
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.
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. |

Amanda Bradshaw, LMHC is a licensed mental health counselor with over five years of experience working with children, adults, families and couples in a wide range of settings. Amanda graduated from Rhode Island College with a Master’s Degree in Agency Counseling and went on to complete her CAGS in Advanced Counseling. She has extensive experience working in acute care settings with a focus on crisis assessment and intervention. She has specialized training through the Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute and has experience assessing and treating trauma-related disorders. Her experience working in group homes and inpatient settings has strengthened her understanding of anxiety and related disorders, as they are at the core of many co-morbid concerns. Amanda is highly skilled at Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and its application for treating anxiety and related disorders in children, adolescents, and adults.

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.

Kate Tokarski, LICSW is a licensed independent clinical social worker with over 19 years of experience. She graduated from Springfield College with her Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Medical Services Management and went on to earn her Master’s degree in Social Work from Rhode Island College in 2001. Kate specializes in the treatment of children, adolescents, and adults. She has worked in a range of settings, including home care, hospice, mental health case management, school social work, and has taught stress management in schools and pre-hospital environments. Through her work in these settings, Kate has gained experience with a variety of issues including dealing with chronic illness, adolescent and adult mental health and substance use issues, trauma, and crisis management. Kate is also employed by the Chariho 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.

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.

Lisa Frankes, LICSW is a board certified licensed independent clinical social worker. She graduated with a Master’s degree in clinical social work from Boston College in Massachusetts. Lisa has been practicing social work for fifteen years and is skilled in the use of cognitive behavioral therapy for treating individuals with mental health disorders. Emphasizing the use of self-reflection and self-compassion in the process of change, she has worked in diverse clinical settings that include community mental health agencies, hospice, an intensive outpatient program for college students, a city hospital, and a 2-year residential program serving homeless women. Lisa also has advanced certificates of practice in grief and loss counseling, drug and alcohol counseling, and couples counseling.
Lisa Frankes, LICSW is a board certified licensed independent clinical social worker. She graduated with a Master’s degree in clinical social work from Boston College in Massachusetts. Lisa has been practicing social work for fifteen years and is skilled in the use of cognitive behavioral therapy for treating individuals with mental health disorders. Emphasizing the use of self-reflection and self-compassion in the process of change, she has worked in diverse clinical settings that include community mental health agencies, hospice, an intensive outpatient program for college students, a city hospital, and a 2-year residential program serving homeless women. Lisa also has advanced certificates of practice in grief and loss counseling, drug and alcohol counseling, and couples counseling.

Ciara James, M.A. is a clinical psychology doctoral student at the University of Rhode Island. She earned both her B.A. and M.A. in Psychology at Boston College. As a graduate student clinician, Ciara has provided services to children and adolescents struggling with anxiety and anxiety-related disorders over the past several years, working closely with Dr. Ellen Flannery-Schroeder (Co-Director of the New England Center for Anxiety). Ciara has also completed graduate-level training at Bradley Hospital in both the Intensive Program for OCD and the Children’s Partial Hospital Program. Ciara is dedicated to working with individuals struggling with anxiety and anxiety-related concerns, providing them with the tools needed to successfully manage their symptoms.

Alicia Haas, M.A. is a mental health counselor. For undergraduate studies, she earned a B.A. with dual majors in Psychology and Gender & Women’s Studies at the University of Rhode Island. For graduate studies, she earned a M.A. in Mental Health Counseling, with a concentration in Child & Family Mental Health, at Boston College. Alicia completed her master’s-level clinical training at McLean Hospital’s Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Institute, where her main role was working one-on-one with individuals during Exposure and Response Prevention treatment for OCD and related disorders. Alicia is passionate about the treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders, and she looks forward to being a support to clients.

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.