Lindsay Rhys, LCSW

Lindsay Rhys, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who completed her Master’s Degree at Quinnipiac University in 2019.

Lindsay focuses on building connections with clients in order to facilitate a positive therapeutic relationship using empathy, compassion and active listening. She uses a variety of techniques when working with clients including a person-centered approach and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Lindsay has experience working with clients of all ages and with a variety of needs such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, school issues, life transitions, stress and relationship issues. She collaborates with clients on their journey to improve their mental health.

In her spare time, Lindsay enjoys being active outdoors, reading, cooking, and has a passion for traveling.

Kaitlyn Bruneau, LPC

Clinical Supervisor

Kaitlyn is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Kaitlyn obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Bridgeport. Kaitlyn is passionate about helping individuals of all different ages who are struggling to find fulfillment in their lives by using a variety of techniques and approaches. Kaitlyn is also trained in EMDR therapy.

Nichelle Joyner, LMSW

Masters Level Clinician

Nichelle is a Master's level clinician actively pursuing LCSW certification. Nichelle obtained her MSW degree from UCONN School of Social Work and Bachelor's from Connecticut College. She currently works full time as a School Social Worker in a public school system going on 22 years. Prior to this time she has worked in various community centers and child guidance clinics in New Haven and Bridgeport, CT. Nichelle was a clinical coordinator for St. Raphael's Children's Day Hospital for two years. She has experience working with children ages 4-16 years old, their families, and women. Her specialty areas include school related topics such as learning disabilities, ADHD, ASD, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and other behavioral health conditions.

Nichelle's treatment methods vary and include the use of person-centered, solution-focused, strengths-based, and motivational interviewing strategies while incorporating mindfulness, relaxation, culturally responsiveness, and artistic expression. She uses cognitive behavioral therapy techniques (CBT) and has recently completed CBITS (Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Trauma in Schools) training for grades 6-8 in June 2024.

Nichelle is described by others as patient, caring, a good listener, observative, and understanding. In her personal life she enjoys spending time with family and friends. She is active in several community service organizations where she also has opportunities to help others in a different way. Nichelle loves music, arts, dancing, learning about other cultures, and travelling where she can enjoy the beach, warm weather, and palm trees. She considers herself a calm, spirited and natural born helper who is passionate about her work in helping others.

Gabrielle Panzo, MS, LPCA

Gabrielle is currently a Master's Level Clinician, with her LPC-A working towards her licensure in clinical counseling. Gabrielle studied clinical counseling at Albertus Magnus College for her undergrad and master's degree's. Gabrielle's area of clients ranges from teenagers to adults. Gabrielle demonstrates empathy and positive regard towards client, while providing coping tools such as relaxation, grounding techniques, mindfulness, and CBT strategies to challenge client's negative thoughts and behaviors.

In her spare time, Gabrielle enjoys spending time with her loved ones, watching the latest Netflix shows, traveling as often as possible, and spending time we her dog Penny, who you will often see in session.

 Insurances Accepted:

 HUSKY

Cigna

Anthem

Magellan

Aetna

Lisa Spearman, LCSW

Lisa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Shoreline Wellness Center who obtained her Masters degree in Social Work and a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Southern CT State University. With over 7 years experience providing psychotherapy, Lisa has had the pleasure of working together with all age groups from varying backgrounds including individuals, couples and families and helping them reach their goals. Lisa is also a graduate of the accredited Training for Adoption Competency (TAC) from the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.). With this training, she has been afforded the knowledge to help children, adults and families who have been impacted by foster care and adoption. Lisa’s goal is your goal. Her mission is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space which allows the client to express oneself freely. Lisa is a passionate, dedicated clinician who believes that with patience, empathy, and a healthy therapeutic relationship, one can learn the tools to implement change and have a more fulfilling and rewarding life. Lisa utilizes strength-based approaches as well as person-centered strategies, Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). Lisa is committed to working with you side-by-side on your journey through life.

Lisa is a married mother of six, 2 of whom are adopted. Lisa loves to learn and is oftentimes in pursuit of learning something new whether it's personally or professionally. Lisa enjoys going to Zumba classes and spending time with her family, friends and 2 dogs Samson and Bruno.

Michael Suraci, LCSW, LADC

Michael is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC). He graduated from Gateway Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Drug and Alcohol Counseling and was nominated as the programs’ “Student of the Year” in 2007. He also graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Social Work.

Michael has experience in a variety of populations and settings that have led to his well-rounded approach to working with people. He has spent time as a residential case manager and supervisor, an autism case manager and supervisor, worked in community mental health and substance use, severe domestic violence and worked on an ACT Team and as a Mobile Crisis clinician. Michael primarily adopts a person centered, strength-based approach and will pull techniques from a variety of approaches to best serve those he works with.

When not working, Michael enjoys time with his children, playing video games and media relating to self-exploration and development.

Royce Manifold, MS. LPCA

Royce is a Master's Level Clinician and a Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A) working towards becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a focus on clinical counseling. Additionally, he is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) with a focus on working with individuals with invisible disabilities on obtaining and maintaining employment.

Royce studied clinical counseling and rehabilitation counseling at Penn State. Additionally, he has over a decade of experience working with young adults and teens with learning differences in academic/residential settings (namely high functioning autism, ADHD, anxiety, and depression).

Royce employs cognitive, behavioral, and environmental methods in his clinical practice to address his clients needs. The flexibility designed into this personalized approach aims to provide clients with the most minimally disruptive and least invasive service while providing the most direct results. These treatments are presented through a client-focused approach used in humanistic therapy.

Royce's current area of interest is working with clients who are about to experience or are undergoing their post-secondary (high-school) transition to college/employment and support them as they achieve their desired level of independence

Kayla Shea,  LMSW

Masters Level Clinician & Administrative Assistant

Kayla is a caring and kindhearted Masters Level Clinician (LMSW) who finds joy in caring for her clients. Kayla obtained her graduate degree in Social Work from Quinnipiac University in 2024, and holds a degree in Mental Health Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University, (2021). She is actively working towards her LCSW certification. She utilizes Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) techniques among other modalities in order to empower clients to work through trauma.

Kayla specializes in teens and young adults who have Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, mood disorders, LGBTQIA+ issues, stress management needs, and trauma. Kayla’s therapeutic approach is person-centered, strengths-based, and solution-focused. She firmly believes in meeting clients where they are at in life, however that may be. She believes that each client has different needs and different life goals, and works collaboratively with her clients to personalize their care. She is committed to not only empowering her clients, but also to providing and creating a safe, accepting space to build healthy therapeutic relationships with all clients.

When not in office, Kayla can be found at the beach, crafting, baking, or hanging out at home with her cat Skittles.

Rachel Quirbach, MA, LPCA, MT-BC

Rachel Quirbach, MA, LPCA, MT-BC Master Level Clinician Rachel (she/her) is a Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC), EMDR Trained Therapist, and Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) actively pursuing her professional counseling licensure. Rachel earned her bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Arizona State University in 2018 and her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling with a focus in music therapy from Lesley University in May 2022.

Rachel is experienced with helping clients across the lifespan navigate a diverse range of mental health concerns, including: trauma recovery, anxiety, depression, LGBTQ+ specific challenges, ADHD, relationship stress, interpersonal conflict, self-esteem, identity formation, professional development, grief, life transition, and more. Rachel integrates a rich set of evidence-based practices to best meet client needs, including expressive arts therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and trauma-informed care. Rachel practices from an eclectic theoretical lens, pulling from expressive arts therapy, person-centered therapy, resource-oriented therapy, systemic therapy, mindfulness-based counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, existential therapy, and more. Rachel is specially trained in the expressive arts therapies, and will often incorporate music, art, movement, and other forms of creative self-expression into sessions where clinically valuable.

In her time outside of sessions, Rachel enjoys hiking, spending time in nature, listening to podcasts, playing music, tending to her houseplants, cooking, and thrifting.

Sharnelle Branyon, LADC

Sharnelle is a licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC), as well as a nationally and internationally certified advanced alcohol and drug counselor (AADC/ICAADC). She has a master’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Addiction. She is a member of the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC), Connecticut Association for Addiction Professionals (CAAP), and former State of CT Board of Director member for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI CT).

Sharnelle has over 20 years of extensive experience in the field of addiction and mental health working with adolescents, young-adults, and adults, in a variety of settings such as outpatient counseling programs, medicated assisted treatment programs, hospitals, and juvenile detention programs. She is a culturally responsive, trauma informed clinician that utilizes individualized, person-centered, solution-focused, cognitive behavioral therapy, evidence and strength-based approach in a safe, non-judgmental and empathetic environment. It is Sharnelle’s practice to work with individuals presenting with addiction and/or mental health behaviors and disorders to help identify new coping skills, improve relationships, get clarity on life issues, and strive to achieve goals while being supported as we uncover the case and discover the solution.

In her downtime Sharnelle enjoys listening to music, traveling, reading, and enjoying her family.

Alexandra Iannotti,  LMSW

Masters Level Clinician, Assistant Outreach Coordinator & Intake Coordinator

As a dedicated and compassionate masters level clinician, Alex brings a wealth of expertise in social work to her practice. Alex holds a master's degree in social work and is actively working towards obtaining her LCSW certification, which allows her to provide comprehensive care to her clients. Utilizing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, she guides individuals through sessions that address their current struggles while exploring the impact of childhood trauma or other significant events on their present well-being. By delving into these underlying factors, Alex strives to empower her clients to achieve meaningful and lasting change in their lives.

In addition to Alex's clinical work, she also serves as the assistant outreach coordinator, she actively contributes to the betterment of the community. Alex programs events that foster community engagement and facilitates access to resources for those in need. By actively attending community events, she remains connected to the community and she is better able to identify opportunities for collaboration and support.

Through Alex's combined roles as a clinician and assistant outreach coordinator she is driven to make a positive impact by providing holistic care, organizing community initiatives, and creating opportunities for individuals to thrive.

Dontae Abbate,  LPCA

Masters Level Clinician

Dontae is currently a professional counselor associate (LPC-A) and pursuing his license to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC). Dontae obtained his bachelor's degree in psychology focused within child development (2020) and recently graduated from Albertus Magnus College with his Masters of Science Degree in clinical counseling focused within mental health (2023). Dontae strives to be a key component on the Shoreline Wellness Center team and the best possible clinician to his clients. Dontae wants the client to feel like they have a non-judgemental, comfortable, and confidential space to strengthen the rapport as a group. The client's needs is what Dontae prioritizes and that mindset will always stay constant.

Dontae attempts to obtain, assess, and utilize several different techniques dependent on what is best for the client. The approaches that best fit Dontae's therapeutic style are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and solution focused therapy (SFT). When outside of the office, Dontae enjoys spending time with his loved ones, continuing to help others, being active in multiple recreational sports leagues around the state, and taking his dog on long walks around the neighborhood.

Allison Jezierny LPCA

Masters Level Clinician & Administrative Assistant

Allison is a Master’s Level Clinician and is actively pursuing her licensure as a professional counselor. Allison obtained her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Saint Joseph. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Allison strives to create a safe and supportive space and build a strong therapeutic alliance with her clients to facilitate empowerment and growth. 

Allison's therapeutic approach is rooted in person-centered care to cultivate personalized strategies for growth and healing. Through the use of cognitive behavioral therapy techniques and a diverse array of evidence-based practices, Allison addresses the unique needs of clients spanning all ages and diverse backgrounds.

Rebecca Danso LPCA

Masters Level Clinician

Come back later to learn more about Rebecca!