Staff
Your Well-Being Is Our Priority!
Meet the mental health professionals behind Fortitude Center in New Milford, CT. We are a group practice consisting of eleven amazing clinicians who have dedicated their lives in pursuit of delivering better, more compassionate mental health counseling services to those in need. With us, you know you are in safe, dependable hands.
Glendy Schweitzer, LADC, LPC
Glendy is originally from New Mexico but was raised in the military and has lived all over the United States and Germany. She received her undergraduate degree and subsequent Master's Degree from Western Connecticut State University. She began working in the addiction field and spent 6 years in various treatment settings before she began her own practice, seeing the incredible demand to provide help and hope to those in need. Glendy treats people of all ages and has assembled the team at the Fortitude Center of educated and compassionate individuals who also feel the strong desire to help those who seek change, growth and positivity in their life.
Richard Dable, LADC, LPC
Richard Dable is a native of Mukwonago, Wisconsin. He received his undergraduate degree in vocal performance and music therapy from Arizona State University. He later went on to complete his master’s degree in Community Counseling at Western Connecticut State University. Richard has worked in a variety of treatment settings. He has experience working with both adults and adolescents in a psychiatric hospital setting, and in outpatient services providing services for individuals with substance abuse and mental health co-occurring conditions. Prior to joining Fortitude Center, Richard worked as a Clinical Director at a local substance abuse and behavioral health agency in Connecticut. In addition to his clinical work, his hobbies include playing the piano, singing, gardening, cooking and walking his two German Shepherds, Cyrus and Allegra.
Rachel Gilbert, LPC
Rachel provides counseling to individuals from diverse backgrounds. Rachel especially has a passion for helping young adults and the adult population. She has experience providing LGBTQA+ support, those who identify with co-dependency, anxiety, OCD, and perfectionism. Rachel is trained in (CPT) Cognitive Processing Therapy for trauma/PTSD and (I-CBT) Inference Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for OCD/anxiety. Her approach can be described as a strength-based approach and working collaboratively according to specific needs and goals. Rachel values honesty, empathy, humor and believe that finding the right counselor is essential to success in treatment.
Carol Ann Murphy, LPC
Carol Ann is a licensed therapist working with a diverse population of clients. She enjoys working with young adults, adults and specializes in perinatal (pregnant and post pregnancy) mood and anxiety disorders, addiction, boundary setting, and self care. Carol Ann likes to provide an environment where you feel as if you are having coffee with a friend but the whole conversation is about you and there is absolutely no judgement.
Danielle Dipisa, LPC, CIMHP
Danielle specializes in Integrative Mental Health, with a concentration in nutritional health and exercise wellness. There is a significant connection between the foods we eat and the moods we experience. (*she is not a nutritionist or registered dietician but is able to guide her clients through nutritional and biochemical education to make informed decisions for mental health). As a former personal trainer and coach, she is also able to work with her clients in finding the best method of movement to support physical and mental health/wellness. Danielle’s approach to therapy consists of helping her clients identify their concerns through holistic methods and functional practice. People who may benefit from an integrative approach may be experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, ADD/ADHD, autism, addiction and sleep concerns. Integrative therapy allows for different methods and theories of therapy to be utilized to best fit the needs of each individual person. Danielle tries to connect with other healthcare providers that clients may be working with, to form an integrative team and learn how to support them best in their time of need.
Cat Harrington, LPC
Cat provides counseling to children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of problems including depression, anxiety, trauma, behavioral issues, and other life challenges. She received her bachelor's degree in Psychology at Western Connecticut State University and her Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Walden University. She has experience working with children and adolescents with high risk issues such as suicidal ideation, school refusal, and eating disorders. Cat's approach is direct and effective, focused on increasing the "toolbox" of skills for the client and their family in difficult situations. Working together, Cat will assist in setting goals based on the client's immediate concerns, problem-solve solutions, try out new ways to think about and handle problems, and make changes that are lasting.
Flavia De Souza, LPC
Flavia has been working in the mental health field for 2.5 years and identifies her specialties in practice as anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and substance use issues. She has experience in many other areas as well! Flavia utilizes a number of different approaches to therapy including CBT, DBT, and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. She is also fluent in Brazilian Portuguese.
Shailee Edmonds, LADC, LPCA
Shailee started her educational journey at Naugatuck Valley Community College where she received her associate degree in drug and alcohol recovery counseling. Shailee has always had a passion for helping others and wanted to have a better understanding of the brain and human behavior; she decided to further her education at Western Connecticut State University where she completed her undergraduate degree in psychology and her graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling. Shailee has utilized her counseling skills for close to a decade at an intensive inpatient substance abuse mental health facility, working with clients from diverse populations, ages 12 and up. Shailee has extensive experience and a deep understanding of the affects of individuals struggling with substance abuse disorders. She utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), as well as music and art therapy within sessions when working with clients. Shailee highlights the importance of unbiased support and working together as a team to manage mental health and overall wellbeing.
Kristen Benzinger, LPC
Kristen is a licensed therapist who also has a passion for animals and is heavily involved in animal rescue during her free time. She combined her passions and has a therapy dog, Zoie who hopes to join Kristen soon. Kristen enjoys working with diverse populations and ages but is passionate about ADHD, anxiety, depression, self-esteem and working with couples. She uses a strength-based approach and enjoys uplifting people to feel better about themselves and their challenges as well as motivating them to make necessary changes. Kristen is highly empathetic and values validating her client’s experiences and perceptions and especially finding the humor in life’s messes.
Matthew Sheldon, LPC
Matthew Sheldon earned his degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Western Connecticut State University in 2018. He has worked in residential, outpatient and inpatient settings treating adults and adolescents struggling with a range of mental health issues including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, substance abuse / addiction and adjustment disorders. Matthew has worked with diverse populations from the poverty stricken and underserved to middle- and upper-class working professionals. He has an appreciation for the fact that mental health issues, as well as recovery from them can strike anyone at any time. Pulling ideas and concepts from person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, and existentialism. Matt strives to help clients gain meaningful insight and empower them to make helpful, personally meaningful changes.
Samantha Drenckhahn, LPCA
Samantha is from Danbury, Connecticut. She received her undergraduate degree in psychology and Master's degree in clinical mental health at Western Connecticut State University. Samantha has experience working with both adults and adolescents in residential and outpatient settings. Samantha provides services for individuals with substance abuse and mental health co-occurring conditions. In addition to her clinical work, hobbies include hiking, dog parks, cooking and home renovation/decor.
Kayanna Schweitzer, Office Manager
Kayanna is a certified medical billing specialist at Fortitude Center and has been working for the company since the doors opened. She works hard to make the process as seamless as possible so that it does not interfere with the therapeutic process between the client and the clinician. You might recognize Kayanna as the voice or name behind any billing or insurance communication!
Marisa, Office Assistant, Director of Social Media
Marisa is our office assistant and most likely the person you will speak to when calling the office! She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Marist College in Psychology and Criminal Justice and is currently working on her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Fairfield University in pursuit of her LPC. Marisa has a strong desire to help those in need and is happy to help you when you contact us.
The Fortitude Center is proud to be an accredited site through the National Health Service Corps