Find a Top Family Doctor Near Me in East Hartford, CT – Book an Appointment Instantly

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 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.

• 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

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.

Marni Troop (LMFT-A) is an Associate Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. Marni spent the first half of her adult life as an educator before changing careers to pursue psychotherapy. She graduated with honors from Northcentral University (MAMFT) in 2022 already with nearly 15 years of experience working with children, adolescents, parents, and families in community mental health. Marni has extensive experience working with teens and adults, couples and other relationships, Neurodivergence, LGBTQIIA+ (including family in need of learning how to support those in transition), parent education, and life transitions. Marni is particularly interested in serving first responders, surgeons, lawyers, teachers and others in high-stress helping professions.

As a systems therapist, Marni knows that a person is not a problem. Problems are where one or more aspects of people's lives no longer function well, like a broken cog in a machine. Marni uses mindfulness (awareness of the present moment) in most aspects of therapy, including ACT, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, Eco-Systemic Family Therapy, and Gottman (Couples). Together, Marni and her clients identify what's no longer working and create new ways of living happy, well-functioning lives.

In her free time (What? Free time?), Marni gardens, plays with her dogs and cats, worries about her children away at college, crochets, cooks and, especially, writes.

Marni Offers:

• Individual, couple, family (caregivers, fosters), and group counseling for adolescents, and adults 12 and up.
• Support for marginalized people due to ethnicity, religion, career choice, etc.
• Help with Anxiety, Depression, Neurodivergence, Trauma, LBGTQIA+, Life transitions, Secondary trauma/Occupational stress/Occupational PTSD, sobriety
• Use of strengths-based, systemic focused interventions that empower clients to acknowledge and take control over how they respond to the world around them.

“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.

Kate Henneberry is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Connecticut as well as a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Southern Connecticut State University. Kate’s educational background has had strong foundations in systems theory, suggesting that individual experiences are a product of our relationships, communities, and broader societal contexts. Kate provides therapy that utilizes this systemic lens to promote growth through exploration of the self and ways of relating to one and other.

Kate believes that change is always occurring in some form, whether we are attuned to that process or not. She strives to create a space that fosters connectedness, curiosity, courage, and compassion to best support clients as they navigate challenging periods of change and growth. Kate adapts various evidence-based approaches to best fit the needs of each client, often utilizing elements of CBT, Structural Family Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy. Kate also often includes play and creative projects to practice mindfulness and deepen self-understanding.

Outside of therapy, Kate enjoys traveling, music, trying new crafts, and spending time with friends and family, including her three-legged rabbit.

Kate Provides:

• Individual counseling for children, adolescents, and adults
• Family/Couples therapy
• Anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, parenting, life transitions/stressors, low self-esteem, grief
• Conflicts relating to family, relationships, values, aging, identity, and gender/sexuality
• Neurodivergent individuals – Such as those with ADHD, autism, or learning differences
• Individual counseling for children, adolescents, and young adults; Support for LGBTQ+ identity and transitions for individuals
• Life transitions (e.g., retirement, new parenthood)
• Self-discovery or identity exploration
• Stress management or mindfulness skills

Kris (Kristen) Feller, LMSW, RSS, is a Licensed Masters Social worker and . she earned her bachelors’ in Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University and her masters’ in Social Work from the University of Denver. Kris works with children, adolescents, and adults.

Kris has a strong clinical background in mental health care, specializing in high-acuity settings where she supports individuals in crisis and develops personalized aftercare plans to promote long-term recovery. She takes a culturally sensitive, warm, and collaborative approach, striving to create a safe and supportive space that promotes personal growth and overall well-being. Her passion lies in working with individuals facing challenges such as depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma and stress-related disorders, relational difficulties, life transitions, and behavioral disorders.

Kris’s therapeutic approach is client-centered, emphasizing collaboration to support holistic growth—mind, body, and soul. She integrates evidence-based modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Believing that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all process, Kris tailors her approach to meet each client’s unique needs.

Kris works diligently towards lifting the veil of mental health and expanding Hope through mutual “humanness”. She is a fierce advocate that every part of individuality deserves recognition and respect in pursuit of healing. Kris believes that each interaction presents an opportunity to learn and grow. In her free time, she is likely engulfed in nature therapy, mindful practice, furry friends, or all things Colorado. A treatment motto might be “let’s get creative!”

Kris specializes in:
-Depression, anxiety, ADHD, mood disorders, self-esteem, recovery support, Addiction disorders, trauma, LGBTQIA+, domestic violence, goal setting, Eastern modalities, holistic health, aging, and adolescents.

Kris offers:
> Individual in-person or telehealth counseling for children, adolescents, and adults
> Pet-supported therapy
> Walk-talk therapy
> Consultation
> Self-care education
> Video self-modeling

“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.