Our Staff
Gina L. Abbott, PhD
Gina is a co-founder of Psychological Associates of Cheshire. She has more than 25 years of clinical experience working with individuals of every age, groups and couples in a variety of settings, including out patient clinics, in-patient and intensive programs, residential settings and hospitals. Gina was born and raised in New Haven, CT, and earned her undergraduate degree from Connecticut College in New London, CT, with a dual major in Psychology and Sociology. After graduating, she worked for several years with adolescent girls in a residential setting before returning to school.
Gina earned her MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of New York at Stony Brook. In addition, Gina is a professor and has taught on the university level for over 20 years. Her special clinical interests include (but are not limited to) issues of anxiety, depression, complicated grief, trauma, issues of fertility and pregnancy, parenting, and coping with chronic illness, both as a patient and a caregiver.
"As a clinical psychologist in private practice, I consider therapy a partnership between therapist and client. I adopt a positive approach that focuses on building each person's strengths and skills, and I strive to provide an environment of acceptance and compassion. My therapy style is both supportive and active. Although I have extensive training in cognitive behavioral and interpersonal therapies, I take an integrative approach, choosing the style of therapy best suited to each client and his or her needs. Together, we can overcome challenges and make life improvements that last."
Gina can be reached directly at 203-910-6142.
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Susan D. Jaramillo, MBA, PsyD
Susan is co-founder of Psychological Associates of Cheshire. She has more than 25 years of experience working in corporate business settings, both as a consultant and an employee in the fields of human resources, communications and executive development, and in clinical settings including college counseling centers, hospitals, and inpatient psychiatric settings. Susan has worked with all age ranges doing individual, group and couples therapy, and assessment, as well as executive coaching and business consulting. She is also adjunct faculty for more than 7 years teaching and supervising psychology doctoral students at the University of Hartford, and undergraduate students at Quinnipiac University.
Susan earned her undergraduate degree in Communications from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, her MBA from the University of Connecticut and her MA and Doctorate of Psychology from the University of Hartford. Susan is a professor and has taught courses at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. Her clinical interests include (but are not limited to) trauma (PTSD), anxiety, depression, relationship issues, perinatal and postpartum depression, and parenting. Susan's business consulting focus is on executive coaching, employee selection and promotion, organizational development and workshops targeted at increasing productive, efficiency and engagement.
"My approach is relational in nature. It is within the interaction and relationship that develops between myself and my clients that we are able to achieve the maximum change, growth and potential possible. Within this relational framework, I use an integrative approach aimed at finding the therapy, solution, assessment or approach that is the best fit for this individual's situation. This allows for a truly unique experience where we work together through the process as a team focused on the common goal of lasting change."
Susan can be reached directly at 203-272-6804.
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Shelby Lamoureux-Piazza, LPC
Shelby is a licensed professional counselor who has worked in a variety of settings including schools and group homes as well as in-home sessions. She has therapeutic experience with children, teens and caregivers/parents. Shelby works within a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) treatment model, as well as using art and play therapy as key components of her work.
Shelby received her bachelor's degree in Psychology and Elementary Education and her master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of St. Joseph in West Hartford. Her areas of focus (but not limited to), are parenting, oppositional behavior, ADHD, communication issues, self-esteem, relationship concerns, anxiety and depression.
"I work from the belief that we are a team, working together to reach your goals. I base my treatment on the needs presented, and meet all clients where they are in regard to treatment. I use a relational, strength-based model in my work. When working with children, I believe parental involvement is critical for the therapy to be a success. I work with my clients to help them identify and build upon their inner strengths, as well as navigate the systems around them."
Shelby can be reached at 203-250-7400.
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Barb Black, LPC
Barb joins Psychological Associates of Cheshire with over twenty years of experience in the field of mental health. She has served in hospital, community mental health, private, and residential settings. Barb was in private practice in Missouri before moving with her partner to Connecticut. She earned her undergraduate and first graduate degree in education from Drake University in Iowa and her second graduate degree in counseling from the University of Missouri, St. Louis.
A trained Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) practitioner (a powerfully effective therapeutic approach for healing stressed relationships), Barb is passionate about working with couples to establish ways to deepen their bond and strengthen the connection they long for. Barb loves working with the LGBTQIA+ community and their families. An Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing-trained therapist, she is skilled in using EMDR to help clients who have experienced trauma to find long-lasting healing through restructuring negative beliefs into healthy, positive emotional freedom. Barb is also experienced in working with clients and families with disordered eating challenges.
“I believe that therapy is a collaborative experience between client and therapist and that my role is to help you find peace and wholeness. I also believe that everyone has the strengths, resilience and resources to create and live a meaningful life. Shifts in the world around us and within us can unbalance and strain our lives and relationships. I am here to help those with amplified feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression reestablish a sense of vitality, agency and balance.”
Barb can be reached at 203-250-7400.
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Angela Wilkins, LPC
Angela is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with clinical experience working with children, adolescents, parents and families. She has worked in a variety of settings including outpatient, therapeutic schools, intensive in-home programs and preschools. Angela utilizes a relational approach in working with children and families and bases much of her work on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) frameworks.
Angela received her bachelor's degree in Psychology with a concentration in Elementary Education from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. She has a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of St. Joseph in West Hartford, CT. When she is not working, Angela enjoys spending time with with her husband, young son and yellow lab named Kylo. She also enjoys reading and yoga which she incorporates into her therapeutic work. Angela's areas of focus include working with those dealing with anxiety, depression, oppositional behavior, communication issues within family structures, ADHD, parenting, and family, work and relationship issues.
"The therapeutic relationship is of the utmost importance to me. Once we are able to form a trusting, positive relationship, I feel true change can occur. I work from a relational approach and view you and I as a team working towards a common goal. We will work together to identify your goals and utilize specific strengths and resources to accomplish your goals. In working with children and adolescents, I view parent and family participation as imperative to change and success. I utilize an eclectic approach to fit the needs of each family I am working with. Growing up and raising a child in today's world can be challenging and scary. I am here to equip both parents and children alike with the skills needed to feel balance and peace and to be prepared to confidently overcome challenges you may face."
Angela can be reached at 203-250-7400.
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Luis M. Jaramillo, LCSW
Luis is a bi-lingual, bi-cultural clinician who brings more than 20 years of experience working with individuals and groups of all ages confront a myriad of issues and challenges. He has worked in a variety of settings including college counseling centers, community health agencies and hospitals. Luis is trained in Trauma- Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and has lectured to and worked in conjunction with DCF regarding the challenges facing immigrants and the effects of immigration on mental health.
Luis earned his bachelor's degree in Philosophy from the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellin, Colombia, dual Masters degrees in Theology and Divinity from Holy Apostles College and his MSW from the University of Connecticut. He has extensive experience working with children and adolescents, as well as adults, and his clinical specialties include issues of anxiety, depression, ADHD, academic challenges, trauma, end of life and existential issues, and those suffering from chronic pain. He was an active member of an international multi-disciplinary team focused on chronic pain as part of the Project ECHO (Extension of Community Healthcare Outcomes) program.
"I work actively and collaboratively with my clients to identify therapeutic concerns and goals. My style of treatment creates an empathic, curious and welcoming space for 'play' or self-discovery. I encourage an exploratory and empowered approach towards adjustment and change. My therapeutic approach is rooted in cognitive-behavioral and culturally-informed frameworks. However I will also integrate therapeutic techniques and supports from insight-oriented work, relational and mindfulness strategies. My goals is to ensure that all of the multiple systems that are part of an individual's life are aligned toward the common goal of healing and growth for the client."
Luis can be reached directly at 860-922-1219.
Psychological Associates also employs doctoral candidates, supervised by licensed clinical psychologists, who provide a variety of services including group therapy and assessment.