Renae is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A) who earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of New Haven. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology and minors in Criminal Justice and Sociology, then went on to earn her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Forensic Mental Health.
Renae primarily works with our young adults through Intensive Outpatient (IOP) group therapy and individual counseling sessions. Her past clinical experience includes group, IOP, and individual levels of care within a substance use treatment setting. Renae has worked to support those navigating substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health concerns within a medication-assisted treatment setting, providing individual counseling and facilitating groups for adults. Her clinical approach is rooted in trauma-informed, person-centered care with an emphasis on building effective coping skills.
In her work, Renae draws from behavioral therapy and strengths-based approaches while integrating a biopsychosocial perspective into treatment. She is passionate about creating a supportive and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel empowered to explore challenges, build resilience, and work toward meaningful change. In her free time, Renae enjoys reading, hiking, and running.
Lee Girion is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in trauma-informed, strengths-based individual and group therapy. In long-term recovery himself, Lee understands the importance of relearning one’s identity in sobriety and rediscovering what makes life worth living.
When providing psychoeducation in group settings, Lee prides himself on explaining “the why behind the what.” Not only is it important to offer useful tools with which to navigate life’s challenges, but it is important to explain how and why they work, and to deliver this information from multiple angles so as to accommodate a variety of learning styles. Furthermore, the environment must be nonjudgmental and engaging. To that end, Lee seeks to foster a safe and fun learning experience.
When working with individual clients, Lee combines elements of CBT, DBT, insight-oriented therapy, parts work, as well as other evidence based therapeutic modalities. He strives to make every client feel seen, heard, and appreciated for who they are. His mission is to subvert shame and stigma and to walk alongside clients on their journey to wholeness.
Lee earned his MSW from the University of Southern California and a BA in Music from University of California Los Angeles. He is a singer-songwriter and an avid hockey fan.
Caitlyn Maurer, DNP, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a strong foundation in both medical and behavioral health care. Caitlyn earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Fairfield University, where her doctoral project, “Improving Attitudes Towards Trauma-Informed Care in Clinical Staff at an Inpatient Psychiatric Facility: A Quality Improvement Study,” focused on advancing trauma-informed practices within psychiatric settings. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with minors in Arabic and Leadership, from The University of Scranton.
Caitlyn began her nursing career as a liver and kidney transplant nurse, where she developed a deep understanding of complex medical conditions, patient-centered care, and case management before transitioning into behavioral health nursing. She has experience working across inpatient, emergency, and community health settings, supporting individuals with a wide range of mental health needs, specializing in the care of children, adolescents, and young adults. Her clinical work has strengthened her commitment to trauma-informed care and to creating safe, supportive environments where clients feel respected and understood. Caitlyn takes a holistic and collaborative approach to care, integrating psychiatric medication management with a broader focus on each individual’s physical, emotional, and social well-being. She views medication as one component of a comprehensive treatment plan and works closely with patients to ensure thoughtful, personalized care that aligns with their goals.
In addition to her clinical work, Caitlyn serves as a Medical-Surgical Nurse in the U.S. Army Reserves, reflecting her dedication to service and leadership. Outside of the clinical setting, Caitlyn enjoys running, reading, rock climbing, and is an avid concertgoer.
Michael Mauriello is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and lifelong resident of Connecticut. Michael received his Master of Social Work degree from the University of Connecticut, after graduating from Southern Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Psychology degree. Throughout his education, Michael worked within multiple clinical settings such as schools, child and family agencies, and community agencies, focusing on substance use prevention and awareness. As Program Director of Health & Wellness Services at Turnbridge, Michael works with our client’s clinical and residential team to ensure clients are receiving appropriate services to support them as they learn to take care of themselves while adjusting to a sober lifestyle.
Prior to Turnbridge, Michael spent years working in the field of Therapeutic Foster Care where he worked with children and families as they navigated within their journeys to adoption or reunification. Michael pulls from this experience to facilitate Turnbridge’s adoption group for our adult and adolescent clients. Providing trauma-informed care and support to clients and their families has always been a passion of Michaels, and his clinical practice is focused around using a strengths-based approach, as well as integration of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Accelerated Resolution Therapy. Michael specializes in working with clients who are struggling with anxiety, depression, substance use and eating disorders, and his experience also includes working with treatment resistant clients and crisis management.
In his free time, Michael enjoys swimming, traveling, volunteering, and spending time with family and his dog.
Tom is a Licensed Master Social Worker specializing in mental health and substance use treatment. In long-term recovery himself, he feels called to support individuals navigating the challenges of mental health and substance use, helping them rediscover meaning and build fulfilling lives. He provides both individual and group therapy, utilizing traditional talk therapy as well as evidence-based approaches including Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Centering his approach around CBT and DBT, he is committed to ongoing learning and broadening his clinical expertise.
Tom has experience working with young adults and adults with co-occurring disorders. In group settings, he values the shared knowledge and connection that come from peer support and psychoeducation, fostering an engaging and supportive environment. In individual therapy, he works alongside clients to identify their goals, develop coping strategies, and enhance their sense of self-worth as they move toward meaningful change. His practice emphasizes a humanistic, strengths-based perspective that centers empathy, acceptance, and the belief in each client’s capacity for growth and resilience.
Tom earned his Master of Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, baking, exploring new recipes, and spending time outdoors. Tom is an avid football fan and is proud to be an Eagle Scout. He is passionate about helping clients find hope, purpose, and balance in their recovery and daily lives.
Jonathan initiates every therapeutic relationship by letting the client know that they possess all the inner resources that they will need to recover and heal, that consistent guidance provides them with the opportunity to realize who they are. Jonathan fosters a safe and nurturing environment and believes therapy is an ever-evolving relationship between two people grounded in mutual respect, honesty, and dignity. Building on a holistic and person-centered foundation, Jonathan utilizes a unique blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Strengths-Based therapeutic modalities, and trauma-informed care. Jonathan is encouraging, welcoming, and kind, and he strives to maintain a compassionate and patient space for clients. To Jonathan, the recovery journey is not supposed to ‘feel good’ all the time, and he aims to capitalize on the moments of discomfort. Jonathan is fascinated with the concept of clients being the ‘observer’ of their internal experience so they can gradually recognize that their previous life experience is not their identity—that they can become empowered to be their best selves and live their best lives.
Jonathan earned his Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University and brings a unique diversity with his combination of professional and educational experience. Before becoming a clinician, Jonathan held various positions within Turnbridge as well as other behavioral healthcare companies. He has over a decade of experience in the industry. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Legal Studies from the University of New Haven and worked in the legal field for several years. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of New Haven.
Jonathan’s determination as a clinician was ignited by his own journey of struggle as a young adult. As a person in long-term recovery, he dedicates his life to serving people personally and professionally. In his spare time, Jonathan lets loose by walking his dog Samson, playing the drums, talking about intricacies of music, and attending concerts. Jonathan stands by the motto: “Once you can recognize that you matter anything is possible”.
Tyler is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Fordham University and continued on to Fairfield University’s School of Education and Human Development, earning his Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Tyler has clinical experience working with the young adult population and has an appreciation for working specifically with college age adults, around helping them gain skills and tools to manage through the stressors to come to appreciate and thrive in this transition age range. He also has experience working in the substance use and recovery field, specializing both previously and currently in individual and group therapies. Through running therapy groups, Tyler believes in the knowledge and growth that his clients can gain through interaction, universality, and psychoeducation. In individual therapy, Tyler uses CBT, DBT, and solution-focused interventions to help his clients gain insight into their potential, increase their sense of self-worth, and build a healthy well-rounded lifestyle in recovery by gaining more self-awareness of personal hobbies and interests. Tyler also works with clients toward supporting them to develop and work toward achieving recovery, mental health, and life goals.
In his free time, Tyler likes to go camping, play the bass guitar, and play board games with his friends. He has been involved in the Boy Scouts of America for over 20 years, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, and is currently the Assistant Scoutmaster of his town’s first all-girls unit of the program.
Alexandria Simmons provides family therapy with a focus on rebuilding relationships, identifying intergenerational patterns, and helping clients develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. Her therapeutic approach integrates narrative and solution-focused therapy to support clients in setting meaningful goals, building confidence, increasing self-awareness, and developing accountability in a supportive and collaborative environment. Alexandria’s style is grounded in clinical practice while remaining person-centered and humanistic, creating a space where clients are encouraged to show up authentically and begin from where they are.
Alexandria earned her bachelor’s degree in business management and master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Southern Connecticut State University. Her clinical experience includes working with complex family systems and individuals navigating relational stress, communication challenges, self-esteem concerns, and unhealthy behavioral patterns. She also has prior experience working with couples in high-conflict relational dynamics.
Alexandria believes therapy is purposeful work rooted in connection, accountability, and healing. She is passionate about creating a space where clients feel supported, challenged, and believed in, even during moments when they may struggle to believe in themselves.
Ebonee Smiley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Southern Connecticut State University. She later pursued her passion for helping others by completing a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at National University, with a concentration in Couples Counseling.
Ebonee’s work is person-centered, with the goal of helping families identify and change patterns of interactions that may be contributing to conflict or distress. She draws from a range of modalities—including Structural Family Therapy, Bowen Family Therapy, Experiential approaches, Gottman Method, and Emotionally Focused Family Therapy to tailor her approach to each family’s unique needs. Her work emphasizes open communication, boundary setting, and repairing past ruptures to initiate lasting change.
In her roles as Program Director of Family Therapy Services and Family Therapist she works closely with clients and their families to foster healing, strengthen relationships, and build healthier patterns of connection. Ebonee is passionate about helping families navigate the challenges of mental health, addiction and recovery with compassion, empathy, humor, and honesty. She believes that healing occurs not only within the individual, but also within the family system, and she is dedicated to creating a safe, collaborative space where growth can take root.
In her spare time, Ebonee enjoys traveling, singing, morning CrossFit workouts, trying every food under the sun, and spending time at home with her husband and their 5-pound chihuahua.
Tobias Hawthorne is a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with 10 years of multi-level experience supporting adolescents and young adults and their families as they work through their emotional and mental health challenges. He recognizes that medications can play an essential role in treatment, while also valuing natural remedies, lifestyle strategies, and holistic approaches whenever possible. Tobias is a strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and provides compassionate, nonjudgmental care for young people navigating substance use, mental health, and identity. He works closely with families to provide guidance, support, and tools that foster resilience, balance and lasting well-being.
A native to CT, Tobias spends his free time wild crafting , gardening, cooking, and gaming. His weekends are primarily spent in his wife’s tea shop in Clinton where he blends together herbs to create teas for variety of medicinal purposes and energetic intentions. Tobias is an avid astrologer that also works weekends reading star charts while his wife reads tarot. His professional goal is to integrate conventional Western medicine with evidence-based herbal and complementary approaches to develop comprehensive, holistic treatments for mental health.
