Meet Our Providers

Gene Jacobs DO

Dr Jacobs holds Board Certifications in both adolescent and adult psychiatry and has a minor in ethics and philosophy from Stony Brook University.

Terrie Mailhot MD

Dr Mailhot is a native Rhode Islander who graduated in 1973 from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Arts in Education,  followed by a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Rhode Island College in 1979.  She completed Residency and Fellowship at Brown University after completing Medical School at the University of Texas in 1985.  Dr Mailhot provides evaluations and treatment for children and adults.

John Ruggiano MD

Dr Ruggiano received an Ed.B degree with a Major in Secondary Education from Rhode Island College in 1962, with Dean’s List Recognition in 1961. He completed Medical School at the University of Bologna, Italy before completing  Psychiatric Residency at St. Vincents Hospital in New York City.

Dr Ruggiano has over 40 years experience in the practice of psychiatry.  He has previously  been appointed Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Brown University and has also served as the  Chief of Psychiatry at Rhode Island Hospital, where he developed  the Consultation Liaison Service there.

Dr Ruggiano currently provides evaluations and psychiatric care, including individual and group psychotherapies and psychopharmacologic treatment at Quality Behavioral Health, where he specializes in adult and geriatric psychiatry.

Mark Gauthier PMHNP-BC

• Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.
• Bachelor or Science degree in Nursing from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
• Master’s degree in Nursing from Boston College
• Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Over 20 years experience in the field of Mental Health/Psychiatry
• Over 10 years experience in acute, inpatient psychiatry.

Mark works with ages 15-59 years old and specializes in Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, and Bipolar Disorders. Though he is a medication provider, he is a strong believer in a holistic approach to mental health, which includes healthy lifestyle habits such as proper diet and nutrition, sleep hygiene, and exercise.

Deb Horvitz PMHNP-BC

Deborah Horvitz, MSN, MSW, Ph.D., graduated from Northeastern University with a Masters degree in Nursing. She is a Board Certified Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) who treats individuals of all ages. As a prescriber of psychiatric medications, she is committed to helping patients find the medication regimen that works best for them.

Prior to becoming a nurse, Deborah graduated from Simmons College School of Social Work and worked as a psychotherapist for several years. Her Ph.D. is from Tufts University.

Felicia Lospaluto, NP

Felicia Lospaluto is a board certified Nurse Practitioner. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island and a Master’s degree in Nursing from Marquette University. She specializes in the primary and mental health care of adults and the elderly, managing a wide range of medical and psychiatric conditions.

Cindy Patrick, PMHNP-BC

I am a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of mental health experience in a variety of settings including hospital (acute, residential, forensic, substance recovery, and in the Emergency Department) and community-based (group homes, foster homes, and special schools).

I completed my nursing education at the University of Alberta (Canada) and my Master’s degree at Regis College. I am Board-Certified and provide care and medication for clients ages 14 - 79.

My clinical approach is to listen carefully to my client’s mental health concerns and priorities, and then partner with them to set goals, manage psychiatric medication regimens, provide education (medication, health, and lifestyle), and assist them to access tools and resources to improve their lives.

Jaron Keoug

Jaron is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner with over five years of mental health experience. Working within the Pediatric Program at Quality Behavioral Health, Jaron treats patients between the ages of 6-26 years old. He helps patients and their families experiencing a range of mental health conditions, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorders, and Mood Disorders.

Patricia Schneider DNP, PMHNP-BC

• Doctorate in Nursing Practice degree from University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree from University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
• Masters of Nursing Education degree from Excelsior College, New York.
• Bachelor of Science, Business Management degree from Fisher College.
• Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Over 24 years experience in the field of Nursing
• Over 13 years experience in psychiatry

Patricia specializes in working with children and adolescents ages 5-26 years old by providing evaluations, psychiatric care, and psychopharmacologic treatment.

Tara Scungio, APRN

Tara is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner who prescribes medication for ADHD, OCD, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, psychosis, PTSD, and other mental health conditions. She studied at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Rhode Island and she treats children, adolescents, and adults. She is an adjunct faculty instructor for the University of Rhode Island and a social worker who has worked in many settings with people across the lifespan.

The first appointment is a consultation to determine if both parties feel it is a good fit. She likes to take a conservative approach to prescribing and aims for a collaborative relationship to emphasize long-term success with safety at the forefront. In her spare time, she figure skates, skis, and takes care of a trio of festive felines. She hopes to meet you soon.

Nahid Abed

Nahid Abed Faghri has a BA in Psychology from Melli University and an MS in Human Development, Counseling, and Family Studies from the University of Rhode Island. She has her post graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from Rhode Island College, and has a Rhode Island State Board License in Mental Health Counseling.

Patricia Day RN LMHC LCDP

Patricia is a Registered Nurse and has a Master’s degree in counseling. She is a mother and a grandmother. Her approach has been spiritually based for the past 25 years.

Lynn Turchetta Colford, LMHC

In a safe, nonjudgmental atmosphere, Lynn treats clients of all ages with a variety of mental health and substance abuse challenges. Lynn’s therapeutic approach is supportive and compassionate in order to encourage individual clients, couples, and families to reach their best possible identified outcome.

Lynn has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Rhode Island College and Master’s Degree in Mental Health and Addiction Counseling from Johnson and Wales University.

Specialties include but not limited to: Adjustment Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Bereavement, Bipolar Disorders, Depression Disorders, Mood Disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Substance Abuse, and Trauma.

Jill Pfitzenmayer PhD

Jill Pfitzenmayer, PhD, is licensed as a psychologist in Rhode Island. She has been in private practice for over 20 years, working primarily with adults and couples. Dr. Pfitzenmayer has experience in a variety of clinical settings, including hospital outpatient care and university counseling centers. She works in psychodynamic and interpersonal psychotherapy modalities.

Joyce La Fazia Heimbecker

Joyce La Fazia Heimbecker has been a licensed mental health therapist since 1995 and a licensed substance abuse professional since 1997. She is a graduate of St. Mary Acadamy Bay View, Boston College, and Rhode Island College. Joyce has been a therapist at Quality Behavioral Health since 1997. She previously worked at Tri-Town Community Action Agency and at the Center for Addiction Studies.

Specialties: Anger Management, Anxiety, Grief, Depression, Domestic Abuse, Drugs and Alcohol, Eating Disorders, Family Therapy, Marriage Issues, OCD, Sexual Abuse.

Janis Denuccio

Janis is a graduate of St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing, attended Providence College, Rhode Island College, and Salve Regina University. She is credentialed as a RNBC in the State of RI and is ANCC Certified.

Specialties: Relationships, Couples, Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety, Anger Management, Bereavement, Domestic Abuse, Eating Disorders, Family Therapy, OCD, Sexual Abuse, Part of the Emergency Team.

Jo-Ann Petrucci Andrews Ed.D, LMHC, CMHIMP

Dr. Jo-Ann Petrucci Andrews is a licensed mental health counselor, providing counseling for children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples. Jo-Ann is committed to family, school, and community engagement. She utilizes positive psychology and its clinical application, by utilizing resilience through attachment, self-regulation, and competency. She has training and background in trauma focused treatment, associated with child neglect and sexual and physical abuse. Jo-Ann treats bereavement, autism spectrum disorders, developmental disabilities, and various mood and anxiety disorders; she works with parents and provides support for parenting, co-parenting, foster care, and adoption.

Jo-Ann holds a doctorate of Educational Learning from Johnson and Wales University, in educational leadership.

Jo-Ann has an EBD from a PHD program in clinical counseling at Capella University, in Minneapolis. Her focus of study was reactive attachment disorder, both in children and adults, and autism spectrum disorders. Jo-Ann is a graduate of Providence College with a Master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling and Guidance Counseling. Her focus was bereavement, loss, and grief.

She is a graduate of Rhode Island College, with a BA in psychology, and a graduate of the University of Steubenville with a BA in Theology.

Jo-Ann is an author both for inspirational, and children’s books. She is a member of ARIA.

Jo-Ann is a certified mental health integrative medicine professional that utilizes nutritional, herbal, and culinary medicine for the treatment of various emotional and physicial illness. Improvements of mood and behavior can be linked to proper nourishment of both the brain and gut. Jo-Ann evaluates clients by using a food- mood assessment tool, which determines eating patterns.

Patricia Donahue LMHC

Patricia Donahue, LMHC, completed Lesley University’s Clinical Mental Health Program in 2001. Her previous experience includes working as a child and family therapist within a foster care program and providing outpatient counseling within a healthcare setting.

Eileen Landry LICSW CCM

Eileen Landry, LICSW, CCM, completed her BA degree in Deviant Behavior and Social Control at John Jay College of Criminal Justice followed by a Master’s in Social Work at Hunter College School of Social Work. She is also certified in Case Management. Eileen has broad clinical experience working with children, adults, seniors, families, couples, adoption, foster care, and group homes.

She also has extensive experience working with insurance corporations where she worked as a medical social worker and was instrumental in developing a Prenatal program that addressed the biopsychosocial needs of clients. In this setting, Eileen was instrumental in demonstrating the importance of addressing Behavioral Health concerns in the corporate environment, and in Primary Care settings. She also worked as a Behavioral Health Clinician in insurance settings doing both Behavioral Health Case Management and Utilization Review.

Tanya Plamondon

Tanya Plamondon is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She has been with Quality Behavioral Health since 2010. She began as an intern at QBH in August of 2010. Tanya received a BA in Psychology from Rhode Island College in 2010. She received her MA in Agency Counseling in 2012. Tanya also received a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in Mental Health Counseling from Rhode Island College in 2014.

Tanya works with adolescents and adults. She treats clients with various mental health illnesses such as anxiety, OCD, panic attacks, PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, life changes/transitions/planning, career and academic goals, stress reduction, time management, loss of a loved one (bereavement), anger management, domestic abuse, self-harm, and eating disorders.

Michele Lavigne, LICSW

Michele Lavigne has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Buffalo State College in 1990 and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Rhode Island College in 1992, acquiring her License in Independent Clinical Social Work in 1994. She is also currently a member of NASW, and has a broad range of clinical experience working with children, teens, adults, and couples.

Michele’s expertise includes working with those struggling with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, trauma, and both child/adult ADHD. She incorporates evidence based CBT, DBT, and Family-Systems Therapy treatment modalities, with a focus on solution-based therapy. She attempts to incorporate an empathetic yet encouraging approach to help with both motivation and self-advocacy.

Kenneth Bryant

Ken has a B.A. from Barrington College in 1975 in Social Sciences. Three years course work in Master’s Program for Special Education at Rhode Island College 1987-1990. Graduated CAGS in Agency Counseling at Rhode Island College in 2014.

“I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, individuals, and families. I use cognitive, metacognitive, and mindfulness approaches in addition to mind stimulation therapy where a multi-sensory approach facilitates communication and restores anxiety and depression to a place of usefulness”

Amanda Grandchamp

Amanda is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a MA in Agency Counseling and a CAGS in Mental Health Counseling from Rhode Island College. She has worked in the field for over 10 years and has experience in counseling, child welfare, supervised visitation, and worked as a home –based therapist using behavioral modification. Amanda is experienced in treating anxiety and depression as well as teaching parenting skills and stress management.