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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.

• 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.

“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.

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!

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

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