Our Therapists

Daisy Abbott, LCSW

Clinical Director and Therapist

Daisy has been a clinical social worker for over 20 years. She incorporates a variety of interventions, including cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, trauma-informed approaches, and solution-focused therapies. Daisy believes that individuals can improve their functioning and quality of life by offering different perspectives, establishing goals to increase self-awareness, and adapting positive behavioral patterns.

Dinesh Perera, LMFT
Mental Health Strategy Director and Therapist

Dinesh Perera, LMFT

Mental Health Strategy Director and Therapist

Dinesh has been a psychotherapist for over 20 years. He has been with JFS New Haven for over 14 years in various roles and programs. Before coming to JFS, Dinesh was a therapist and part of the clinical faculty at the Yale Child Study Center. Dinesh strives to help clients affect rapid, lasting change using powerful treatments such as EMDR, IFS, and NLP. Dinesh can help you navigate the changes you want to make in life with the confidence and security you need to move forward.

Karen Merkel, PhD
Therapist

Karen Merkel, PhD

Therapist

Karen has been a clinical psychologist for over 25 years. She utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy and insight-oriented approaches to help her clients overcome their difficulties. Karen works closely with clients to understand their stories and then, together with the client, looks for what might be most helpful to create change in the client’s life.


Kate Richardson, LCSW

Therapist

Kate has been a Clinical Social Worker for over 25 years. Kate’s therapeutic approach stems from a strengths-based and humanistic approach, which focuses on optimism through a vision of personal growth and a strengths perspective. Kate builds strong therapeutic relationships with clients by connecting with what is important to them through an empathetic and solution-focused lens.


Heni Schwartz, LCSW

Therapist

Heni has been a psychotherapist for over 45 years. Heni brings a wealth of experience to her clients. She utilizes a combination of cognitive behavioral and psychoeducational approaches to help her clients feel more comfortable and move forward in their lives.