The best provider for me


Choosing the right mental health provider can be challenging. Every provider has their own areas of expertise and experience. Here are some things to consider along with questions you might want to ask when you are deciding on the right type of mental health provider for you.

THERE ARE MANY TYPES OF MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS
Which one is best for you? A psychiatrist? Psychologist? Social worker? Counselor? APRN?
Most mental health providers have either a postgraduate degree level or doctoral level training.

Here are some titles you may see when looking through our staff below:
LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor
LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker
MSW - Master of Social Work
ATR - Art Therapist Registered
MD - Medical Doctor (Psychiatrist)
PA - Physician's Assistant
APRN- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

Our staff



Hover or click on a photo to display the information about each of our staff members.


team member

UNDERGRADUATE:
Washington University, St. Louis, MO

MEDICAL SCHOOL:
Universidad Autonoma of Guadalajara, Mexico

RESIDENCY:
Institute of Living, Hartford, CT

MORE INFO:

Board Certified in Psychiatry, American Society of Addiction Certification 1994, Past President of the Fairfield County Psychiatric Society, Psychotherapy, Psychopharmacology, Chronic Pain, Forensic Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, Spanish Speaking, TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)Treatment.

Mark Waynik, M.D.
Psychiatrist
team member

MEDICAL SCHOOL:
University of Capetown Medical School, South Africa

RESIDENCY:
Groote Schurur Hospital, Capetown, South Africa
Fairfield Hills Hospital, Newtown, CT

DIPLOMATE:
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

MORE INFO:

Past President of the Connecticut Psychiatric Society, Psychotherapy, Psychopharmacology

Cyril Waynik, M.D.
Retired
team member

UNDERGRADUATE:
BA Columbia College, Columbia University, NY

MEDICAL SCHOOL
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, NY

RESIDENCY TRAINING:
Long Island Jewish Campus of Albert Einstein Medical Center, NY

MORE INFO:

Certified Eating Disorders Specialist (CEDS), Member of American Psychiatric Association, Member of International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, Member of National Eating Disorders Association, Member of International Academy of Eating Disorders, Member of American Society of Addiction Medicine

Sara Niego, M.D.
Psychiatrist
team member

UNDERGRADUATE
Bachelor of Sociology, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GRADUATE:
Walden University, MS

MORE INFO:
Specializations in Narcissist Personality Disorder and Anti-Social Personality Disorder. Currently pursuing a PhD in Psychology, specializing in Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders.

Poornima Bond, APRN
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
team member

UNDERGRADUATE:
University of Georgia, Bachelor of Science

GRADUATE:
Mercer University, Master of Medical Science

MORE INFO:
Began medical career in large multidisciplinary outpatient practice in Atlanta, GA before relocating to the northeast. Evaluates late adolescents, adults and geriatric patients. Provides medication management. Completes bariatric and spinal stimulator evaluations. Practices evidence-based medicine and strives to provide quality patient-oriented care. Certified by The National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Member of The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA).

Marina Mathew
Licensed Physicians Assistant
team member

UNDERGRADUATE:
Stonehill College, Bachelor of Science

GRADUATE:
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

MORE INFO:
With over 3 years in this field, I have extensive experience with patients who are suffering from anxiety and depression due to chronic pain. I am certified by NCCPA and able to treat patients ranging from grade early adolescent to geriatric. Current member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Born and raised outside of Boston, MA, now residing in Fairfield County with my girlfriend and two dogs. When I am not in the office I enjoy playing disc golf, putt putt and paddle boarding (in the summer)!

Jordan Marcou
Licensed Physicians Assistant
team member

UNDERGRADUATE:
Quinnipiac University, BS

GRADUATE:
Mercy College, MS

MORE INFO:

National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) certified. Member of American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA).

Alanna Calvano, PA
Licensed Physicians Assistant
team member

UNDERGRADUATE:
The City University of New York

MASTERS:
Yeshiva University-Wurzweiler School of Social Work

THREE YEAR POST MASTERS CERTIFICATE IN FAMILY THERAPY:
The Center for Family Learning

MORE INFO:

Individual Psychotherapy; Couples and group therapy; Supervising other therapists

Gayle Hoffman, LCSW, BCD
LCSW, Board Certified
team member

UNDERGRADUATE:
University of Miami

MASTERS:
Simmons School of Social Work

POST-GRADUATE 2 YEARS:
McLean Hospital/Harvard University

MORE INFO:

Experience in individual and family psychotherapy and group therapy

Robin Hoffman, LCSW
LCSW and Substance Abuse Professional
team member

UNDERGRADUATE:
Ohio State University, BA

MASTERS:
Columbia University, MSW

FOUR YEAR POST-GRADUATE:
Yale University

MORE INFO:

Justin is our Director of Social Work. Specialties include Substance Abuse, Alcoholism, ADD, AD/HD, Depression, Anxiety, OCD, Life Coaching, Solution Focused Problem Solving, Parent Management Training, Suboxone treatment, Parent Problem Solving, Therapist Training, Addiction, Family Counseling, Child Therapy, CBT, and PMT.

Justin Barsanti, LCSW
LCSW and Substance Abuse Professional
team member

UNDERGRADUATE:
Rhode Island College, BA

GRADUATE:
Bowling Green State University, MA
Quinnipiac University, MSW

POST GRADUATE:
Fellowship, Yale University

MORE INFO:
Extensive experiance with:
• Psychodynamic approaches
• Trauma- informed therapy
• Attachment theory
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Lizabeth Mason, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
team member

UNDERGRADUATE:
Western Connecticut State University

GRADUATE:
Fordham University

MORE INFO:
Emma is trained in EMDR, DBT Skills Coaching, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Crisis Intervention and Management, and has experience in treating Anxiety, ADHD, Depression, Mood Disorders, Trauma, Eating Disorders and Situational Crisis

Emma Cianci, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker