Our Therapists & Nurse Practitioners
THERAPIST & CO-FOUNDER
Alycia Bedrosian Hatch, LICSW, AAT, MSCJ & Cyrus
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Alycia Bedrosian Hatch is the co-owner of Shine the Light Healing and Wellness. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and is licensed in Rhode Island. Alycia graduated from Rhode Island College with a Master’s in Social Work and has been practicing for 11 years. Alycia is a certified Usui Reiki Master and Teacher and has also been an intuitive card reader for many years. Alycia is also certified in Auricular Acu-Detox (5NP protocol). Alycia has advanced training in perinatal mental health and has extensive experience working with perinatal women who are experiencing postpartum depression and other mood disorders. Alycia also specializes in working with foster and adoptive parents and families. Alycia believes in tailoring each treatment experience to the unique needs of an individual and/or family and strives to work collaboratively with each individual or family to set personalized goals and interventions to support each client’s journey to wellness. Alycia believes deeply in the importance of healing the mind, body, and spirit. Alycia also enjoys bringing animal assisted interactions into the treatment environment to assist with client’s healing and comfort. Alycia utilizes her certified comfort/therapy dog, Cyrus Bean. Cyrus and Alycia work together to help calm and heal adults, children, and provide general comfort in sessions to those who need it. Cyrus can provide kisses (on command) and overwhelmingly creates a safe and loving presence during treatments.
THERAPIST
Kimberly Smith, LICSW
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Kim is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (licensed in RI) and is a 1995 graduate of Stonehill College with a BA in Psychology and also a 1998 graduate of Smith College with a Masters Degree in Social Work. Kim has spent much of her career working in medical settings, including emergency rooms, inpatient and outpatient units.
Kim has worked extensively with patients and their families navigating end of life care, specializing in Palliative Care Social Work. While she has worked with individuals of all ages, her focus has been on working with adults. She provides support to her clients dealing with anxiety, depression, stress management, life transitions, relationship discord, caregiver fatigue, chronic illness (has worked extensively with patients living with HIV), grief, substance abuse and crisis intervention.
Kim recognizes the importance of patient-centered, evidence-based care and uses a variety of treatment modalities including Motivational Interviewing, mindfulness, and Psychodynamic Therapy to meet the individual needs of her clients. She provides a safe, supportive environment where her clients are able to share their stress, reflect on their goals, while promoting constructive dialogue and challenging themselves to foster healing and growth. By using a strengths-based approach she promotes positive, empowering dialogues while maintaining a collaborative effort with her patients.
THERAPIST
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Cara is a licensed clinical social worker in Rhode Island. She received her Master’s degree in Social Work from Quinnipiac University and holds a bachelors degree in Sociology.
Cara began her professional career as a therapist working in a home-based program providing crisis stabilization and intensive treatment to children and youth with behavioral health disorders. Cara is currently a full-time school social worker.
Cara specializes in helping children, adults, and families to not only address issues like anxiety, depression, ADHD, and behavioral problems, but to find their overall path towards happiness and well-being.
Cara utilizes various therapy modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, emotion coaching, parent coaching, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing.
Cara believes the most important part of therapy is having a connection and feeling comfortable with your therapist. Cara’s goal is to create a safe, warm, judgement free space for you to grow and to learn to love yourself. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, daily stress or adjusting to new life circumstances, Cara is here to help you find your inner strength and resiliency.
Cara Coogan, LCSW
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Jessica Reis-Driscoll is the co-owner of Shine the Light Healing and Wellness. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), and is licensed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Jessica graduated from Boston University and has been practicing for twenty-three years. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is also a certified Usui Reiki Master and Teacher. Jessica has advanced clinical training in the area of perinatal mental health and has extensive experience working with perinatal women who are experiencing postpartum depression and other mood disorders. She cares deeply about her client’s happiness and well-being and is committed to providing a complement of holistic services that are caring, supportive, non-judgemental and that focus on each client’s strengths and goals. Jessica’s guidance and support is heavily focused on the connection between the mind, body and spirit. She is committed to helping each client be the best version of themselves and believes that everyone is capable of attaining the personal fulfillment they desire. Jessica is currently pursuing her Nutrition Coaching and Personal Trainer certifications. She has a strong passion for exercise and competes in Strongman and triathlons.
THERAPIST
Makayla Pimentel, LMHC-A
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Makayla Briggs is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHC-A) in Rhode Island. She graduated with a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from Fisher College and holds a Bachelor's degree in Exercise and Health Science. Makayla is a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) and has experience as a trainer working with clients to help heal their relationship with their body image and exercise. Makayla began her professional career as a counselor working at an Eating Disorder clinic helping clients in an Intensive Outpatient Program setting and was involved in running various groups and providing meal support. Makayla specializes in working with clients struggling with anxiety, self-esteem, body image, eating disorders, and navigating various life transitions. Makayla utilizes an integrative approach to psychotherapy and utilizes various evidence-based practices to best support each client's unique needs. Makayla is passionate about empowering clients to connect with their values and live a life that honors their authentic selves. Makayla believes in the power of incorporating mind/body techniques such as mindfulness, and exercise to support clients' overall wellbeing.
NURSE PRACTITIONER
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Dual Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) & Adult/Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
Katherine is an accomplished healthcare professional with dual certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and an adult and geriatric primary care nurse practitioner. With over a decade of experience in internal medicine and a strong focus on mental health, she combines extensive medical knowledge with compassionate care.
Katherine began her educational journey at Smith College, earning a BA in psychology with a focus on trauma responses, therapeutic modalities, and comparative religion. Seeking to deepen her medical expertise, she went on to complete her MSN at Yale University, specializing in adult and geriatric primary care. Throughout her career as a nurse practitioner, Katherine has dedicated much of her time to working with medically complex patients facing multiple comorbidities. This experience has instilled in her a profound appreciation for the interplay of physical and mental health in promoting overall wellness. To enhance her ability to serve her patients, she pursued additional training and became board certified as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
Katherine has developed a specific passion for supporting patients through transitional phases, such as graduating college, navigating retirement, coping with major medical illnesses, and discussing end-of-life issues. She strives to take a truly holistic and systemic approach to health, collaborating with her patients to optimize their function at each stage of life. With a focus on the interplay of physical and mental health, Katherine is committed to providing comprehensive care that addresses the needs of her patients
Katherine is committed to providing care to adolescents and adults, with a welcoming approach to the LGBTQ+ community. Her additional areas of interest include depression, anxiety, stress responses, medical comorbidities, and wellness coaching.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Katherine is an outdoor enthusiast. She shares her life with three dogs and enjoys horseback riding, hiking, gardening, and traveling. Notably, she has completed the Vermont Long Trail, hiked all 48 of New Hampshire's 4,000-foot mountains, and participated in the Chicago Marathon.
Katherine Obara, MSN, PMHNP-BC, AGNP-C
THERAPIST
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Talia DiGiulio is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Rhode Island. She graduated from Fordham University with a Master’s Degree in Social Work and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Human Development/Family Studies from the University of Rhode Island.
Talia has experience as a child and family clinician, working primarily with families involved in the child welfare system and non-profit organizations in home-based settings. Talia specializes in working with children, adolescents, and young adult mental health, but will also work with individuals across the lifespan. Talia tailors each therapeutic experience to the unique needs of her clients by working collaboratively to set personalized goals and interventions to support each client’s journey to wellness. Talia cares deeply about her clients and will create a safe place for clients to explore their thoughts and emotions in a compassionate and collaborative approach. Talia uses a combination of frameworks that include, but not limited to, cognitive behavior therapy, solution focused therapy, and mindfulness techniques in practice to help support her clients’ healing, self-discovery, and wellbeing.
Talia DiGiulio, LCSW
Master’s Level Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern
Lindsay Iadeluca
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Lindsay Iadeluca is currently an Intern at Shine the Light Healing and Wellness. She is an MS graduate student at Rhode Island College and aspires to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.
Lindsay’s goal is to work with children and adolescents, and has interest in working in the perinatal mental health field. Lindsay is also interested in working with clients who are processing grief and loss.
Lindsay has a very person-centered approach when it comes to each individual client and believes each client has it within themselves to build the life they choose.
Lindsay unable to take insurance at this time. Her services are available for $30 per 60 minute session.
NURSE PRACTITIONER
Dante’-Aliesh Peterson, MSN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, CCHP
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As a dual-certified Family (FNP-C) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC), Dante’ is dedicated to providing compassionate and evidence-based care to individuals struggling with mental health symptoms. With nearly 15 years of experience in the field, she is committed to promoting mental wellness and empowering her patients to achieve their highest level of functioning.
Dante’s approach to psychiatric care emphasizes collaboration, empathy, and respect for each individual's unique journey. Through thorough assessment, personalized treatment planning, judicious use of psychopharmacological interventions and ongoing therapeutic
support, she strives to help her patients navigate through difficult times and foster resilience.
In addition to her clinical practice, she is passionate about mental health advocacy, access, and education. Dante’ has dedicated a large portion of her career to providing quality healthcare to underserved communities and vulnerable populations. She believes in the importance of reducing stigma surrounding mental illness and improving access to quality mental healthcare for all. She has been passionate in her work as a Certified Correctional Healthcare Provider (CCHP) and geropsychiatric consultant, aiming to raise awareness, promote understanding, and reduce stigmas surrounding the bio-psycho-social conditions that evolve into neuropsychiatric symptoms, behaviors and consequences.
Dante’ is honored to be a part of her patients' healing journeys and remains committed to providing her patients with the highest standard of care. Together, she endeavors to support patients in their unique journey towards achieving improved mental well-being and overall quality of life.
In her free time, Dante’ enjoys traveling with her family.
"Mental health...is not a destination, but a process. It's about how you drive, not where you're going." - Noam Shpancer
Our Yoga Teachers
Jenna Celio
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Always the athlete, Jenna found a new challenge and sense of peace in yoga. Taking from the practice, Jenna has learned to push her mind and body beyond her comfort zone in order to grow spiritually and physically. When Jenna is not practicing yoga, she can be found reading or on the lake with her husband & chocolate labs. She is also an avid boxer, outdoors girl and traveler.
Joan Vredenburgh
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Joan found yoga over 20 years ago and practiced it on and off until a running injury brought her to the mat full time. It was then she discovered that yoga was more than poses; it was also a path to help her slow down and reconnect with herself and others.In 2018, she completed her 200-YTT with Coral Brown at All That Matters and has been sharing her practice with others ever since. The first Yama—Ahimsa—to do no harm, guides her yoga teaching. Joan strives to create safe and welcoming vinyasa classes, suitable for students of all levels and abilities.
