The History of Waterstone's Addiction & Behavioral Health Services

Kimberly Dattilo – Billing Administrator

Kimberly has a bachelor’s degree in financial management from Quinnipiac University. She has been with Waterstone since April 2018. As Billing Administrator at Waterstone, she oversees client insurance verification, client balance review, provider billing, and A/R review. She enjoys spending time with friends and family. Other interests include hiking, swimming, kayaking, disc golf and pickleball.

Amanda Ciampini - APRN, FNP-BC

Amanda is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) with specialized training and experience in addiction medicine. Amanda has almost 20 years of experience in direct patient care. With a passion for helping individuals recover from substance use disorders, Amanda provides compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to each patient’s unique journey. She is dedicated to building trusting relationships with her patients and empowering them to make informed decisions about their health.

When Amanda is not working at Waterstone, she enjoys spending time with her family, walking outdoors and reading.

Catherine Beames - LMSW

Catherine Beames is a Licensed Master Social Worker who has specialized training in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), an evidence-based approach that helps clients process trauma, anxiety, grief, phobias, addiction, and other life challenges in an empowering and effective way.

Her practice is grounded in the belief that healing is not one-size-fits-all. Catherine is committed to meeting clients where they are, honoring their unique pace, strengths, and lived experiences. With a collaborative and compassionate style, she works alongside clients to navigate life transitions, heal from loss, and find relief from overwhelming emotions in a safe, supportive space.

Outside of her clinical work, Catherine finds grounding and inspiration at the beach, getting crafty, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.

Dr. Thomas Abbenante, MD - Founder & Executive Director

Elizabeth Czikowsky​ - Psychiatric APRN

Eric Fugelsang​ - Outreach Director​

Gina Dutil - Psychotherapist

Gina has been with Waterstone full time as a dedicated psychotherapist since 2020. She went to Grad School at Central Connecticut State University where she received her Masters Degree in Professional Counseling Education; earning her licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor. She attended Fairfield University and earned a certificate in EMDR and has also been trained in ART. She specializes in co-occurring disorders that include addiction, trauma, grief, depression, anxiety, death / dying and focuses on the harm-reduction model using several modalities during each session. She enjoys her family, friends, sporting events, and the animals she cares for on her small farm.

Hunter Mayhew - Psychotherapist

Hunter is a licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Social Worker who, for the last ten years, has helped individuals affected by addiction or mental illness re-discover hope, and confidence.  By empowering each person’s unique strengths, Hunter has helped many to succeed in their goals, heal trauma from the past, and find an internal comfort that has previously felt unattainable.  Throughout his career as a clinician, Hunter has worked with clients in inpatient psychiatric programs, outpatient counseling, medication assisted treatment programs, detox, and intensive outpatient programs.

In addition to his primary specialties in addiction, addiction medicine, and mental illness,  Hunter’s specialties extend to trauma therapy, phobias, intrusive thoughts and debilitating symptoms of anxiety, or depression.  He is trained as an Accelerated Resolution (Eye-movement) Therapist which has proven highly effective in relieving a client’s trauma symptoms among other benefits.

Hunter believes that with the right support, a safe environment, and individualized professional help, anyone can experience long-awaited relief from disruptive mental, or emotional challenges.

Jade Reilly – Patient Coordinator

Jade is the New Patient Coordinator at Waterstone, where she has worked since 2023. She is passionate about helping individuals take their first step toward recovery and strives to create a welcoming, supportive environment where each person feels seen, heard, and valued. Outside of work, Jade enjoys gardening, the beach, fashion, and being a devoted mother.

Kathy J. Bryson - APRN

I am an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with extensive experience in primary care, women’s health and addiction medicine. My career has been dedicated to supporting patients through compassionate care, specialized expertise and for the last seven years in the field of addiction treatment at Waterstone Counseling Center. My work is inspired by a deep commitment to my patients. I am passionate about volunteering for Hospice, spending quality time with my family, caring for my dogs, and exploring the underwater world through scuba diving. As a Master Gardener, I am devoted to environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Jennifer Frost – Front Office Supervisor

Jennifer is the front office supervisor for all three offices . She has been a part of the Waterstone family since 2023. Jennifer runs the clinic days in the  Madison and Hamden offices. She is recognized for supporting team development, and creating a positive, professional environment for both staff and clients.

Outside of Waterstone Jennifer enjoys visiting family in Boston and NYC. Enjoys being outdoors for any sunrise or sunset. She is also involved in charity work for a rare disease Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)

Jennifer Kollar, MA, LADC

Jennifer has over 20 years of clinical experience as both a therapist and a program director. She specializes in substance abuse counseling but can work with you on most mental health issues as well. Jennifer has numerous years of experience working with clients with probation, parole, and DCF involvement. She enjoys the ability to advocate for her clients, and they appreciate her warm and nonjudgmental approach. At Waterstone, she enjoys being able to offer psychiatric evaluation/medication and MAT within the same office. She also enjoys the ability to discuss shared clients with medication providers to enable more effective outcomes.

Jennifer earned her Bachelor’s Degree in psychology at the University of Virginia in 1999, and her Master’s Degree in clinical psychology at Connecticut College in 2005.

Laura Jarvis - LMSW

I am a LMSW - Licensed Master's Social Worker.  I attended CCSU and received both my BSW and MSW.  I have over 20 years of experience working in the mental health and wellness space helping teens, adults, couples and families.

I have a holistic, “out of the box” approach.  I draw on my depth of life experience and education providing clients a sense of feeling safe, seen and understood. I take an individualized, practical, down-to-earth approach in guiding and facilitating change.  Change, healing and growth can be hard, yet it can be freeing and provide relief and possibility.

My clients experience me as kind, empathetic, honest, practical, relational and inspiring. I utilize a blend of modern and traditional evidence based and creative therapeutic modalities such as Trauma Informed Care, Solution-Focused Therapy, Family Systems, Nervous System Regulation, Somatic Informed, and more.  I work with teens, couples and families.

Clients find me easy to talk to and feel safe opening up. They find relief, support, learn and look forward to our sessions. They feel the genuine support and gain new perspectives and experience feeling better. They leave each session with clarity, tools, connection and a resource to get them through until the next session.

Pamela Ryder – Director of Administration

Pamela has served as Director of Administration at Waterstone since 2015.  Her role includes oversight of front and back office staffing, human resources, financials, outreach, and the day-to-day operations of multiple locations keeps her on her toes. She has been deeply committed to her career in the mental health field since 2007 but found a "forever" home with Waterstone where she plans to retire from in the next decade.  Outside of her professional role, she is an avid ocean enthusiast, weather nerd, crocheter, blog writer, travel enthusiast, and a member of the chorale group Rock Voices who performs in New England for charitable causes.

Rachel Manemeit – Clinical Director, LCSW

With more than three decades of experience in behavioral health, Rachel has built a career centered on creating responsive, compassionate systems of care—especially in moments of crisis. Her background spans inpatient psychiatry, jail diversion, mobile crisis work, and disaster response, always with a focus on collaboration and integrity. She has played key roles in shaping how mental health and justice systems intersect in Connecticut, developing programs that meet people where they are—whether in courtrooms, emergency rooms, or communities recovering from trauma. Rachel’s disaster response credentials include deployments to major events such as 9/11 and Sandy Hook as part of the Disaster Behavioral Health Response Network. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to strengthening services by building trust, delivering thoughtful care, and forging strong partnerships across agencies.

Rachel joined Waterstone in 2021. As clinical director she leads the therapy division across three sites. She has implemented systems to support staff productivity, restructured clinical operations to align with regulatory standards, and continues to drive Waterstone’s role in addressing the opioid crisis and other critical public health issues. Her approach blends clinical insight with a deep respect for the resilience of individuals and communities, and she is known for bringing both steadiness and innovation to high-pressure environments. Through every chapter of her work, she remains grounded in the belief that meaningful change happens through relationships—among professionals, across systems, and with the people they serve.

When not at Waterstone Rachel enjoys spending time with her two sons, loves to travel and tries her best to keep up with her beagles.

Sarah Puddy