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
Jennifer Narcisco, LPC, ATR-BC
Jennifer Narcisco is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Board Certified Art Therapist, and artist. As a therapist, she incorporates the expressive arts with solution-focused planning and a person-centered approach. In this, she offers unique opportunities for healing and growth, with the belief that every person has the capability to create their own success.
Discovering her love for helping people as an undergraduate student, Jen knew that this field was made for her, shifted gears, and was accepted into the Licensed Professional Counselor and Art Therapy program at Albertus Magnus College. As a child she was always doodling, and her love for art and creativity has only grown. As an artist, Jen's enthusiasm for art therapy shows in her own works. She graduated from Albertus Magnus College in 2015 with a Master's of Arts in Therapy and has since obtained her Art Therapy board certification and Licensed Professional Counselor license. Her experience has allowed her to work with children and adults of all ages and abilities, from age 2-92 in capacities such as art therapy, group therapy and individual therapy.
Jen has worked extensively with children and adults with intellectual disabilities in home, school, program, and residential settings for over 15 years. She is passionate about creating an environment for communication, autonomy, and self expression. Prior to joining GPS, she had facilitated individual and group therapy sessions focusing on coping skills, gaining career skills, social skills, grief and loss, sensorimotor needs, and even Lego! Working with this population allowed unlimited opportunities where Jen learned how to adapt, modify, and experiment with art materials to ensure that anyone, with any ability, could participate. Jen has also collaborated with local communities, and looks forward to serving the shoreline community. She facilitated a transitional program for post-secondary students with autism at Fairfield University, co-led a lecture series and art showcase at Albertus Magnus College, and led workshops at an arts co-op in downtown Bridgeport.
Jen lives with her family in Branford, Connecticut. She enjoys reading, nature, and making art. She proudly has a 5-star island on Animal Crossing and will someday build the Lego Hogwarts castle set.
Jennifer's Telehealth Link: doxy.me/jennifernarcisco
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
