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Administrative Staff

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Meet the Team

From your first phone call with GHW, our staff works hard to answer all of your questions and make sure that our practice is the right fit for your needs!

 

Our administrative staff also serves as a resource for insurance-related concerns. Reach out to us by phone or email with any questions!

Eleanor Bryda
  • she/her

    Administrative assistant

    Education: Trinity College & Fairfield University

    Pets: two tabby cats named Abigail & Sasha

    Favorite food: Macaroni and cheese

    What do you like best about your job? 

    I love interacting with clients and learning about what they enjoy in life! Hanging out with our younger clients as they come in each week is a big highlight too. 

Sophie Kuchel
  • she/her

    Office manager

    Education: University of Delaware & Southern Connecticut State University

    Pets: orange cat named Finn

    Favorite food: Sushi

    What do you like best about your job? 

    I love being able to support clients & their families to help them receive the care they need! Whether that’s from the first intake call to any administrative questions they have, I love connecting with clients.

Clinicians

Our team is made up of skilled clinicians with varied training experiences, something we strive for when creating an environment that welcomes different perspectives and backgrounds.

 

When working with one of our clinicians, you are working with our entire team - we aim to make sure that you receive the same quality care while providing our clinicians the freedom to personalize treatment and create valuable connections with clients.

All clinicians adhere to GHW's approach and values.

Deana Phillips, LCSW
  • she/her

    Clinician

    Education: University of Denver

    Areas of clinical interest: working with all ages; focusing on grief, chronic illness, trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions

    Favorite movie: Mary Poppins

    Pets: Two dogs (named Jack and Harley) and a cat named Stella

    What do you like best about your job? 

    I like how I can have the playful wonder of childhood to the reflective wisdom of later years in one day. I am continually inspired by the unique strengths and stories each person brings. Being a counselor means offering a timeless gift: the chance to be a trusted companion and a source of guidance, helping people discover clarity, healing, and a renewed sense of resilience. It’s not just a career—it’s a passionate calling to accompany individuals through every season of life and witness their transformative journey.

Diane Lasher-Penti, LMFT
  • she/her

    Clinical Director

    Education: University of Massachusetts & Central Connecticut State University

    Areas of clinical interest: working with all ages; focusing on anxiety, depression, relationships, trauma, & neurodiversity. I enjoy using CBT, somatic, art and play-based therapy.

    Favorite book: As a kid, I loved The Outsiders!

    Pet: Black lab named Jack

    What do you like best about your job? 

    I love working with clients to meet them where they are at and helping them find their path. 

Jennifer Roke, LCSW
  • she/her

    Clinician

    Education: University of Connecticut

    Areas of clinical interest: anxiety, depression, social skills, parenting and working with neurodiverse kids

    Favorite movie: The Breakfast Club

    Favorite place: Maine

    What do you like best about your job?

    I love working with kids and their families to help them feel successful and learn new skills!

Deana Phillips, LCSW
  • she/her

    Clinician

    Education: University of Denver

    Areas of clinical interest: working with all ages; focusing on grief, chronic illness, trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions

    Favorite movie: Mary Poppins

    Pets: Two dogs (named Jack and Harley) and a cat named Stella

    What do you like best about your job? 

    I like how I can have the playful wonder of childhood to the reflective wisdom of later years in one day. I am continually inspired by the unique strengths and stories each person brings. Being a counselor means offering a timeless gift: the chance to be a trusted companion and a source of guidance, helping people discover clarity, healing, and a renewed sense of resilience. It’s not just a career—it’s a passionate calling to accompany individuals through every season of life and witness their transformative journey.

Diane Lasher-Penti, LMFT
  • she/her

    Clinical Director

    Education: University of Massachusetts & Central Connecticut State University

    Areas of clinical interest: working with all ages; focusing on anxiety, depression, relationships, trauma, & neurodiversity. I enjoy using CBT, somatic, art and play-based therapy.

    Favorite book: As a kid, I loved The Outsiders!

    Pet: Black lab named Jack

    What do you like best about your job? 

    I love working with clients to meet them where they are at and helping them find their path. 

Jennifer Roke, LCSW
  • she/her

    Clinician

    Education: University of Connecticut

    Areas of clinical interest: anxiety, depression, social skills, parenting and working with neurodiverse kids

    Favorite movie: The Breakfast Club

    Favorite place: Maine

    What do you like best about your job? 

    I love working with kids and their families to help them feel successful and learn new skills!

Kathleen Wawrzyniak-Webb, PsyD
  • she/her

    Owner & Clinician

    Education: Providence College & University of Hartford

    Areas of clinical interest: executive functioning, relationships, anxiety, life transitions

    Favorite movie: Good Will Hunting

    Pet: Whoodle named Ruby

    What do you like best about your job? 

    I get to have uninterrupted, important conversations with people

Kelly Wolf, PhD
  • she/her

    Clinician

    Education: Rochester Institute of Technology & Gallaudet University

    Areas of clinical interest: adults, the D/HOH population, and depression/anxiety

    Favorite book: Anything by Patricia Cornwall

    Favorite movie: Goonies, Sandlot, Fried Green Tomatoes, Inside Out

    What do you like best about your job? 

    I love working with different types of people, watching progress, seeing the “aha” moment, and I am always amazed at how much in common people have with one another.

Kathleen Wawrzyniak Webb, PsyD
  • she/her

    Owner & Clinician

    Education: Providence College & University of Hartford

    Areas of clinical interest: executive functioning, relationships, anxiety, life transitions

    Favorite movie: Good Will Hunting

    Pet: Whoodle named Ruby

    What do you like best about your job? 

    I get to have uninterrupted, important conversations with people.

Kelly Wolf, PhD
  • she/her

    Clinician

    Education: Rochester Institute of Technology & Gallaudet University

    Areas of clinical interest: adults, the D/HOH population, and depression/anxiety

    Favorite book: Anything by Patricia Cornwall

    Favorite movie: Goonies, Sandlot, Fried Green Tomatoes, Inside Out

    What do you like best about your job? 

    I love working with different types of people, watching progress, seeing the “aha” moment, and I am always amazed at how much in common people have with one another.

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