BEHAVIORAL WELLNESS CLINIC (BWC) - Key Persons
Daniel Zalewa handles scheduling, payments, explaining treatment programs to new clients, and conducting community outreach. Daniel graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelors in Psychology, and plans on pursing a graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Outside of the office, he enjoys running, exploring museums, and catching up on the latest movies.
Debbie Gutfreund, MA received her BA in English from the University of Pennsylvania and an MA in Family Therapy from the University of North Texas. She has been treating anxiety, depression and trauma in both families and individuals for 18 years. She has training in narrative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and EMDR therapy. Debbie has created and runs positive psychology and coping skills workshops for both parents and adolescents. She has written and published hundreds of articles on the topics of mental health, stress, family dynamics and parenting.
As a family therapist, Debbie sees clients not just as individuals but as part of a broader system of interconnected relationships. She believes that clients can develop the tools and the awareness to make powerful changes in their lives and in their relationships. Debbie believes strongly in helping her clients cultivate a growth mindset with which they can go beyond their self-limiting beliefs and behaviors. She helps her clients recognize and use their strengths while empowering them to make new choices in their lives. Debbie uses both cognitive behavioral therapy and family systems therapy in her practice. She strives to create a supportive and nurturing therapeutic space for her clients.
In her free time, Debbie is an avid marathon runner and reader. She believes strongly in lifelong learning and in the power of new ideas to fuel personal growth. She is fluent in English and Hebrew.
Job Titles:
- CLINICAL DIRECTOR
- Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Monnica T. Williams is board-certified licensed clinical psychologist and the Clinical Director of the Behavioral Wellness Clinic in Mansfield, CT. She provides individual psychotherapy as well as consultation, supervision, and training to clinicians for empirically-supported treatments. She trains clinicians in exposure and ritual prevention (Ex/RP), prolonged exposure (PE), behavioral activation, functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP), and cultural competence. She also provides consultation and treatment nationwide, including the use of tele-therapy. She is licensed in the US and Canada, and also holds an Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate (IPC).
Dr. Monnica Williams was honored to give the keynote speech at the 2017 American Psychological Association Division 35 Meeting (Society for the Psychology of Women), where she received a Presidential Commendation for her work.
Job Titles:
- Counselor
- Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
- Member of the American Counseling Association
Elishia Durrett-Johnson is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in the State of Kentucky. She completed her M.Ed. in Counseling and Personnel Services with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Psychology at the University of Louisville. She returned to graduate school to complete a doctorate in Pan-African Studies, which she will receive in 2021.
Elishia is also a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), and the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT).
Elishia has been active in her community and is an advocate for mental health reform, social justice and change. In the wake of the tragic Breonna Taylor shooting, she started Healing Emotional Abuse & Racial Trauma (HEART), a program of Begin to Talk, LLC, that operates as a mental health depot for community mental health resources, including therapy, case management and peer support for Black and minority community within the Louisville, KY area. HEART offers a Minority Assistance Program to subsidized the immediate mental health service needs of low-income clients. She has been offering counseling and support to first responders and others on the front lines. She is available for training and speaking engagements.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Therapist / Professional Counselor Associate
- Therapist
At BWC, Geena utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP), and systems therapy. She believes everyone has the strength and power to change their life in meaningful ways. Geena is a client-centered therapist with a warm presence and open mind when working with all individuals.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Administrative Assistant for the Behavioral Wellness Clinic and for Dr. Jordan Sloshower
Jade Gallo is a part-time administrative assistant for the Behavioral Wellness Clinic and for Dr. Jordan Sloshower. She handles the financials of our clients, as well as maintains correspondence with them, among other responsibilities. She is studying at the University of Connecticut as an undergraduate with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Criminal Justice and Digital Marketing minors. Her dream is to have her own clinical practice one day. When she is not on the clock, you can find Jade out and about with her friends, listening to music, reading, or loving her dog.
Jane Smith Williams, Christian prayer counselor and published author, grew up in Hampton, Virginia. She graduated from Howard University in Washington DC, and was part of the Civil Rights movement, led by Martin Luther King, Jr. After graduation, she moved with her family to California and worked for Food Machinery Corporation (FMC) and the City of San Jose as an accountant. She was a Real Estate Broker entrepreneur until moving to Virginia to care for her mother and retire near family. Currently, she works part-time at an spiritual outreach center and in volunteer ministry at the Newport News City Jail. She has three wonderful daughters and twelve beautiful grandchildren. She currently attends church in Newport News, Virginia.
Jane aspires to lead others to a greater knowledge of the love of God and their authority available in Christ. Her ministry includes intercessory prayer, teaching, and evangelism. She is available to pray for or with clients at the Behavioral Wellness Clinic.
Jasmine M. Fairfax is the office manager for the Behavioral Wellness Clinic in Tolland, Connecticut. She ensures that operations are running smoothly and oversees the work of the other office staff. This includes procedures for phone intakes, payment processing, scheduling, and customer service. Jasmine handles all insurance agreements, workers comp, contracts, and IOP scheduling. She conducts orientation for all new employees and administers payroll. She reviews and approves all client sliding-scale requests. She also coordinates all speaking engagements and trainings provided by BWC clinicians.
Jasmine graduated with honors from the University of Louisville, majoring in Nutrition Science and minoring in Chemistry and Math. She plans on pursuing graduate studies in Nutrition and Culinary Arts. When not working, she enjoys baking, singing, and spending time with her family.
Joel Lopez is part-time research assistant for the Behavioral Wellness Clinic. He assists with MDMA expanded access study, which includes scheduling, assisting participants, and keeping the office organized. Joel is an undergraduate student the University of Connecticut with a major in Psychology and minor in Cognitive Science, with an interest in psychedelic medicine. He is also a Behavioral Health Specialist in the United States Army Reserves. After graduation, he plans on pursing a graduate degree in psychology.
Julian Finnegan is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Therapist and clinical supervisor at the Behavioral Wellness Clinic. She completed her undergraduate work in Psychology at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) with a minor in Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counseling. She worked as a clinical coordinator and case manager at a sober housing facility before returning to CCSU to earn her master's degree, with a specialization in school-based family therapy. She has acquired clinical training and experience in a variety of settings such as community agencies, school-based mental health clinics and hospitals.
Karsten Hultquist, LAC, provides mental health therapy to children, adolescents, and adults at the Behavioral Wellness Clinic (BWC). His work is primarily focused on anxiety related disorders which includes generalized anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety, phobias, panic disorder, as well as depressive disorders. He is available for in-person sessions, as well as virtual sessions.
Relationships are the foundation of human existence and knowing how to navigate the space between relationships can be extremely challenging. As a systems-based therapist, Sara helps individuals work through difficult relationships and find meaning and contentment in the present moment. She provides systemic-oriented therapy to individuals and families, who present with a variety of psychological, emotional, and relational problems. She works with couples confronting issues of conflict, infidelity, domestic abuse, and other relationship difficulties. She also intervenes to improve the quality of parent-child relationships.
Susan is a psychotherapist and spiritual counselor, licensed in New York and Connecticut. She has a Master's Degree in Social Work from Columbia University, and a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary. She also holds Creative Art Therapies Certification from The New School for Social Research and Prepare/Enrich Certification for work within romantic relationships. Her career has spanned several decades, providing mental health services to children, teens, families, individuals, and couples with a broad range of psycho-social needs. She has had vast experience facilitating groups, and conducting prevention and intervention workshops, presentations, and webinars, covering myriad mental-emotional health issues and concerns.
Zoe Jahn is one of the administrators for the Behavioral Wellness Clinic. As Client Care Coordinator, she takes conducts client intakes, processes payments, and manages scheduling. She also assists with ketamine-assisted psychotherapy session and supports MDMA patients as a night attendant.
Zoe is completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Connecticut in Physiology, Neurology, and Brain Science, and she intends on becoming a physician. She is certified in Basic Life Support. In her free time, she enjoys dance, travel, trying new foods, and spending time with her friends.
Zoe Jahn is one of the administrators for the Behavioral Wellness Clinic. She takes care of client intake, phone calls, emails, payments, scheduling, and general office maintenance. She is a student at the University of Connecticut in the pre-medical field of study, and she intends on becoming a physician. In her free time, she enjoys dance, travel, trying new foods, and spending time with her friends.