Find a Top Family Doctor Near Me in Norwich, 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.

• 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.

Dr. Khyati Patel, MD, is a highly skilled and compassionate primary care and aesthetic medicine provider at RI Rheumatology in Cranston, Rhode Island. She brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her patients, with a strong educational foundation and an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional care.

Dr. Patel earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees at the prestigious Topiwala National Medical College, affiliated with Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, in Mumbai, India, in 2007. Her early medical training was further enhanced by completing an obstetrics and gynecology residency at L. T. Municipal General Hospital in Mumbai in 2009. Seeking to broaden her expertise, she pursued a family medicine residency at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, completing it in 2014.

A member of both the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Mumbai Obstetrics and Gynecologic Society, Dr. Patel stays at the forefront of medical advancements in her field. Her passion for patient care is evident in every aspect of her practice, as she strives to provide personalized, comprehensive care to each of her patients.

Dr. Patel is known for her dedication, determination, and compassionate approach, ensuring her patients receive the best possible care.

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.

Chris Thompson is a Physician Assistant and has completed an extensive Dermatology Fellow program through the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants and is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. He has been treating dermatologic conditions for more than 10 years. While an active duty he was an Instructor at the Naval Undersea Medical Institute where he taught dermatology to physicians and Navy medics.

Chris retired from the US Navy in 2016 after serving 26 years. He received his Physician Assistant degree in 2003 from University of Nebraska.

Chris provides comprehensive medial and cosmetic dermatology care, including diagnosing and treating skin cancers and other skin conditions, like acne, warts eczema and psoriasis. He provides aesthetics treats for the aging skin to make natural corrections using laser, fillers and neuromodulators.

He lives in Old Lyme, CT with his beautiful wife and four children.

Heather Flaum is a Licensed Master Social Worker with over 26 years of experience and a deep belief that healing starts with feeling truly seen and heard. Heather has worked with people through just about every life challenge. She specializes in helping people cope with grief, chronic illness, mental health concerns, and life transitions. She has worked in many settings, including hospice and palliative care, and providing outpatient therapy to children and young adults through multiple approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Play Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and animal therapy.

Heather brings a heart-centered approach to every session. She is especially passionate about working with children and young adults, using play therapy and animal-assisted interventions. Heather treats people with anxiety disorders, depression, adjustment disorders, ADHD, OCD, attachment, medical issues, and trauma. In addition, Heather’s dog will typically join her in sessions.

In Heather’s spare time, she enjoys hiking with her husband and furry companion Casey, watching her daughter play volleyball, doing arts and crafts projects, and gardening. In the summer, enjoy spending time at the beach and camping.

Heather offers therapy for children, teens, adults, couples, and families.

• Individual, couples, and family therapy for kids, teens, and adults.
• All inclusive/communities
• Anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, medical concerns, and trauma
• Life transitions/adjustments (wide spectrum), crisis intervention, anger management, and Personality Disorders.
• Communication, relationship, attachment, and family problems
• CBT, DBT, MI, Play therapy, Family Therapy, Animal-assisted

Stacy is a Licensed Master Social Worker who received her Social Work degree from Sacred Heart University. She has committed her work to helping children, adolescents and families navigate life’s challenges. Over the last ten years, Stacy has worked in multiple settings including outpatient, inpatient and school settings. She has extensive experience working with children and adolescents at The Institute of Living in Hartford and working with kids in crisis. She enjoys working with children, teens, and their families and is well versed in working with defiant or more behavioral kids. Her therapeutic approach works very well due to her ability to connect with kids that can be reactive and that struggle with emotional regulation. She develops behavioral plans and goals that are progressive so that over time, the difficult behaviors diminish and the child’s strengths shine through.

Stacy strives to be authentic and transparent with clients to establish trust. Therapy can be difficult especially for children and adolescents, for some, their ability to trust has been broken. Stacy is a strong therapist and has six children of her own, so she is a dedicated therapist who can flex with any situation. Her approach combines strength-based perspective, evidence-based theories and a person-centered approach, tailoring treatment to meet the unique needs of each client.

Stacy meets clients where they are, with a nurturing, straightforward and collaborative approach to help them reach their full potential with a focus on empowerment and developing effective coping strategies. She promotes and encourages “progress not perfection.” She specializes in working with children and adolescents experiencing a range of issues, including anxiety, ADHD, depression, trauma, behavioral difficulties, and family conflict. She is committed to helping young clients build resilience and confidence to achieve their goals. Her greatest joy is seeing progress in clients and she is honored to be part of their journey.

The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” –

-Steve Jobs

During her free time, she enjoys spending time with my family and friends, baking/cooking, and going to the beach. The sound of the ocean and the sand between my toes is her happy place!

Stacy provides:

• Individual counseling for children, adolescents, adults, and families.
• Parenting, relationship and family problems, divorce, or blended families.
• Anxiety, Depression, Behavioral Disorders, ADHD, Autism.
• Communication Issues and Life Stage adjustment issues
• Issues regarding sexuality and genderStress, panic, obsessive compulsive disorder, and phobias
• Employment related stress or burnout