Meet the Team

As the founder of SpireTHERAPY’S ​Children & Family Institute, I have ​trained our therapists in the SpireTHERAPY way, so each Therapist here ​can and will support and guide your ​child, adolescent or teen who is ​struggling with anxiety, social anxiety, ​emotional dysregulation, depression, ​mood disorders, PTSD and other trauma-​related disorders, and ​neurodevelopmental disorders such as ​ASD and ADHD, on their journey ​towards their best selves!

- Denise Santangelo


  • Founder & Lead Clinician

    My approach to offering you this helping hand along ​your journey to your best self is simple. Whether I am ​your couple’s therapist, your individual therapist or ​your family therapist, I can offer a positive experience ​wherein we will figure out together the why you feel ​certain aspects of your life or relationship need to ​change and not just the how. I believe that if you are ​aware of the reasons why things are taking a not so ​great turn in your life, and we explore why they are ​happening, we have the most success in preventing ​these road blocks from happening again and again. So, ​while I can offer tools to help you immediately with ​coping mechanisms for various struggles such as ​anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, emotional ​dysregulation and mood volatility; I will also work with ​you in a deeper and more psychotherapeutic way to ​help prevent these struggles from ever resurfacing…​and if they do, you have the tools to overcome them.

    I support children, teens, and adults struggling with ​anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, mood ​disorders, personality disorders, Bipolar disorder, PTSD ​and other trauma-related disorders, and ​neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD and ADHD.

    I also support couples struggling with a breakdown in ​communication and compatibility, intimacy struggles, ​and overcoming infidelity; as well as families ​struggling with issues at home that are causing the ​home environment to feel stressed, unhappy, and ​unbalanced. As a New York Attorney, I worked with ​families and children going through the divorce and ​custody process, and I know how difficult it can be. I ​can help and support your family overcome these ​struggles, even if divorce is inevitable.

    Denise's Credentials

    I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Connecticut (LPC). I have earned my Doctorate in Law (JD), I am currently pursuing a Doctorate in Psychology (PhD), I have earned my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS), and a Bachelor’s in Sociology (BS). I am specifically trained in Play Therapy, Complex Trauma in Children, Adolescents and Teens, Anxiety Treatment in Children & Teens, ADHD Treatment in Children and Adults, Grief Counseling, Family Counseling, Flash Technique, and other concentrations.

    Denise’s Academic & Professional Honor Societies

    I am an alumni member of Chi Sigma Iota, which is an international and professional academic honor society for counseling students. Also, I am a member of both the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) Leadership Honor Society, and Psi Chi, which is an International Honor Society for Psychology professionals.

    I am the Co-Chair of the CT Counseling Association’s Western Chapter and I have guest lectured numerous times at Western CT State University’s Graduate program in Clinical Mental Health, at annual events and workshops hosted by the CT Counseling Association, and for public access television.

  • Clinician

    Christie believes that every child has the capacity to learn, grow and better meet the unique, very real, and constantly changing social and emotional challenges they face every day. Understanding that all individuals experience the world through their own lens, Christie non-judgmentally meets each child, adolescent, and teen exactly where they are as they begin therapy. By approaching the therapeutic relationship with respect, honesty, flexibility and humor, Christie partners with each client as they develop their own emotional toolbox and the confidence to explore what works for them.

    Working from the SpireTHERAPY approach to each session, Christie specializes in incorporating therapeutic techniques designed to cultivate the critical, real-life skills of emotional awareness, insight, adaptability, and acceptance. Skillfully weaving in Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Positive psychology, Solution-focused, Play-based and various mindful-based therapies helps children cope with very real issues such as anxiety, ADHD, self-esteem, depression, family dynamics, personal identity and peer conflict. Christie believes that a true partnership in the therapy room models and strengthens emotional regulation, builds resilience and adaptive function, and ultimately empowers each child to grow towards an authentic, healthier version of themselves.

    Christie’s Credentials

    Christie is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, licensed in the State of CT, with a Master’s Degree in Mental Health and Wellness from New York University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Binghamton University. Prior to her clinical training, Christie worked in consumer marketing and employee development where she initially cultivated her interest in understanding behavioral patterns and helping individuals find their unique voice, fueling her desire to work in support of others.

  • Clinician

    Jen has worked as a licensed professional counselor in NJ for ​the past ten years and as a school counselor in NJ for over ​fifteen years. As a licensed professional counselor in the ​clinical setting, she has worked with a diverse group of ​children, adults and couples presenting with a wide range of ​concerns, including, anxiety, depression, anger and stress ​management as well as conflict within social, family and ​romantic relationships. She draws from a number of ​counseling techniques, but she is particularly adept at using ​cognitive behavioral techniques to help her clients attain ​their treatment goals. Her work in the schools has given her ​the unique understanding of the day to day issues that ​students of various ages face and the support networks that ​are in place to help them. She also completed a certification ​in holistic health counseling. She believes in the connection ​between mind and body and enjoys integrating this approach ​into her sessions with clients. She recently moved back to CT ​with her family and looks forward to continuing her work ​here at SpireTHERAPY!

  • Clinician & Chief of Staff

    We are thrilled here at SpireTHERAPY to welcome Casey to the team! She has been an amazing addition to Spire Therapy. Casey specializes in helping children, adolescents and young adults build social skills and find healthy ways to cope with anxiety, depression, low self esteem, peer conflict, and family conflict. With more than eight years of experience, she provides consistency, positivity, and honesty as the foundation for building a therapeutic relationship with her clients. Casey has experienced time and again that it is this foundation that helps her clients increase their insight, awareness, while also helping them to gain a deeper understanding of how they experience their emotions. Casey empowers her clients to learn skills to increase emotional awareness, examine the root cause of these emotions, identify the parts of them that get triggered, develop critical skills to regulate emotions, and improve quality of life. As Casey incorporates Spire Therapy’s specific approach to each sessions, she also blends her own collaborative and goal-oriented style into the therapy room so she can customize each session to meet her clients exactly where they are in that moment

    Casey’s Credentials

    Casey is a Licensed Professional Counselor, ​licensed by the state of CT. She has a masters ​degree in Counseling Psychology from ​Northeastern University and a bachelor of ​science degree in Psychology from High Point ​University. Prior to working at Spire, Casey ​has clinical experience working as an ​outreach clinician for a community mental ​health clinic, working as a school based ​clinician (grades K-12), supervision and ​onboarding training for new hires for a ​nonprofit mental health clinic, working in ​private practice and working for two years as ​a Telehealth clinician.

  • Clinician

    We are so happy to welcome Rachel to the SpireTHERAPY team!

    Rachel furthers the SpireTHERAPY way by believing in the kiddos, adults, and couples she works so closely with as they navigate their therapeutic journey with her support, encouragement, and guidance. Rachel graduated Magna Cum Laude from her undergraduate university, and earned a 4.0 for her Clinical Mental Health Master’s Degree! Rachel’s dynamic background includes a focus in forensic psychology, victim advocacy, and counseling for couples and families navigating difficult times.

    Rachel brings her rich and dynamic background to Spire, and joins it with her love for working with both children, teens, adults, and families.

    Rachel’s Credentials

    Rachel is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, licensed in the State of CT, with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health from The University of New Haven and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Southern CT University.

  • Executive Assistant

    Alyssa brings her artistic experience to SpireTHERAPY in creating our online presence, outreach, and developing new programs for our clients!

    She is passionate about creating a comfortable yet fun space for our clients by providing interactive online quizzes for our younger clients to get to know themselves more and by posting helpful skills and uplifting quotes on our social media for clients to refer to at home! She is interested in art therapy, making take-home art workbooks for our clients, and aiding in developing our art therapy workshops!

    Alyssa’s Credentials

    Alyssa is a graduate of Western Connecticut State University with a B.S in psychology. She’s participated in an internship at the Boys and Girls Club of Ridgefield and is working towards earning her Master’s!