Workshop Presenters

Allison Abramson, MPA, is the Executive Director of Tri-Town Youth Services and a Community Resiliency Model teacher through the Trauma Resource Institute. Allison brings over 20 years of Nonprofit Management and Fund Development experience to Tri-Town YSB. She is passionate about empowering youth and families and promoting trauma-informed and resiliency-building practices across sectors and in all domains of life, work and school. A long-time student of yoga and mindfulness, she completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training with Coral Brown in 2020.

Colette Anderson, LCSW, is the Executive Director of The Connecticut Women ’ s Consortium (CWC). She has spent over 30 years working in behavioral health. Her expertise is in trauma-informed systems change and she spearheads multiple groups and initiatives across the state to promote trauma-informed, gender responsive care. She also trains and presents on a number of topics including trauma, gender, staff care, and healing arts for diverse audiences and agencies. In October 2016, Colette was awarded the National Association of Social Workers – Connecticut Chapter Social Worker of the Year Award.

Kai Belton, MSW, has provided mental health related support for children and families for over 15 years. She is currently the Clinical Director of CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence, providing oversight of mental health related education and training for domestic violence advocates across the state. Kai’ s passion is bringing awareness about adverse childhood experiences and cultivating opportunities for community resilience. Kai is the founder of Road to Resilience LLC, an organization that strives to create a trauma informed resiliency focused culture of healing justice, radical selflove, and community care for all beings.

Cheri Bragg holds a BS in Human Development and Family Relations from the University of Connecticut, Storrs and is a current MSW student at Springfield College. She brings more than 20 years of professional experience with adults, children and families, and mental health/addiction, largely within an advocacy and civil rights framework. She chooses to center her expertise born from lived experience with childhood trauma to guide her passion for equity, diversity, peer support, empowerment, artistic expression, connection and community.

Workshop Presenters

Monica Carras, MS, BCBA, LBA, is the Director of Behavioral Services and Training for Ädelbrook, Inc. She ' s been in the field for 13 years and currently holds a Master ’ s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and is a licensed behavior analyst in the state of CT. She has dedicated over a decade of service to Ädelbrook which includes experience working in various parts of the agency and with different age groups, continuing her expertise and knowledge until her latest promotion in 2022. She is an endorsed instructor in Physical Management Training and provides various and ongoing education to all staff. Monica currently residents in CT with her husband, two children, and dog Dexter.

Cathy Collyer, OTR, LMT, CAPS is an occupational therapist in private practice in the NY metropolitan area. She is the author of “Staying In The Room: Managing Medical and Dental Care When You Have DID” . She has treated adults and children in a variety of settings, including hospitals and outpatient clinics. One of her strong clinical interests is treating clients with a history of complex trauma. Cathy is also a licensed massage therapist. She has written and lectured on trauma and dissociative identity disorder (DID), sensory processing treatment, massage, and pediatric behavioral issues.

Bonnie Daley, LCSW, is a certified Community Resiliency Model teacher through the Trauma Resource Institute. Bonnie is currently the Diversion Coordinator at Middletown Youth Services Bureau. Bonnie ’ s areas of expertise include youth diversion; therapeutic individual, family, and group support; restorative practices; and trauma-informed, trauma-responsive, and resiliency-focused care. Bonnie is passionate about taking a holistic approach in working with every youth and family and building communities in which everyone can thrive.

Sabrina Demsky-Cameron, MSW, LCSW, is the Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Ädelbrook, Inc. Sabrina is now working with children and young adults with Autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. In addition to her work with Ädelbrook, Sabrina is an IDD Faculty Trainer with Klingberg Family Centers, Traumatic Stress Institute fostering the transformation of organizations and service systems to become traumainformed through whole system consultation, professional training, and coaching both nationally and internationally. In September 2019, Sabrina was named “40 Under 40” in the Hartford Business Journal. Sabrina has been teaching at Southern Connecticut State University since 2017 and will be graduating with a Doctorate in Social Work in May 2022.

Workshop Presenters

Fredrick Dombrowski, PhD, worked as a clinician in the field of cooccurring disorders since 1998. Dr. Dombrowski has used evidence-based practices in varying forms of treatment (CBT for gender dysphoria and chronic pain, DBT for personality disorders, MI for substance use treatment). He has experience as a supervisor and director for multiple programs including inpatient, outpatient, and forensic treatment. Dr. Dombrowski is focused on experiential learning through a perspective of cultural humility and an equitable approach to clinical care. As a supervisor, Dr. Dombrowski remains focused on improvement of clinical care through supervision dedicated to evidence based practices.

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

Tanya Iacono, DSW, LCSW, has over a decade of experience working with youth involved with the juvenile justice system. In addition to a long career working with the youthful offender population. Outside of her evaluation and counseling roles, Dr. Iacono has been teaching at Sacred Heart University for more than 17 years as an adjunct psychology instructor and has instructed courses at Southern Connecticut State University and the University of Bridgeport. Dr. Iacono has taught a variety of human services courses which centered on subjects including critical thinking, substance abuse and chemical dependency, counseling approaches with special populations, and evidence-based treatment for at-risk youth.

Michele Klimczak, MA, LMSW, is the Director of the Connection Institute for Innovative Practice and the Director of Training and Grant Management for The Connection. She is also an associate professor in the Human Services Department of Post University in Waterbury, CT. She has over twenty-five years of direct practice and administrative experience in the fields of child welfare and family violence. Her research interests include the developmental effects of complex trauma, innovative case management models, and narrative approaches to recovery.

Workshop Presenters

Dr. Tiesha Maddix, PsyD, is the Women ’ s Veteran Program Manager for the CT VA. Tiesha recently retired from the military after 22 years of active and reserve service. In her most recent military assignment, from 2018-2021, she served as the Chief Behavioral Health Officer for the 8th Military Police Brigade, Schofield, Hawaii. Tiesha also served as the Chief of the Behavioral Medicine Resiliency Clinics for NATO forces assigned to the Multinational Force & Observers (MFO), Sanai, Egypt.

Tracey Meyers, PsyD, has a private practice and is employed at Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL) in Massachusetts, a lawyer assistance program where she focuses on lawyer wellbeing and mental health. She is also advanced yoga teacher, certified yoga therapist, and MBSR and mindfulness teacher. Previously, Tracey worked for the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services where she spent 17 years working as a clinical neuropsychologist working with clients. She has authored several publications and has written a book on yoga and mental health that was published in June of 2022. Tracey is an adjunct faculty member at Maryland University of Integrative Health Master of Science Yoga Therapy program.

Christina Quaranta is the Executive Director of the CT Justice Alliance (CTJA), a youth-adult partnership public policy and advocacy organization located in Bridgeport, CT. Christina has been with CTJA for over five years and became the ED in 2021. Christina pushes for legal system reform that recognizes youth, families and communities as the most important stakeholders. She is committed to dismantling systemic racism across CT so all people can be free to realize their potential. Christina holds a bachelor ' s degree in Psychology from Southern CT State University and a master ' s degree in Public Administration, with a concentration in nonprofit management from Fairfield University.

Shane Scott, LCSW, received his Master ’ s Degree from University of Connecticut School of Social Work in 2012. As a dynamic and skilled social worker, beginning in 2005, where he began his career working with youth and families across the life span and in a variety of settings. In addition, Shane has experience working with individuals that are experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance abuse conditions. Shane is also skilled in working with individuals experiencing gender and sexual identity issues. Shane also facilitates trainings, workshops, and coaches other professionals. Shane currently has a private practice in West Hartford, Connecticut.

Workshop Presenters

Anna Seidner Osman, LCSW, is the Assistant Director of Yale University ’ s Sexual Harassment and Assault Response &Education (SHARE) Center. At SHARE, she focuses on providing direct services to members of the Yale community who have experienced sexual misconduct. Anna is particularly interested in incorporating creative arts-based modalities, including those grounded in visual arts and writing. Anna received her Bachelor ’ s Degree in Human Rights and Hispanic Studies at Trinity College in Hartford, CT and holds a Master of Science in Social Work Degree from Columbia University School of Social Work in New York, NY.

Stefan Simanovich, LCSW, opened Transforward, a trans-affirming organization, because of the overwhelming need for holistic, traumainformed mental healthcare for trans people, particularly those from lowincome backgrounds. As a trans man from the rural south, Stefan understands the importance to affordable, high-quality healthcare that does not perpetuate harm. Through work with over one-hundred trans people, Stefan has discovered ground-breaking themes that illuminated his understanding of the trans experience and has transformed his practice. His mission is to honor the trans experience as a gift, denouncing the myth of “dysphoria ” that further dehumanizes the trans experience.

Mary Sperrazza OTR/L, CPRP, is an occupational therapist with 36 years of Mental Health experience. Mary has been part of the VA Connecticut Healthcare system since 1999 where she worked at the Errera Community Care Center. Mary is currently the Director of the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center and Vocational Rehabilitation Programs for VACT. She is also the Occupational Therapy Director for the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Fellowship Program, Assistant Clinical Professor Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine.

Kathryn Templeton has been a psychotherapist for 30 years. She is a Master Teacher in the field of Drama Therapy and continues to work both clinically and as an educator. As a C-IAYT, NAMA-BC board certified Ayurvedic practitioner, and EMDR Therapist, Kathryn has worked to develop specialized treatments integrating the principles of yoga, ayurveda and psychology. Kathryn is the Founder and Director of the Himalayan Institute Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist program (AYS), Torchbearer Mentorship program, and Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC) Program. She is the Founder of the Yoga International 3WT Program - The Three Wisdom Traditions: Integrating Yoga, Ayurveda and Psychology. She is a Banyan Botanicals Ambassador, and recently published in the YBIC book, “Embodied Resilience ” .

Workshop Presenters

Anne Thompson, LPC, is part of Therapy and Wellness for Women, a private practice in central Connecticut devoted to gender-informed and traumaspecific treatment for female experiences of trauma. A graduate of Antioch University New England (where she is now teaching adjunct), Anne has advanced training in working with the spectrum of trauma-related disorders from single incident PTSD to complex trauma and dissociative disorders and is trained in EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Ego State Therapy.

Kay Warchol, MSW, graduated with a Master of Social Work from Fordham University in May 2021. They received their Bachelor of Art in Social Work from Central Connecticut State University in May 2020. They currently serve as a Project Coordinator at the CT Women ' s Consortium. Kay is most passionate about education and advocacy around the LGBTQ+ community. In the future, they hope to continue to provide new and improved ways to advocate and transform the behavioral health field concerning underrepresented populations and communities.

Formally established as a response to New Haven ’ s high infant mortality rates in 1998, The Connecticut Women ’ s Consortium ’ s past reflects decades of growth. In 2002, and with the creation of The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services ’ (DMHAS) “Trauma Initiative, ” The Consortium incorporated elements of trauma-informed practices and teachings. In subsequent years, DMHAS’ Trauma Initiative transformed into the Trauma and Gender (TAG) project and the Consortium flourished as Connecticut’ s leading educational resource on traumainformed and gender-responsive care. For decades, The Connecticut Women ’ s Consortium has aimed to provide quality gender-informed and trauma-responsive training to Connecticut’ s behavioral health professionals. In its infancy, the Consortium offered a minimal catalog of ten annual trainings; but in recent years, the Consortium has grown to host hundreds of annual trainings as well as several national level conferences and to pioneer advocacy efforts on trauma, gender, and behavioral healthcare in the state of Connecticut.