience both clinically and with case management for clients of all ages throughout multiple levels of care.
Prior to joining the Turnbridge family, Kate was a Senior Counselor with an intensive in-home program working with adolescents and their families. This role primarily involved collaborating with outside providers and meeting with educational facilities to advocate for appropriate services needed. Kate has also maintained a Per Diem position as a Telephone Counselor for the Accessline since 2018. Accessline is a statewide program supporting individuals seeking treatment resources for substance use. Additional experience also includes working in an outpatient setting as an Art Therapy Mentor for youth and case management of Special Needs Trusts for adults and elders with disabilities. Outside of work Kate enjoys traveling, seeing live music, and playing in seasonal bowling and softball leagues.

DAVID VIEAU
Founder & CEO
David’s extensive business background combined with his personal story of recovery led to the founding of Turnbridge in 2003. Under his direction, Turnbridge has evolved into a nationally provider of residential behavioral healthcare services for both young adults and adolescents. He has pioneered innovative approaches and developed programs specifically for these age groups that have changed the way the industry approaches treatment.
His educational background includes a Liberal Arts education from Harvard University. In addition to spending most of his career in the non-profit world, his professional experience also includes a variety of leadership roles with start-up organizations and educational institutions.
He enjoys spending time with his sixteen year old daughter Alexis, is an aspiring musician, and an avid golfer.

BRETT TIBERIO
President
As President, Brett provides oversight and support to all departments within Turnbridge. He joined Turnbridge in February 2010 and is responsible for maintaining focused and driven clinical operations, project management and execution, increasing programmatic efficiencies, and ensuring quality outcomes and customer satisfaction are acheived.
As a longtime alumni of the Turnbridge Young Men’s Program, Brett offers a unique perspective on client-centered treatment. He frequently speaks with families and clients to share his experiences and knowledge of the Turnbridge Program. Before joining Turnbridge, Brett worked for Blum Shapiro, the largest regional accounting, tax and business consulting firm in New England. He graduated from Champlain College with a B.S. in Professional Writing. In his free time, Brett enjoys spending time with his family, maintaining an active lifestyle, the arts, and the pursuit of personal growth.

JAMIE HAZELTON
Executive Vice President
As Executive Vice President, Jamie oversees daily operations and spearheads the effort to build bridges between Turnbridge and other high quality treatment programs across the country. Maintaining close ties with other centers gives Turnbridge two distinct advantages. First, knowing the people, philosophies, and practices of other centers makes the process of integrating new residents from these centers smoother and easier. Second, by understanding the specialties of other centers, it allows Turnbridge to recommend the best care option when Turnbridge may not be their best solution. Jamie has helped hundreds of families navigate the difficult road of choosing a treatment program that best suits their loved one’s needs.
Himself a Turnbridge graduate, Jamie offers a compassionate ear and first-hand knowledge of the Turnbridge program and its unique benefits. Before joining Turnbridge, Jamie attended college for nursing, and has extensive experience caring for people in need including his work with veterans for the American Red Cross. Jamie continues to live his passion for helping others as a Turnbridge Leader.

GORDON DICKLER, CAC, ICADC
Vice President of Admissions
Gordon oversees the admissions department and helps families in crisis find help for their loved ones in need. As both a board certified counselor and a Turnbridge alumni, Gordon’s intimate understanding of Turnbridge’s powerful ability to help young people overcome behavioral health conditions is informed by both personal and professional experience. This perspective allows Gordon to relate deeply to these issues, and to explain at a foundational level the many aspects of Turnbridge’s Programs.
After receiving his Bachelor’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University, Gordon realized a newfound desire to help others overcome mental health disorders. He subsequently completed a counseling certification program and in January of 2011 joined the team of professionals at Turnbridge, where he’s excelled in a variety of direct-care roles. In July of 2013, Turnbridge asked Gordon to apply his knowledge and insight to the work of Admissions, where he has the privilege of being among the first points of touch between families seeking help, and Turnbridge’s ability to give hope. Today, Gordon leads a team of compassionate and knowledgeable admissions coordinators who on the front lines supporting families through the process of evaluating appropriate treatment solutions for their loved one.
In his free time, Gordon enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children and patronizing New Haven’s many exceptional restaurants.

Jack Britton, LPC
Vice President of Clinical Services
Jack grew up in Dallas, Texas, where he earned B.B.A. and master’s degrees in accounting from S.M.U. and started work with a Big Four firm, auditing hedge funds and energy companies. Getting sober in 2007 led Jack to consider other professions that he might enjoy more, and in 2010 he moved to rural Minnesota where he completed a master’s in counseling from Hazelden. Not a fan of blizzards, in 2011 Jack left for Lubbock, Texas, where he worked as a counselor at a residential treatment program for young adults and developed a passion for helping families. In 2015 he briefly lived in Austin to help a college friend open a counseling office. Over time, Jack saw first-hand how quality of life improves the most when a person engages in long-term treatment, a truth supported by decades of research, and so in 2016 he moved to Connecticut to work in Turnbridge’s young adult program.
Since then, Jack has held roles in all our service offerings. He started as a primary clinician and later a family therapist. In 2017 Jack helped open and was director of Turnbridge’s community outpatient services, which started in New Haven in the evenings and have since shifted to our Westport clinic. In 2020 Jack co-developed and -launched Turnbridge’s first adolescent residential treatment center in Woodbury, serving as clinical director. In 2021 he shifted to non-client care to work on a variety of projects ranging from program analysis and enhancement to hiring and training.
As Vice President of Clinical Services, Jack ensures the ethos of Turnbridge’s mission is carried to and thrives within all our programs. He also recruits and hires superb clinical talent from around the country. Additionally, Jack builds and develops relationships with Turnbridge partners through tours, conferences, and speaking engagements. Jack loves spending his time with his wife and their daughter, golf, and travel.

BILL SIMMONS, CAC
Vice President of Operations
Bill has over 15 years of professional experience in the field of mental healthcare, having made significant contributions as a direct-care clinician and administrator in multiple settings and levels of care. Bill is both nationally and internationally credentialed as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor and is a certified BLS & CPR trainer through the American Heart Association. Additionally, Bill’s personal experience in long-term recovery adds to his ability to combine professional expertise with a unique passion and motivation. This has afforded Bill the opportunity to help others achieve their own sustained recovery with approaches that are evidence-based, while respecting the unique needs of the individual.
In Bill’s current role as Vice President of Operations, he provides visionary leadership ensuring that the logistical systems of staffing, safety, and administrative and procedural reporting are in place and functioning effectively. Bill’s creative leadership has contributed to the growth of the organization through increased operational efficiency. Bill has an energetic style that, combined with respectful and constructive communication, has allowed him to increase the retention, ability, and capacity of his staff, which has directly led to improved outcomes for clients.