Meet Our Clinicians

Karlie Cesarini
Co-Owner - MSW, LICSW

Karlie is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with a Master of Social Work from Fordham University. With over 20 years in private practice and more than a decade of experience in residential treatment settings, she brings a depth of clinical knowledge and a steady, solution-focused approach to her work with adolescents and adults.

Karlie specializes in treating anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and adjustment-related challenges, with a particular focus on adolescents and young adults navigating the complexities of emerging adulthood. Her clinical style is collaborative and client-centered, integrating evidence-based modalities with a strong emphasis on building insight, emotional regulation, and coping strategies.

She is particularly skilled in conflict resolution—both within individuals struggling with internal tension, and in relationships impacted by communication breakdowns, behavioral challenges, or unresolved emotional stress. Her background includes extensive work with clients presenting with oppositional or conduct-related difficulties, and she brings this experience to bear when helping young adults manage difficult emotions and relational patterns.

In addition to her private practice, Karlie serves as the Clinical Coordinator for several of Fall River’s Community Outreach Programs, including the Safe and Successful Youth Initiative, the Shannon Community Safety Initiative, and the Gun Violence Prevention Program. These roles reflect her long-standing commitment to serving high-risk and under-resourced populations with clinical integrity and cultural sensitivity.

Karlie offers both day and evening appointments, both in office and via telehealth, and works with individuals aged 15 and older.

Melissa Carlson
Co-Owner – MA, LMHC

Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from U Mass-Dartmouth along with a Masters in Counseling from Boston College . She has 20 years experience in Private Practice in addition to 15 years in Residential Care and has been LMHC certified since 1997. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Oppositional Defiance, and Improving Parenting Skills, Anxiety and Mood Disorders. Her schedule includes Office Based Evenings and School Outreach; focusing on individuals aged 10+.

Gregory Cesarini
Psy.D

Dr. Greg Cesarini holds a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from William James College. He has over 25 years of clinical experience in a variety of settings and different populations with over 20 years of private practice experience. Dr. Cesarini accepts male clients ages 18+ for therapy.

He specializes in the provision of Psychological testing and projective testing for children, adolescents, and adults, as well as the interpretation of results and treatment recommendations with clients, their families, and outside agencies. Please email gregcesarinipsych@gmail.com for a referral form for testing.

Alexander Assad
MSW, LMHC

Alex holds a bachelor's degree from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts with a major in Sociology and minor in Social Work and Criminal Justice. In 2010 Alex obtained a Master's in Social Work from Springfield College and has been LICSW certified since 2017. Alex has worked in child protection as well as worked with children with serious emotional disturbances. Alex specializes in working with children 7-12 years of age with issues related to depression, anxiety and anger.

Karen Flannery
MSW, LICSW

Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Salve Regina University and a Master's Degree in Social Work from Boston College. Karen received her LICSW over 10 years ago and has worked with children and adolescents for over 20 years in the private sector and through contracts with the Department of Children and Families. Karen has completed extensive training in trauma with a focus on cognitive behavioral therapy and has recieved her certification. Her schedule includes Evening office and home based hours.

Cecilia Huard
LMHC

Cecilia holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from Bridgewater State University. Cecilia received her LMHC in 2017 but has been working with children and families for over 20 years in the private sector, schools and with the Department of Children and Families. Cecilia specializes in youth and families, relationships, educational system and deficits, ADHD, ODD, OCD, depression and anxiety, ASD, PTSD & Trauma, and everyday stressors. Cecilia utilizes a multitude of modalities with a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Her schedule includes Evening, office and home based hours. She believes all people do the best they can and strives to offer them the supported path they can use to get to where they need and want to be.

Evonne Carvalho
MA, LMHC

Evonne holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Bridgewater State University and has been LMHC certified since 2011. She specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy with adolescents and adults, Couples and Family Therapy and Grief/Bereavement Counseling. Language capacity includes English and Portuguese. Her schedule includes office-based evenings, as well as school outreach; focusing on individuals aged 12+.

Rebecca Sylvia
LMHC

Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Science along with a Masters in Clinical Psychology from Bridgewater State University. She has 5 years experience working as an In Home Family Therapist, and has been LMHC certified since 2019. Rebecca specializes in child play therapy using a client centered approach. Rebecca is available day and evening appointments with varied flexible hours; focusing on individuals 3+.

Matt Silva
MSW, LICSW

Matt holds a Bachelor of Arts with majors in English and Psychology from UMASS Amherst, along with a Masters of Social Work from Boston University, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from Assumption College for Resiliency Counseling. He has 15 years of experience working in a myriad of settings including schools, hospitals, private practices, and residential programs. Matt recently had the honor of receiving the Counselor of the Year Award from Fall River Public Schools. He specializes in Trauma Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Child and Adolescent Therapy, and Family Therapy. His schedule includes varied office hours and weekend appointments; focusing on individuals aged 16+.

Ashley Estacio
LMHC

Ashley graduated with a BA in psychology in 2012 and has since acquired her Licensure as a Mental Health Counselor and Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth. With over 12 years of experience in the Mental Health field, experiences include the juvenile court system, group/residential care counseling, DCF involved/adoption/foster care, in-home services, substance use facilities, school-based counseling, and trauma-based care. Ashley utilizes an integrative approach including various therapeutic modalities, specializing in children, adolescents and young adults with trauma, adjustment issues, relationship conflicts, personality disorders, criminal history, interpersonal conflicts, and anxiety disorders. Ashley's schedule includes afternoon and early evening hours, currently facilitating sessions in-person and telehealth.

Michelle Podolski
LMHC 

Michelle is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) who has experience working with a variety of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Umass Dartmouth in 2014 and her Masters in Psychology from Bridgewater State University in 2018. She understands that every person wants to feel heard and supported. Michelle creates a safe, nonjudgmental environment to foster growth and positive change. Michelle specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and uses a client centered approach. She loves animals just as much as people and has two cats and a new puppy she enjoys spending time with when she is not enjoying all that nature has to offer. Michelle is available day and evening appointments with varied flexible hours focusing on individuals 12+.

Robert Johnson LICSW

Robert has been working in the field of social work for over 25 years. He works with children, adults, and the elderly. His approach is empowerment. His core belief is that the best practice is the practice of listening and caring and having faith in the inner strengths of the client to find/develop his or her own path through life's journey.

Katelyn Chappell
LICSW

Katelyn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from New York University. Katelyn received her LICSW in 2017. Katelyn has been working with children, adolescents, and young adults in a variety of settings (including outpatient therapy, residential programs, and afterschool programs) for the past 16 years. Katelyn has extensive experience working with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, are in foster care, have been adopted, or are placed in residential programs. Katelyn additionally has experience working with ADHD, ODD, Conduct Disorder, Psychosis, Substance Abuse, and Anxiety. Katelyn uses a mix of CBT, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, strengths-based, and solution-focused approaches. Katelyn has availability on evenings and weekends for both Telehealth and in person appointments. 

Kaci Furtado
LICSW

Kaci holds a master's degree in social work from Bridgewater State University. With over a decade of experience, Kaci has dedicated her career to supporting individuals from diverse social backgrounds through life’s challenges. She specializes in trauma-informed care, addressing health-related concerns, grief, depression, anxiety, and PTSD with a compassionate and evidence-based approach.

Kaci’s work is rooted in creating a safe and affirming space where clients can explore their experiences, build resilience, and develop effective coping strategies. She integrates a range of therapeutic modalities tailored to each individual’s needs. Kaci has availability on evenings and weekends for both telehealth and in person appointments, focusing on individuals ages 5+

Riley Oliver
LMHC

Riley holds a Master’s degree in Counseling from Johnson and Wales University and is LMHC certified. Riley has been working with children, adolescents, young adults, and adults in a variety of settings (including outpatient therapy, residential programs, after school programs, inpatient units, and within the school system) for over 11 years. Riley has extensive experience working with patients who have experienced trauma. She specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy with adolescents and adults, and couples therapy. She believes in working with and building upon the strengths within her clients and believes in providing a safe, non-judgement space for her clients to feel welcomed. Riley loves animals and working out, and holds a certificate
in 'Weightlifting for trauma'. Her schedule includes office-based and tele-health week day evenings, as well as weekend availability; focusing on individuals aged 13+.