Our Team
Meet Our Hamden Counseling Team
Meet the clinicians who provide compassionate, affirming counseling for children, adults, couples, and families in Hamden, Connecticut and through telehealth.
Clinical Providers
Our licensed clinicians and supervised intern bring varied experience to individual, couples, family, child, and trauma-informed counseling.
Dr. Raúl A. Ávila, PhD, LPC, NCC, CHT
Lead Doctor & Clinical Supervisor
Licensed Professional Counselor | National Certified Counselor | Certified Hypnotherapist
Dr. Ávila is the Lead Doctor and Clinical Supervisor at Alternative Therapy, bringing more than 20 years of counseling, teaching, and clinical leadership experience to his work. A former professor, he is committed to thoughtful, ethical care and to supporting the professional growth of the clinicians he supervises. His approach is evidence-based, culturally responsive, and tailored to each client’s needs. Dr. Ávila draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and hypnotherapy while creating a welcoming space where individuals can explore concerns, build practical skills, and move toward meaningful goals at their own pace.
Rodrigo Martins, LCSW
Clinical Manager
Rodrigo specializes in trauma-informed care and solution-focused therapy. He collaborates with children, adults, and families to create personalized, evidence-based treatment plans that build resilience and lasting change. Fluent in Portuguese and Spanish, he provides culturally attuned, compassionate support.
Selena Hammie, LPC, NCC
Clinical Supervisor
Licensed Professional Counselor | National Certified Counselor
Selena provides compassionate individual counseling and works collaboratively with clients to address emotional, behavioral, and life challenges in a supportive therapeutic environment.
Gladymaris Sánchez
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern | Telehealth Only | English & Spanish
Gladymaris Sánchez is a bilingual Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern completing her master’s training at the University of Bridgeport under Dr. Raúl A. Ávila, PhD, LPC.
Available by telehealth only, she supports children, adolescents, adults, and couples with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship and family concerns, postpartum adjustment, parenting, and life transitions. Her care is inclusive, culturally responsive, and LGBTQ+-affirming.
Linda Phillie, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Linda specializes in working with children and families and has a particular interest in child psychology. Her work focuses on supporting children and caregivers through emotional, behavioral, developmental, and family-related concerns.
Kristine Barnes-Frattini, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Kristine takes a direct, supportive approach grounded in 25 years of experience helping clients build insight, resilience, and healthy coping styles. She works with individuals and families and specializes in Solution-Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Kristine meets people where they are and supports them in working toward their goals.
Administrative Team
Arturo Llivicura Naranjo
Office Manager | Billing and Special Projects Manager | B.A. in Engineering
Arturo serves as the Office Manager at Alternative Therapy LLC and helps oversee the day-to-day administrative operations of the practice. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Engineering and brings his organizational, analytical, and problem-solving background to the management of office operations and client support.
Cusmore
Bookkeeper
Cusmore supports the financial and bookkeeping operations of Alternative Therapy LLC.
Meet Ketto
Ketto, PAWS, NCSHK
Practice Therapy Dog
Ketto is our valued practice therapy dog and Greeter Extraordinaire. His calming, consent-based nonverbal support helps create a welcoming therapeutic environment. Ketto does not provide psychotherapy, diagnose conditions, or replace clinical care.
Our Team Through the Years
A few moments of connection, collaboration, and community at Alternative Therapy.
Therapy FAQs
Real questions are welcome here. Therapy can make room for uncertainty, strong feelings, and the topics that may be hard to say out loud.
Can I bring up difficult or taboo topics?
Yes. You can talk about relationships, sex, faith, money, identity, anger, family conflict, or anything else that matters to you. Your clinician will approach the conversation with care and professional boundaries.
What if I cry in session?
Crying can be one way emotions show up, and there is no need to apologize for it. Your clinician can slow down with you, check in, and help you decide what feels manageable in the moment.
What if I do not cry?
That is okay, too. People express and process feelings in many different ways. Therapy is not measured by tears; you and your clinician can focus on what feels meaningful to you.
What if I am unsure why I want therapy?
You do not need a perfectly defined reason to begin. You might start with a sense that something feels heavy, stuck, or different. Together, you can explore what support could be helpful.
I feel emotionally numb. Can therapy help?
Emotional numbness can be an important experience to talk about. A clinician can help you explore it at a pace that feels respectful and grounded, without pressuring you to feel a certain way.
Can I say if something in therapy does not feel right?
Please share it when you can. Questions, discomfort, or concerns about the therapeutic relationship are important information. Your clinician can listen, clarify, and work with you on next steps.