Meet Our Team | Between Us Assoc.

Each member of the clinical team at Between Us Associates brings unique experience and areas of expertise to their practice. Utilizing an integrated and interactive approach, our treatment team draws on experience in both individual counseling and couples and family therapy to assist our clients in finding healthy solutions to a wide range of life challenges. Working from a strengh based perspective, treatment approaches and areas of specialization include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Systems, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Solution Focused Techniques, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT).

Specialties //

Shawn Hassell grew up in New Hampshire and attended Tufts University. He graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and was made a member of Phi Beta Kappa in 1992. Shawn went on to enter the University of New Hampshire Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Program, earning a Master’s Degree in Family Studies: Marriage and Family Therapy in 1999. He is a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), and has been an AAMFT Approved Supervisor since 2006. Shawn has served as Secretary, President Elect, President, and Past President on the board of the New Hampshire Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (NHAMFT) since 2000. He also served on the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice as the Marriage and Family Therapy member from 2011 through 2014 and continues to serve on the MFT Advisory Committee for the NH Board of Mental Health Practice. In addition to direct therapy, Shawn has extensive experience as a clinical supervisor. He was an adjunct faculty supervisor at the Marriage and Family Therapy Master's Program at UNH Durham in 2016 and 2017. Shawn has also engaged in rehabilitative supervision with licensed professionals following investigations and settlement agreements with the NH Board of Mental Health Practice. Prior to entering private practice, he directed a regional office and provided clinical supervision for six years at a statewide non-profit family counseling agency. Shawn has taught trainings in systems theory, family therapy models, ethics, and Motivational Interviewing methods.

Christine Lavoie grew up in New Hampshire and attended Lesley University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Counseling Psychology. Christine then went on to attend Cambridge College where she graduated magna cum laude with a Masters of Education in Counseling Psychology. Upon completing her Masters of Education degree, Christine began working towards her license as a Mental Health Counselor and completed her Doctorate in Psychology in 2008. She is a Professional Member of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) and the New Hampshire Mental Health Counselors Association (NHMHCA). She has served on NHMHCA's board as President, Treasurer and on the Professional Development Committee. Christine is also a Board approved clinical supervisor in the state of New Hampshire and a National Certified Counselor (NCC) through the National Board of Certified Counselors. In addition to direct therapy, Christine has extensive experience providing training in the areas of anxiety disorders, mood disorders, professional boundaries, substance abuse prevention, suicide and crisis intervention and is currently an adjunct psychology professor at Southern New Hampshire University. Prior to entering private practice, she directed a substance abuse prevention program, facilitated parenting support groups and youth skill building groups and provided clinical supervision for several state wide non-profit agencies.

Kathleen Wood Bacon grew up in New England and graduated from the University of New Hampshire where she earned her Masters of Social Work Degree in 2002. Licensed as an Independent Clinical Social Worker since 2004 Kathleen joined this practice in 2010. She has been a professional member of the National Association of Social Workers for over a decade and is an approved provider of supervision to MSW and LICSW candidates in New Hampshire. Kathleen has worked with families and individuals in home, office, school and hospital based environments and has extensive experience working with people going through life transitions, struggling with anxiety, depressed mood, relationship challenges and grief. Kathleen is specifically trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution Focused Treatment and draws upon these approaches to help her clients achieve their goals.

Glenna graduated from New England College with her Master of Arts degree in counseling psychology. As a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Glenna brings many years of experience working with victims of trauma, as well as, sexual identity and relationship issues with the GLBT population. Drawing from experience in community mental health and private office settings Glenna works with adults, adolescents, children, couple and families experiencing anxiety, depression, parenting challenges, trauma, communication, relationship conflicts, step-family challenges, job and career difficulties, grief and loss, life transitions and mood disorders. She works from a work from a systems focused perspective where treatment draws from client strengths. She employs a solution-focused, and family centered approach utilizing interpersonal, cognitive behavioral, family systems, and goal-oriented problem-solving techniques.

Kimberly Gendron-Finnegan attended Plymouth State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. Kimberly then went on to attend Southern New Hampshire University where she graduated with a Masters of Science Degree in Community Mental Health/Mental Health Counseling. Kimberly practices as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, (LCMHC) in New Hampshire and as Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Massachusetts (LMHC).

Kim has worked in office, clinic, school and home-based settings and has experience working with child and adolescent behavior problems, trauma, mood disorders and parenting challenges. In addition to direct therapy, Kimberly has extensive experience working with the court system providing court investigations, Guardian ad Litem collaborative work and supervising court ordered parenting visits.

Kimberly joined Between Us Associates in 2017, where she works with individuals, couples and families. She has specific training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as well as Child Parent Therapy.

Emily graduated from the University of Maryland with her Master of Social Work degree. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Emily has many years of experience working with families, couples, adults and adolescents. She is especially skilled in working with parent-child conflict and blended families. She has helped people of all ages with ADHD, anxiety, depression, co-dependence, loss and other difficult life changes.

Emily has specialized training in Internal Family Systems and has served as a Teaching Assistant at the Cape Cod Institute under IFS founder Dr. Richard Schwartz. Additionally, Emily has training across the spectrum of cognitive behavioral and solution focused approaches and draws upon these approaches to help clients navigate life changes and successfully meet their goals.

Carrie Winn graduated from the University of Maine at Orono, and earned a Master of Arts degree in clinical mental health counseling from Lesley University in 2004. Her experience includes working with individuals, couples and families in community mental health, group private practice and group home settings. She brings experience treating anxiety/panic and mood disorders, phase of life issues, personality disorders, trauma related disorders, and gender dysphoria. She has specific interest and training in couples therapy and anger management. Carrie is also a Board approved clinical supervisor in the state of New Hampshire.

Brian Hamilton grew up in New Hampshire and attended Plymouth State University. He graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Mental Health Psychology in 2015 and later a Master’s of Science Degree in Couples and Family Therapy in 2017. Brian is also a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). He has worked in community mental health with both individuals and families in home, office, school, and hospital based environments. Brian brings experience working with members of the LGBTQ+ community, adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families. He has done a lot of work in treating anxiety, depression, grief/loss, family/parenting challenges, relationship challenges, trauma, and life transitions. Brian draws from various approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy, Experiential Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and the Family Systems Approach.

Kathy Youkstetter graduated from Boston College in 2000 with her Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology. Kathy has been licensed as a Mental Health Counselor in the state of New Hampshire (LCMHC) since 2004. Her experience has ranged from Community Mental Health as well as private practice. Kathy works with late adolescents, adults and couples. She brings experience working with mood disorders, anxiety issues, relationship struggles as well as working with difficult life transitions.

Anita DiNitto holds a Masters Degree in Social Work and a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Political Science and Russian Language. She is licensed as a Independent Clinical Social Worker in the state of New Hamsphire and is a Member of the National Association of Social Workers. She has experience working with PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, and adjustment disorders. Throughout the course of her career, she has provided group and individual therapy to families and individuals in home, community, office and hospital-based environments and has conducted clinical training, lectures, and workshops in a variety of venues for over 25 years. Her areas of specialty include Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness and Cognitive-Therapy based treatment models, Integrated and Co-Occurring Treatment for BH/SUD, and Crisis Intervention.

Jacqueline Allman earned a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy, with Distinction, and a certificate in Play Therapy from Plymouth State University. She is currently a Master’s Level Clinician working towards licensure through Between Us Associates. Jacquie is extensively trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and has co-led ACT based groups as part of a research project at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Jacquie is fully trained in EMDR and well-versed in Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Supportive Parenting of Anxious Childhood Experiences (SPACE), and Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS). Through her work in community mental health and private practice, Jacquie has experience working with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, mood disorders, parenting challenges, relationship conflict, grief, gender identity, sexual identity, and developmental trauma. When working with individuals, couples, and families, Jacquie draws on her former experience as an educator and a communication skills/compassionate communication instructor. Jacquie uses effective, science-based processes to help children, adolescents, and adults become stronger and create deeper relationships. More than anything, she loves sharing a journey that can help us all understand our humanity.

April Barker earned her master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Plymouth State University. She is currently a Master’s Level Clinician working towards licensure through Between Us Associates. She previously earned her bachelor's degree in communications, which still comes in handy in her work with couples who can struggle to find the right words to express themselves and navigate conflict. April also works with individual adults and teens as they navigate life's challenges. She has experience helping clients manage various issues such as anxiety, depression, grief, and family and relationship struggles. She draws from narrative, cognitive behavioral, solution focused, and existential approaches to support her clients as they work toward living a more authentic life that is in line with their values and goals.

Kate Roche grew up in New England and graduated with her Masters of Social Work from the University of New Hampshire in May of 2020. She is currently a Master’s Level Clinician working towards licensure through Between Us Associates. She has worked in various environments including court mandated adolescent residential placement, schools, and private practice. Kate has experience working with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, grief, parenting challenges, adolescent challenges, and interpersonal challenges. Kate utilizes a client-centered approach to meet clients where they are and provides opportunities to learn various coping skills and strategies through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused approaches.

Ray Conner (she/they) received their masters degree in Couple and Family Therapy from Antioch University New England in 2022, with a certificate focus on Trans Affirmative Therapy. She is currently a Master's Level Clinician working towards licensure through Between Us Associates. Ray enjoys working with folks in relationships (monogamous couples, non-monogamous couples, and various polyamorous configurations), and utilizes a variety of tools and frameworks from some of the most expansive, compassionate and cutting-edge thinkers in the field of relational therapy to help clients connect more deeply and become the best partners they can be. Ray has worked extensively with adolescents and their families in-home, in-school, in-office, and in the woods since 2005 in various roles, and enjoys working with nuclear, extended, “blended” (sometimes not-so-much), and chosen families to compassionately attend to conflict and deepen emotional connection. Ray approaches all clients as people interacting within systems (intimate, familial, friend, neighbor, community, political, physiological, spiritual, etc.), and works with clients to feel personally empowered within these complex, often oppressive, systems. Ray is strengths-based, compassionate, and straightforward; and engages clients in dialogue that fosters personal insight.

Patrick attended the University of Massachusetts Boston where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He then went on to receive his Master’s degree in School Counseling from Salem State University and is currently finishing his Ph.D. in Counseling Education and Supervision from Walden University. He is currently a Master's Level Clinician working towards licensure through Between Us Associates. Patrick has worked in school, community mental health, and office setting as a counselor and has experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, and adults. He has experience working on behavior challenges, trauma, and parenting challenges and has extensive experience working with state child welfare and mental health agencies.