Providers...
Becky has 25 years experience in the human service field working in residential treatment, community mental health agencies, psychiatric hospitals and private practice. She is a licensed mental health therapist in Rhode Island and currently provides parent/child assessments working closely with state, local agencies and the Rhode Island Family Court. Rebecca is a Nationally Certified Custody Evaluator and co founder of Family Connections, LLC. |
Kelly had over 10 years’ experience in the human service field working in various residential treatment facilities throughout Rhode Island as well as in alternative school settings and private practice. Kelly is a licensed mental health counselor in Rhode Island and provides home-based services to children, adolescents and adults. Kelly is the co-founder of Family Connections,LLC. |
Margaret utilizes a strengths-based, holistic, client centered approach, drawing from a variety of |
Heather has experience in residential treatment facilities for adolescents, school settings as well as private practice. Her treatment approach is strength-based, patient-centered. Heather currently provides individual, couples, and family therapy to children, adolescents, and adults. |
Cathryn currently provides Enhanced Outpatient Supports for individuals and their families who are being affected by a history of trauma. She enjoys engaging with children, teens and adults in both individual treatment and family treatment while approaching each session with a strength-based focus. |
Sarah Owens , MA, LMHC |
Her specialties include adoption and ADHD. She is a licensed independent clinical social worker in Rhode Islandand currently provides home based services to individuals and families. |
Wilthonie obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Rhode Island and went on to obtain a Master's Degree in Social Work from Rhode Island College. During the course of her career, Wilthonie has worked as a clinian providing counseling to adolescents involved with the Juvenile Justice system as well as adolescents, adults, couples and families struggling with an array of issues including, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, substance abuse, trauma, abuse etc. Her clinical background also includes working as a psychiatric clinician in an inpatient psychiatric hospital providing assessment, diagnosis, counseling and support to psychiatric and dual diagnosis patients. With an emphasis on a solution focused approach, Wilthonie seeks to engage and empower all clients while using their unique personal life experiences, strengths, and sense of reliency to foster further life progress. |
Vinnie is an advanced Chemical Dependency professional with over twenty-years of experience working in various treatment modalities and community settings. She earned a Master’s Degree in Human services from Springfield College and is currently working on a CAGGS in Education from Cambridge College. Vinnie is bi-lingual in English and Spanish and has over two decades of experience working with individuals and families who need counseling and supports due to the following; substance abuse, sexual assault, depression, grief and loss, re-entry, immigration, domestic violence, LGBTQ, truancy, anxiety/depression and homelessness in diverse treatment and community settings. Vinnie utilizes a variety of treatment modalities including CBT, Motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy as well as mindfulness and trauma informed practices. Vinnie’s person-centered approach supports client’s in finding their voice as they make life changes to live their best life! |
Rebecca Carter, M.Ed, LMHC, NCCE
Kelly Waldron, MA, CAGS, LMHC
Margaret Teehan, MA, LMHC 
Heather Razza, MA, CAGS, LMHC
Cathryn A. Vasconcelos, MA, LCSW 
Betsy Alper , LICSW
Wilthonie Johnson-Goncalves, MSW, LICSW
L. "Vinnie" Velazquez, MS, CAADC, CPRS 
Bryna Hebert, LMHC
Bryna.H@familyconnectionsri.com
Bryna graduated with a Master's degree in Education from Bridgewater State
University, with an emphasis in Mental Health Counseling and will be
obtaining a Certificate in Infant Parent Mental Health from the University
of Massachusetts, Boston, in November, 2019. Bryna also has a Bachelor's of
Science from the University of Colorado, with an emphasis in business.
Bryna is a Licensed Mental Health Clinician and has spent over 13 years working
with families with young children, including helping parents with their own
mental health needs. Bryna is also a Certified Incredible Years parenting group facilitator and provides home-based services.
Cindy Ogando, LCSW
Cindy.O@familyconnectionsri.com
Cindy graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Rhode Island College. Cindy also graduated with a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Rhode Island College. She is a bilingual Iicensed clinical social worker; fluent in Spanish. Cindy has worked with children, teens, families and the elderly in various settings.
Currently, Cindy works as a clinician for a day care organization, teaching
behavioral interventions to teachers and staff, to be offered to pre-school aged children. Cindy also currently
works as a clinician for a family reunification program, offering clinical support and observations of court-separated families. Cindy has worked with a diverse population and continues to expand her knowledge in cultural/racial diversity.
Kerry Dzikiewicz, MA,CAGS,CRC
Kerry.D@familyconnectionsri.com
Kerry Dzikiewicz graduated from Providence College with a BA in Social Work and earned master’s degrees in Health Services Administration and Mental Health and Rehabilitative Counseling from Salve Regina University. Kerry is nationally certified as a rehabilitative counselor. She has more than twenty years of experience including medical and geriatric case management, social work as well as individual, couple and family counseling in a private practice.
Kerry specializes in helping children and adult clients in transition, experiencing anxiety, discouragement, loss, pain, disability and progressive disease processes. Kerry engages clients teaching anxiety reducing methods including breathing exercises, guided imagery and meditation. Kerry helps clients be successful by working together to identify specific goals, then gradually meet goals. Kerry uses a combination of evidenced-based modalities including: solution focused, psycho-education, CBT, MI and narrative therapy to meet client needs.
Victoria Palmisano, MS, CAGS, LCDP
Victoria.P@familyconnectionsri.com
401-481-7496
Victoria is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Professional with over 10 years experience working with families and adolescents in their homes, schools and communities. Victoria graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Johnson State College and earned a Masters of Science from Capella University school of Human Services. After working several years with adolescents in the juvenile justice system and drug court, Victoria earned her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Addiction and Substance Use Treatment from Salve Regina.
Victoria has extensive experience working with families affected by trauma and children in DCYF placement. She also has personal and professional experience with children with developmental disabilities, in particular the Autism Spectrum.
Darrell Williams, MS, _CADC
Darrell.W@familyconnectionsri.com
Darrell received his license through the state of Rhode Island in 2012 which qualifies him as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). His wealth of experience includes ten+ years of working in the substance abuse field and twenty years in the human service field as a change agent.
His work experience includes: consulting and managing residential treatment facilities for men with a dual diagnosis and working with at risk adolescents in the Providence public school system. He has also worked closely with the Department of Corrections and their clients who were diagnosed with severe PTSD and substance abuse disorder. He is currently employed as a clinician and works directly with men and single fathers with anxiety-Depression, PTSD, substance abuse and involvement with DCYF. He occasionally works as an independent contractor with men, women and families to provide addiction counseling. Treatment modalities include an eclectic approach but not limited to: Motivational Interviewing, Person Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Trauma Informed Therapy and Conflict Resolution.
Darrell received his Bachelors of Science with a concentration in human service and Master of Science with a concentration in mental health counseling from Springfield College. He is currently preparing to take the state exam to become a licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) by the year 2020.
Cheryl Swensen, MSW, LCSW, LCDP
Cheryl.S@familyconnectionsri.com
Cheryl received her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and
Family Studies at URI and her Master of Social Work at RI College. She has
experience with individual, group, and family therapy. Cheryl has worked
with children and adolescents having psychiatric and/or behavioral issues,
with adults with mental illness as a member of a mobile treatment team as
well as outpatient, and with adolescents and adults with substance abuse
issues.
She has worked in detox, residential, and outpatient settings. She has worked in the substance abuse field for 25 years and is very passionate about this work.
Jody Vieira, LCSW
Jody.V@familyconnectionsri.com
Jody holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Providence College and a master’s degree in
Social Work from Boston University. She is an independently licensed clinical social worker with
over 20 years of experience in the field. Jody has spent most of her career working with
children and families in a local Head Start program. Most recently for the last 3 years, she has
provided clinical services in a primary health care facility. Jody worked with young children and
their families as well as adolescents and young adults specializing in anxiety, depression and
school related struggles.
Jody provides clinical services from a strength’s-based perspective and utilizes CBT and solution
focused therapy to work with individuals as they navigate their own struggles in life. She enjoys
helping people discover their own strengths and problem solve ways to improve their quality of
life as well as strengthen support systems.
Claudette Wallace-Boahin, MSW, LCSW
claudettewb@familyconnectionsri.com
401-266-6833
Claudette Wallace-Boahin is a social Worker with over 20 years comprehensive experience with working with children, youth and families in the areas of behavioral health, mental illness, substance abuse, case management and counseling. She has worked in a variety of settings to include residential, group homes, out-patient, school, specialized foster care and home-base services.
Mary Craven, LICSW
Mary.C@familyconnectionsri.com
401-250-4080
Mary has a Masters of Social Work degree from Rhode Island College School of Social Work. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and working toward her independent license. Mary has over 15 years of experience in the human services field working with adolescents and adults with significant trauma histories and mental health needs.
Mary has experience with family reunifications, offering clinical support and observations of court-separated families. Mary has experience working with children and adults in multiple settings including appointments that are office-based, home-based and telehealth. She utilizes a strength-based approach with both individual and family treatments. Mary utilizes a variety of treatment modalities including CBT, motivational interviewing, solution- focused therapy as well as promoting mindfulness and trauma informed practices.
Amanda Masi, MSW, LCSW
Amanda.M@familyconnectionsri.com
508-680-7439
Amanda holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from Rhode Island
College, and a Masters in Social Work from Simmons University. She has
over 10 years of education and experience working with children and
families in the areas of child welfare, trauma and abuse, mental health,
substance abuse, case management, and juveniles within the court system. A
majority of this work has been done within the home, schools, foster care
placements and community settings.
She utilizes a holistic, client-centered approach, frequently using
methods such as CBT and DBT. Amanda believes that each person has their
own story that has shaped what they are currently experiencing. Through
collaboration and a strength based mindset, together they can explore what
barriers are in the way, and which direction to take towards healing.
Susan Olson, MS, LCDP
Susan.O@familyconnectionsri.com
(401) 588-1647
Susan holds a Master’s of Science degree in Addiction Studies from Capella University and a
Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Family Development from American Public University. She
also holds a license in chemical dependency and is working towards her gambling certification.
Susan has 10 year’s experience working with clients in methadone clinics and in community
mental health/substance use agencies. Susan’s expertise is working with women with
substance use disorders who are pregnant or postpartum and currently serves on the
Committee for Substance Exposed Newborns. She also has experience working with men
involved with the legal system of RI. She also has experience with SUD groups and individual
counseling.
Susan utilizes a holistic and client centered approach. She believes in meeting a client where
“he/she is at” and works from a biopsychosoicial and spiritual therapeutic approach. She also
enjoys teaching DBT and mindfulness skills and has a working knowledge of the 12 steps of
recovery programs. Susan likes to use music and the arts while working with clients. She
believes in meeting a client where he/she is at and works with the client to problem solve. This
provides a sense of accomplishment for client’s who struggle with substance use disorders
which is important in the healing process. Susan also believes in self-care and in her spare time
enjoys music, spending time with her children and grandchildren, reading and crocheting.
Liz-Anna Darling, MS, LMHC, LCDP
lizanna.pd@familyconnectionsri.com
(401) 632-6324
Liz-Anna Darling graduated from Rhode Island College after working on three Master’s Degree: Agency Counseling, Substance Abuse Counseling and Co-Occurring Counseling. She has earned her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Mental Health Counseling after which she was able to become an independent Licensed Mental Health Clinician (LMHC) and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Professional (LCDP)
Liz-Anna has over 20 years of experience working in various settings such as Residential Treatment Facilities, and Community/State Agencies (DCYF, DOH, DOC), working with children, adolescents and adults who present with both mental health and/or substance use disorders.
Liz-Anna provides primarily Individual therapy, and extends her expertise to couples in crises, family and group therapy. She utilizes a variety of treatment approaches including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Motivational therapy, Solution Focused and Person-Centered Therapy
Liz-Anna has reported good results working with people who struggle with anxiety, depression, anger, mood disorders, marital conflicts, grief and loss, domestic violence; she has also helped many fight and overcome their Addition to drugs.
Margerie Serrano, MEd
margerie.s@familyconnectionsri.com
Margerie has 11 years’ experience working in education and mental health services with a deep interest in community, physical education, and natural methods of healing. During the course of her career, she has worked in-patient psychiatric, ran group therapies, and worked 1:1 and with family’s servicing individuals where Spanish is their primary language.
Margerie meets clients where they are at by using a variety of treatment strength base modalities including CBT, DBT, Motivational interviewing, solution-focus, mindfulness, Trauma, and breathing exercises. She encourages clients by teaching coping strategies and patients with oneself. Margerie is bilingual English and Spanish speaking.
Chanta Bryan, MSW, LCSW
Chanta.b@familyconnectionsri.com
(917) 547-2606
Chanta holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work from Rhode Island
College. She also received a certification in graduate studies in co-occurring
mental health and substance use disorder.
She has a diverse background in providing home-based and residential treatment
to children, families, and adults with behavioral and mental diagnoses. She also
has experience in providing one on one therapy for individuals with substance use
and co-occurring diagnosis.
Chanta’s approach with treatment is focused on strengthening the responses to
challenging situations and behaviors along with restoring hope and providing
education and incorporating effective interventions. Chanta’s modalities of
treatment consist of client center treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, and
Motivational interviewing.
Alexandria Pettinato,MS, LCDP
alex.p@familyconnectionsri.com
401-255-4747
Alexandria holds a Bachelors degree in Sociology from the University of Rhode Island and a Masters of Science degree from Lasell College in Newton, MA. She became a Licensed Chemical Dependency Provider in the state of Rhode Island in 2018. Alexandria has 8 years experience in the substance abuse field providing individual and group therapy. Her experience includes working with adults with substance abuse issues in the outpatient setting as well as incarcerated individuals.
Bridget K. Kinsella,MSW, LCSW
bridget.k@familyconnectionsri.com
Bridget graduated with a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Manhattan College.
She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Rhode Island College and
obtained a Certificate of Graduate Studies in Child and Adolescent Trauma.
Bridget has twenty years experience working in the Child Welfare System.
Bridget’s clinical experience includes trauma specific counseling with
children and adolescents. She is trained in Trauma Focused-Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy. Bridget enjoys using play therapy and creative arts
therapy as interventions. She believes building a trusting therapeutic
relationship and safe space for children to heal is the most important part
of treatment.
Bridget is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Rhode Island.
Bridget is available to work with children, teens, adults and families.
Sabrina Estrela, LCSW
sabrina.e@familyconnectionsri.com
401-855-1189
Sabrina graduated in 2022 with a Masters in Social work from Rhode Island College. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience working with adolescents and adults.I have worked in a variety of settings including school settings, residential and community based. She enjoys working with families and helping people with the healing process. She is a big advocate for self care and self love. Sabrina is a Bilingual Clinician fluent in Portuguese, and can understand some Creole and Spanish.
Norma Gonzalez, MHC
norma.g@familyconnectionsri.com
401-663-7783
Norma is a Bilingual Therapist who has over 25 years of experience working in the human services field
and is also a private clinical therapist. She earned her Masters Degree in
Mental Health Counseling from Springfield College.
She has extensive experience in evidence-based program development. She is
also a certified Incredible Years Parent Facilitator and serves as a
consultant for Bradley Hospital.
Norma's treatment approach is focused on clinical experience, including
trauma-specific Focused-Cognitive Behavioral with children and families.
