Meet our Providers

Carolyne Mburu-Gerena, PMHNP-BC

Philosophy of Care

Carolyne Mburu-Gerena is a board certified psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner in the state of Massachusetts who has over 14 years’ experience working as a registered nurse with adolescents and adults in hospice, home health, emergency room, and psychiatric settings seeking help with medical comorbidities, end of life care, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, trauma, and other mood disorders. She completed her Associate’s Degree in Nursing at Becker College, her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at Framingham State University, and received her Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University.  

Carolyne  utilizes compassionate, competent, empathetic, and optimal holistic care to the best of her ability when providing patient-centered care. These values and beliefs are accompanied by trustworthiness and respect as she continues to provide care to her patients, family, and the community for improved clinical outcomes and overall well-being.  

Carolyne strives to provide evidence-based treatment with a focus on understanding your concerns, tapping into your protective factors, educating you on a healthier lifestyle, and working collaboratively with you and other pertinent healthcare professionals to help you meet your goals and promote best practice

Education

Walden University
Master of Science in Nursing

Specialties

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar Disorder
• ADHD
• Stress management
• Self esteem
• Trauma
• Grief & Loss

Elizabeth Thompson, LICSW

Philosophy of Care

Liz Thompson is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. She received her Masters in Social Work from Boston College and her Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Quinnipiac University. Liz has worked with individuals in various settings including the hospital, partial hospitalization programs, and inpatient psychiatric facilities. She has extensive experience in working with eating disorders, grief, anxiety, depression, trauma, crisis, adjustment to life threatening illnesses, and life transitions. While she has worked with all age groups, her specialty is adolescents and young adults. 

Liz believes in bringing transparency, authenticity, and a little humor into the therapeutic space. She believes that therapy should be a space for clients to express their truest self and feels that creating a safe and supportive environment is the best way to ensure this. Liz places a strong emphasis on her therapeutic relationships so that her clients feel respected, appreciated, and understood. 

Liz utilizes various treatment modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Grief Counseling, Client Centered Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. She incorporates mindfulness and relaxation techniques to best support clients. Liz is flexible in order to meet the unique needs of each of her clients and utilizes a holistic approach to set clients up for success.

Education

Boston College
Master's in Social Work

Specialties

• Eating Disorders
• Grief and Loss 
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress Management
• Life Transitions

Heather Farmer, PMHNP

Philosophy of Care 

Heather Farmer, DNP, BSCJ, PMHNP is a licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in the state of Massachusetts who has seven years’ experience working with adults and adolescents seeking help with depression, anxiety, trauma, personality disorders, as well as mood and thought disorders. She completed her Associates Degree in Nursing at Laboure College in Boston, Massachusetts in 1998. She then completed a bachelor level double major in Nursing and Criminal Justice at Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts in 2012. In 2014 she completed her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, and then received her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Northeastern University in 2016. She went on to present her capstone project at the 23rd International Symposium about Current Issues and Controversies in Psychiatry in Barcelona, Spain in 2016.

Dr. Farmer utilizes thorough diagnostic techniques to accurately identify struggles and concerns that clients are experiencing. After establishing this treatment is initiated with the goal of aiding these issues. Routine assessments are conducted in order to ensure that treatment is effective and consistent. 

Dr. Farmer seeks to establish a warm and caring relationship with you in order to assist in building on your strengths and better collaborate with you towards meeting your goals and living the meaningful life you value and desire.

Education

Northeastern University
Doctorate in Nursing Practice

Specialties

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Trauma
• Personality Disorders
• Mood Disorders
• Thought Disorders

Kimberly Wabik, MSW, LICSW

Philosophy of Care

Kimberly Wabik is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. She has 10 years of experience partnering with youth, young adults, retired persons and all ages in between. Kimberly completed her Bachelor of Science in Human Serves at Lesley University, and her Master’s Degree in Social Work at Simmons College.

Kimberly’s primary focus when providing therapy is meeting someone “where they are at” in life, and helping them become their best selves. Kimberly provides therapy from a strength based approach, utilizing techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectal behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing.

The most important first steps of therapy is building a trusting relationship, and discussing and creating collaborative goals.

Education

Simmons College
Master’s Degree in Social Work

Specialties

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Borderline Personal Disorder
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Trauma
• Life Transitions
• Veterans
• Bi-polar Disorder

Patricia Wheeler Shea, PMHNP-BC

Philosophy of Care

Patty Wheeler Shea holds dual board certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and an Adult Nurse Practitioner. She has a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from University of Massachusetts/Lowell, and a Master of Science in Nursing from Simmons University. She has practiced as an Adult Nurse Practitioner for 25 years providing biopsychosocial care to young adult and adult clients in a variety of settings. Recognizing the prevalence of mental illness and the impact that mental illness can have on one’s life, Patty chose to pursue additional certification as a PMHNP. She completed her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post Master’s certificate at University of Massachusetts/Amherst.  

Patty’s clinical practice includes psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and treatment that is tailored to each unique individual.  She believes in the importance of an integrative mind-body approach to provide clients with holistic, personalized care to address both their mental and physical health needs. 

Patty seeks to establish a collaborative, caring, non-judgmental relationship to work with clients to achieve optimal mental and physical wellness with the goal of improving the quality of their life.

Education

Simmons University
Master of Science in Nursing

 Specialties

• Medication Management
• Alternative and Complementary Medicine
• Depression
• Anxiety
• ADHD
• Sleep Disorders
• Substance Use Disorders

Rachel Cavallaro, Licensed Psychologist

Philosophy of Care

Dr. Cavallaro received her Doctor of Clinical Psychology from University of Hartford in 2018.  She completed her internship and post-doctoral fellowship in Addiction Medicine at CeDAR before accepting a full-time position as a psychologist there and receiving her Master’s Addiction Counselor certification.   Dr. Cavallaro specializes in treating addiction, trauma/complicated grief, depression, anxiety, and military veterans.  Dr. Cavallaro also provides psychological assessment for diagnostic clarification of mood or personality disorders, ADHD, of cognitive concerns and fitness for duty evaluations for licensed professionals. 

Although Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is her primary treatment of choice, Dr. Cavallaro regularly integrates techniques from various modalities to meet the needs of the individual and increase effectiveness including positive psychology, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness to increase wellbeing and enhance resiliency in individual therapy. 

Dr. Cavallaro aims to create a trusting and collaborative relationship to help you achieve your goals and help you create the life you desire.  Dr. Cavallaro will help you to identify your various strengths and assist in the creation of new ones to enhance individual resilience.  

Education

University of Hartford
Doctorate of Clinical Psychology

Specialties

• Psychological Assessment
  • Fitness for duty/Independent medical evaluation (IME)
  • Diagnostic clarification for mood or personality disorder
  • ADHD evaluation
  • Intelligence testing
  • Cognitive evaluation
• Addiction Treatment
• Trauma and PTSD
  • Prolonged Exposure (PE) for PTSD
  • Concurrent treatment of PTSD and substance use disorders using prolonged exposure (COPE)
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Complicated Grief 
• Military personnel
• Licensed professionals (doctors, nurses, lawyers etc.)

Samantha Rynderman, LMHC

Philosophy of Care

Samantha Rynderman is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Massachusetts with experience providing therapeutic support and intervention for adults seeking help with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, life transitions, and relationship issues. She received her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Northeastern University.

Samantha utilizes a tailored approach to therapy that draws on the combined strengths of cognitive behavioral, holistic, existential, person-centered, and mindfulness based techniques to meet the ever evolving needs of every unique individual.

Samantha seeks to establish a genuine and nurturing space for you to explore your personal journey and will be dedicated to working with you through life’s most challenging experiences.

Education

Northeastern University
Master of Science in Counseling Psychology

Specialties

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress management
• Mindfulness
• Addictions and Relapse Prevention
• Trauma
• Mood disorders
• Self esteem
• LGBTQIA
• Life transitions
• Anger management
• Women’s issues
• Relationship issues
• Parenting issues
• Millennial issues

Tyler Schlicht, LICSW

Philosophy of Care

Tyler Schlicht is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the state of Massachusetts who has experience partnering with adults, young adults, and senior citizens seeking help with depression, anxiety, grief & loss, trauma, LGBTQ+ issues and life transitions. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Psychology at St. Thomas Aquinas College and his Master of Social Work at New York University.

Tyler utilizes an integrative approach that is collaborative, strengths-based, and person-centered. Tyler incorporates psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, and motivational interviewing techniques into his treatment which is tailored to the unique needs of his clients in collaboration with them.

Tyler seeks to establish a rapport with his clients that is built on mutual respect and trust. Tyler believes that therapy is most effective when it is directed in accordance with the clients goals and values.

Specialties

• Grief & loss
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Trauma
• Life transitions
• Stress management 
• LGBTQ+ issues

Abigail Nganye, RN-PMHNP

Philosophy of Care

Abigail Nganye is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Ms. Nganye received her Master of Science from Regis College Weston. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Ms. Nganye’s dedication and intelligence is demonstrated by being inducted into the National Honor Society of Nursing Sigma Theta Tau in 2020.

Abigail previously worked in community health providing care to many patients in the medically underserved populations. Abigail delivers compassionate, high quality comprehensive mental health care to each patient through medication-based treatment. Her areas of expertise include psychiatric evaluations, assessments and treatment of individuals experiencing major depression, anxiety disorders, mood disorders as well as challenges involving substance use disorder.

Abigail values holistic care thus her practice is centered upon a collaborative strength-based approach. This approach allows collaboration between her, clients and other professionals involved in their care to ensure that treatment is reflective of the individual client’s goal and values.

Education

Regis College
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Specialties

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Adjustment disorders
• Mood disorders
• PTSD
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Gina Gambardella, LICSW

Gina Gambardella is a Clinical Social Worker who is Licensed in the state of Massachusetts.

She brings almost 30 years experience working collaboratively with individuals seeking an improvement in life.   This includes  helping with troublesome worries, grief anxiety, depression, stress management and life transitions. Gina completed her MSW  at Boston College Graduate School of Social Work in 1992.

Gina utilizes many therapeutic, evidence based approaches in her practice.  This includes  self-compassion, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, psycho-dyanamic therapy.  She takes strength- based, trauma informed and culturally curious stance when working with clients.

She understands that an individual's environment, home, school, community, plays a huge role in their lives. She believes therapy at it’s best is working with clients collaboratively to meet their goals. She approaches her work in the  spirit of curiosity and flexibility. 

Gina is an experienced therapist who will help to  illuminate your strengths, and  listen to your story with compassion and warmth.

Gina’s specialties:

• Women’s issues
• Relationship issues
• Life Transitions
• Work/Career issues
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Grief and loss

Henry Lou-Goode, CNP, PMHNP-BC

Philosophy of Care

** Henry speaks Cantonese**

Henry Lou-Goode is a board certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with experience providing psychiatric are to adult patients with a wide array of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, substance use disorder, and psychotic disorders.

Henry utilizes a biopsychosocial and collaborative approach in diagnosing patient’s mental health conditions and working with patients to develop evidence-based treatment plan that could include psychiatric medications management and psychotherapy. He believes in delivering patient-centered care and supportive psychotherapy to enhance patient engagement and support patient’s personal growth.

Henry received his Master of Science in Nursing degree from Boston College Connell School of Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from University of Massachusetts (Boston). He has 6 years of experience working with people with mental health conditions.

Education

Boston College Connell School of Nursing
Master's in Nursing

Specialties

• Anxiety
• Depression
• PTSD
• Bipolar Disorders

Doug Crook, RN, PMHNP-BC

Philosophy of Care

Doug Crook is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in the state of Massachusetts.  He has nearly 20 years of experience working in the mental health field in various roles including mental health counselor and registered nurse.  He has held clinical and management positions.  He has primarily worked on inpatient psychiatric units—with both adults and children.  He received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Salem State College and recently his Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice at Regis College.  His doctoral research was focused on providing behavioral health education to nurses caring for pediatric patients with behavioral health needs on non-psychiatric, inpatient units.

Doug understands the profound effects that challenges with mental health can have and the importance of addressing these challenges appropriately.  He values a collaborative relationship with his clients and working together on a plan of care that is reasonable and effective.

Doug aims to create a safe, non-judgmental space to develop this close working relationship with his clients, so that he can support their journey towards achieving personal goals and mental wellness.

Education

Regis College
Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice

Grace Ngumi, PMHNP-BC

Philosophy of Care

**Grace Ngumi offers psychiatric medication management

Grace Ngumi is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) Licensed in Massachusetts. She has over 15years experience working as Nurse in various nursing specialty and in particular mental health and dual diagnosis settings. As an NP she has worked with patients seeking help with depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders and bipolar disorders.  She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Curry College in Milton, MA and received her Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University.  

Grace, utilizes her past experience, education and clinical expertise to provide holistic care and ethical care that is compassionate to while maintaining a healing environment. 

Grace seeks to collaborate with her patient and other health care providers in order to ensure that the care she provides is holistic and is centered on the patient's wellbeing.

Education 

Walden University
Master's in Nursing

Specialities

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Self esteem
• Adjustment disorders
• ADHD
• Bipolar
• Grief & Loss

Edwin Japheth Agbonavbare, CNP, ARNP, PMHNP-BC

Philosophy of Care

Edwin Japheth Agbonavbare is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in the state of  Massachusetts who has about 18 years' experience in the field of mental health as both a  mental health counselor, a registered nurse, and a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner  who has worked relentlessly with children, adults, and families seeking help with depression,  anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, schizophrenia spectrum, conduct disorder, oppositional  dysregulation disorder, life transitions, life issues and relationship issues. He completed his  Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Salem State University and received his Master of Science  in Nursing from Walden University as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.  

Edwin utilizes evidence-based, collaborative, mindfulness based, solution focused and  emotionally focused approaches to therapy always maintaining the creativity, flexibility and  awareness necessary to best meet the needs of every unique individual and couple. He also  bases his medication prescription technique from experience, and the utilization of evidence based practice to effectively manage the disease process of every individual. 

Edwin seeks to establish a warm and caring relationship with you in order to assist in building  on your strengths and better collaborate with every individual towards meeting their goals and  living their meaningful lives.

Education

Walden University
Master's in Nursing

Specialties

• Depression 
• Anxiety 
• Stress management 
• Self esteem 
• Life transitions 
• Anger management 
• Men’s issues 
• Bipolar disorder 
• Mood disorder 
• PTSD

Wendy Barry, PMHNP

Philosophy of Care

Wendy Barry is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who has over 14 years of nursing experience.  Wendy completed her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing degree at Fitchburg College, which is now Fitchburg University, in Fitchburg Massachusetts.  She completed her Masters of Science in Nursing at Regis College in Weston Massachusetts. Wendy bases her treatment on the biopsychosocial model and evidence-based practices.

Wendy understands that medication is only a part of the picture within the biopsychosocial model of mental health.  Her practice in medication is "start low and go slow", which is considered a standard of care in psychiatry.  She is a strong supporter of collaborative care and will work with other providers to maintain client's optimal health.  As a prescriber Wendy takes on the role of consult and encourages clients to feel confident in their psychiatric care.  She does this by asking questions, answering questions, and encouraging clients take the lead in their care.

Wendy treats clients with depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD and bipolar disorder.

Education

Regis College
Master's in Nursing

Specialties

• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Bipolar Disorder
• Medication Management