Elizabeth S. Thayer, Ph.D., Partner and Clinical Director, Licensed Psychologist.

Dr. Thayer received her Ph.D. in 1978 from the University of Rhode Island. Dr. Thayer has expertise in parent counseling for divorced or separated parents. She works closely with many family attorneys in the Hartford area.

She also specializes in working with women, children, adolescents and families. Dr. Thayer is a member of the Connecticut Board of Examiners in Psychology and former Chairperson of the Appeals Committee for the Certificate of Professional Qualifications in Psychology, of the National Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. She is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Connecticut Psychological Association. Dr. Thayer is listed in the National Register of Health Services Providers in Psychology. In 2004 and 2009, Dr. Thayer received The Distinguished Contribution to the Practice of Psychology Award from the Connecticut Psychological Association.

She is also trained as a Collaborative Divorce mental health professional and a divorce mediator. Dr. Thayer is on the board of the Connecticut Council for Divorce Mediation and Collaborative Practice.

Wendy F. Habelow, Ph.D., Partner and Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Habelow received her Ph.D. in 1991 from Michigan State University and completed her clinical internship at Yale University. Her areas of expertise include the treatment of depression and anxiety, parenting and family issues, and marital treatment.

She conducts individual psychotherapy with children, adolescents, and adults; couples therapy; family therapy; group therapy; and psychological assessment. Dr. Habelow’s particular areas of interest include women’s issues, eating disorders, divorce issues, organizational consulting, and conducting support groups.

Dr. Habelow is a member of the Connecticut Psychological Association, the American Psychological Association, and is listed in the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. She is trained as a Collaborative Divorce mental health professional, and is a certified mediator. She also serves as a Special Master at the Regional Family Court in Middletown and the Early Intervention Program in Hartford.

Ryan Hartmann, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Hartmann received his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of North Dakota in 2005 and is a member of the American Psychological Association.  He has a diverse range of clinical experience from community mental clinic, hospital, school, college counseling center, nursing home, and adult home settings. 

Dr. Hartmann is a licensed psychologist who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of adults, adolescents, and children.  He provides individual, family, and group psychotherapy.  He also conducts psychological testing and educational assessment.  Dr. Hartmann’s clinical interests include depression, anxiety, interpersonal issues, adjustment difficulties, and behavior problems.  He also has extensive experience in the treatment of substance abuse and addictions.

Vicki Strnatka-Knapp, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Strnatka-Knapp is a licensed psychologist who specializes in the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents and adults.  She provides individual, family and group therapy as well as psychological and educational testing.  Her areas of interest include anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, school problems and behavioral issues in children and adolescents as well as parent support and training.  Dr. Strnatka-Knapp received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from George Mason University in 2003, which included an internship at the Richard H. Hutchings Psychiatric Center in Syracuse, New York, and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at The Village for Children and Families in Hartford, CT.

Naomi Neuwirth, L.C.S.W., Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Beacon is pleased to welcome Naomi Neuwirth, LCSW to our staff.

Mrs. Neuwirth is a licensed certified social worker who specializes in the treatment of children, adolescents, adults and couples. She had been in private practice in West Hartford for the past twenty years. She has consulted at the Montessori School, Hartford; Noah’s Ark, West Hartford; The Lollipop Tree, West Hartford; and the University of Connecticut Child Care Center, Farmington.

She received her Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University in 1978. She received advanced certificates in child psychoanalytic training and marital training from the Postgraduate Center, New York from 1980-1984. She also received training as a consultant to child care centers. She received her MFA in writing from Sarah Lawrence in 2003 and published a book called Tilted Lives.

Heather Quinlan, L.C.S.W., Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Ms. Quinlan received her MSW from Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.  She has provided individual, family and group psychotherapy in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

She works extensively with adults, couples and adolescents.  Her areas of expertise include relationship issues, self-esteem, depression, eating disorders and body image issues, trauma recovery and self-harm.  She is a member of the National Eating Disorders Association.  Prior to her pursuing her Master’s Degree, Ms. Quinlan earned a J.D. at New York University and practiced law for several years.  She also works with individuals who are dealing with the pressures inherent in demanding professions or professional schools.

Ms. Quinlan also specializes in divorce-related issues, and is a counselor in Beacon’s PEACE and Reunification Programs.  She also serves as a divorce consultant, and volunteers her time as a Special Master in the Hartford and Middletown Family Courts.

Bruce S. Rothschild, M.D., Medical Director, Licensed Psychiatrist

Board Certified Psychiatrist. Dr. Rothschild received his medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine in 1985 and did his residency training in psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.

He has been practicing psychiatry in the Hartford area since 1989. Initially at the Institute of Living, he developed and headed the Eating Disorder Day Hospital. Since 1993, he has been the Director of Consultation/Liaison Services at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center.

Dr. Rothschild is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, where he is actively involved in medical student education. His subspecialty clinical interests include mood disorders, eating disorders and anxiety disorders. He sees patients for medication evaluations as well as ongoing treatment.

Betty Ann Rudolph, L.C.S.W., Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Ms. Rudolph received her MSW from the University of Connecticut, and completed her clinical internship at Yale University. 

She has had extensive experience working with individuals, couples, and groups.  Her areas of specialization is in couples work and she is the founder of “Couples in Crisis” a program utilizing joint and individual meetings to assess a couples needs and best treatment intervention.  She has had specialized training with:

• Masters and Johnson-“Human Sexuality”
• Harville Hendrix-“Image Therapy”- relationship therapy
• Janis Abrams Spring “After the Affair”- rebuilding trust
• Daniel Dana “Managing Differences”- conflict resolution
• Elizabeth Thayer “PEACE” Program- effective co-parenting

Ms. Rudolph has co-conducted human sexuality workshops for University of Connecticut Medical Students and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

T. Scott Sewitch, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Sewitch received his Ph.D. in 1984 from the University of Connecticut. Dr. Sewitch has extensive experience helping patients better manage the psychological aspects of physical injury, chronic pain, headache, and other medical issues.

He also provides Psychological Evaluations for Workers Compensation cases, Fitness for Duty Evaluations, and assessment of the psychological effects of motor vehicle accidents and other personal injuries.

Dr. Sewitch conducts stress management, sexual harassment, and motivational enhancement programs for individuals and employers, and provides structured cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic disorder, anxiety, depression and marital discord. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Society of Behavioral Medicine and the Connecticut Psychological Association.

Donald E. Topor, L.C.S.W., Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Mr. Topor received his MSW from the University of Connecticut in 1982 while on a scholarship from the National Institute of Mental Health.

He has extensive training with inpatient, outpatient and crisis services. His areas of expertise are in the treatment of depression, anxiety, parenting skills, family issues and marital conflict. He conducts individual psychotherapy with adolescents, adults, couples and families. Particular areas of interest include military medicine and geriatric care, and he implemented Beacon’s Reunification Program.

Mr. Topor is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and is listed in their National Directory. He also provides supervision at the request of the Ethics Board of the Connecticut Chapter of Clinical Social Work.

Jill Shalan, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Shalan is a licensed clinical psychologist  who specializes in the assessment and treatment of adults and adolescents.  She provides individual, family, and group psychotherapy.  Her areas of interest include anxiety and mood disorders, chronic mental illness, forensic/court-ordered evaluation and treatment, divorce, and disability and bariatric evaluations.

Dr. Shalan received her bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and her doctorate in psychology from St. John's University, which included an internship at King's County Hospital Center in Brooklyn, and post-doctorial training at Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center in Manhattan.  She is a member of the American Psychological Association.

Elizabeth R. Matern, M.D. Licensed Psychiatrist

Dr. Matern completed her triple board residency program in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Adult Psychiatry, and Pediatrics at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York, NY in 2009. Dr. Matern received her medical degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in 2004 and her undergraduate degree from Boston College in 1999. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Matern will see children and adults for psychiatric evaluations, psychotherapy, and medication consultation. Her clinical interests include mood disorders in children and adults, lifespan growth and development, psychopharmacology and brain development, and family therapy. She is also very interested in Advocacy for Children’s Mental Health Issues and in building relationships in the community with patients’ physicians and partnering with private practice and hospital based pediatricians.