Meet Our Team
Madelyn Straub, LCSW, LPC
Madelyn Straub (Briggs) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Professional Counselor. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a Master of Social Work degree. Her approach to therapeutic work starts from a strengths-based perspective that focuses on positive qualities while identifying areas of potential and growth. The goal of her clinical intervention is to cultivate balance in all areas of wellness: physical, emotional, social, environmental, spiritual, financial and vocational. She aims to provide responsive, thoughtful and authentic care that promotes health and well-being for her clients.
Miguel Caldera, MD, MBA, LADC
Miguel Caldera is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor who received his Medical Doctorate from University of San Carlos School of Medicine and Master of Business Administration from University of New Haven. He is a seasoned healthcare professional with over 25 years of experience delivering compassionate care. He is experienced in behavioral health, co-occurring disorders, family systems, early childhood development, early intervention, criminal justice and alternatives to incarceration, family re-unification, and spirituality as integral parts of recovery. He has expertise in working with Latinos from Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Central America, Mexico and other South American Countries. He provides fluent Spanish and English services.
Rachel Hence,
LCSW
Rachel Hence is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from Fordham University. She has 17 years’ experience as a therapist, utilizing an integrative holistic approach in her work with clients, drawing from a foundation of evidence-based practice. The focus of her interventions is to help clients safely navigate their journey toward psychological and emotional healing, by creating a therapeutic relationship rooted in empathy, unconditional positive regard, trust, and compassionate care.
Johanna Pike, LPC
Johanna Pike is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned a Masters of Arts in Expressive Therapies from Lesley University. Johanna focuses on using cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to help adolescents struggling with anxiety and depression to become more self aware and confident. She meets the client where they are at and helps support them in their journey to where they would like to be. Johanna also studied art therapy and is an artist herself. Although she is currently only offering telehealth, any interest in art can still be utilized by projects done in and out of the sessions to promote creativity and expression of emotions that can be explored. Johanna also does the billing for Change Counseling. Coming from a mental health background, she is aware of the stresses that insurance can cause and will work with clients to make sure the process can be as smooth as possible.
Cindy Dupointe, LMSW
Cindy is a Licensed Master of Social Work with over 15 years of experience in clinical, and agency perspectives. Cindy’s focus is to help adolescents, and adults to learn coping strategies and to embrace their resiliency. She supports individuals and families using a solution-focused, strengths-based approach, and believes that all individuals have the capacity to sustain positive change, Her therapeutic approach is compassionate, empowering and client-centered.
Cindy believes it is important for clinicians to be continually doing their own work. As we can only ask our clients to go as far as we have gone ourselves.
As hard as it can be to sit in the other chair, the benefit is rewarding and life changing.
Candice Syriac, LCSW, LICSW
Candice Syriac is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Westfield State University. She has experience working with clients from adolescents to adults in various settings such as group homes and acute care facilities. She uses a variety of techniques based on the needs of the client including DBT, CBT and a psychodynamic approach. The goal of her therapeutic intervention is to empower the client and instill an overall sense of well-being. She believes that everyone has the capacity for change.
Ava Zawadzki, Intake Coordinator
Ava Zawadzki is a Junior at the University of Connecticut majoring in psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. Ava plans to pursue her PhD in psychology post grad and start a career in counseling.
Janay Gonzales, LCSW, LPC
Janay is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Professional Counselor who earned a Master’s degree in Social Work from UConn. She believes that relationships play a vital role in life and it begins with the relationship you have with yourself. She uses a strengths-based perspective when working with clients. She strives to create a safe space where clients are able to process their emotions and identify their goals. She believes the therapeutic relationship is strongest when collaborating and determining what works best for the client.
Judy Smith, LMFT
Judy Smith is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who earned her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Central Connecticut State University. She has ten years experience working with individuals, couples, families, youth, children and seniors.
She has worked in a variety of settings, including agencies, in-home, schools, outpatient, and senior centers, and has many years of experience in collaboration with community agencies, DCF and the Juvenile Review Board in Thompson, CT.
She draws her therapeutic interventions from a wide variety of evidence-based practices, and believes that a person’s past experiences are an important consideration in the treatment process. Judy is alway mindful of creating a safe space for the processing of strong emotions .
Elena Mercier, LMSW
Elena is a Licensed Master of Social Work. She is a graduate of Boston University with a master’s degree in clinical social work. Elena gained experience helping young people develop skills that support their social and emotional well-being working as an elementary school social worker and spending much of her academic career working in various capacities with children and adolescents. Her therapeutic approach emphasizes the importance of helping both the client and their support system (caregivers and teachers) work together to tackle mental health obstacles. Elena primarily uses cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness strategies, and self-esteem building activities that empower her clients to develop positive coping strategies that are unique to them. Elena is dedicated to helping clients and their families find therapeutic solutions that feel authentic and appropriate to their lifestyle and circumstances.
Victoria Sousa, LMSW
Victoria Sousa is a Licensed Master Social Worker and is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a Master of Social Work degree. Victoria specializes in treating those who have experienced trauma, grief and loss, as well as those with anxiety, mood and substance use disorders. Victoria utilizes frameworks offered by EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Seeking Safety in her work with clients. She strives to practice a non-judgmental and client-centered approach which allows for a collaborative experience and transformative change.
Angela Hutchins, BS
Angela Hutchins is student at Rutgers University, pursuing a Master of Social Work degree with a certificate in Interpersonal Violence and Trauma. She is completing her advanced-year clinical internship with Change Counseling, LLC. Her interests and experience include working with those navigating experiences of trauma, grief and loss, bereavement, chronic illness, and caregiving. Angela is developing a strengths-based, integrative, collaborative, and wholistic approach that utilizes somatic therapies with sensitivity, empathy, and acceptance. Her goals within the therapeutic relationship include establishing an environment in which each individual’s innate wisdom can be honored and explored..
McKenzie Gauthier, LMSW
McKenzie has a Master’s in Social work from Sacred Heart University. McKenzie’s has been with children, adolescents, and families. McKenzie's goal is to develop a therapeutic relationship with clients that is collaborative, promotes resiliency, is trauma-focused, and is strength based. McKenzie has a certificate in TF-CBT and looks forward to applying it in practice.
Tara Hughes, LCSW
Tara Hughes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Connecticut. In addition to her position with Change Counseling, she has over four years’ experience working as a Crisis Clinician and now as a Facility Liaison working with youth and families in crisis. Her roles have given her knowledge in assessing for levels of risk, stabilizing crises, and providing support to clients and families through challenging moments. She has experience working with youth and families, attachment based interventions, and mood and anxiety disorders. She is passionate about children’s mental health, and the importance of access to mental health treatment. She uses a strength based, empathetic and compassionate approach when working with clients and their families.
Gabriela Gil
Gabriela Gil is a bilingual medical assistant passionate about bridging the gap between mental health and culture; she’s eager to contribute to the promotion of mental health awareness, diversity, and inclusion. Gaby plans to continue her career in healthcare by pursuing her nursing degree with the hope of providing comprehensive care to those affected by language barriers.
Cheryl Jacques, APRN
Cheryl Jacques is a doctoral-prepared nurse practitioner with over 25 years of experience providing medication management to individuals across the life span struggling with stress, anxiety and depression that may be preventing them from taking the next step forward in their own lives. Cheryl has experience working with individuals struggling with ADHD, promoting their success through low energy and poor motivation to succeed. She strives to provide a comfortable, safe place to help you achieve your goals.
Erin McKinzie, LMSW
Erin McKinzie is a Licensed Master Social Worker and is a graduate of the University of St. Joseph where she received a Master of Social Work degree. Erin specializes in working with those who have experienced trauma, those with a history of substance use, as well as those with anxiety and mood disorders. Erin utilizes frameworks offered by Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) in her work. Erin's mission is to help clients find their inner strength, self-worth, and hold the lantern to light their way while they process through challenges and changes.
Jonathan Zane, LMSW
With over 20 years of working with families and individuals, my approach is grounded in the understanding that each person with the courage and willingness to seek help, already possesses the strengths and attributes necessary to heal and grow. I use a feedback informed approach to make sure your input is included and that my style is a fit for you. I focus on EMDR however, I have a background in strength based, solution focused, family systems, CBT, and motivational interviewing. I am comfortable working with anyone that is willing to face their challenges however they identify. I have a particular passion for and experience working with first responders and individuals from backgrounds that typically approach therapy with skepticism.