Marissa was born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut; it is here in her hometown that her passion for selfless work began following an increased awareness of the intersection between a person’s hierarchy of needs, their life experiences, the impact of the systems that directly affect their lives. While some people limit mental health to diagnoses or trauma, Marissa’s own experiences and the stories of people close to her taught her that these all contribute to a person’s overall mental wellness.

In her career, Marissa has had the opportunity to explore school-based social work, case management, outpatient, and residential care. She has assisted many through utilization of (Trauma-Informed) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT or TI-CBT), systems theory, and solution-focused therapy, especially with adolescents and young adults. Marissa has extensive experience with individuals who are experiencing anxiety, depression, stress around life phases, childhood trauma, as well as grief and loss.

As a clinician, Marissa strives to assist her clients by enhancing their own set of tools to deal with the challenges and changes that negatively impact their day-to-day social-emotional wellbeing and the overall quality of their lives. She takes pride in a solution-focused approach and empowering her clients in their therapeutic journey by helping them acquire emotional intelligence and learn how to process and respond with a healthy awareness of where they are but also in alignment with where they are trying to go. She believes that a client-centered and strengths-based approach is helpful when seeking healing and change.

In her free time, Marissa is intentional about dedicating time to herself and pouring back into her own cup, spending time with loved ones, and traveling whenever she can; she also enjoys shopping and finding new places to eat!

“Everything you want is on the other side of fear.”

Lakesha “Keke” Margaglione is a marriage and family therapist with nearly ten years of experience. She brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and compassion to the mental health field. She holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and sociology from Southern Connecticut State University and a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Nova Southeastern University.

Driven by her innate passion and commitment to helping others, Keke enjoys working with individuals of all age groups, particularly children. She specializes in individual and family therapy, creating a warm and inviting space for clients to explore and address issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, substance use, family concerns, and other mental health disorders. She is also experienced in equine therapy, providing services to clients who struggle with trauma, where the horse is included in the therapeutic process.

Keke utilizes various modalities including solution-focused therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), narrative therapy, empowerment, self-care, and hands-on techniques. She tailors her approach to meet the unique needs of each client. Keke’s goal is to empower clients to overcome challenges and achieve positive outcomes, fostering growth and well-being.

Keke believes that connection, authenticity, and openness are the foundations of any therapeutic relationship. Because of this, she focuses first on building rapport with clients. When rapport is established, clients feel more comfortable being vulnerable and discussing their deepest pain, struggles, and hurt. This special connection becomes the catalyst for building a trusting therapeutic relationship, allowing healing and growth in profound and unexpected ways. For every situation we face, Keke believes we have an opportunity to grow, heal, and become an indescribable version of ourselves. The journey may be long, and the road may be rough, but at the end of that journey, when one has overcome and healed, it marks the beginning of something much greater.

Matt Krause is an Academic Advisor and is a certified English teacher for grades 7-12. He has experience teaching in the Hamden, New Haven, and Bridgeport school systems, and is passionate about supporting students from all backgrounds, especially those who struggle with reading and writing.  He has a Bachelor’s in English from the University of South Florida and a Master’s in Secondary Education from Quinnipiac University. He has extensive experience creating and implementing curricula for ELA courses that align with the Common Core standards, including: English, Creative Writing, Poetry, Memoir Writing, and Screenwriting. He is proficient in reading intervention strategies and differentiation to accommodate all learning  styles. 

Matt believes it is crucial to lift every voice and create inclusive spaces. He has worked closely with LGBTQIA+ students, students of color, students struggling with their mental health/addiction, and special education students. He encourages all young people to be life-long learners and to step outside of their comfort zone.

In his spare time, Matt enjoys reading, seeing live music, hiking, and traveling.