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Stephanie Gaete, LCSW is a bilingual and deeply dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker at HQHT whose compassionate presence, breadth of clinical experience, and genuine investment in every client's wellbeing shine through in everything she does.

Stephanie earned her Master of Social Work from Sacred Heart University and her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Connecticut. Her career has taken her across some of the most demanding and diverse clinical settings in mental health, from crisis intervention to hospital based social work to school and family therapy programs.

Stephanie currently serves as an Outpatient Therapist at Express, Liberate, Explore LLC, where she facilitates individual and family therapy, evaluates mental health diagnoses, and creates and implements personalized treatment plans. Prior to this she served as Lead Social Worker for Effective School Solutions, delivering clinical interventions to support students' academic and mental health stability through group, individual, and family counseling.

Her clinical background also includes work as a Social Worker at Stamford Hospital, a Crisis Clinician providing mobile psychiatric crisis assessments for children at Community Health Center, and a Mental Health Counselor at IICAPS Family and Children Agency, where she conducted intakes, facilitated therapy sessions, and coordinated closely with families and providers. Earlier in her career she worked as a Direct Care Counselor at Mid Fairfield Child Guidance Center, supporting children through individualized crisis management plans and therapeutic group activities.

Stephanie is fully bilingual in Spanish, allowing her to connect meaningfully with a broader range of clients and families, and is trained in EMDR, bringing trauma informed care to every session.

Stephanie's warmth, clinical expertise, and genuine dedication to her clients make her an invaluable addition to the HQHT team. She is proud to walk alongside every individual and family she works with on their path toward healing.

Dana is a master’s-level therapist focused on creating a warm, safe environment for vulnerable conversations. Her approach is rooted in compassion, respect, and humor.

She offers individual and couples therapy, specializing in neurodiversity, anxiety, and trauma. Dana is an LGBTQIA+ affirming clinician with specialized training and experience supporting the queer community. She also provides integration therapy for KAP and Spravato. Dana infuses trauma-informed practices throughout her modality, centering the client’s unique perspective to cultivate a safe, respectful environment.

Education

• MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Walden University

• Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist – Individual (CCTSI)
• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Integration therapy for KAP and Spravato
• Gender-Affirming & Queer-Informed Care

Kasey is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 15 years of experience working in the mental health field. Using a humanistic, person-centered, strengths-based approach, she has worked with individuals to support the development of deeper self-understanding and the skills needed to navigate their lived experiences. She utilizes an eclectic modality in her work, drawing from treatment approaches including Psychodynamic, Relational, Cognitive Behavioral, Acceptance and Commitment, Narrative Therapy, and Mindfulness.

Having worked in a variety of settings, Kasey has profound respect for the challenges that life can present and truly believes in the therapeutic process as a means of meeting such challenges with compassion, integrity, and courage.

Kasey offers a warm, nonjudgmental space for individuals to explore their emotions, identity, and relationships; process experiences and interpersonal/intrapersonal conflict; and continue along their unique path toward living a fulfilling, authentic life. She is LGBTQ+ and gender-affirming and welcomes people from all backgrounds to take their next step in healing and self-discovery.

Education

• - MS.Ed - Long Island University, Brooklyn NY
• - BA - Deakin University, Melbourne Australia

Languages: English

Justin is a master’s-level, licensed associate therapist who provides individual counseling to teenagers, young adults, and adults, as well as couples counseling for adult couples. He earned his Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Holy Family University and is currently working toward full licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

He is passionate about helping clients navigate life transitions, anxiety, self-esteem issues, and feel more in control of their thoughts, emotions, and choices. Whether someone is feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of where to begin, Justin offers a trauma-informed, safe, supportive space to explore and grow, at the client’s pace and on their terms. In couples counseling, he works collaboratively with partners to improve communication, rebuild trust, navigate conflict, and better understand the patterns that keep them feeling disconnected from one another.

His approach is person-centered, practical, and rooted in evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). He has received direct training from the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy and additional training through the Gottman Institute for couples counseling, which continue to inform his work with both individuals and couples.

Before becoming a therapist, Justin worked as a behavior technician, supporting young adults and families in their homes. That experience taught him the importance of meeting people where they are, both literally and emotionally. Today, he brings that same mindset into his therapy practice by blending structured therapeutic techniques with an interactive, conversational, and down-to-earth style. He often incorporates humor, hands-on activities, real-life examples, and, most importantly, collaboration with his clients to keep the process approachable and produce meaningful results.

• Holy Family University – M.S. in Counseling Psychology, with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Fordham University – B.S. in Psychology

• The Beck Institute's CBT In-Practice Course
• Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Level 1