Mental Health Therapists

Lu Abbatemarco • therapist at JFS Hartford

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.

Email Lu or call (860) 236-1927, extension 7098.

Svetlana Berlinsky • therapist at JFS Hartford

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.

Email Svetlana or call (860) 236-1927, extension 7092.

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.

You can make an appointment with Dr. Covault emailing Aimee Hass or by calling her at (860) 236-1927, extension 7090.

Emily Goodwin, LMSW

Child Clinician

Emily joined JFS in August 2022. Emily earned her Master’s degree in social work from UConn and her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Sociology and a minor in psychology from Roger Williams University. Her social work experience includes working with the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch in the victim services advocate program, Child and Family Services, as a school social worker, and worked in an Intensive In-Home Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Services (IICAPS) program in the area for 2 years which included crisis work. Emily embraces modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) while using a strength-based approach to cater to each individual’s unique needs. In her spare time, Emily volunteers at The Animal Rescue Foundation and scrolls on Tik Tok for way too long.

Email Emily or call (860) 236-1927 extension 7083.

Aimee Hass, LCSW

Director of Behavioral Health Services

Prior to leading the team at JFS, Aimee worked with children, adolescents, and families in the Intensive In-Home Children and Adolescent Psychiatric Services Program (IICAPS) for 8 years. She received her training from UCONN’s School of Social Work, and she has experience working with diverse populations utilizing a variety of modalities, including crisis and safety assessments, and trauma. As a therapist, Aimee uses a strengths-based approach to empower clients and families. She has 5 years of supervisory experience, where she creates a safe and healthy work environment for staff to grow in.

Email Aimee or call (860) 236-1927, extension 7090.

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.

Email Mary Beth or call (860) 236-1927, extension 7115

Nancy Lichtenberg • therapist at JFS Hartford

Nancy Lichtenberg, LCSW

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

Nancy Lichtenberg, LCSW, has over twenty-eight years working in social service agencies and seventeen 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.

Please contact Nancy if you think that her expertise and interests would be a good fit for you.

Email Nancy or call (860) 236-1927, extension 7116.

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.

Email Anya or call (860) 236-1927, extension 7114.

Nicole Moore, LMSW

Child and Adolescent Clinician

Nicole earned her Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and Anthropology from Salve Regina University and her Master’s degree in Social Work from University of Connecticut (UCONN). She has experience working with children and families in Outpatient, Intensive Outpatient, and school settings. While working with clients, Nicole utilizes various modalities, including Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Attachment Regulation Competency (ARC). In her free time, Nicole enjoys reading, crocheting, and going for walks with her dog.

Email Nicole or call (860) 236-1927, extension 7088.

Colleen Porth • therapist at JFS Hartford

Colleen Porth, LCSW

Associate Director of the Behavioral Health Program for Adults Individual Counseling for Young Adults through Older Adults

Colleen has 15 + years of experience working with individuals to promote their personal growth. She uses a strengths-based approach to counseling that focuses on skill development and stress reduction so clients can better manage the challenges in their lives. She has expertise in helping clients cope with anxiety, depression, chronic pain, co-dependency, and loss/bereavement. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction strategies are offered to empower clients to reach their personal goals.

Email Colleen or call (860) 236-1927, extension 7139.

Gurender Sahani, MD

Psychiatrist, Child Clinic

Diagnostic Psychiatric Assessment and medication management for children and adolescents. Treatment is coordinated with ongoing counseling appointments as needed. Dr. Sahani is available to see clients from 5:30 to 8:00 pm, Tuesdays at JFS. We accept most insurance. You can make an appointment with Dr. Sahani by emailing Aimee Hass or by calling her at (860) 236-1927, extension 7090.

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.

Email Jonas or call (860) 236-1927 extension 7095

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.

Email Kim or call (860) 236-1927, extension 7082.