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Christopher Patenaude, PA, is a board-certified physician assistant with specialized training in outpatient psychiatry. He provides compassionate care to patients at Hopewell Health Solutions, with locations in Glastonbury and West Hartford, Connecticut.

Christopher earned his master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Bay Path University and has since dedicated his career to supporting the mental health needs of children, adolescents, and adults.

Christopher has extensive experience treating a broad spectrum of psychiatric conditions, including ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and treatment-resistant depression. He takes a thoughtful, individualized approach to care—grounded in evidence-based medication management—and emphasizes open communication and shared decision-making with every patient.

Known for his compassionate and patient-centered style, Christopher creates a welcoming, nonjudgmental space where individuals feel heard, respected, and empowered to ask questions. He works closely with each patient to develop personalized treatment strategies aimed at improving daily functioning and overall quality of life.

Christopher believes that mental health care is most effective when built on mutual trust and clear communication. His goal is to help each patient feel informed and confident in their treatment plan, whether they’re navigating a new diagnosis or exploring long-term management strategies.

Outside the office, Christopher enjoys hiking, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with his wife and their two dogs. He values the importance of balance and self-care, principles he encourages in his clinical work and daily life.

Michael Rubalsky is a graduate of the Springfield College Physician Assistant Program, and is board certified as a Physician Assistant by the NCCPA. Michael is fluent in Russian and strives to provide care to patients in their native languages. He earned his Bachelor’s in health science at Springfield College, and joined Internal Medicine of Greater New Haven in 2020.

Michael Rubalsky is a graduate of the Springfield College Physician Assistant Program, and is board certified as a Physician Assistant by the NCCPA. Michael is fluent in Russian and strives to provide care to patients in their native languages. He earned his Bachelor’s in health science at Springfield College, and joined Internal Medicine of Greater New Haven in 2020.

• Graduated in India. Practiced in India and England as an OB/GYN
• Held a diploma in Obstetrics from the University of Dublin-Ireland
• Preceptor for medical students from UMASS Medical School and trainer to physicians for various filler companies
• Member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and Fellow status in the American Society of Laser Medicine and surgery
• Trained for laser hair removal and aesthetics using Botox® and fillers and uses a surgical background to perform those procedures properly
• Trained in various places including San Francisco, Boston, Maui, Las Vegas, and New York
• Has been an M.D. for 40 years working on 3 separate continents

• Graduated and Boarded in India in General Surgery
• Boarded in Surgery and Urology in the U.K. for 14 years
• Preceptor for medical students from UMASS Medical School
• Member of the American Academy of Family Physicians
• Achieved Fellow status in the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery
• Learned the different methods of hair removal and general aesthetics after 40 years as an M.D. and 18 years as a surgeon.
• Studied aspects of laser hair removal, laser aesthetic practices, Botox®, and fillers in Boston, New York, Maui, Las Vegas, and California.

Michele Vallee, APRN has over a decade of experience in hospital, school and community settings caring for patients. After listening to thousands of patients’ concerns, the growing need for additional access to health care became increasingly clear. More patients were spending many hours in the emergency room to receive basic health care. ER visits were not only costly and time consuming but often described as impersonal. Realizing that patients were frustrated with the lack of health care options available Michele Vallee was motivated to make a difference and started Advance Telemedicine. “We understand that health concerns can arise at a moment’s notice. Especially on nights and weekends, making an appointment to see a primary care provider may be difficult and an emergency room visit may not be necessary. That is why we provide flexible hours for patients while providing the same quality of care at an affordable price,” says Michele Vallee, APRN.

Jessica Champagne is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with several years of experience in a variety of both inpatient and outpatient settings. Jessica takes a holistic approach to patient care, often combining traditional medicine with lifestyle modifications and complementary therapies. She says, “I want to know my patients as unique individuals - understand their motivations, values, goals - that way I can provide the best possible care”. Jessica joined Advance Telemedicine in 2023 and is eager to guide her patients on their path to optimal wellness.

Tanya Banas, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Connecticut. She received both her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Master's Degree in Community Counseling at the University of St. Joseph's. She has 16 years of experience in the Behavioral Health field specializing in co-occurring disorders, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), and Intensive Outpatient Programming (IOP). Her therapeutic approach includes Motivational Interviewing (MI), Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and the Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM).

Tanya is known for building high-performing teams and enhancing patient care through innovative initiatives. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in program development, cultivating organizational talent and maintaining employee morale. In 2022, Tanya was the first recipient of Community Mental Health Affiliates Excellence in Leadership Award. Tanya is passionate about creating systems and teams that “work smarter, not harder.” She not only takes a big picture approach to problem solving, but also works in every program and every service that she oversees to achieve high levels of integrity through the company.

When not at work, you can find Tanya watching Law & Order SVU with her dog Griffin, building lego sets and waiting for her Hogwarts acceptance letter to arrive!

“Even the smallest act of kindness can change someone’s world” – Anne Frank

Amina is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). She works with children, adolescents and adults, specializing in helping individuals navigate life’s challenges and find balance. Her clinical work centers on individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief,
trauma, and substance use and she is dedicated to empowering individuals to find practical tools that foster long-term well-being. Amina strives to create a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where individuals feel heard and understood.

Amina believes that meaningful change happens through trust, consistency, and connection and takes a warm, patient, and collaborative approach, meeting individuals where they are and supporting them at their own pace. She combines evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Motivational Interviewing, which focuses
on creating a compassionate, non-judgmental space for self-exploration and growth.

Outside of her clinical work, Amina is passionate about hiking, traveling, and exploring coffee shops.

Amina Offers
- Individual counseling for children, adolescents, adults, and families.
- Support for people of all backgrounds and identities, including LGBTQ+ communities
- Evidence-based interventions for anxiety, depression, ADHD, Bipolar, Personality
Disorders, OCD, behavioral concerns, trauma, substance use, and complex co-occurring concerns.
- Compassionate support for those navigating stress, grief, and concerns around self- esteem.
- Guidance navigating life’s challenges, developing coping strategies, increasing personal resilience, and achieving balance.

Traci is a licensed professional counselor associate and board-certified, provisionally registered art therapist who works with kids, teens, and adults experiencing burnout, emotional overwhelm, and the pressure to constantly hold everything together. She holds a Master’s degree in Art Therapy and Clinical Counseling from Albertus Magnus College and a Bachelor's degree in Family Studies from the University of Connecticut.

Traci has experience in higher levels of care and community mental health settings, working with both individuals and groups. She offers a warm, collaborative, and grounded approach, creating space for clients to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and heal in ways that don’t
rely solely on words.

 She integrates art therapy with evidence-based counseling practices to support individuals navigating life transitions, anxiety, relationship stress, caregiving roles, and patterns of self-criticism. Her work is trauma-informed and strengths-based, using art as a tool for expression, insight, and nervous system regulation—no artistic experience required.
Outside of her clinical work, Traci enjoys nature walks, experimenting with different art materials, spending time with her teenage children, and exploring the world with her partner.

Traci Offers
- Individual counseling for children, adolescents, adults, and families .
- Support for people of all backgrounds and identities, including LGBTQ+ communities
- Evidence-based interventions for anxiety, depression, ADHD, Bipolar, Personality
Disorders, OCD, behavioral concerns, trauma, substance use, and complex co-occurring
concerns.
- A trauma-informed & strength-based therapeutic setting.
- Art as a tool for expression and nervous system regulation.
- Compassionate support for those navigating stress, grief, and concerns around self-
esteem.
- Guidance navigating life transitions, relationship stress, & caregiving roles.

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” — James Baldwin

Elise In Three Words: Compassionate, Collaborative, Empowering

Elise is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), she obtained her master’s degree in Social Work from Simmons University in Boston. She works with children, teens and adults, with a particular passion for supporting people navigating major life transitions. Her clinical work centers on individuals experiencing substance use challenges, eating disorders, and acute stress or crisis, and she is dedicated to helping clients find stability, clarity, and hope during difficult moments.

Her approach is warm, grounded, and collaborative. She integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), motivational interviewing, psychodynamic perspectives, and person-centered therapy to create an individualized and supportive experience for each person. She believes that clients bring their own wisdom and strengths to therapy, and she works alongside them to build skills, deepen insight, and create meaningful, lasting change.

With a background in crisis intervention, she is comfortable sitting with intense emotion and helping clients navigate situations that feel overwhelming or unmanageable. She aims to create a space where people feel heard, validated, and empowered to explore new possibilities.

Outside of her clinical work, she enjoys spending time in nature, creating art, and relaxing with her two cats. She brings this appreciation for creativity and grounding into her therapeutic presence, offering clients a calm, steady environment to begin their healing work.

Elise Offers:

• Individual counseling for children, teens and adults
• A warm, strengths-based, and collaborative therapeutic style utilizing evidence-based approaches including CBT, DBT, SFT, motivational interviewing, psychodynamic, and person-centered therapy
• Guidance for developing coping strategies and increasing personal resilience
• Support for individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, Bipolar, trauma, substance use, disordered eating, life transitions, and self-esteem.