Meet our Staff

Eva Tarnawski, LMFT

Philosophy of Care

Eva Tarnawski is a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist in the state of Connecticut who has 10 years experience partnering with adolescents, teenagers, adults, and couples seeking help with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and family issues. She completed her Master’s Degree at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT.

Eva utilizes collaborative, cognitive behavioral, narrative, mindfulness, and insight-based approaches to therapy always maintaining creativity, flexibility, and remaining focused on therapeutic solutions centered on her clients. 

Eva seeks to establish a caring and warm relationship in order to help build your strengths and resilience. She is committed to helping fulfill your goals in living an authentic and meaningful life that you deserve and desire.

Education

University of Saint Joseph
MA

Specialties

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Self-esteem
• PTSD and C-PTSD 
• LGBTQ issues 
• Grief and Loss
• Life changes and transitions

Jessica Spar, LPC

Life can send you on a whirlwind of emotions and struggles that feel out of your control. Seeking counseling can be nerve wracking and difficult. Jessica helps individuals take back control of their lives. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor as well as a Certified School Counselor in the State of Connecticut who brings over 20 years of experience counseling children, adolescents, young adults and their families.

Jessica helps individuals with anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, disruptive behavior disorders, as well as trauma and stressor related disorders. Jessica also advocates for children, adolescents, and their family members by accessing appropriate academic supports through the 504 or IEP PPT process. Jessica completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at Assumption College

Jessica incorporates evidence-based practices such as Solution-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Trauma Focused Therapy which creates opportunities for client growth while tailoring counseling to meet each individual’s needs. Jessica strives to assist clients in identifying and enhancing their strengths, setting and achieving their goals, and improving their overall well-being. She offers a safe, warm and welcoming environment that promotes healing and growth.

Jessica's specialties:

• Anxiety Disorders
• Depressive Disorders
• Disruptive Behavior Disorders
• Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Certifications:

• Certified School Counselor (068)
• Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
• Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist Family (CCTS-F)
• Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist Sex Trafficking & Exploitation (CCTS-S)
• Certified Depression & Mood Disorder Treatment Professional (CDMDTP)
• Certified Telemental Health Professional

Kate Hanselman, PMHNP

Philosophy of Care

Kate Hanselman is a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Master’s in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s in Science from King’s College London. With over a decade of experience in mental health as a nurse, a first responder in New York, and a health professions educator, she is particularly passionate about working with health care workers, educators, and those in the helping professions. She has a unique familiarity with the challenges particular to these roles. Especially now, with the pandemic increasing stressors and diminishing opportunities for coping, everyone needs and deserves a little extra help.

As a PMHNP, Kate prioritizes a collaborative, creative approach. She offers honed clinical expertise, a dynamic set of tools including medication and therapy, and a firm belief that each person is the expert on their own life. Kate provides thorough, holistic care by using CBT, trauma-informed, solution-focused, and mindful approaches to better understand and target the root causes of distress.

You do not have to struggle alone. Whether you’re looking for support with an ongoing issue, or this is your first time seeking help, Kate will meet you where you are, and together you’ll decide on a plan that fits your needs. It’s okay to need a little extra help! Let’s talk and take a first step towards your health and wellness today.

Education

King’s College London
Master’s in Science

Specialties

• Healthcare workers, educators, helping professionals
• Anxiety
• ADHD
• PTSD
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Depression
• Stress management
• Life transitions
• Grief & Loss

Marti Stewart, MS, MPH, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC

Philosophy of Care

Marti Stewart is a Nurse Practitioner who is board certified in both Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Medicine.  Marti has a passion for working with patients to help them conquer symptoms related to anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and ADHD/ADD.  Marti received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia.  She was also awarded a Master of Public Health and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Connecticut.  

Depending on your needs Marti can offer medication, talk therapy, or a combination of both.

Marti strives to develop a warm and welcoming relationship with patients where collaboration is a priority.  Together we will work toward resolving symptoms so that you are able to live your best life.

Education

University of Connecticut
 Master of Public Health and a Master of Science in Nursing

Specialties

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Panic Disorder
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Depression
• Bipolar Depression
• ADHD/ADD

Mari Hogan, LCSW

Are you experiencing a life transition that has been difficult to cope with? Have your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors become confusing to you? We all have behaviors and coping skills that likely served a purpose in the past, but are no longer useful when we experience difficult emotions and life stressors. Mari can work with you to develop personal growth, which will lead to a greater sense of well-being. Whether your goal is to achieve more balance in your life, or need support through significant life events, Mari takes a collaborative approach to therapy, in which the client and therapist work together to formulate the best treatment approach to suit each individual.

Mari has been a licensed clinical social worker for over 13 years, with a special focus on women’s issues from teens to adults of all ages. This includes, but is not limited to, all stages of pregnancy, pregnancy loss, adolescent development and building safe personal boundaries. In addition, Mari assists women and couples with various relationship issues.

Life presents us with many difficulties--some of which we can manage on our own, or with the support of friends and family. However, sometimes we need more help to sort out our challenges and troubles. Mari believes we all have the internal resources and resiliency to get through tough times, and she will help you find that within yourself. Mari creates a friendly, client-centered atmosphere, and values building a positive rapport with her clients. Mari welcomes clients who are looking for either short or long term treatment. Reaching out for help isn’t easy, but it’s the first step in reducing your suffering and moving towards a stronger sense of self and healing.

Mari's Specialties:

• Relationship issues
• Divorce
• Depression
• Anxiety Disorders
• Adoption
• Stress Management
• Life Coaching

Mimi Akhand, LMFT

Mimi Akhand is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with 8+ years of work with children, families, individuals and couples. She has experience treating a vast range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, life transitions, and stress.

She pulls from different models, depending on what the clients' needs are. These modes of treatment include positive psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy, motivational interviewing and mindfulness.

Mimi hopes to empower the client by highlighting their strengths and helping the individual become their best selves. She knows what a personal process therapy is and is very much grateful for the trust and hope you instill with her.

Mimi's Specialities:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Trauma therapy
• Family therapy
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Positive psychology