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.
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.
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.
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.
Beth is a certified interventionist with over 16 years of experience working in behavioral healthcare. She has dedicated her professional life to helping those who have been affected by mental health and substance use disorders. She is an energetic and passionate advocate for change who believes in the profound importance of early intervention.
As a person in long-term recovery, Beth relies heavily on her personal story to impart hope and inspire action in family members seeking support. Being on the front lines helping loved ones navigate the chaos of mental illness and addiction has been the most rewarding and challenging work of her life thus far. It has also cemented the gratitude she feels for the loved ones who fought for her many years ago when she was too sick to fight for herself.
Many moons ago, Beth attended Indiana University on a track and field/cross country running scholarship. She spent eight years working as a high-end real estate professional in New York City, where she collaborated with top marketing firms, architects and real-estate agencies.
Beth is an avid runner, a passionate dog-rescuer, and a loving wife and mother.
As Executive Director of Residential Services, Tom is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the residential curriculum in both the Men’s and Adolescent Extended Care programs of Turnbridge.
Tom earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bentley College, and completed his Masters in Contemplative Psychotherapy from Naropa University in 2012. Tom held a private practice in Colorado, in which he maintained a clinical focus on trauma and substance use disorders. Tom’s career in the field of addiction treatment began in 2008, a transition that was motivated by his own journey in recovery and his passion for helping others recover.
In his spare time, Tom enjoys playing golf, practicing yoga and meditation, and is an avid handball player.
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 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.
Peter McConnell has been working in the behavioral healthcare field for more than 14 years and the education field for more than 24 years. Peter holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Political Science with a concentration in international relations from Southern Connecticut State University where he was a member of the Phi Alpha Theta honors society. In addition to his work at Turnbridge, Peter teaches college courses in economics and banking at a local community college.
Peter’s career began in the banking industry while pursuing his undergraduate studies. After working his way up to management at a local bank, Peter’s flair for education became apparent, thus, he transitioned from the field of finance to education. His first teaching position was at a local New Haven school where Peter taught social studies and geography and was elected Rookie Teacher of the Year and Teacher of the Year.
Peter began his career in behavioral health over a decade ago when he joined Turnbridge as a case manager. He was program director in the young men’s program where he had been twice elected by his fellow colleagues as Boss of the Year, and more recently transitioned into a Professional Development role where he’s responsible for helping Turnbridge’s next generation of talent hone their skills. Peter’s life objective is to help those who are struggling in life to understand WHY they are struggling, whether it be vocationally, academically, mentally, and/or behaviorally, and to comprehend how a program of action can improve their condition on multiple levels.
In his free time, Peter has years of experience as a lifeguard, group hike leader, sponsor, mentor, and community leader. He finds that spending time outdoors is a vital healing experience for himself and his clients.
For over a decade, Peter and Turnbridge have been supporting clients in ever-improving ways as the treatment world has evolved.
David Murphy joined the Turnbridge Young Men’s Program in 2010 and has been an integral part of the development of its Phase III programming. As Phase 3 Program Director, David is responsible for supervising the Phase III Case Management team and coordinating client care with Turnbridge’s Clinical and Academic team leaders. David supports the young men of Turnbridge as they embark on the final leg of their journey at Turnbridge, applying newly learned life skills and coping skills in the context of real-world commitments and responsibilities. David is passionate and leads with the heart. As a person in long-term recovery, David’s desire to help young men overcome mental health and substance use challenges is motivated by personal experiences.
Prior to joining Turnbridge, David was a Residential Manager at Marrakech, a provider of housing and behavioral services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
In his free team, David enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He has discerning tastes in food, music, and clothing, and is an advocate for animal rescue.
