​​​​​Nina Martin, LCSW

After graduating from Fordham School of Social Work, Nina has worked as a clinical social worker since 1991 in a variety of settings, including: elementary schools, high schools, extended day treatment programs, in-home services, battered women's shelters, community-based counseling services and private practice. 

Nina is known to work in the context of each family's needs. She welcomes clients aged 3 and up and provides supportive parental guidance which includes parents of children younger than the age of three. She utilized a myriad of interventions to help her clients address their concerns, including CBT (looking at the connections between thoughts, feelings and actions), insight-oriented psycho-dynamic therapy, advocacy, and practical advice. Her method of creatively combining a variety of therapy forms is unique and makes the "work" of self-exploration feel natural. Nina understands that no two people are the same and her approach is specifically tailored to the needs of her clientele.

In 2011 she was the host of "Talking Autism," a web series about parenting people on the autism spectrum (can be found under the "Demos" tab). She is also certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy. She founded Connections Counseling, LLC in September 2014, with the vision of creating a group which can provide quality community-based mental health services. She loves her work. 

Lori Paquette-Blue, LMSW, has a distinguished and diverse background in social work and education. She obtained her first bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut and a second one from Southern Connecticut State University. Lori then pursued and earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University. 

Throughout her career, Lori has amassed extensive experience working with a wide range of populations. She began by providing in-home support to families connected with the Department of Children and Families through a non-profit organization. She then provided support to adults struggling with their mental health using a strengths-based approach. In addition, she worked in a children’s Intensive Outpatient Program while also offering individual counseling to children. 

Currently, Lori is employed full-time at a middle school, where she serves as the school social worker. In addition, she is the program coordinator for a specialized education program designed to support students in public schools who have emotional and behavioral diagnoses. Through her various roles, Lori has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting and advocating for individuals and families in need. Lori is presently working towards her clinical licensure, under the supervision of Nina Martin, LCSW through Connections Counseling. 

Katrina is a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist who has experience working with individuals, couples, and families. She has a dual Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice from San Francisco State University. Originally from San Francisco, she moved to the East Coast for graduate school. She has a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University and worked at The Addiction Institute of New York for three years before moving to Connecticut and obtaining a Master's Degree in Marital & Family Therapy from Fairfield University. 

A collaborative therapist who believes that building a strong therapeutic relationship allows her and her clients to explore what keeps us stuck and what can be done differently, Katrina has experience working in various mental health settings, both inpatient and outpatient. 

Some of her specialties include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, behavioral issues, communication issues, life transitions, blended families, separation/divorce, trust issues/infidelity, and substance abuse/recovery. Using her training in both Clinical Psychology and Family therapy, she focuses on how our life experiences shape our relationships with ourselves and with others. She draws from the following therapeutic modalities: Narrative Therapy, Bowen Systems Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Systemic Therapy, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). 

Kathleen DeMino is licensed both as a Clinical Social Worker and a Drug and Alcohol Counselor. She received her MSW and DSW/PhD from Adelphi University, NY and completed post-graduate work in Marriage and Family Therapy. 

Dr. DeMino draws from Family Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, and Strength-based Solution-focused models in her provision of services to individual, couples, and families challenged with mental health, substance use, or normative life change issues. She provides trauma informed care and is trained in Seeking Safety, TREM, and DBT.

As a Certified School Social Worker, she is informed of the needs of children with special needs and can assist parents in navigating the educational system and collaborating with the school around issues impacting school performance. For persons with legal issues, Dr. DeMino can work with your attorney to provide Substance Abuse Education or Anger Management. She will individualize your treatment and with you in pursuit of your goals. ​