Amber Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A) who earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of New Haven. She works primarily with adolescents and young adults, supporting those navigating mood disorders, trauma, substance use, and co-occurring mental health and behavioral challenges.

Amber has experience in both outpatient settings and partial hospitalization/intensive outpatient (PHP/IOP) levels of care, including work within eating disorder treatment programs. Through this experience, she has developed strong skills in engaging adolescents, including those who may be initially resistant to treatment, and in creating a space where they feel comfortable opening up.

She utilizes a blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and person-centered approaches to support her clients. Her work focuses on helping clients better understand their emotions, build effective coping skills, and gain confidence in managing life’s challenges. Central to her approach is creating a safe, supportive environment where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered. She is passionate about helping her clients find their voice, strengthen their sense of self, and develop the tools they need to navigate life more effectively.

Donovan Beattie is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in clinical counseling from Albertus Magnus College, specializing in mental health. Donovan’s past work was with marginalized adolescents and young adults.  

Donovan values learning about individuals and collaborating with other professionals so she can offer well-rounded and thoughtful support. She has pridefully worked with the LGBTQ+ community, people with eating disorders, and individuals who are differently abled. Additionally, she is Mental Health First Aide certified. Donovan enjoys utilizing different approaches, such as Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Humanistic Therapy.

In her downtime, Donovann enjoys going to pilates and is training to be a pilates instructor. Donovan likes to travel and has been to over ten countries in Europe and the Caribbean. She appreciates learning about astrology. But her favorite thing to do is laugh with friends and family. 

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.