Meet the LCG Team

Director of Clinical Training

Andrea Lapomardo, Psy.D.

Dr. Andrea Lapomardo aims to cultivate a safe, supportive, and collaborative working environment with each client.  She uses a cognitive behavioral framework as a foundation from which personal strength and growth can build and believes in emphasizing the resources an individual already possesses.  Dr. Lapomardo has specialized training in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and maintains a strong commitment to evidence-based care, integrating components of dialectical behavior, mindfulness-based, and acceptance/commitment therapies into her work.  She is thoughtful and flexible in her clinical approach and brings warmth, creativity, and curiosity to each session.  She tailors interventions to meet individuals’ unique needs and engages in respectful dialogue that fosters clinical success and allows individuals to carry insight into their lives.  Dr. Lapomardo has a specialization in children and adolescents and has devoted much of her clinical work to serving adolescents, young adults, and families.

Dr. Andrea Lapomardo received her BA in psychology from St. Bonaventure University.  She earned a MA in psychology from Southern Connecticut State University and was the principal investigator on a project examining the relationship between family dynamics and prosocial development among preschoolers.  Dr. Lapomardo also assisted with research at Yale University Child Study Center that investigated parenting beliefs, stress, and practices of fathers with young children and co-occurring intimate partner violence and substance abuse.  She completed an independent project with a subsample of these fathers and published an article in Advances in Dual Diagnosis that was chosen as the Outstanding Paper Award Winner at the Literati Network Awards for Excellence. 

Dr. Lapomardo went on to earn a MA and PsyD in clinical psychology from University of Hartford and served as student representative to the Doctoral Training Committee.  Her dissertation research focused on examining the relationship between parenting factors and emotion regulation/recognition among college students.  She completed an APA-accredited doctoral internship at Community Healthlink (CHL), Youth and Family Services in Worcester, MA.  At CHL, she provided services for individuals, couples, and families across the lifespan and both developed and implemented a mindfulness-based group for middle school-aged children.  Dr. Lapomardo also completed an APA-accredited postdoctoral fellowship at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University within Bradley Hospital, Adolescent Inpatient Units.  In addition to offering individual and brief family therapy, she facilitated a daily skills group utilizing evidence-based dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).  At Brown, Dr. Lapomardo trained staff on empirically-informed CBT interventions for psychiatrically hospitalized youth and focused research efforts on implementation of brief motivational enhancement therapy for adolescents who endorse substance use.

Staff Psychologist

Robyn Miles, Psy.D.

Dr. Robyn Miles received her Psy.D. in Clinical and Forensic psychology from Alliant International University in Irvine, CA. For the past 7 years, she has been conducting forensic evaluations and providing supervision within the Piedmont Correctional Institution in North Carolina as well as providing individual counseling for a diverse populations of clients through Carolina Counseling and Consultation, an outpatient group private practice. Dr. Miles specializes in general mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities using an eclectic mix of behavioral psychotherapy, including CBT, ACT, and motivational interviewing.

Licensed Social Worker

Kristen Keller, LICSW

Kristen is a clinical therapist, who received her Masters of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Michigan. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Kristen utilizes a client-centered approach, and believes in the importance of building a collaborative rapport between the client and therapist. She combines her backgrounds in philosophy and psychology to help facilitate insight and introspection with clients. Kristen has training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.

Prior to joining the Life Changes team, she worked in a variety of hospital systems and outpatient clinics. Kristen specializes in treating anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar related disorders, Substance Use Disorders, relationship issues, and life adjustment.

In her free time, Kristen enjoys going on hikes, watching college football, and trying new restaurants.

Post-Doctoral Clinician

Benjamin Trigani

Dr. Benjamin Trigani is a psychotherapist with training and experience providing individual and group psychotherapy to those ranging from adolescents to adulthood. He believes in the importance of creating a safe and collaborative environment to help individuals discover their values, provide practical everyday tools, and establish common therapeutic goals for effective treatment.

Dr. Trigani utilizes an integrative approach to therapy, with a foundation in Humanistic Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). His integrative approach also incorporates techniques from the following: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), as well as Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) in order to assist clients in creating and maintaining lasting change. His clinical specialties include anxiety, depression, interpersonal functioning, identity development, and working with the LGBTQ+ community. Dr. Trigani earned his Master’s degree in Professional Psychology and his Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from William James College. He completed his APA-accredited predoctoral internship at the Dr. Leon O. Brenner Center for Psychological Assessment and Consultation, where he conducted complete diagnostic and neuropsychological assessments for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopment disabilities.

Dr. Trigani completed his post-doctoral fellowship at Roger Williams University’s Counseling Center, where he provided individual and group psychotherapy across diverse populations, along with crisis intervention and outreach programs.”

Clinical Social Worker

Katherine Griffiths, LICSW

Katherine is a clinical social worker with over 20 years experience as a therapist for individuals, groups and families.  Katherine graduated from Brown University in 1991 with a degree in American Civilization.  Her career began as a counselor in a residential school for children in upstate New York. She attended Simmons School of Social work and graduated with her MSW in 1997.  Her career as a therapist began as a substance abuse clinician in East Boston.  Most of her experience comes from her years at MGH Chelsea where she works as a bilingual therapist with a diverse population, many of whom are immigrants from Central America.  Most of her clients have experienced trauma either from their countries of origin and/or from domestic and community violence.

Katherine has an eclectic style, including psychodynamic, narrative and cognitive behavioral approaches.  She believes that through her nonjudgmental approach, people can feel safe to share their most difficult stories. As loneliness and isolation has reached epidemic levels, she finds connecting with a good therapist is a key component to changing one’s outlook. 

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

BeccaJo Abelman, LICSW

BeccaJo Abelman (she/ her/hers) is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. She received her BS in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University and her MSW from Boston University. Prior to joining Life Changes Group, BeccaJo worked with a variety of community mental health organizations supporting individuals with severe mental health diagnoses and/or substance use disorders.

BeccaJo is Jewish and a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She has experience working with marginalized populations and aims, above all, to create a therapeutic environment to which clients can comfortably bring their entire selves. BeccaJo uses a client-centered, strengths based approach to help clients achieve interpersonal goals and discover a greater sense of self. Her clinical interests include LGBTQIA+ issues, relationship issues, trauma, depression, anxiety, and substance use. BeccaJo uses a range of modalities, including CBT, ACT, and motivational interviewing.

In her free time, BeccaJo enjoys hiking, going to concerts, and spending time with friends and family.

Licensed Psychologist and a Bilingual Speaker (English - Spanish)

Dr. Lynneurie Caraballo Luccioni

Dr. Caraballo is a MA licensed psychologist and a bilingual speaker (English – Spanish). Dr. Caraballo believes that every individual has a unique set of strengths that can be enhanced through collaborative and compassionate work to generate change. She takes the individual’s values, personal experiences, and cultural background as a guide for a personalized approach in therapy.

Dr. Caraballo has experience in primary care psychology, behavioral health, mood disorders, chronic mental illness, and substance use. She practices a client-centered approach and utilizes evidence-based models such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Mindfulness-based strategies. She is also very passionate about diversity and inclusion and helping people of all backgrounds.

She earned her doctoral APA degree in Clinical Psychology at the Ponce Health Sciences University, Puerto Rico. Her clinical internship in Neuropsychology Rehabilitation and Clinical Psychology was also at the same institution. Dr. Caraballo also has a Certificate Program in Primary Care Behavioral Health from the University of Massachusetts, Worcester. Before joining the Life Changes Group, she spent several years in Massachusetts working in outpatient mental health services, psychiatric inpatient services, and the Adult Community Clinical Services (ACCS). Other work experiences include a neuropsychology externship at the New York University Langone Medical Center – Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. Additionally, she performed an externship at SAMHSA, in Washington DC where she participated in researching the effectiveness of grants prevention programs for substance use in youth minorities.

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

Shawdee Sariri, LICSW

Shawdee is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Massachusetts. She completed her undergraduate studies at Northeastern University, earning degrees in Psychology and Education. She went on to receive her Master’s degree in Social Work from Simmons University, also earning certification in trauma-informed care, in addition to licensure as a school adjustment counselor. She has experience working with children and adults who exhibit various behavioral and emotional disorders, specifically those who experience anxiety, depression, and trauma-related symptoms, in multiple community settings.

Shawdee aims to improve a person’s self-esteem by building up their unique sense of self and assisting them in developing coping strategies to modify behavior that results from personal misconceptions or other cognitive impairments. Her practice utilizes a strengths-based lens and an evidenced-based therapeutic approach through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), where negative insights are identified and challenged, in hopes to be replaced with more objective and realistic views of oneself. Within her practice, Shawdee finds value in providing a safe, supportive, and warm therapeutic talk space, where every individual can feel empowered to share what is on their mind. Shawdee holds a passion for learning new ways to keep her practice relevant and how to best support an individual’s mental health and well-being. She carries an understanding that a person’s life experiences can shape them through various stages of life. Therefore, Shawdee considers a person’s social, emotional, and behavioral patterns to evaluate, and support, their transitions into different development stages across their lifespan.

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

Mindy Sherbet, LICSW

Mindy is a life-long learner who brings a multitude of experience to her therapeutic approach. She engages with others in a supportive, direct-yet-kind approach that helps clients achieve the goals that bring them to therapy. Mindy’s approach is eclectic, drawing from several modalities including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Mindy began her social work career as an outpatient therapist in a mental health clinic where she provided services to meet the disparate needs of the community. She has worked with individuals, couples, and families across a range of ages throughout the lifespan. She is especially adept at working with those who have interpersonal challenges, life transition difficulties, anxiety, and depression. Her warmth, curiosity, and sincere interest in people lends itself to a safe and comforting atmosphere, while gently challenging and guiding others to become aware of behavioral patterns that exacerbate their struggles. Mindy excels at integrating skills and life lessons from her previous careers into a holistic therapeutic approach that is both practical and realistic.

Mindy holds a Master of Social Work degree from Simmons University and a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business/Marketing from Northeastern University.

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

Gabriella Bergonzi, LICSW

Gabriella Bergonzi is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) who received her Master’s in Social Work from Simmons University. Prior to this degree, Gabriella received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology as well as a minor in education at University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Gabriella has experience working with both adolescents and adults, offering personalized, compassionate treatment for a range of experiences including anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, substance use, and interpersonal/relationship concerns. She utilizes various techniques from CBT, motivational interviewing, DBT, and mindfulness-based strategies to create a unique treatment approach that is tailored to each person’s individual needs. She is a warm, friendly, and collaborative therapist who approaches each relationship with acceptance and hopefulness. In her free time, Gabriella enjoys learning the piano, singing, playing tennis, and spending time with friends.

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

Sophia Padnos, LICSW

Sophia Padnos is a licensed independent clinical social worker with a B.A. from Yale and an M.A. from Harvard, both in English Literature; she received her M.S.W. from Salem State University. She has worked in community mental health with adults, children and families, and at an anti-poverty agency on housing issues. In her practice, she combines elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, which aims to improve conscious understanding, with dialectical behavioral therapy, which focuses more on feelings. Techniques from these approaches are deployed within a psychodynamic framework that allows a wider perspective, and considers the way our childhood experiences continue to shape us throughout our lives.

People come to therapy because something is bothering them. They generally know what it is, but they may not know why it’s such an issue, or how to resolve it. Sophia strives to offer an open, peaceful space for her clients to think through these questions without haste, or pressure, or judgment. Her study of literature has shaped her approach to therapy; she is interested in the telling detail, the unexpected turn, and the ways our interpretations (and misinterpretations!) affect our understanding of our lives. Sophia has a special interest in questions of agency, autonomy and interdependence; family issues, including parenting; and decision-making for people at turning points in their lives. Her specialties include anxiety and depression; relationship issues; family dynamics; and child mental health.

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

Tele Wilson-Bahoun, LICSW

Tele Wilson-Bahoun, LICSW obtained her BA in social work from the University of New Hampshire and her MSW from Simmons University. Prior to LCG she worked in an outpatient setting providing psychotherapy and crisis intervention support to individuals and families dealing with overwhelming life stressors and transitions. Along with her career in outpatient, she also has experience working in leadership and clinical roles providing comprehensive treatment to those coping with addiction in adult residential and inpatient recovery programs. Tele continued her career as a clinician for Arbour Hospital, working on both the dual diagnosis and acute psychiatric units.

During her time training in a multitude of settings and roles, she worked with clients in different stages of their mental health journey. Tele tailors her therapeutic style to the client’s individualized needs which has allowed her the opportunity to support individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, post-traumatic stress, substance use disorder, mood disorders, family dysfunction, relationships challenges, interpersonal challenges, life transitions, racial and ethnic issues.

Tele enjoys incorporating a culturally competent, strength-based, client-centered approach which allows her to meet individuals where they are and create a safe, non-judgmental and supportive space which allows room to do some life changing work. To inform her work with client’s the theoretical orientation she uses ranges from CBT, DBT, Narrative therapy, Solution-focused techniques, motivational interviewing and ACT.

Licensed Psychologist

Elizabeth Marcellino, PhD

Elizabeth Marcellino is a licensed psychologist with experience working with diverse populations of all ages in individual, couples and group therapy.

She received her B.A. from Wheaton College in Norton, MA when it was a women’ s college, an MA in Theology from BC and a Ph.D. in both clinical psychology and religious/theological studies from Boston University. She has been deeply interested in the intersection of spirituality and psychology academically, clinically and personally. She describes owing a debt of gratitude to an indigenous community in CA who taught her some important traditions related to native spirituality; Elizabeth has helped to teach eastern religions to college students, and did extensive research in local religious communities related to issues of self-concept and identity. Her most cherished experience involved working for a hospice, helping people to explore emotional and spiritual beliefs related to end of life transition and having the privilege to be with patients as they passed from this world.

Most of her career was spent working for a group private practice in Boston–one that practiced with intention focusing on both clinical issues and the appreciation of how both positive and negative experiences of faith shape resilience and understanding of suffering. She joined the clinical and management staff of the Cambridge Health Alliance only 4 years ago after a deployment for the American Red Cross National Disaster Mental Health Team to a mass shooting in TX in 2018; it was there that she came to more deeply appreciate the importance of community mental health and the importance of outreach to those who are underserved. She continues to work there in the Urgent Care Clinic helping with urgent psychological assessments for underserved clients. Incorporating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, relational psychology, CBT, attachment theory, mindfulness and the best of what other clinical perspectives have to offer, she brings an appreciation for the importance of collaboration, safety and hope in the process of making meaningful change.

She has been committed to supporting and rescuing shelter animals, enjoying a good laugh with friends and family, watching American football and working hard to be a good mom.

Licensed Psychologist

Stephanie Cazeau-Bandoo, MA, PhD

Stephanie Cazeau-Bandoo (she/her) completed an undergraduate degree in psychology at St Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Florida, subsequently pursued graduate training in Experimental Psychology at the University of North Florida, and now she is working towards completing her doctorate in Applied Psychology & Prevention Science at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Stephanie has experience providing counseling and group services to individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and belief systems, particularly youth and adolescents, in various settings within the community. She received training in trauma-informed care and has extensive experience working with clients who have experienced trauma and various mental health symptoms and diagnoses, including anxiety, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and co-occurring substance use disorder. A few areas of clinical interest include anxiety, depression, sleep problems, trauma, PTSD, grief and loss, spirituality, transitions and adjustments, identity development, body image, and self-esteem.

Drawing from a diverse array of educational, career, and life experience, Stephanie utilizes various therapeutic approaches and treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-focused CBT, Mindfulness-based interventions, Narrative Therapy, and Play and Expressive Arts Therapy. Stephanie is passionate about providing quality services to individuals and families in the community. She works from a client-centered, collaborative, and strengths-based approach. She meets her clients where they are, and she aims to empower her client to foster hope, healing, and resilience. She enjoys creating a safe, supportive environment where clients can identify and enlist their internal strengths and resources to navigate life’s challenges. She looks forward to connecting with you.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Sherol Watson, LICSW

Sherol Watson is a clinical therapist who received her Master of Social Work from Boston College. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Prior to LCG, Sherol has worked in a variety of settings, including an Elementary School, Graduate School, Community Health Center, Community Service Agency, and Crisis Center with clients from diverse backgrounds and with various diagnostic presentations or concerns. She has used the principles of Wraparound to strengthen the family by successfully engaging the youth and family in focused interventions and therapeutic behavioral supports that enhance youth and family communication, problem solving, conflict resolution and limit setting skills. Assisted families to develop natural supports and identify and access community resources. She has worked with MSW students as a field advisor, provided clinical supervision to MSW interns, Intensive Care Coordinators (ICC), Family Partners, Peer Mentors, and provided immediate psychological counseling to college and university students across the U. S. Along with her direct work with clients, she also has experience working in leadership, involved in the development and implementation of the Community Service Agency, and its integration with the Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative. Her clinical interests include: trauma, anxiety, depression, DCF involvement/Adoption, school related challenges, and Parent coaching.

Sherol prioritizes creating a warm, collaborative, and relational environment in which clients can feel that they are fully seen and fully understood while learning coping skills to effectively deal with fear and stress and develop effective strategies to reach their goals and live more fulfilling lives. She helps clients understand experiences in the context of their environment, while working to identify both individual and societal narratives that impact their interpersonal relationships and well-being. Sherol is trauma informed and strengths based. All her training and clinical work are grounded in evidence-based research and practice, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Family Systems Therapy, and Narrative Therapy to meet each client’s needs in a respectful, non-blaming, creative, and personal way.

Sherol’s approach to therapy centers clients as the experts in their own lives. She believes therapy should not be theory driven but relationship driven. Hoping to build a connection based on trust so that time together is helpful, collaborative, and productive.

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

Norah Benincasa, LICSW

I am a proud Boston College double Eagle. I received my Bachelors in Regular Elementary and Special Education as well as my Master’s in Clinical Social Work with a focus on children and families. I have over 25 years of experience working in schools, social skills centers, mental health agencies, private practice and residential recovery centers. I enjoy working with a variety of mental health and learning needs profiles including but not limited to:ADHD, Anxiety d/o, Anger, ASD,Behavioral d/o, BDD, BED, Separation-Divorce, Mood d/o, Executive Function d/o, Grief, Learning d/o, OCD, Co-Parenting Plans, PNES, Substance use/recovery, and Trauma.

I am trained in a variety of conventional and holistic modalities. I integrate skills from many evidence based approaches such as CBT, DBT, Solution Focused Therapy, Behavioral Therapy, Exposure Therapy, Narrative Therapy, TF-CBT and Play Therapy.

I prioritize a warm, safe and non-judgmental environment and hope you will feel comfortable “Daring Greatly”. Brene Brown writes this means “the courage to be vulnerable, to show up and be seen, to ask for what you need, to talk about how you’re feeling, to have hard conversations.” In this supportive space I want you to feel seen, heard, helped and healed.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Jake Donehey, LCSW

Jake Donehey (he/him/his) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Jake received his BA in Neuroscience from Dartmouth College and his MSW, with a Trauma Certificate, from the Boston College School of Social Work.

He has professional experience in psychotherapy, case management, and clinical research and has worked in hospital, school, and community mental health settings. He works with individuals with anxiety, social anxiety, depression, PTSD, complex trauma, ADHD, OCD, substance use, as well as identity, career, and relationship concerns. His past experiences include work with individuals with chronic disease (namely, sickle cell and cancer), neurodivergent folks and their families, and people with a history of incarceration. Today, he predominantly works with individuals in late adolescence through adulthood and with couples – and enjoys working with the LGBQTIA+ community.

Jake believes every person possesses insight into their own healing and seeks to accompany clients as they navigate emotional challenges, life stresses, and systems of power. He adopts strengths-based, trauma-informed, and queer theory lenses to support clients in aligning their values with their goals. His therapeutic practice is relational in nature, anchored in Narrative Therapy, and integrates elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Psychodynamic approaches to care.

Jake enjoys taking a nice walk, reading a good book, and trying every baked good!

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Knox Boss, LCSW

Knox Boss (they/them/theirs), a Georgia native, moved to Boston to attain their MSW with a Trauma Certificate from Simmons University. Knox believes therapy can be a starting point to activating a client’s inherent self-love that can radiate to improve many facets of a person’s life. Prior to working at Life Changes Group, Knox worked in various positions with a wide range of intersecting identities in community mental health agencies, and outpatient therapy clinics – as well as notably working in gender affirming care – obtaining training to be a gender specialist.

Knox uses a relational therapy model based in trauma informed care with all their clients to provide a space that is warm, welcoming, and supportive. Their clinical interests include gender affirming care, identity exploration, trauma, and depression and anxiety. Knox pulls from an eclectic assortment of evidence-based practices ranging from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS).

Knox proudly identifies as disabled and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. In their free time, Knox loves to play music, crochet, play video games, hang out with friends and family, and play with their service dog Oskar.

Oskar is a Great Pyrenees and Poodle mix medical alert service dog. He’s 3 years old and loves people! Clients can expect Oskar to be friendly, quiet, and mostly napping during their sessions next to Knox. Please note that he is not a therapy dog, and at this point only works for Knox to help them stay safe. Oskar loves the beach, dehydrated sweet potato treats, and naps.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Max White, LCSW

Max is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who completed his Masters degree in clinical social work at Boston College. Previous academic experience featured a Bachelors degree in counseling psychology at Emmanuel College. During this time, he published 2nd authorship research on conflict resolution and identity formation while working in a research position at Harvard.

Max has five years of counseling experience, working with individuals managing treatment resistant depression, anxiety, panic attacks, Bi-Polar I & II, relational stressors, Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Dependent Personality Disorder, life transitions, managing work related responsibilities, suicidal ideation, as well as navigating LGBTQ+ challenges.

When engaging with clients, Max relies on a tailored approach to treatment: pulling applicable tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Existential Positive Psychology, and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy dependent on client preference and learning style. Max leans on a strengths-based, values driven, counseling style, believing that individuals are most empowered to make changes in their life when they are viewed as a whole person, not simply someone with a diagnosis experiencing symptoms. Max is warm, empathetic, curious, and deeply motivated to see positive growth for each person he works with.

Licensed Psychologist, Clinical Neuropsychologist

Jessica Finnegan, PsyD, MS

Jessica Finnegan, Psy.D., M.S. is a licensed psychologist and clinical neuropsychologist at Life Changes Group. She completed a master’s degree in forensic mental health at Sage Graduate School. She subsequently completed her doctorate in clinical psychology at William James College where she completed concentrations in neuropsychology and forensic psychology. Her dissertation research focused on neurocognitive predictors of service utilization in incarcerated adults. She completed an APA-accredited internship at the North Texas VA Healthcare System’s neuropsychology track. In addition to completing comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations, she obtained specialized training for evidence-based treatments including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). She also completed major rotations in several clinics within the VA including residential and outpatient substance use disorder, spinal cord injury/rehabilitation, and geriatric mental health. Dr. Finnegan also completed a postdoctoral consortium fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Massachusetts Mental Health Center with a faculty position at Harvard Medical School. As a fellow, she worked in a wide range of settings including outpatient psychiatry, cognitive neurology, and in a homeless shelter with individuals with major mental illness.

Since fellowship, Dr. Finnegan has remained in the field of neuropsychology. She conducts neuropsychological evaluations via telehealth for a head injury clinic and is a content writer for an online health platform. She taught a Cognitive Assessment course as an adjunct professor at William James College in the Clinical Psychology Doctoral program. She has further sought out opportunities to re-engage with her roots in forensic psychology and substance use disorders through both psychotherapy and psychological assessment. She is currently eligible and working toward board certification in neuropsychology.

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

John Kmetz, LICSW

John (he/him) is a therapist and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the state of Massachusetts. He received his BA in Political Science from the University of New Hampshire and master’s in social work from Boston College.

John utilizes a person-centered approach to therapy rooted in support, empathy, and validation. His holistic lens helps clients build strategies and practices to more independently manage and accept behavioral health symptoms and/or life stressors. John’s integrative, strengths-based approach combines techniques from Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. His sessions often incorporate mindfulness, acceptance, values-driven action, processing past events, challenging “thought traps,” and recognizing how systems of power affect the client’s presenting concerns.

Before joining Life Changes Group, John worked in settings such as community mental health, college wellness, substance use treatment, and outpatient therapy. He works with young adults, adults, and older adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, relationship challenges, grief, self-care challenges, life adjustments, and work stress.

In his free time, John enjoys jogging, going to concerts, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Grace Griner, LMHC

Licensed Psychologist

Sarah Weddle PhD, LABA, BCBA-D

Dr. Weddle is a licensed psychologist and applied behavior analyst in Massachusetts.  Sarah strongly believes that every person should be included in decisions about their care and be afforded opportunities to engage in evidence-based approaches of choice.  She provides individual therapy for both children and adults who struggle with stress, anxiety, depression, social situations, communication, and adjustment to life’s challenges. Sarah also has expertise working with neurodivergent individuals across the lifespan.  Dr. Weddle primarily utilizes acceptance and commitment therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy toward client-driven goals.  

She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Illinois State University and a doctoral degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in School Psychology from Northern Arizona University. In 2012, she completed a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) fellowship through the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) at the University of Arizona. Dr. Weddle completed her pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship at May Institute in Massachusetts. 

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Katharine Slayton, LMHC

Katharine is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Massachusetts. She earned her Master’s degree in both Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling from Boston University. She holds additional licenses as a School Adjustment Counselor and School Counselor. Katharine completed her undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina Wilmington in Education and Spanish. She has experience working with adolescents and adults managing a broad range of emotional and behavioral challenges, including anxiety, depression and other mood related disorders, major life changes/transitions, interpersonal/relationship struggles, grief and loss, and trauma. Katharine has developed extensive clinical experience across diverse settings, including schools, hospitals (inpatient and emergency departments), and outpatient facilities.

Katharine’s approach to treatment is person-centered, strengths-based, and combines a variety of evidenced based modalities to best fit the individual needs of her clients. These include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing. Katharine holds advanced training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy through Behavioral Tech Institute. At the heart of her therapeutic approach is the belief that each client is the expert of their own life. Katharine is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where clients feel safe, heard, and empowered. She challenges them in ways that enable them to reach their full potential and create the life they desire. Katharine leads with humor, empathy, compassion, and respect.

Katharine possesses a strong passion and clinical interest in working with and supporting individuals experiencing women’s health concerns, such as reproductive health issues, intimacy concerns, perinatal mental health, and menopause-related challenges. Additionally, she enjoys working with those facing relationship and marital issues, utilizing evidence-based therapeutic techniques to help them improve communication, resolve conflicts, and foster deeper connections within their partnerships.

In her free time, Katharine enjoys spending time with family and friends, practicing yoga/Pilates, and watching a good Netflix series. She looks forward to connecting with you and would be honored to join you on your life journey!