About us
Jean Allbee-Roberson, M.S., LMFT
Jean is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and AAMFT Approved Supervisor. She received her BA in Psychology with a Minor in Philosophy from Rhode Island College and her MS in Human Development and Family Studies with a Concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Rhode Island. She is a Clinical Fellow of the American Association for Marital and Family Therapists (AAMFT) and the Connecticut chapter (CTAMFT). Jean has worked with children, adults, families, and couples for more than 15 years. Jean has experience doing therapy in offices, schools, clients' homes, and in the community. She utilizes CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy, including both Behavioral Interventions as well as Cognitive Restructuring), DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy), Solution-Focused Therapy, and other approaches. She has well rounded experience but specializes in personality disorders, self-injurious behavior (e.g. cutting), anxiety disorders, couples therapy, parenting issues, and LGBTQ populations (particularly transgender issues, including helping clients move through their transition with hormones and/or surgery). Jean is committed to giving back to the community and the profession, supervising interns and postgraduates from local and online training programs.
Melanie Duranti, M.S.W., LCSW
Melanie received her Master's degree in Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University in 2005. She has over fifteen years experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in various settings including group therapy and in-home family therapy. She provides a solution-focused and strength based approach to therapy to promote development and change.
My goal is always to create a supportive, safe, and non-judgmental environment using evidence based practice. I provide a full range of counseling services including a focus on anxiety, depression, relationship problems, low self-esteem, school related issues, and life transitions.
Chrys Perkins, M.A., LMFT
Chrys received her Bachelor’s in English (Writing & Editing), Psychology, and Women and Gender Studies from Pace University in New York City. She obtained her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2018 from Northcentral University and is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). She is also a member of the AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy).
Chrys has worked with clients of all ages, and enjoys working with both individuals and couples. She encourages the inclusion of family members, caregivers, and significant others in the therapeutic process. She has experience and a passion for assisting those who struggle with ADHD, Anxiety, Bipolar, Depression, and Personality Disorders, as well as marital/relationship stressors, time management, organization challenges, school/performance related concerns, life transformations, emotion/mood regulation and development, sexual dysfunctions, and LGBTQ.
Chrys primarily utilizes Narrative Therapy and believes that each person is the author to their own story. She feels that it is possible for people to change their reaction to events in their story with personalized tools that assist in crafting a preferred outcome. She respectfully acknowledges where her clients are currently at, helps them unfold & address their concerns and desires, and collaboratively construct ways to achieve their future story. Chrys also includes integrative therapeutic techniques, holistic approaches, homeopathic perspectives, and fosters well-researched informed care.
Lisa DeGraff, M.S., LMFT
Lisa received her B.A. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Connecticut in 2011. She received her M.S. in Human Development and Family Studies with a Concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Rhode Island in 2014. She is a member of the American Association for Marital and Family Therapists (AAMFT) and the Connecticut chapter (CTAMFT). Her experience has been working with children, adults, families, and couples in office- and school-based settings. She has facilitated Active Parenting groups in the community as well as groups for children on topics such as grief.
“I am trained in several treatment modalities, but the approach I use for each client is determined based on goals and presenting issues. I have found that individuals, families, and couples come to therapy with various strengths and my expectation is to deliver a safe, supportive environment to build upon those strengths and create change. Any approach I use incorporates a strength-based, client-centered focus that strives to enrich clients' drive for personal growth and change. I feel privileged to be able to offer my support and commend anyone who reaches out for help with the goal of making life better.”
Shayla Michel, M.A., LMFT
Shayla received her B.A. in Liberal Arts with minors in Mathematics, Ancient Greek, & Latin from Utah State University in 2012. She received her M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy from Liberty University in 2022 and is a member of the AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy).
Shayla has a variety of interests including playing bass guitar, singing, reading, writing, and spending time outdoors. She utilizes an integrative framework, drawing from approaches such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Solution-Focused Therapy, REBT (Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), The Gottman Method, and Family Systems Theory.
Shayla believes that mindfulness and self-compassion are two powerful tools that can address a multitude of emotional and psychological issues. Practicing from a holistic perspective that engages mind, body, & spirit, she sets out to help clients, as family therapist Virginia Satir put it, “tune into their own wisdom,” to grow, change, and heal.
Anku Kumar, M.A. MFT-A
Anku received her Bachelors and Master’s degrees in Finance. After having lived in 3 countries, 7 cities and working in Finance for over a decade, in the year 2020, Anku decided to channel her unique and diverse experiences into the field of mental health. She obtained her second Master’s degree in Marriage and Family therapy in 2022.
Anku enjoys working with adolescents, individuals, families and couples and uses her strong therapeutic relationships to help address complex issues related to anxiety, depression, mood regulation, LGBTQ and Trauma. Anku incorporates a solution focused approach which utilizes positive psychology principles and practices and helps clients by constructing solutions rather than focusing on problems. Anku has clinical training and experience in the Functional Family Therapy (FFT) model. She is a member of the AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy). In her free time, Anku likes to read, travel and spend time with her dog, Rosco.
Courtney McCall Plourde, M.S., LMFT
Courtney McCall Plourde enjoys working with children, adolescents, families and couples on a range of difficulties including anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood regulation, behavioral management, trauma, social communication difficulties, and relational difficulties. Courtney is Nationally and State certified in TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), an evidence based treatment model implemented with children and caregivers impacted by trauma. Courtney has worked with children and families in the area for the past 7 years and is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. She is the primary supervisor of interns in the office from local Marriage and Family Therapy masters programs. Courtney received her B.A in Psychology with a Minor in Classical Studies from the University of Colorado and her M.S. in Human Development and Family Studies with a Concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Rhode Island. She is a member of the American Association for Marital and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and the Rhode Island chapter (RIAMFT).
Cloud Ramsey, B.A.
Claudia “Cloud” Ramsey (she/her) received her B.A. in Clinical Psychology from Saint Leo University and is completing her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Southern Connecticut State University. She is receiving supervision from Melanie Duranti LCSW as well as Shayla Michel LMFT, and is a student member of AAMFT. As a military spouse and child, she spent many years moving and adapting to life across several states. After settling down in Connecticut with her family, she decided to pursue her life passion of serving others throughout life transitions and empowering them through relational health.
As a clinician, she is passionate about working with adult individuals, expectant or postpartum birthing people, and all types of relational couples and marriages. She is LGBTQIA+ affirming and committed to creating a safe and judgement free space for all identities. She uses a variety of therapeutic techniques tailored to each client’s needs and enjoys nurturing a curious environment where clients can explore their own internal worlds and the way they show up in their relationships. She is particularly passionate about working with couples who have experienced infertility and loss; and has completed additional training to support bereaved parents and grief.
When she is not in the office, she enjoys spending time with her family, creating art, rereading the Twilight Saga, or playing board games!
Jessica Smith, B.A.
Jessica Smith (she/her) earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Connecticut in 2021. She is currently completing her Master's degree in MFT from Syracuse University, with supervision from Shayla Michel LMFT. Jessica found her passion for working with families through her education and her work with a clinical child psychologist in Rhode Island. She likes being a part of the healing and adaptation that comes from receiving and understanding a diagnosis.
Jessica is open to working with clients of all kinds and looks to provide a strengths-based approach with them. As an intern she is looking forward to learning more about the different applications of Narrative, Solution-Focused, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies. She is also excited about working with a variety of different clients and family systems, hoping to incorporate forms of play therapy into her work as well.
In her free time, Jessica likes to play Fortnite, listen to Harry Styles and Pitbull, and create art.
Jaime Hughes, Office Manager
Jaime has worked in customer service for 15 years. Her friendly, empathetic demeanor has been an asset in retail and healthcare settings, as has her strong work ethic and attention to detail. She is in the office most business days and is available to help with scheduling, referrals, and general questions.
She enjoys country music, playing video games, all things 80's, and ice cold Coca-Cola. She has an unhealthy love for sharks, owls, and albino alligators. Her knowledge of the original Star Wars Trilogy is extensive. She is considered by many to be a Grandmaster Stick Figure Artist.
If 'Organization' was an Olympic Sport, Jaime would win the gold every year. She loves nothing more than to label, organize, and make things pretty and neat. If you got a problem, yo, she'll solve it (or at least find someone who can). She is Jean's right-hand-man and is the grease that keeps the office running smoothly. Alliance Counseling is proud to have her skills as an Office Manager.
Henry Roberson, Therapy Dog Trainee
Meet Henry! At about 40 lbs, he is a bit of a little guy but with a big personality. He is in training to follow in his big sister's paw prints and become a registered therapy dog. Henry has the most loving, friendly personality and wants nothing more than to see who is in the waiting room when he arrives at the office (Lily's first priority is her daily dental treat...). He is still working on his jumping and controlling his desire to give everyone all the kisses. He just gets so excited to see people and he's a bit of a shortie, so he jumps to get closer to you. Be prepared for an enthusiastic greeting! Henry also works closely with Jean Allbee-Roberson and her clients have said he is "so cute!", "such a good boy", and gives "epic" snuggles. He loves and does well with all people, big and small.