Lu Abbatemarco, LCSW

Associate Director for Children
Children & Families, Pre- and Post-Adoption Issues

Lu brings more than 15 years of experience as a counselor, having worked in the Institute of Living’s extended day treatment program as well as with Casey Family Services in their post-adoption program. Working as a Clinical Coordinator for the State of Connecticut was short-lived because he missed the counseling component. Lu enjoys being a clinician and working with children, it’s a passion for him. If he can’t be invested in what he’s doing at any given moment, it’s not good for the other person involved.” Lu’s path to counseling has been somewhat circuitous as he earned a degree in Modern Languages from CCSU. His first job out of college was as a Teacher’s Assistant in Special Education in the Newington Children’s Hospital School. While working closely with the children, Lu wanted to know more about how to help and become more effective. He subsequently earned his MSW from UConn School of Social Work.

Svetlana Berlinsky, LCSW

Russian Adult and Senior Counseling

Svetlana has been educated in two countries, US and Russia, and has over 30 years of mental health work in these countries. Her experience involves working with many different populations and many different issues.  Svetlana’s current work at JFS is with both Russian and English-speaking clients, working to help people get through life’s changes. Her passion is reading and collecting antique lace.

Jonathan Covault, MD

Consulting Psychiatrist, Adults

Dr. Covault received his M.D. from the University of Iowa College of Medicine and completed residency training in psychiatry at the University of Connecticut/Institute of Living Combined program. He is a Board Certified psychiatrist with over 25 years of experience working at UConn Health treating a wide variety of mental health conditions in adults. At UConn Health he served in a number of positions including as the resident program director, medical director for the outpatient clinic and clinical research investigator in the Alcohol Research Center. Dr. Covault reviews and monitors medication treatment with the goal of applying evidence-based principles in the context of individual patient preferences and treatment history to identify medical treatments that together with psychotherapy, a healthy diet and regular exercise promote mental wellness and function.

Katie Gregory, LMSW

Clinician

Aimee Hass, LCSW

Director of Behavioral Health Services

Mary Beth Lang, LCSW

Clinician

Mary Beth brings more than 40 years of clinical experience to JFS. She has extensive experience in working with numerous populations and diagnoses as well as past work in inpatient, residential, outpatient and crisis intervention settings.

At JFS, she sees adults, adults with developmental disabilities and children and families. She is particularly interested in working in collaboration with parents to help them better understand their child’s struggle and ways to provide support and guidance. Other interests include grief and loss issues.

She believes in a non-judgmental, strength-based/competency-building approach where clients can utilize practical and effective skills to manage the stressors of everyday life.

Mary Beth is a firm believer in the power of kindness as well as the importance of building safety and trust within the therapeutic relationship.

Nancy Lichtenberg, LCSW

Individuals, Groups, Couples, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Focus on KIDS

Nancy Lichtenberg, LCSW, has over thirty-three years working in social service agencies and twenty-two years of experience as a psychotherapist with Jewish Family Services. She has provided counseling for a great variety of individuals and couples who have come to her for help with emotional, relationship, and family issues. Her style is conversational, collaborative, and direct. Nancy works with all age adults, and she has special training in a clinical model called Internal Family Systems (IFS). Nancy also has a niche at JFS providing co-parenting counseling for divorcing/divorced parents.

Sky Anya Lukenberg, LMSW

Adult Clinician and Russian Speaking

Anya graduated with a bachelor’s in social work from Central CT State University (CCSU) and a master’s of social work from the University of CT (UConn). Applying a strengths-based, person-centered, and empathetic approach, she has worked with both voluntary and mandated clients of various ages. Utilizing Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI), Anya has helped clients address issues including but not limited to: problem sexual behaviors, addiction, low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. She has experience working with diverse populations, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, persons of different nationalities and ethnicities, and individuals with varying cognitive abilities and literacy levels.

Anya was born in Ukraine and speaks Russian. Аня родилась на Украине и разговаривает по русски.

Nicole Moore, LMSW

Child and Adolescent Clinician

Aysa Perez-Dean, LMSW

Clinician

Aysa approaches situations from a strength-based perspective and aims to provide the tools and knowledge necessary to move forward. She strives to provide culturally competent and trauma-informed care, recognizing each individual’s unique strengths and challenges. She has experience working with children, adolescents, and families in schools, in-home services, and domestic violence shelters.

Jonas Steiner, LCSW

Behavioral Health Clinician

Jonas has forty years of experience working in social service agencies. He has mentored practitioners for licensure. As a therapist, he works with young adults, aging adults, and seniors. Jonas received his training at St. Louis University. His work is primarily with young adults, the aging and seniors. Specific areas of expertise are those individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, loss, and bereavement. Jonas embraces modalities such as Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness, and a client-centered approach. He also co-lead an early-stage memory loss group, credentialed by the Alzheimer’s Association. Jonas is a Certified Dementia Practitioner.

Zoey Walker, APRN

“The idea that the connection between a patient and a clinician is a partnership is the cornerstone of my work. I contribute my knowledge and expertise on diagnosis and treatment options, and you bring your expertise on yourself and your life experiences. We will collaborate to achieve your objectives in a private, confidential, accepting, and inclusive setting. In addition to managing medications and doing mental health assessments, I also offer brief supportive treatment. As your provider, we will work together to develop an individualized treatment plan that can include medication management, therapeutic strategies, or lifestyle changes.”

Kim Whittingham, LPC

Children, Adolescents, and Families

Kim works primarily with children, adolescents, and their families providing individual, family, and parenting therapy. She has over 15 years of clinical experience working with diverse populations in residential and outpatient settings using a variety of modalities. Kim coordinates the Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) team at JFS. Therapy is a very personal journey for children and their families and she takes a non-judgmental, empowering, and culturally and LGBTQ competent approach to provide a safe space for this incredibly important and life-changing work. Kim is available to see clients on Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Fridays with Tuesday being open for evening appointments.