GPS-Navigating Mental Health Treatment Across Generations
Ryan Dillon, APRN
Ryan Dillon was born and raised in Branford, CT. A life long resident, he started off his career with ambitions of being a teacher. It was only by accident that Ryan stumbled into the mental health field. Ryan's mother was a psychiatric nurse and it was through her that he was offered a position as a counselor while looking for a job in college. After graduating, he yearned to get back into the mental health field. Ryan obtained two jobs as a counselor, one in a residential setting and another at Yale-New Haven Psychiatric Hospital where he worked with various complex populations in an acute environment.
Eager to provide more services, Ryan weighed his options heavily on which career path to choose for graduate school and decided to "keep nursing in the family." Ryan applied and was accepted to Yale University where he was mentored by leaders in the field of psychiatry and psychiatric nursing; this includes training directly under the president of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. His experience includes sites at the Institute of Living, The Village for Families and Children, and Yale Behavioral Health. Furthermore, he was nominated and chosen to be the psychiatric nursing representative for Yale to provide mental health services to children in Nicaragua. During his advanced practice training, Ryan worked as a nurse for the inpatient child psychiatry unit at Yale-New Haven Hospital.
Following graduation, Ryan spearheaded an effort to integrate advanced practice nurses into a largely regarded private practice in Fairfield County. It was here that Ryan obtained immense on-site education where he learned about the psychiatric treatment of children, adolescents, adults and the geriatric population. He has also treated many special populations including substance abuse and pregnancy. Furthermore, he held per diem attending provider privileges at St. Vincent's Medical Center, where he managed the psychiatric treatment for the hospital (including managing inpatient, consultation and liaison, and emergency psychiatry).
Ryan and his family continue to call Branford home. He is a huge Star Wars and Disney fan. He is also fascinated by sharks and loves visiting Cape Cod. Last but not least, let's go New York Giants!
Ryan's Telehealth Link: doxy.me/ryandillon
Jennifer Goldfuss, APRN
Jennifer is a Connecticut Board Certified Family Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner that graduated from The George Washington University. She has worked as an intensive care registered nurse for some of her career before she discovered her passion for psychiatry and mental health. She then pursued a master’s degree as a nurse practitioner to help patients across the lifespan to improve their mental health and quality of life. She is dedicated to helping others through comprehensive evidence-based care that is completely patient-centered. In her free time she enjoys cooking, traveling, spending time with her family and reading.
Jennifer's Telehealth Link: doxy.me/jengoldfuss
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Priya Patel, APRN
Priya is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner that graduated from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (“MCPHS”).
Priya began her journey at the University of Connecticut with a double major in Biology and Psychology. She continued her education by obtaining her BSN degree from MCHPS. After graduation, she pursed her passion for psychiatry and worked as an RN at several inpatient psychiatric facilities across Massachusetts and Rhode Island (with all different populations) while pursuing her Master’s degree.
Priya believes in a shared-decision making approach for care to create a non-judgmental relationship with her patients centered on trust and collaboration. It is her goal to provide all her patients with care that is patient-centered, holistic, and culturally-sensitive.
In her free time Priya enjoys spending time with loved ones, traveling, going to the movies, and practicing yoga.
Priya's Telehealth Link: doxy.me/priyap
Michelle Holleran
“You are enough.” ”Take it one day at a time”. I am a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in strengths-based therapy with individuals, couples, families, and adolescents. My goal in therapy is for you to feel satisfied, safe, and accomplished when you leave my office. I’m interested in working with you on identifying negative thinking patterns and developing goals that are important to you. I believe in channeling each individual’s internal strengths to focus on healing.
I use a combination of traditional therapeutic approaches to meet your expectations and align with your worldview, my intention is to make your life easier and more manageable. I believe in a holistic approach to therapy, which includes CBT, DBT, trauma-informed, and self-esteem-building techniques. I have worked extensively with individuals and families suffering from substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, serious persistent mental health issues, and past trauma. I’m EMDR trained and certified. I look forward to working with you!
Specialties: Bi-Polar Disorder, Substance Abuse, Co-Occurring Disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder
Michelle's Telehealth Link: doxy.me/michelleholleran
Jessica Bainer, LCSW
Jessica is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her Masters Degree in Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University.
Jessica has worked with many mental health populations, including: inpatient psychiatric patients, children and adolescents, families, caregivers, Veterans and their families.
Kristy Dillon, MSW
Whether you recognize her from working as an administrative assistant for GPS or as Ryan's sister, you guessed right! Kristy is now a clinician at GPS! Keeping it in the family, her interest regarding working in the mental health field began in 2012 when she worked as a residential psychiatric counselor. Kristy received her Master's in Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University and has experience working with adults, children, geriatrics, as well running groups during her field placements. She incorporates an empathetic therapeutic approach, as well as multiple therapeutic modalities to ensure that each client is heard with compassion.
Kristy enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, listening to live music, and spending time with her dog, Benny.
Kristy's Telehealth Link: doxy.me/kristydillon
