Meet Our Providers | Rhode Island Psychiatrists

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.

Maria Gonzalez, MD

Dr. Maria T. Gonzalez a native of the Dominican Republic with a mixed ethnicity of Caribbean, European and Middle Eastern.

She is a graduate from medical school at The Technological Institute of Santo Domingo. Spending some time in Connecticut, prior to completing her residency in training in psychiatry at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.

During her stay at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital and St. Joseph Health Services of Rhode Island from 1996-2009, she offered her services in different departments in psychiatry, including outpatient, inpatient, consultation liaison and nursing homes.

Dr. Gonzalez is a mentor of The American Psychiatric Association and a diplomat of The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She belongs to the medical staff at Butler Hospital, since 2004, holding a position as Staff Psychiatrist and at Kent Hospital as medical staff.

She was the Founder and Medical Director of Integrated Psychiatry, Inc. for 20 years and is proud to continue to serve her bilingual clientele at her new outpatient home at Quality Behavioral Health; where she continues to enjoy the friendship of former colleagues, while building new relationships. She provides evaluation and treatment of insomnia, psychosis, depression, anxiety and mood disorder, with solid pharmacological foundation in a bio-psychosocial model.

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.

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.

Shaylah Spellman, APRN

Shaylah Spellman received her Bachelor’s in Nursing from the University of Rhode Island, and is a graduate of the Butler Hospital Graduate Nursing program. She has a Master’s in Nursing Practice at URI and completed the 2021-2022 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program at Thundermist Health Clinic.

While at URI, Shaylah also served as Nursing Simulation Lab Coordinator and as Adjunct Professor for the Undergraduate Psychiatric Mental Health Program. She additionally worked on the inpatient psychiatric units and the emergency room at Butler Hospital.

In the past several years, Shaylah also completed clinical coursework at Community Care Alliance, Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Women and Infants, and Bradley Hospital to obtain her advanced practice degree. Shaylah works with patients who are experiencing the following conditions:

Mood disorders
Trauma
Anxiety disorders
ADHD
Neurodivergence
Sleep issues
Personality Disorders
LGBTQ+ identity concerns
Pregnancy & postpartum mental health issues

Jill Pfitzenmayer, PhD

I work with individual adults and couples to help them find more satisfying relationships, understand their own issues and challenges, and create positive changes when depression and anxiety are overwhelming. I use interpersonal and psychodynamic approaches in my work and incorporate mindfulness to bring greater awareness to clients. Therapy is a tool for deepened self-exploration and transformation and I welcome those who seek a more enriched life. As a licensed psychologist with years of experience in university, hospital, and clinical settings, my practice is client-centered based on individual needs.

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.

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.

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.

Margaret Gomes MSW, LMHC, LCDP

Meg earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree at Rhode Island College and her Master of Social work degree at Boston University. She is a licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Professional (LCDP).

She provides counseling services for children, adolescents, and adults focusing on a wide range of behavioral, emotional, and mental health concerns. Her experiences are varied and include Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counseling, Children’s Intensive Service (CIS), Community Outreach, School Counseling and Classroom Interventions.

Meg is a certified Professional Life Coach and Executive Coach (PCC). She also has experience working with employees who are struggling with work demands and/or finding it difficult to manage their work-life balance as a Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP).

She is trained in Positive Behavioral Intervention & Support (PBIS) and she is a Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA) specialist. Both national programs are designed to assist children and their families identify behavior concerns and improve organizational and executive functioning for those diagnosed with ADHD and other disorders.

Meg was part of seven Special Education Mutlidisciplinary Teams at Rhode Island schools. AS part of these teams, she helped develop and implement IEPs and 504 plans with students, parents, and teachers. She has experience and passion to assist students to be successful. She uses evidence-based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help individuals to manage their own behaviors that interfere with employment and functioning of daily living. CBT is an active intervention that is more focused on the present and helps to change and improve the way we think, feel, and act.

Meg Gomes values to integration of techniques to increase relaxation and reduce stress. She will remind you of your inner strengths, use positive reinforcements and include meditation and mindfulness in therapeutic progress.

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”

Doctors

Gene Jacobs DO

Terrie Mailhot MD

John Ruggiano MD

Maria Gonzalez, MD

William Kyros, MD

Nurse Practitioners

Mark Gauthier PMHNP-BC

Deb Horvitz PMHNP-BC

Felicia Lospaluto, NP

Cindy Patrick, PMHNP-BC

Jaron Keough, PMHNP-BC

Patricia Schneider DNP, PMHNP-BC

Tara Scungio, APRN

Shaylah Spellman, APRN

Nicole Bradford, APRN

Brett Michelson, APRN

Laura Richard, PMHNP-BC

Okechukwu Anidi, PHMNP-BC

Therapists

Patricia Day RN LMHC LCDP

Jill Pfitzenmayer, PhD

Joyce La Fazia Heimbecker

Janis Denuccio

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

Patricia Donahue LMHC

Eileen Landry LICSW CCM

Tanya Plamondon

Margaret Gomes MSW, LMHC, LCDP

Michele Lavigne, LICSW

Kenneth Bryant

Amanda Grandchamp

Susan Levin LICSW ACSW

Pauline King, LHMC

Michele Tomasso, ME.d, CAGS, LCMHC

Kenneth Bryant, LMHC

Interns

Sara Foley, LHMC

Dave Lizotte, MS, MHC

Greg Charpentier, MS MHC

Kristine Roche, LCSW

Joyce Barr, BA, RN

Anna Bersin, MS, LMHCA

Crisana Roussel-Heroux, SW

Evin Martinez, BS, LMHC