Meet Our Counseling Team

Chris is the Director, Clinical Operations for our Outpatient Psychiatric Clinics located in West Hartford, Avon and Rockville. In this role, he is responsible for the overall operations of the counseling centers including staffing, compliance, licensing and regulation, revenue management and efficiencies improvement.

Chris joined the Bridge in 2019 and served as our Clinical Director of Community and School Services. He was responsible for the Bridge's Youth and Family Services Department and oversaw all school-based services offered by the Bridge. He also led the West Hartford Youth Service Bureau providing comprehensive prevention and intervention services, resource development, community involvement, and advocacy. Prior to joining the Bridge, he directed a 28-bed psychiatric residential treatment facility.

Chris earned a Master of Social Work in Administration Degree from the University of Connecticut and a Bachelor of Arts in English Degree from Eastern Connecticut State University.

Martin, the Clinical Director for Outpatient Psychiatric Services, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Since 2000, he has been  working with children, families and adults in a variety of settings, including: outpatient counseling, residential care, therapeutic group home care and therapeutic foster care. Martin has advanced training in the areas of complex trauma and attachment. He currently monitors all aspects of clinical counseling services for our outpatient counseling centers. 

Martin earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of California Santa Cruz.

Dr. Mubbashar is the Medical Director for the Bridge Family Center's licensed Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic for Children. He is a Board Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and conducts medication evaluations and follow-ups for Bridge therapy clients. Dr. Mubbashar brings an incredible depth of clinical experience to his role. He is engaged in practicing child, adolescent and adult psychiatry and holds a special interest and expertise in advanced psychopharmacology.

Dr. Mubbashar graduated from the residency-training program in Adult Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine and completed his advanced fellowship training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Yale Child Study Center. Additionally, Dr. Mubbashar completed his fellowship in Psychopharmacology at the Yale School of Medicine and West Haven's Veteran's Affairs Hospital. He also holds a faculty position as clinical instructor at the Yale School of Medicine, where he teaches an advanced psycho-pharmacology course. He has been the recipient of multiple awards and medals during his academic career, including: the Ira R. Levine Award and the President's Gold Medal from the Yale School of Medicine.

Dr. Mubbashar has published his clinical research in multiple indexed journals including clinical trials and also presented his original research work at several international conferences, including the Society for Neuroscience's annual meetings. He is an active member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Carlie is a Marriage and Family Therapy Associate in the West Hartford and Avon clinics. She works with children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples who are facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, loss, family conflict and transitions. She utilizes solution-focused, narrative, and strategic approaches to aid clients with reaching their goals in therapy. Carlie has a compassionate approach and creates a safe and open environment to explore thoughts and feelings without fear or judgement. 

Carlie has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Connecticut and a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Central Connecticut State University.  

Carolyn is a Marriage and Family Therapy Associate at our Avon office. Carolyn works with couples, families, and individuals of all ages struggling with a variety of challenging life circumstances. Carolyn has experience helping others cope with depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, ADHD, relational issues, life transitions, behavioral challenges and more. Carolyn practices through a strengths-based and person-centered approach, welcoming others to embrace all parts of themselves. In her free time, Carolyn likes to hike with her dog and travel.

Carolyn has a Bachelor's degree in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies from UCONN and a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Central Connecticut State University. 

Rachel is a Marriage and Family Therapist in our West Hartford and Avon clinics. She works with a wide range of clients including children, teenagers, adults, and families. Rachel strives to support clients through various life stages and transitions by building on their existing strengths. When not at the Bridge, Rachel enjoys her other passions including photography, art and music.

Rachel received both her Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Central Connecticut State University.

Anita is a Marriage and Family Therapist in our West Hartford clinics. She works with individuals and families to seek a deeper understanding of themselves as they respond to life’s challenges, transitions, and emotional barriers. Anita utilizes an integrative approach to help others deepen their relationships through connection, communication, and healthy interactions. Individual’s meet their therapeutic goals and mature on their path to personal success and emotional stability.

Anita embraces artistry in nature, organic living, and people.

Anita has a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science from Ashford University and a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Central Connecticut State University.  

Caroline is a Marriage and Family Therapy Associate from Central Connecticut State University. With a background in Secondary Education, she is passionate about working with students and their families in fostering growth and development with a holistic and interdisciplinary approach. Caroline is particularly interested in trauma informed approaches as well as play, art, and nature-based therapy. She practices with the belief that all people have the power within themselves to lead a joyful and fulfilling life and that sometimes we just need help accessing the tools that connect us to that power. 

Mary is a Marriage and Family Therapy Associate in our West Hartford clinic who works with a wide range of clients including children, teens, adults, families, and couples.  She has experience working with a number of clinical issues including anxiety, depression, trauma, behavioral challenges, relational conflict and divorce.  She is particularly interested in working with children and their families, and couples.  She uses a variety of therapeutic modalities in helping clients to explore their concerns and best utilize their strengths in working toward positive change in meeting therapeutic goals.

Mary has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the State University of New York at Albany, a Master's degree in Science from Central Connecticut State University, and a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Central Connecticut State University.

Andrew Halpern works with adolescents and adults through an eclectic and humanistic lens.  He finds joy in seeing his clients become the best version of themselves. He has training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction.

In addition, Andrew has worked in various clinical settings as a therapist and supervisor helping clients navigate their way to wellness through different levels of care. He provides counseling in English and Spanish. 

Andrew has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Central Connecticut State University and a Master’s degree in Clinical Professional Counseling from Central Connecticut State University.  

Mia is a Marriage and Family Therapy Associate in our West Hartford Clinic. She works with children, teenagers, adults, and families facing issues with anxiety, depression, behavioral challenges, and trauma. She helps clients recognize their own strengths so that they can identify the therapeutic goals and solutions they want using a variety of therapeutic techniques. Mia believes most of these issues are from relational conflicts and strives to work on reconsolidating relationships in families and couples by helping them understand their need to connect with others. 

Mia earned a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Central Connecticut State University.

Megan is a Marriage and Family Therapist intern at The Bridge Family Center’s Rockville location. 

Megan has experience working with clients in Southern Connecticut State University’s MFT clinic. She has a Bachelor’s of Arts in psychology from Southern Connecticut State University. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, also from SCSU.

Kristin is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in our Rockville clinic. They work with children, teenagers, adults, and families who are facing issues such as anxiety, depression, divorce, family conflict, and behavioral challenges. Kristin is particularly interested in serving the LGBTQAI+ community of all ages and specializes in supporting individuals and families who are navigating transgender legal, social, and physical transitions. Kristin is a Transgender Affirmative Care Clinician now affiliated with WPATH (Worldwide Professional Association for Transgender Heath). They have multiple years experience in working in the clinical day school setting and is trained in Management of Aggressive Behavior (MOAB), Risking Connections, Calm Every Storm (CES), as well as several therapeutic modalities.

They earned a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Central Connecticut State University and a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Connecticut.

Alexis is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has worked in the mental healthcare field for over a decade. She has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of outpatient settings, including: in-home services, outpatient counseling, jail diversionary programs, as well as both public and clinical day schools. Alexis utilizes strategic, solution focused, and narrative approaches to assist clients in achieving their therapeutic goals. It is her goal to support clients through life’s changes and transitions in a safe and supportive environment, by building upon their existing strengths.

Alexis earned a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Central Connecticut State University, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature, with a concentration in Honors Studies and Psychology from Central Connecticut State University.

Alexis is a Marriage and Family Therapist Associate at the Bridge's Rockville location.  He uses humanistic and existential theories to understand people’s experience through life.  He has been practicing meditation and mindfulness for over 15 years.  He uses this to increase awareness and tranquility with all clients that are willing to learn. He utilizes attachment theory, dialectical behavioral theory, and sex therapy to develop an understanding of who we are in the present. Living by the philosophy; Learn from the past, Live in the present, and Look out for the future. He believes everyone can come to an understanding of who they are and love themselves for it.

Alexis has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a concentration in Research, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Human Development Family Studies, from UConn. Alexis also has a Masters in Clinical Psychology, with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy, from The Chicago School of Professional Psycology. 

Susan is a Marriage and Family Therapist in our Avon and Rockville offices. She works with children, teenagers and adults who are experiencing a variety of issues such as anxiety, depression, interpersonal conflict, trauma, and difficulty with life stage transitions.  Susan is particularly interested in working with women who are experiencing challenges due to new relationships, divorce/separation, child conflict or children leaving home (empty nest). Using solution-focused and strength based approaches, Susan strives to create a safe environment for exploration, growth and healing.

Susan received her Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Central Connecticut State University.