Staff

Ellen Flannery-Schroeder, Ph.D., ABPP is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Rhode Island. Dr. Flannery-Schroeder graduated with a BA in psychology from Franklin and Marshall College, received her MA in psychology from Connecticut College and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Temple University. She completed a predoctoral internship at Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute and a postdoctoral fellowship at Temple University. Dr. Flannery-Schroeder is Board Certified in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology, an organization certifying psychologists as competent to deliver high quality services in various specialty areas of psychology. Dr. Flannery-Schroeder’s areas of research and clinical expertise include anxiety disorders in children; efficacy of cognitive-behavioral treatment and prevention programs for children at risk for anxiety; as well as the role of family factors in the onset and maintenance of childhood anxiety. She has been involved in the prevention and treatment of anxiety disorders for more than 15 years and has written numerous articles and book chapters on the topic. Dr. Flannery-Schroeder also directs the outpatient Child Anxiety Program in the Psychological Consultation Center at the University of Rhode Island.
Dr. Flannery-Schroeder is not currently accepting new clients.

Sue K. Adams, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who specializing in working with children who have comorbid physical and mental health issues, and their families. More specifically, Dr. Adams specializes in working with individuals with anxiety, sleep issues, complex disease management, and infertility. Dr. Adams graduated with a BA in psychobiology from Wheaton College (MA) and completed her MA and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Boston. She completed her predoctoral clinical internship in pediatric psychology at the Brown University Clinical Psychology Training Consortium, and her postdoctoral training in the Child Anxiety Program at the University of Rhode Island. In addition to her work at the New England Center for Anxiety, Dr. Adams is a Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Rhode Island. As a scientist-practitioner, Dr. Adams’s research interests include the impact of technology use on sleep patterns, mental health and physical health. Dr. Adams has written numerous journal articles on the topic and is the author of the book Family and Community Health: A Developmental Approach.
Dr. Adams is not currently accepting new clients.

Lisa Wholey, Ph.D. is a licensed and certified school psychologist with 15 years of experience working with children, families and educators to support the development of the cognitive, behavioral, social and emotional skills of children. Dr. Wholey graduated with a BA in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island, an MS in Educational Psychology from the University of Tennessee Knoxville and a Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Dr. Wholey completed a predoctoral internship in the Ossining Public School District in Ossining, New York and postdoctoral training in the Psychological Consultation Center and Child Anxiety Program at the University of Rhode Island. Dr. Wholey was trained in the scientist-practitioner model and has expertise in the identification and treatment of children with varying abilities and mental health needs. Dr. Wholey’s professional areas of interest include effective parenting, prevention, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, social skills, and mental health service delivery in school settings.

Marie-Claire Cornillon, LICSW is a licensed independent clinical social worker with over 11 years experience working with a wide range of populations in inner city Boston. Marie-Claire received her BA in sociology from Simmons College and continued at Simmons School of Social Work, earning her MSW in 2004. During her education, Marie-Claire completed clinical internships in the Massachusetts Department of Social Services, a hospital setting and an out-patient behavioral health clinic. After earning her Masters of Social Work, Marie-Claire went on to work in agencies focused on issues including substance abuse treatment, homelessness, mental illness, mentoring, geriatrics, physical illness, education, and trauma. Throughout her career, a special area of interest for Marie-Claire has been the treatment of anxiety which was predominant in nearly every setting in which she worked. Though trained in multiple treatment modalities, Marie-Claire’s expertise is in cognitive-behavioral and strengths-based treatment of anxiety disorders. After nearly 20 years in Boston, Marie-Claire recently moved back to her hometown in Rhode Island and is excited to be a part of the New England Center for Anxiety.

Alyssa Boardman, LMHC is a licensed mental health counselor with more than 16 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families in a variety of therapeutic settings, including school and home settings. Alyssa graduated in 2014 with a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, MA. Alyssa has extensive experience and expertise in emotion regulation strategies and management, development of coping skills, crisis intervention strategies, life skills development, and behavior plans. Alyssa has worked with children and adolescents with mild to severe social, emotional, and mental health needs that inhibited their ability to attend main stream schooling. She has designed therapeutic programming and interventions to assist youths in overcoming barriers and obstacles (real and perceived), increasing mental health and emotional stability, improving confidence, and enhancing coping and overall functioning. Alyssa relies on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Strength-Based Therapy in her work and is passionate about assisting clients in their journey to hope, emotional healing, and heightened well-being.

Chelsea Tucker, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who specializes in working with children, adolescents, and adults struggling with anxiety and anxiety-related issues. Dr. Tucker earned her B.A. in Psychology and Spanish Language and Literature (2012) and her M.A. (2016) and Ph.D. in Psychology (school psychology concentration) at the University of Rhode Island in 2017. She completed comprehensive practicum-level training with Dr. Ellen Flannery-Schroeder (co-director of New England Center for Anxiety) as part of the Child Anxiety Program at URI’s Psychological Consultation Center. She completed her pre-doctoral internship in a large Rhode Island public school district. She completed post-doctoral training in school-focused consultation and clinical psychological/neuropsychological assessment in 2018. Dr. Tucker has provided psychological services to children, adolescents, and young adults in public, private, and specialized schools, as well as in private practice and outpatient settings to address problems with anxiety, mood, social-emotional functioning, learning, attention, and behavior. At the New England Center for Anxiety, Dr. Tucker is skilled at providing individualized psychotherapy for the treatment of anxiety and anxiety-related issues using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques in a warm, caring, and compassionate atmosphere.

Erin Pringer, LICSW is a licensed independent clinical social worker with over six years of experience. She graduated from Sacred Heart University with her Bachelors in Social Work and went on to earn her Masters in Social Work from Boston College where her focus was clinical work with children, youth, and families. She has gone on to specialize in treatment of adolescents and their families and has worked in a range of different settings, including intensive in-home therapy, short-term crisis counseling, outpatient therapy, school social work, and therapeutic mentoring. Through her work in these settings, Erin has gained experience with a variety of issues including adolescent and adult mental health issues, adolescent and adult substance abuse treatment, family therapy, trauma, and mentoring. Anxiety emerged as an area of great interest and focus for Erin, as she realized it was a primary issue in every setting she has worked. Erin is also employed by the Westerly School District as a social worker.

Christine Weber, M.A. is a licensed mental health counselor with 25 years experience working in the mental
health field. She graduated from Rhode Island College with a Bachelors in Psychology and then a Masters in
Agency Counseling. She then attended Salve Regina University to obtain her Certificate in Advanced Graduate Studies in Rehabilitation Counseling. She has worked with many populations from young children to adults with anxiety, depression, severe mental illness, as well as those with autism spectrum disorders. She has worked in intensive home based treatment with children and families in crisis, school settings, and clinic-based drug counseling.

Kate Lidestri, MHC, RYT is a mental health counselor and registered yoga teacher. She completed her Master’s degree in Holistic Counseling from Salve Regina University in addition to obtaining a Certificate in Advanced Graduate Studies and a Certiﬁcate in the Expressive and Creative Arts. She has experience working with clients in different settings including school counseling, short term crisis counseling, and intensive in-home therapy. Kate’s years of experience working one-on-one with clients coupled with her education, experiential trainings, and coursework makes her a skilled and welcoming therapist. She wisely integrates teachings of mindfulness into her approach to provide adults, children, and families with hands on coping skills they can use in their everyday lives to ease anxiety and encourage both empowerment and peace. She is committed to supporting her clients in an environment that is non-judgmental, while encouraging curiosity and understanding through the therapeutic process.

Alan Bonin, LMHC is a licensed mental health counselor who has been working in the behavioral health field for almost 10 years. He earned his Bachelor's degree in psychology and a Master’s degree in counseling from Rhode Island College. He has worked in a range of settings including adolescent and adult behavioral health and substance use disorders treatment. Due to his work with substance use, he has extensive experience in both anxiety disorders and trauma. Alan uses cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other research-supported approaches in his work with child, adolescent, and adult clients. He looks forward to working collaboratively with his clients. Alan is also employed by Optum as a Field Care Advocate.

Helen Estrella, LMHC is a licensed mental health counselor. She graduated with a Master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Argosy University in Denver, Colorado. Helen has significant training in crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, emotion regulation strategies, and mindfulness approaches. She is experienced in working with clients of all ages with special expertise in the treatment of adults with complex behavioral health disorders. She also has significant experience in working with children and adolescents, both typically developing and those with developmental disabilities, across a wide range of environments. Helen uses evidence-based treatments to teach and develop the skills necessary to improve relationships with self, family, friends, and one’s larger community. She is passionate about developing therapeutic relationships with her clients that promote strong mental health and well-being. With warmth, compassion, and creativity, she invites you to join her on the path to meaningful and sustainable behavior change.

Brittany Greene, Administrative Assistant and Intake Coordinator, attended the University of Rhode Island with a major in Psychology, as well as dual minors in Sociology and Business. Brittany began in an intern position at The New England Center for Anxiety in 2016 and, in recognition of her strong clinical acumen and administrative skills, she was hired to a full-time administrative position in June, 2017. Brittany’s primary responsibilities include introducing new clients to the practice, facilitating completion of intake paperwork, appointment scheduling, and insurance verification, authorizations, and billing. In addition, she serves as a psychological testing technician working closely with Dr. Steven Barreto in the performance of psychological evaluations.