Katie Nash, LCSW is a therapist and co-founder of Newtown Family Therapy. As a therapist she is passionate about empowering you to gain insight into the road blocks that have been preventing you from moving forward and feeling whole. Her practice was born out of a desire to connect to a community in need of healing and to offer more than today’s world of managed care and short term therapy allows. A compassionate and empathetic therapist, Katie’s diverse background, both personally and professionally, allows her to develop a unique approach to helping people—she matches effective clinical interventions with a humanistic and grounded approach. Prior to co-founding Newtown Family Therapy, Katie was the Clinical Coordinator at the Recovery Network of Programs, New Prospects in Bridgeport, CT. She received her bachelor’s degree from Quinnipiac University and her master’s degree in Social Work from New York University’s Silver School of Social Work.

Stacy Ishack, LPCA, graduated from the University of Bridgeport where she received her M.S in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2021. She gained experience through her internship at Liberation Program in Stamford, CT where she worked with individuals struggling with addiction. Stacy also interned at LifeBridge Community Services where she provided counseling to diverse populations including individuals in the LGBTQ+ community. After graduating, Stacy went on to work full time for LifeBridge continuing the work she was doing as an intern. She works to create a safe space for individuals to process and work through life’s challenges. Stacy utilizes an eclectic approach to adapt treatment to each individual. She has experience working with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, low self esteem, and stress. Stacy is passionate about meeting clients where they are throughout their ages and stages of development and utilizes a collaborative approach to empower the client in their therapy.

Karlie Spader is a recent graduate from the University of Bridgeport, receiving an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. During her undergraduate career, she took an animal behavior course which led her to learn about the LGBTQ community and how at times this population struggles with mental health. Her explorations on this topic helped her discover counseling and motivated her to pursue a degree in counseling to learn more about mental health issues and to be a provider to those who need help.

In 2015, Karlie began an internship with True Colors, Inc. located in Hartford, CT. Her time at True Colors introduced her to people of all walks of life. She currently facilitates a LGBTQ youth group in Bridgeport, CT for True Colors on the first Friday of every month.

Karlie gained her clinical experience at the Connecticut Psychiatric and Wellness Center located in Woodbridge, CT. While working on her internship hours, Karlie found her love of working with youth and adolescents.

Karlie’s passion in life is to encourage individuals to discover their worth and what is meaningful to them.

Elena Cela, LPC, is a psychotherapist serving children, adolescents, young adults, and adults. Elena completed her Graduate Counseling degree in 2015 at the University of Bridgeport and is currently working on acquiring her doctorates in Counseling Psychology. Elena has experience treating concerns related to trauma, anxiety, depression, body image, interpersonal issues, grief, self-esteem, behavioral issues, and more.

Elena gained experience by working at LifeBridge Community Services for the last five years where she has gotten the opportunity to work with diverse populations. Last year Elena received training at the University of Hartford Counseling and Psychology Services where she worked with college students who presented with various mental health concerns. During the summer she completed training at Empowered Wellness Camp where she worked one on one with clients and ran CBT and body image groups. Elena is currently completing training at Wesleyan University where she continues to work with client’s individually and in group settings.

Elena utilizes of client-centered therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-focused therapy, but works to adapt approaches best fit for the client. Elena’s passion is to help empower clients to identify their natural strengths and supports to work through their personal, professional, and therapeutic goals.

Andrea Toland, LCSW has been working with children and families for over 15 years. Today’s society places many stressors on individual children and the family as a whole. We are seeing an increase in the social emotional needs of children earlier and earlier in childhood. Andrea believes in creating a loving, safe and healing environment for all children and their families that meets the client where they are at in the healing process. Andrea has been working in the Public School setting for over 10 years with children from the ages of 2.5 to 10 years of age. Working in the public school setting has afforded Andrea the opportunity to see concerns as they arise in individual students, groups and families and has resulted in extensive experience working with a diverse population and a multitude of needs. Andrea received her undergraduate degree in Social Work from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN and her Master’s degree from Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ. She has completed additional training in Play Therapy techniques, CBT and a
Certification in Toddler and Infant Mental Health.