Meet Our Therapists

Kathleen Patterson, LCSW

Not accepting new clients at this time.

Kathleen is a licensed clinical social worker and the executive director of the Christian Counseling Connection. She earned her Master's Degree in Social work from Fordham University and has been on the pastoral staff at Bakerville United Methodist Church since 1987. She began serving as a Local Pastor at Bakerville in July of 2014 and retired in 2019.

Kathleen enjoys seeing the changes that come as people seek healing of the emotional heart wounds they have experienced in life just as Jesus promised in Luke 4:18. She has presented multiple workshops on emotional healing and recovery, boundaries, and combating depression. She has also facilitated support groups for sexual abuse, addictions, and boundary issues.

Her greatest joy is her husband Norm and her wonderful family which now includes children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also loves the company of her pets.

Yvonne Wutka, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Masters level

What is most important to my practice is that all clients experience unconditional positive regard. My approach tends to be straightforward and authentic, and I make it a point to be real with my clients. While I don't sugarcoat things, I am also genuinely empathetic and understanding. I use a solution-focused style of therapy helping the client to come up with their own solutions that best work for them in making positive changes for their lives. While I tend to use a solution-focused approach, I tailor the treatment plan to each situation and adapt my style as needed. I also help individuals and family members walk through their healing process by using EMDR (when appropriate) and by integrating their own faith and belief system to help them grow and heal. I have been married for over 25 years and have parented 4 children. I like to draw from my experiences to help people better understand their spouse or children and help them create more connectedness in their relationships.

Treatment Specialties:

• Couples
• Families
• Adolescents
• EMDR
• Trauma and PTSD
• Solution-Focused Therapy
• Internal Family Systems
• Grief and loss
• Anxiety, social anxiety
• Depression
• Parenting
• Relationship issues

Education:

• Masters in Marriage and Family therapy- St. Joseph College (2000)
• Batchelor degree in Human Development and Family Relations- University of Connecticut (1995)

Memberships and Certifications:

• Trained in EMDR therapy.
• Member of the American Association of Marriage and Family therapy
• Member of the Connecticut Association of Marriage and Family Therapy

Craig Mendola, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

I have been in practice for over 30 years with hospital-based experience as well as traditional out-patient services. I am able to and have addressed multiple problem areas.

I use and draw from CBT, DBT, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and Faith-based practices. My focus is on identifying people's strengths and using those for problem solution as well as teaching new skills as needed.

I have been married for 35 years and have 2 adult children.

Specialties:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress Management
• Grief/Loss
• Trauma

Catherine R. Fiorello, MS, LMFT

Not accepting new clients at this time.

Catherine Fiorello, LMFT is a Marriage and Family Therapist who has been practicing for over 20 years. She previously worked at a women's center specializing in domestic violence and sexual assault. She takes a systemic view of individuals, viewing them as part of the larger systems of family, society, and culture. She helps clients explore past events that have driven their current choices. She has led many groups and workshops that have promoted the healing of emotions and relationships.

Married for over 40 years, she and her husband have raised 5 children and have 11 grandchildren.

Her areas of specialization are:

• boundaries
• codependency
• addictions
• parenting
• loss and grieving
• divorce
• family conflict
• trauma
• couple intimacy
• women's issues
• self-esteem
• spirituality

Joyce Pond-Inkel, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

My life-long goal has always been to seek understanding of the whole person and to help others to fulfill their potential, finding meaning and purpose in all they do. In my work, I draw on my education, faith and experience to help people move forward in life.

I began my career as a special education teacher. Later, I broadened my field of interest by completing a master's degree in social work. I have worked for agencies that support people with mental illness, substance abuse issues, or both, so that they can maintain their independence in the community. Then I worked with elderly clients and their families, including residents with dementia, who live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Treatment Specialties:

• Adolescents
• Adults
• Aging
• Grief/Loss
• Relationship Issues
• Depression
• Anxiety/Panic Attacks
• Trauma
• Bipolar Disorder
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Mindfulness
• Meditation

Education

• BA in Special Education from Hood College, Frederick, MD
• MSW from Virginia Commonwealth University, Arlington, VA

Marjorie Arni, APRN

Marjorie is an advanced practice registered nurse, a nationally certified counselor, and is EMDR trained. Her Christian counseling experience started with counseling young college students at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, where she earned her MS in professional counseling. She is a part-time therapist at the Christian Counseling Connection and is currently consulting with area nursing homes.

She lives in the wilds of Sharon and enjoys the theater, movies, walking, swimming, and biking.

Specialties:

• Anger management
• Anxiety
• Chronic Medical Issues
• Depression
• EMDR
• Family conflict
• Geriatric
• Grief/loss
• Spirituality
• Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Thomas Desmond, LPC

Tom Desmond joined Christian Counseling Connection in 2007. He is a licensed professional counselor (LPC). He earned a Master's degree in counseling from Geneva College (a Christian college in western PA) in 2001.

He has counseled people with mood, anxiety, substance and addiction disorders, as well as those facing trauma, loss, grief, transition, and relational issues. He has worked on inpatient, partial hospital, and intensive outpatient levels of care at hospitals and facilities. He also worked as a counselor and visitation pastor at a large Connecticut church for seven years.

His bachelor's degree was in mechanical engineering at MIT and he helped to design and support aircraft, nuclear reactors, automotive fuel cell and software systems before transitioning to counseling.

Tom enjoys learning about the brain and spirit, reading, bicycling, and hiking with his wife. He loves to help others find spiritual and emotional wholeness, freedom, hope and healing.

Specialties:

• ADD/ ADHD
• Adult (18+ yrs) and male teens
• Adult Children of Alcoholics
• Aging
• Alcohol Abuse
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Bi-Polar Disorders
• Brain Injury
• Christian Counseling
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Depression
• Dual Diagnosis
• Geriatrics (65+)
• Grief/Loss
• Health Issues
• Marital/Couples Therapy
• Men's and Women's Issues
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
• Pain Management
• Panic Attacks
• Personality Disorders
• Phobias
• Physical Disabilities
• Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Relationships
• Stress Management