Alleana Martinez, LMFT
Specialty: Anxiety, Depression, Relationship issues
Alleana Martinez, LMFT, comes to the practice with a wide variety of experience working with children, adolescents and families with a variety of mental health concerns. Alleana began her career working with families as a Pre-K teacher for eight years and received an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, CT. Furthermore, Alleana received her undergraduate at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT, with a degree in Psychology and Sociology and her Master’s degree in Marital and Family Therapy from Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT. She most recently worked as an Outpatient Therapist at The Child and Family Guidance Center in Bridgeport, CT. Alleana specializes in family issues, anxiety and depression. She also has a certification in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT). Her approach is collaborative and she works to build a relationship with her clients to assist them with working through their concerns. She has experience working with a diverse population. Alleana looks forward to working with her clients to help them achieve their goals.
Please contact her at 203-309-6052, ext 502, or at Alleana@completecounselinggroup.
Amanda Trinidad, LPC
Specialty: Depression, LGBTQ issues, adolescents and families
Born and raised in Bronx, NY, Amanda received her BA in Criminology/Criminal Justice from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, NY in 2010, and later went on to complete her masters in mental health counseling at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY in 2014. She is licensed in CT as a licensed professional counselor. She has experience in partial hospitalization at Four Winds Hospital as an MHC for children and adolescents ages 6-18 for about 2 years and became very familiar with implementation of DBT. She is currently working in an outpatient facility, Child and Family Guidance Center, in Bridgeport as an individual and family therapist, as well as for our group. She specializes in children, adolescents, and young adults experiencing depression and conduct disorder. She is also well versed in working with a diverse population and has experience providing services for the LGBTQ community in regard to self acceptance, coming out, or any other issues that are of any concern to anyone apart of the LGBTQ community. She has the ability to connect well with youth that engage in risky behaviors and have difficulty with relating to others at school, at home, or in the community. Her approach is person-centered with a combination of DBT, CBT, and Gestalt therapy that can be tailored to each client’s need. Her goal is to help her clients cope with everyday life and hardships, recognize any issues that may be hindering one’s progress, and helping each client understand one’s self more than they did before engaging in therapy.
Please contact her at 203-309-6052, ext 508, or at amanda@completecounselinggroup.
Andrew Irrera, LADC, LPC
Specialty: Addiction and Mood Disorders
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Andrew received his BA in Psychology from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT in 2005. He later went on to get his Masters in Psychology with a concentration in clinical and counseling psychology from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT in 2012. He completed his master’s thesis, which looked at the effects of mental health and addiction in relationships and marriages. Andrew also received a post-master’s degree in addiction counseling at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT in 2016. Andrew has been working in the behavioral health and addiction field for over 14 years. He is licensed in CT as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). He has experience working in both inpatient and outpatient settings. He has worked in several populations including, children, adolescents, adults, geriatrics, eating disorders, addiction disorders, juveniles, and LBGTQ individuals. He has also been involved in numerous internships and research studies at Yale University, working with individuals with depression, other mood disorders, and addiction; looking at the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical treatment modalities.
He specializes in adolescents, young adults and adults. He most recently worked at Clearpoint Recovery Center/Turnbridge in Westport, CT as a Primary Therapist. He was their lead therapist for their IOP and OP program and conducted individual, family, couples and group therapy (18 and older), specializing in addictive disorders and mood disorders. His approach is client-centered, empathetic, non-judgmental, genuine, and solution focused. His goal for his clients is to not only build the necessary skills and tools to manage the hardships and struggles they may be facing, but to provide them with the necessary education and support, in order to build the confidence within themselves to work through their issues more effectively and independently. His style and approach are also tailored to the client’s needs and comfort level. His expertise in the field affords him the opportunity to utilize multiple techniques, skillsets, and evidenced based approaches that is suitable for the client to work on while in session and outside of therapy.
Please contact him at 203-309-6052, ext 506, or at andrew@completecounselinggroup.
Bernadette Valenzano
Specialty: Perinatal Mental Health (Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum, Grief/Loss or Infertility Concerns) and Substance Abuse / Addiction
Bernadette is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a Certification in Perinatal Mental Health through Postpartum Support International (PSI). She provides support and treatment for adults and adolescents. Her specialty is providing counseling for individuals navigating fertility issues, perinatal loss, pregnancy, the transition to parenthood, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), and parenting. She also has extensive experience working within the realm of substance abuse and addiction utilizing DBT and CBT treatment approaches. Bernadette is committed to working with clients across the lifespan struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, mood disorders, and more. She is LGBTQ+ affirming and her approach is client-centered, empathetic, non-judgmental, genuine and solution focused. She is a Professional Member of PostPartum Support International (PSI) and the American Counseling Association (ACA). Bernadette was raised in Fairfield, CT and graduated from Lynn University with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Human Services in 2011, and her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and Applied Psychology in 2014. She has also completed a Pastoral Counseling program in the Spring of 2015 at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, CT.
Please contact her at 203-309-6052, ext 504, or at bernadette@completecounselinggroup.
Kali Fortuna, LPC, LADC, NCC
Raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, Kali received her undergraduate degree from Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI., with degrees in Psychology and Legal Studies; and her Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Southern Connecticut State University. She has been working in the mental health and substance abuse field since 2012, but has been interested in psychology since she was a child. She started off her career in an agency setting before moving to private practice. She currently holds a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) credential as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential, both through the Department of Public Health in Connecticut, and a National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential. Kali works with adolescents and adults with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, and mood disorders.
Please contact her at 203-309-6052, ext 501, or at kali@completecounselinggroup.
Kate Dressel, LPC
Kate Dressel is a licensed professional counselor with a degree in psychology and a masters in clinical mental health counseling. Specializing in CBT with anxiety, depression and trauma, Kate finds solutions and empowering tools for clients to support growth towards therapeutic or personal goals. Putting the therapeutic relationship first, Kate strives to provide compassion and assistance through unconditional support, free from judgement. Kate graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 2013 and has since worked in an array of settings from non-profit mental health offices, municipal social services, private offices and neurofeedback practices. Kate is certified in neurotherapy and cognitive behavior therapy and often utilizes creative strategies and team work with clients to find a path towards therapeutic success.
Please contact her at 203-309-6052, ext 507, or at kate@completecounselinggroup.
Kate Veilleux, CLAT, ATR, LPC
Please contact her at 203-309-6052, ext 509, or at katev@completecounselinggroup.
Megan Iosifidis, MS, LPC
Please contact her at 203-309-6052, ext 512, or at megan@completecounselinggroup.
Patti Moonan, MA, LMFT
Specialty: Trauma, Grief, Anxiety, Depression, Family and Couples Counseling
Patti Moonan, MA, LMFT earned her BA in English from the University at Albany and completed her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy at Fairfield University. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 15 years of experience working with children, adolescents and adults in various clinical settings in both Fairfield and New Haven Counties. She received her certifications in Eye Motion Desensitization (EMDR) and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT) while working as a staff therapist at Newtown Youth and Family Services from December 2012-July 2017. Patti is certified in Child and Adolescent Grief Counseling and serves on the Board of Directors of Adam’s House, a place that provides education and peer support to children and adolescents who have lost a loved one. Additionally, she is certified in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for teens and has completed nearly 100 CEU hours of Mindfulness Trainings. Patti believes in a client centered approach and the importance of building a strong therapeutic alliance as the key for successful treatment outcomes.
Please contact her at 203-309-6052, ext 511, or at patti@completecounselinggroup.
Rachel Baumann, LPC and School Psychologist
Rachel Baumann is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and a Licensed Professional Counselor who has experience counseling people of all ages, ranging from young adults coping with anxiety and career decisions, adults going through divorce, to elderly people adjusting to new life transitions. Rachel is experienced in helping clients with anxiety, ADHD, depression, friendship challenges, learning differences, self-esteem, social skills, and relationship issues. She comes to the practice having worked with children from pre-K through 12 across suburban and urban settings; she has worked with diverse populations and is conversationally fluent in Spanish. She also specializes in grief, trauma, chronic illness, and the power of resilience. After graduating from Bates College in Maine, Rachel worked in the mental health field for six years while earning her degrees as a School Psychologist at Fairfield University.
As a School Psychologist, Rachel believes that nothing is more important to parents than the well-being of their child. It can be difficult to navigate the many social, emotional, physical, and cognitive changes that children experience. Well-versed in conducting comprehensive psycho-educational evaluations, Rachel can provide parent consultation to help parents understand their child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) as well as discuss how to advocate for their child both in and out of school.
Rachel roots her practice in evidence-based measures including DBT and CBT; she also utilizes ERP for the treatment of OCD. COVID has brought collective trauma, grief, and uncertainty to so many aspects of our lives. The foundation of DBT is to teach people how to cope with difficult situations and feelings using evidence-based skills such as mindfulness and interpersonal effectiveness. Rachel teaches her students and clients that they may not have created or may not be responsible for some of the problems they are experiencing, and at the same time, they are still responsible for learning how to resolve their problems to move forward. And everyone deserves the help to do so. You can live with anxiety, depression and OCD and fly under the radar. Rachel offers a non-judgmental and compassionate approach to meet her clients where they are.
Rachel is also eager to bring her expertise in assisting families and individuals with chronic illness to adapt and feel comfortable at school, at their workplace, and in their families and friend groups. Grief is at the core of chronic illness, mental illness, and trauma. This is why Rachel is on her way to becoming a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist. She can help you through the most important transitions of your life so that you have the skills to flourish in the way that you want.
Please contact her at 203-309-6052, ext 503, or at rachel@completecounselinggroup.