Expert Trainers

Rebecca Allen, LCSW, has over 25 years’ experience in the human service field in both the public and private sectors. She is a trained end-of-life doula and a certified advance care planning facilitator. Becca believes that planning for end-of-life transitions can be an empowering and transformative experience that allows you to live fully and with intention. It can also relieve the burden on loved ones and provide them with peace of mind during a difficult, complicated, and stressful time.

Dr. Sheryl L.W. Barnes, BA, MA, PhD, PhD, DMin founded and serves as President and CEO of Sterling-Xavier Consulting Group. She is a Master Life Coach with a private practice, Speaker, Podcaster, Author and Wellness Retreat Specialist. Additionally, she is the Founder & Executive Director of the Strategic-Success Life Coaching Institute which certifies life coaches thru the Accelerated Certification Program for seasoned professionals and Surrender Wellness, Inc., a 501c3nonprofit organization that provides life wellness, self-care and stress management services to underserved populations and the recipient of numerous business, civic, and community awards.

Dr. Germayne Tizzano, owner and founder of Views From a Tree House, LLC., has presented internationally and nationally for over 25 years on trauma, addiction, violence, sexuality, and sexual health. She is a certified Well-being and Life Coach with a private practice. Dr. Tizzano draws from her personal story of childhood abuse and violence to bring hope and compassion to her message. She received a Ph.D. in Health Education from The Ohio State University and is the author of articles, blogs, and curricula specializing in mental health and substance abuse. Her published program, Sanctuary for Change, is aimed at healthy sexual recovery and intimacy for women survivors of sexual trauma and has been implemented across the United States’ care systems. She resides in Westerville, Ohio.

Christina Crain is the Executive Director of the Stamford Senior Center and has over 25 years of experience working with senior adults in nonprofit organizations. She serves as Co-Chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Council on Older Adults and serves on the Southwestern CT Agency on Aging’s Advisory Council. Prior to becoming the Executive Director of the Stamford Senior Center, Chris served as Director of Programs for the Southwestern CT Agency on Aging. In her role at the Agency on Aging she was instrumental in implementing the Money Follows the Person nursing home transition program, the CHOICES health insurance counseling program, Caregiver Respite Programs and Veterans Home and Community Based Service program.

Chris Dorval is the Clinical Director at Ocean State Recovery Center. Chris is a nationally recognized speaker, trainer and clinical consultant in the areas of addiction, trauma, and men’s health, as well as, having worked as a clinician and clinical supervisor in various levels of care in addiction treatment continuum. A Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor (LCDC), Chris graduated from Rhode Island College with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work, had has been a frequent guest lecturer on addiction, trauma and men’s health at Rhode Island College and Brown University. Chris is also on faculty for the Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) in connection with Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Dr. Lillian Gibson, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist often referred to as a “mood make-over” expert. She is a highly recommended speaker, consultant, and clinician due to her advanced assessment and treatment skills. Dr. Gibson takes pride in combining her vocational rehabilitation counseling, and clinical psychology expertise to help clients solve their problems through individual, group, or couples therapy for emotional healing and restoration. Her professional footprints include places such as Johns Hopkins, and international research in South Africa. Dr. Gibson’s resume also includes gold star interventions for anxiety, depression, trauma, insomnia, nightmares, and chronic medical conditions. She is a multiHBCU graduate from Southern University and A & M College and Jackson State University. Dr. Gibson is passionate about highlighting the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion within mental health services.

Nancy Grechko, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist with a private practice in Vernon, Connecticut. In addition to providing direct clinical care in her community, she also supports mental health practitioners through supervision and consultation and clinical training workshops. Dr. Grechko is passionate about supporting mental health practitioners to do the work they love while taking care of their personal and professional needs.

Rhea Hirshman, a freelance writer and editor, is also an adjunct professor of women’s and gender studies at UConn Stamford and has been a visiting instructor at Yale and Wesleyan. Deeply involved in women’s liberation activities including community education, reproductive rights advocacy, and the arts, she was recognized for her contributions by the Connecticut chapter of Veteran Feminists of America. She founded a feminist bookstore in New Haven, produced and hosted a weekly feminist radio show, does frequent public speaking and, for several years, wrote a gender issues column for the New Haven Register. As her friends know, she sees no conflict between good politics, good grammar, good works and a good time.

Vamsi Koneru, PhD is a clinical psychologist in private practice at Koneru Psychotherapy, LLC, his work focuses on the intersection of trauma and mindfulness and he specializes in providing compassionate, evidence-based psychotherapy for adolescents, adults and families. Dr. Koneru is a certified mindfulness teacher with the Engaged Mindful Institute - an institute dedicated to trauma-informed mindfulness and supporting individuals in at-risk situations and communities that have been marginalized and underserved. He is also a passionate social activist and focuses his work on the intersectionality of the carceral system and mental health. Towards this, he volunteers with Stop Solitary - CT, an organization that aims to end the use of solitary confinement in jails, detention centers and prisons across CT, replacing it with humane, safe and effective alternatives. Additionally, he serves on the Forensic Counseling team at Community Mental Health Affiliates, Inc. where he provides individual therapy for individuals who have been diverted from or recently discharged from incarceration. Dr. Koneru is an enthusiastic teacher and serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of CT School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and a facilitator with the Copper Beach Institute - a center dedicated to mindfulness practice and compassionate action. Dr. Koneru completed his MS and PHD at the University of Miami, his clinical internship at the Yale University School of Medicine and his postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School/VA Boston Healthcare System.

Linda Lentini is currently the Director of Healing From Within at Toivo by Advocacy Unlimited in Connecticut. Advocacy Unlimited is the only peer run agency in the state that offers education and advocacy in a variety of settings and has a mind-body center called Toivo (Hope in the Finnish Language). Ms. Lentini started advocating for change in the mental health and addiction field after her own experiences being incarcerated, hospitalized, and homeless. Her training in Breath-BodyMind, Aromatherapy, Stephanie Covington Women and Trauma, and a certified Louise Hay trainer allows her to continue advocacy by sharing healing practices with others she meets in her life’s journey. One of her goals in life is to continue sharing Louise Hay’s belief about learning to love ourselves can heal our mind-body and spirit. As she shares her personal healing journey with others she encourages individual roads to recovery and building resiliency through adversity. She continues to grow in her personal healing as she works on building human connection, strengthen individual hope, and sharing love, kindness and support.

Sara Merrick-Albano, E-RYT 500, C-BDYT is a practicing yoga therapist and co-founder of Yoga Therapy Associates, specializing in adaptive yoga, breathwork, and meditation for adult and geriatric clients. She provides a supportive and compassionate space for her clients to engage with a transformative felt experience that aligns with their goals. Sara sees clients via telehealth, and in New Haven, Watertown, and Trumbull.

Tracey Meyers PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in neuropsychological assessment, psychotherapy including traumainformed therapies, and positive behavioral planning. In addition, Tracey has extensive training in integrative medicine modalities to support optimal mental health. She is an advanced yoga instructor and yoga therapist. She is certified to teach MBSR, iRest, and Breath-Body-Mind. She lectures across the country and internationally on different integrative medicine topics for healing. She authored several publications and book chapters around holistic behavioral treatment for mental health conditions. She recently wrote a book called, Yin Yoga Therapy and Mental Health, which describes how yoga can be an important part of the recovery journey for people with mental health and traumatic brain injuries. Tracey is on staff at Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, a legal assistance program for lawyers, judges, and law students providing mental health support and wellbeing coaching. She is a senior facilitator for Studio Be, a digital well-being solutions to companies, non-profits, and individuals that are rooted in mindfulness, and is part of the faculty at Maryland University of Integrative Health, and the Center for Integrative Yoga studies.

Hilary Rudenauer is a Reiki Master Teacher, Certified Postpartum Doula, Lactation Counselor, 500-Hour Kripalu Yoga Teacher, and owner of The Mindful Mama. She has been practicing Reiki since 2013 and has offered healing sessions in a variety of locations including wellness centers, yoga studios, retreats, conferences, and hospitals. Hilary has a background in holistic healing, maternal health, mental health, and trauma-informed care. She utilizes her vast personal and professional experience to inform and enrich her classes and trainings. She is grateful for every opportunity to create spaces where authentic relating, healing, and growth can occur.”

Eileen M. Russo, MA, LADC, is a certified clinical supervisor and an advanced certified alcohol and drug counselor (substance use and cooccurring disorders) who has worked in the addiction and mental health field for the past 37 years. Ms. Russo also holds credentials as a relapse prevention specialist and a compassion fatigue educator. She has recently retired as Professor and Program Coordinator for the Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counselor program with Gateway Community College in New Haven, Connecticut. For the past 17 years, she has served as a trainer/ consultant with the Connecticut Women’s Consortium, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, private agencies, and several states beyond Connecticut. Ms. Russo has assisted over 35 agencies/programs with developing trauma-informed programs. Her training experience is extensive, including but not limited to, the staff of private- nonprofits, corrections, domestic violence programs and presentations at national conferences. Ms. Russo has co-authored articles on the integration of trauma-specific services into treatment for substance use disorders and is a co-author of the curriculum Healing Trauma+: A Brief Intervention for Women and Gender-Diverse People, Third Edition, by Stephanie Covington.

Christine Saari, MA, E-RYT 200, C-BDYT, is a certified yoga therapist working with a diverse roster of pediatric and adult clients. Christine is grateful to be part of this emerging field providing integrative health options that empower people to take a leading role in their own healing process. She provides safe and confidential therapy for clients in New Haven and Guilford, and via telehealth. She is a co-founder of Yoga Therapy Associates.

Seth Wallace, LCSW, has over 15 years of experience working to help LGBTQ people live their best lives. He is currently the Assistant Director of the Yale Office of LGBTQ Resources and a clinician at Yale Mental Health and Counseling. Seth works with behavioral and physical healthcare providers, schools, and other organizations nationwide to create inclusive places to live, work, and grow. He is a graduate of Connecticut College and Southern Connecticut State University. He is a proud resident of New Haven, where he lives with his husband, baby, dog, reptiles, and a large collection of plants.