Team

Heidi E. Kunzli, MS LADC

Founder, Director

25 Years Experience | Specialty: High Achiever/ “Super Achiever” professional/creative burn-out, stress, addiction & recovery issues | Consulting Services to Treatment Programs & Health Service Providers | Notable Achievements: Pioneer in the high-end “boutique” rehab industry Founded & directed three groundbreaking, exclusive high-end residential treatment programs: Beau Monde, Laurel Canyon Center (for artists/creatives), and the all private Privé-Swiss programs.

Education:

• MS, Psychology, Industrial/Organizational, Springfield College, Springfield, MA
• BS, Summa Cum Laude, Human Services, Counseling, Springfield College, Springfield, MA
• CT State Licensed Alcohol/Drug Counselor

Member:

• American Psychological Association
• Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• National Association of Addiction Treatment ProvidersNational Association Addiction Professionals
• American Counseling Association
• Luxury Society
• Reviewer, The ASAM Criteria: Treatment Criteria for Substance-Related, Addictive, and Co-Occurring Conditions, October 2013, American Society of Addiction Medicine

Melissa Welby, MD

Diplomate: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

Melissa Welby, MD, is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist who educates, empowers, and inspires others towards better health and happiness. She has been in private practice in CT for 17 years specializing in adult ADHD, depression, and anxiety. She is an active leader, writer, and award-winning social media presence who advocates for her patients and profession and spreads evidenced-based mental health information through her website at drmelissawelby.com.

Education:

• Harvard Medical School/ Cambridge Hospital, Internship and Residency 2004
• Albany Medical College (Medical School, MD), 2000

Professional Memberships and Associations:

• Fairfield/Litchfield County Psychiatric Society, President since 2014
• Connecticut Psychiatric Society, Immediate Past President 2018–2019, President 2017–2018, President-elect 2016–2017, Treasurer 2015–2016
• American Psychiatric Association, Fellow
• American Medical Association
• American Telemedicine Association
• Women’s Medical Association of Fairfield County
• Association of Women Psychiatrists

Board Certifications:

• Board-Certified in General Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2005–present

Michael Barrios, PhD

Dr. Barrios is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Dr. Barrios currently serves as Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine (1989–present) and as clinical collaborator on a treatment research project on substance abuse at the APT Foundation (1987–present). Dr. Barrios specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and issues related to adult development and creativity.

“Living one’s life with courage, insight and vitality is not always easy. Relationships can be difficult, disappointing or elusive. Families and careers can be demanding and exhausting. Transitions arrive and losses mount up. Anxiety, depression, self-doubt and low motivation may arise amidst the stress.

My goal is for people to develop a nuanced understanding of their life situation, an awareness of their complex emotional habits, and an empowering sense of responsibility and freedom in moving forward. My approach includes insight-oriented and cognitive behavioral therapies. I also work with couples to resolve interpersonal difficulties.

I have worked with adults and adolescents for nearly 30 years. I trained in the Department of Psychology at Yale and at the Yale Psychiatric Institute. I am an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Yale Department of Psychiatry, and received a Distinguished Faculty Award in 2015 for my supervisory work.”

Education:

• Ph.D., Yale University, 1987
• Post Doctoral Fellowship, Yale Psychiatric Institute, 1987–89
• Yale Department of Psychiatry Distinguished Faculty Award, 2015

Sandra Daignalut, LCSW

Sandra (Sandy) Daignault, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker who brings to our program over 20 years clinical experience, and a reputation as one of the top Dialectical Behavioral therapists in CT. She most recently created and directed the Integrative Behavioral Health Program at Middlesex Hospital, Middletown CT. Previously, she was the lead group therapist and staff educator for well over a decade at Yale Psychiatric Hospital. She piloted and implemented what has been considered the most successful therapeutic program the hospital had ever offered as part of its psychiatric and addiction services. Sandy worked in both the inpatient and intensive outpatient service lines at Yale. Through her work at the hospitals, she has shown the importance of including psychiatric services as an essential component of providing the best wholistic health care – combining a mind and body approach along with working closely with primary care physicians helps patients to achieve maximum wellness.

Sandy Daignault is author of the book, “Come To Group!” — an essential psychoeducational workbook for all psychiatric clinicians looking to educate and support their patients wellness”, 2013, a resource used by many DBT therapists across the counry. She has maintained a private practice for many years and has worked for, and with, several of the most respected psychiatrists in the field.

Education:

• Master of Social Work (MSW)
• University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 1995
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
• Keen State College, Keene, NH, 1992
• Associate of Science in Chemical Dependency
• Keen State College, Keene, NH, 1992
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy Certification
• Yale Medical School, New Haven CT, 2016

Elizabeth Hale-Rose, LCSW

Elizabeth Hale-Rose, LCSW, CPC is a clinical social worker, life coach and mindfulness meditation teacher with over 20 years experience. Liz maintains a private practice specializing in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders, depression relapse prevention and stress-reduction. Her work incorporates the evidence-based treatments of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction with elements of mindfulness meditation practice, established coaching methods, positive psychology and the conscious cultivation of acceptance and compassion. She has a practical, non-dogmatic approach to helping clients develop the skills necessary to access their most resourced selves and to recharge in the deep peace found through mindful awareness. She also coaches clients around integrating mindfulness meditation and mindfulness-based skills into a sustainable daily practice.

Education:

• Master of Social Work (MSW), Smith College, Northampton, MA, 1994
• Bachelor of Arts with honors in East Asian Studies, Trinity College, Hartford, CT, 1990
• Professional Coach Certification, Institute for Excellence in Professional Coaching (iPEC), 2017

Joanna Crowell, MS, LPC, LADC

Joanna Crowell, NCC, LPC, LADC brings many years of experience working with individuals with a wide variety of psychological and emotional challenges. She is certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors. She holds a Master of Science in Community Counseling from Southern Connecticut State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication. Joanna is an experienced Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Drug/Alcohol and Addictions Counselor. She has written and provided lectures on treating addiction. She has additional advanced certification as an Addiction Counselor and carries certification in Medication Assisted Therapy by the Connecticut Certification Board. Joanna is also a HeartMath® Certified Practitioner.

Joanna has recently worked as the Clinical Supervisor at the Middlesex Hospital Psychiatric Day Treatment Program, overseeing eleven clinicians that work with people suffering from problems and complications with mental illness, behavioral health and addictions. Joanna is on the Yale University faculty and has supervised medical students during their psychiatry rotation at Middlesex Hospital.

Joanna specializes in trauma, anxiety and substance use disorders and addictions. She often utilizes brief solution focused therapy. Solution focused therapy is future-focused, goal directed and focuses on solutions rather than the problems that are presented in therapy. Joanna works with her therapy clients to achieve personal growth through facilitating the recovery process by offering support to help people develop and achieve their vision of the solutions for the problems that they are experiencing

Joanna is trained at the advanced level of Consultant in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. EMDR helps trauma survivors reprocess disturbing thoughts and memories, providing profound and stable treatment effects in a short period of time. It ameliorates symptoms of both acute and chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She is also trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) a therapy that provides clients with new skills to manage painful emotions and decrease conflict in relationships. DBT specifically focuses on providing therapeutic skills in four key areas, mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness and distress tolerance. Joanna is also a biofeedback/HeartMath® Certified Practitioner

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communication concentration in Marketing: Central Connecticut State University
• Master of Science in Community Counseling: Southern Connecticut State University
• Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor: State of Connecticut
• Licensed Professional Counselor: State of Connecticut
• Medication Assisted Treatment Specialist: Connecticut Certification Board
• Certified Addictions Counselor: Connecticut Certification Board
• National Certified Counselor: National Board for Certified Counselors

Brandon Nappi, D.Min., M.Div.

Dr. Brandon Nappi has over 20 years of experience as a spiritual teacher, guide, and mindfulness practitioner. He has been invited as a keynote speaker to share spiritual wisdom with Fortune 100 leaders, NFL and NBA coaches, elite athletes, artists, physicians, judges, and people from all walks of life. He has had numerous appearances on NPR, CBS, ABC, NBC, and FOX.

Brandon is the founder of Copper Beech Institute, a global mindfulness community and training center which has shared research-based, life-saving wellness practices with over 50,000 people from over 50 countries. He has developed and facilitated conferences, workshops, and courses designed to tap into the capacity of the human spirit to thrive amid even the most heart-stretching challenges. Brandon is currently the Executive Director of Leadership Programs at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and is a lecturer at Yale Divinity School.

He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and holds a Master of Divinity degree from Yale University. His doctoral research explored interreligious dialogue, mysticism, and Zen meditation as a healing practice within the history of spirituality. He has also received extensive mindfulness training from the University of Massachusetts Medical School’s Center for Mindfulness and Zen Mountain Monastery.

By drawing upon many of the world’s wisdom traditions and his own meditation practice, Brandon has supported thousands in their spiritual journey, and works with Privé-Swiss clients around issues of burnout, healing, relationship challenges, purpose, and resilience, helping them cultivate a spiritual life that supports joy, connection, meaning, and thriving.

Sean Going, LAc, DACM

Dr. Sean Going is passionate about using Asian medicine, philosophy, mindfulness practices, and clinical research to assist patients as they discover vitality of mind, body and spirit. His work promotes and manifests joyfulness and health in the world around him.

Dr. Going’s background in mental healthcare, coupled with his studies in both spiritual and religious themes, greatly enrich his practice of Asian Medicine and enable him to treat patients on multiple levels beyond managing only their symptoms.

Dr. Going began his career in healthcare working as a clinical case manager for adults diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illnesses. While working as a mental healthcare provider, Dr. Sean began receiving acupuncture treatments. His personal experiences with Chinese Medicine inspired his curiosity, and he began studying the medicine in his free time. In 2007, he entered his graduate studies as a full-time Masters Candidate at the Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ASAOM). In 2009, he completed ASAOMs optional Tuina Chinese Medical Bodywork program and was certified as a practitioner of Tuina (Traditional Chinese Medical Massage).

In 2010, Sean completed ASAOM’s Masters in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, a comprehensive, full-time, four-year program (condensed into three years) for Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs. At graduation, Sean was awarded special recognitions of “Highest Distinction” for academic achievements and presented with ASAOM’s Outstanding Leadership Award.

Following his graduation, Sean elected to travel to Haikou, China so that he may attend a clinical internship as a full-time Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine. At the Haikou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, he witnessed or assisted in over 2,600 treatments.In 2019, Dr. Sean completed his Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM) through Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, California.

Ranging from 16 month-old infants to 96 year-old adults, Dr. Going is skilled at helping patients with a wide variety of concerns including: anxiety, depression, other mental health conditions, pain, digestive disorders, menstrual irregularities, menopausal symptoms, headaches, fatigue, relationship challenges and physical or emotional trauma.

Professional and approachable, he looks forward to spending his time with you to both help and encourage you in your journey to find the healthiest and happiest expressions of who you are.