Girl's Adolescent Extended Team Archives

Dr. Hassan Minhas, MD

Medical Director

Assistant Professor, Yale School of Medicine

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.

Mark Beitel, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Neuropsychologist and Research Scientist, 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.

ALLEGRA LONGO, LCSW

Clinical Director, New Haven

Allegra is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who moved to Connecticut in 2018 from Massachusetts, where she was born and raised. Allegra graduated from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Services with a focus in Trauma-focused therapy, and earned her B.A. in Psychology from Roger Williams University.

Over the course of her career, Allegra has served adolescents and families in multiple settings such as in-home, outpatient, and therapeutic day treatment. Additionally, Allegra has experience providing therapeutic individual and group intervention in a maximum security correctional center for adult males suffering from a wide range of mental health/co-occurring disorders including substance abuse, major depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders.

Allegra specializes in trauma-informed therapeutic intervention, applying skills from models such as TF-CBT, ABFT, CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing. Throughout her therapeutic practice, Allegra has worked with a number of people who struggle with eating disorders and body image issues, which is where her passion lies. In her spare time, Allegra enjoys maintaining an active life style, visiting family in Massachusetts, and day trips to New York City.

MAX GREGER-MOSER, MSN PMHNP

Associate Medical Director

Max Greger-Moser is a board-certified lifespan psychiatric nurse practitioner who received his Master’s degree from Yale School of Nursing.

Max’s first experience providing psychiatric care was with the in-home family counseling intervention service, IICAPS an evidence-based family model developed at the Yale Child Study Center. Since IICAPs, Max has worked as a psychiatric provider throughout the Yale New Haven health delivery network in the emergency department and inpatient psychiatric units. Max also has experience caring for individuals in community clinics managing psychiatric medications and therapeutic interventions.

In addition to his clinical work, Max is a lecturer at the Yale School of Nursing where he educates the future generation of nurse practitioners. He also serves as a preceptor for psychiatric nurse practitioner candidates from Yale and Johns Hopkins in their 2^nd year clinical rotations, preparing them to practice as licensed practitioners after graduation.

Using the biopsychosocial approach to healthcare, Max strives to integrate a holistic approach to the medical management of mental illnesses. Viewing medications as a tool to work towards wellness, Max works collaboratively with a patient so he or she can reach their fullest potential.

LYNN WALKER, LCSW

Associate Clinical Director

Lynn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 15+ years of experience in the mental health and substance use field. Lynn earned her Master’s of Social Work degree at Springfield College and Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Criminal Justice at Central Connecticut State University. She is certified in School Social Work and the Seven Challenges model of treatment, and specialized areas include grief and loss, post-concussion or traumatic brain injury, and trauma-informed practice. She completed several years of internships and employment within the school setting in both New Britain and West Hartford, CT school districts. Prior to Turnbridge, Lynn worked as an intensive in-home family therapist at Wheeler Clinic for the Multi-Systemic Therapy program with New Britain Juvenile Court for many years and as a lead clinician at Rushford at Stonegate, a residential treatment center for adolescent males in Durham, CT. Both previous positions included individual, family, group, and crisis management services to a population of at-risk youth with behavioral and co-occurring disorders.

Within Turnbridge, Lynn oversees the utilization review department or all insurance related matters for all clients and families. Her clinical approach with clients includes several modalities including but not limited to CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Multi-Systemic Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and trauma informed approaches. She finds it important to shape the therapeutic process to meet each client’s needs and to support or empower the client to better advocate for themselves and their recovery.

ALLYSON PAPALE, LCSW

Associate Clinical Director

Allyson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and lifelong resident of Connecticut. She earned her Master’s Degree from Southern CT State University where she focused on mental health and addiction, and prior to that, graduated with her Bachelors of Social Work from Providence College.

Throughout her 20 years of experience, Allyson has had a robust career serving adolescents, adults, and special populations as an individual therapist, during prior experience in community agencies, hospital settings (medical, emergency room, and psychiatry), and at times in a private practice. Just prior to Turnbridge, she worked at Yale New Haven Hospital as an Inpatient Psychiatric Social Worker, and then as an IOP Clinician for the Young Adult treatment track. Allyson has been dedicated to supporting those with an array of co-occurring diagnoses, to help individuals with depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and substance use disorders learn how to manage and effectively cope with their symptoms and go on to live fulfilling lives. She is passionate about helping others understand and heal through past traumas, grief, loss, and life transitions. Allyson believes in the importance of guiding clients to gain insight into themselves, grow their self-worth and self-compassion, while building and nurturing healthy relationships, while in recovery from addiction. She utilizes a person-centered approach, and her practice includes CBT, DBT, Insight Oriented, Trauma Informed, and Motivational Interviewing modalities. Through cultivating positive therapeutic relationships with clients, as well as collaborative relationships with her colleagues, Allyson holistically treats each individual as a whole person, and encourages her clients to explore and integrate their personal strengths, interests, and creative sides into therapeutic work, through music, art, writing, athletics, and activity.

Outside of work, Allyson spends her time with family, friends, and her dogs, appreciates music, reading, and creative outlets, enjoys cooking, and loves spending time along the shoreline.

Joanne D. Verdiner, LPC

Clinical Program Director, Adolescent Extended Care

Joanne D. Verdiner, a Licensed Professional Counselor with over a decade of multifaceted experience in education, counseling, management, youth development, and community services, brings a high level of competency, vision, and leadership to the Director of Adolescent Clinical Care role.

In addition to her extensive professional background, Joanne holds two Master’s degrees. Her first Master’s degree in Community Counseling, equipped her with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide clinical support and guidance to individuals and communities in need. Her second Master’s degree in Global Development and Peace further enhances her capacity to enact positive change on a broader scale, emphasizing conflict resolution strategies, sustainable development practices, and global socio-political dynamics.

Throughout her clinical career, Joanne has demonstrated her commitment to serving adolescents facing various challenges, including those on probation, battered youth in shelters, and children at risk of out-of-home placement. She has also played a pivotal role in leading student support programs for Bridgeport public high schools, fostering academic achievement, leadership development, and life preparation for students.

As an immigrant to the United States during her youth, Joanne’s personal journey has instilled in her a deep passion for community development. This passion is evident in her active involvement in fundraising for non-profit organizations, supporting international initiatives, and facilitating social engagements to advocate, educate, and raise public awareness. Her multifaceted expertise and dedication to empowering adolescents and supporting communities position her to bring about meaningful and sustainable change in adolescent care.

Jessica Filipkowski, RD, CDN

Registered Dieition

Jessica is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist, and is specialized and credentialed as a Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian (CEDRD). Jessica has a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science from Michigan State University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of New Haven. She additionally completed a clinically focused dietetic internship at Yale New Haven Hospital. In this program, she provided medical nutrition therapy to patients with a range of diseases and diagnoses. Jessica has extensive experience working in supporting individuals with eating disorders or disordered eating patterns in a variety of levels of care from residential to outpatient treatment settings. Jessica is passionate about helping others develop a healthy relationship with both food and their body, utilizing a non-diet approach including All Foods Fit, Intuitive Eating, and Health at Every Size philosophies.

Andrea Brady, RN

Nurse

My name is Andrea Brady. I am a registered nurse and mom of two sons, Zac, aged 28, and Michael, 23. I have been a nurse for 31 years and graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT, in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. I have worked at Turnbridge with the adolescent program in primary and extended care since Aug 2020. I spent 14 years as an elementary school Nurse in Waterbury, CT. Before that, I worked in Dialysis, both incenter and home hemodialysis, as a Labor and delivery nurse and Visting Nurse.