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, C-PTSD, Depression, Personality Disorders, and trauma, 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. 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 video games, playing bass guitar, singing, reading, writing, crocheting, and spending time outdoors.

Shayla works with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families to address a variety of issues such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, LGBTQ, personality disorders, mood regulation, parenting struggles, and interpersonal problems. She utilizes an integrative and systemic 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.

Courtney McCall Plourde, M.S., LMFT

Courtney is a strengths based, trauma informed, family systems oriented therapist who believes in a balance between collaborative and directive approach to therapy. She has worked with children and families for over ten years and is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. She has training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), an evidence based treatment model implemented with children and caregivers impacted by trauma. Courtney is also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and is actively working towards being internationally certified.

Courtney has experience working with children, families and couples with a range of presenting difficulties, including but not limited to trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood regulation, behavioral management, social communication difficulties, and relational difficulties. She has experience working with military families as well as first responders. 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) and maintains her LMFT license in CT, RI and MA.

Kelsey Farrell, M.S., MFT-A

Kelsey Farrell is a Marriage and Family Therapist with a bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family therapy. Kelsey completed her graduate internship hours with Cohen Military Family clinic in Mililani, Hawaii from 2022- 2023. She has experience with military families to include children, adolescents, and adults. Kelsey understands the unique challenges service members face, as well as their family members. She served in the U.S. Navy from 2016-2021 and is married to an active duty Navy Diver. A constant concern Kelsey has noticed among clients she has worked with is confidentiality and parameters that are sometimes given when working with the VA or other military affiliated clinics. Here at Alliance Counseling, Kelsey can assure her clients that we maintain confidentiality and will provide quality counseling services.

Additional trainings Kelsey has completed include Suicide Awareness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Essentials, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Kids, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Gottman Levels I & II. She enjoys working with clients who are seeking help for transitions whether it’s a move, starting a new job, or flirting with the idea of taking on a new challenge. Some different clients Kelsey has worked with include: children displaying symptoms of anxiety after moving, families working through adoption, clients living with PTSD, the aftermath of infidelity, and esteem building after separation.

Aside from abuse, Kelsey believes all couples have the opportunity to revise their relationship. With time and dedication, she works to bring hope back to the table. At the end of the day, we all wish to love and be loved. External factors such as finances, children, and sickness can alter the state of one’s relationship. She is here to affirm that there is hope and opportunity for change.

"I love being a therapist because it gives me the opportunity to learn more about others. Therapy allows individuals and families to grow in a positive direction. Life is challenging and being someone’s confidant is a privilege I am proud to have. I chose MFT work because I have found couples and families to be fascinating my whole life. I find working collaboratively with couples and seeing change happen over time is extremely rewarding. Being a mediator and helping build or clear the lines of communication is something I love to do. When my family and friends heard that I was entering this field it came as no surprise because I love talking to and understanding people."

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.

Juliette Saltzman, B.A.

Juliette earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Film Studies from Clark University in 2021. She is currently completing her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Rhode Island. She has worked as a behavioral specialist for children with autism and as a therapy intern at the University of Rhode Island’s Couples and Family Therapy Clinic.

Juliette has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults facing emotional regulation issues, anxiety, sexual trauma, addiction, depression, and a plethora of other topics. She is interested in working with emerging adults and teenagers, as well as later-in-life clients. Juliette has utilized techniques from IFS (Internal Family Systems), Narrative therapy, and EFT (Emotion-Focused Therapy), and is excited to delve further into these models during her time at Alliance Counseling.

Juliette values the strengths-based approach to therapy and makes space for any fears and hesitations about seeing a therapist for the first time. She values rapport building and use of humor in her sessions with her clients.

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.