Our Clinicians
All clinician contact outside of scheduled appointments will come through either phone call or email.
Clinician phone calls will come from our office's number, 203-298-4572, and all emails will end in the domain "@apexpsychologicalservicesllc.net".
Dr. Cynthia Palmisano MA, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, CA & CT
Owner & Director
Dr. Palmisano is a licensed forensic and clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience. Her expertise involves psychological testing and evaluation. She has worked extensively with at risk and underserved populations including homeless mentally ill, incarcerated, dually diagnosed and transgender individuals. Her expertise includes motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy and cognitive processing therapy. Dr. Palmisano has expertise in working with neurodiverse populations and in evaluating for attention disorders. Her research has included a variety of work with incarcerated populations, recidivism, juvenile justice and sexual offenders. She believes in making treatment and evaluation evidence based and person centered.
Dr. Jessica Plouffe, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Director of Doctoral Training
Jessie completed her master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology at the University of Hartford. Jessie worked at Apex during her clinical training and returned upon the completion of her degree. During her clinical training, she also worked in community health and post-secondary educational settings and completed her pre-doctoral internship at Brattleboro Retreat. Jessie specializes in evaluations of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, learning disabilities, and differential diagnosis of mental health conditions, striving for a strengths-based and validating experience. She also maintains a caseload of therapy clients, treating anxiety, depression, life transitions, trauma, and concerns related to neurodivergence. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, crafting, and spending time outside.
Omally Martinez
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Trauma Treatment Director
Omally is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who uses a strengths-based, client-centered approach in both English and Spanish. She has experience utilizing behavioral modification treatment techniques with youth and adults who have Autism Spectrum Disorder. She also treats youth and adults struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mood disorders. She is passionate about working with LGBTQ+ populations to foster self-acceptance, gender identity euphoria, and increased self-esteem. Her approach includes a systems lens to provide family members and support with a deeper understanding of the client’s diagnosis, as well as to nurture full-family healing and compassion. Omally has extensive experience with family therapy, primarily utilizing structural family therapy techniques. She is also helping oversee our new Trauma Services Department through utilization of manualized trauma practices.
OMALLY WILL BE ACCEPTING APPOINTMENTS FOR VIDEO VISITS ONLY.
Dr. Abby Fraade, Ph.D.
Postdoctorate Psychology Fellow
Dr. Abby Fraade provides compassionate and culturally competent psychological assessments and psychotherapy. Abby strives to take a holistic approach to assessments, creating a dynamic understanding of cognitive and emotional functioning to both articulate a coherent diagnosis and think beyond diagnosis. She works with patients to develop a strengths-based plan to help actualize their potential and advocate for supports when needed. Abby earned her Ph.D and M.A. at Long Island University- Brooklyn and completed her predoctoral clinical internship at Yale School of Medicine. She has a breadth of experience conducting psychological assessments and psychotherapy with adults, children, and adolescents in a variety of settings including hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and outpatient clinics.
Samuel Koenig
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
Samuel Koenig is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate who provides a warm, client centered approach to therapy. He is committed to creating a calm, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space where individuals feel safe to explore their thoughts, emotions, and lived experiences. He has experience working with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma related concerns, social anxiety, and relationship challenges. Samuel integrates an eclectic, person centered approach informed by mindfulness, compassion focused, experiential, existential, and humanistic perspectives. He values a collaborative therapeutic relationship grounded in trust and openness, helping clients feel heard, supported, and empowered as they work toward meaningful growth and lasting change.
Elona Peraj
Licensed Master Social Worker
Elona Peraj is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in the State of Connecticut. She earned her Bachelor's degree from Sacred Heart University and her Master's degree from Fordham University. Elona's primary focus has been on young and older adults, and she integrates evidence-based approaches including CBT, DBT and strength-based practices. Elona works with clients navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, and life transitions; she demonstrate strong cultural competence in her work with clients, ensuring sensitivity and respect for diverse backgrounds. She believes that through a humanistic approach, she and her clients can collaborate to facilitate meaningful change. Elona is fluent in English and Albanian.
Lou Fournier
Pre-Licensed Clinician
Lou believes good therapy starts with a genuine relationship. His style is conversational, reflective, and grounded in curiosity; he wants to understand what’s happening in his client's life, the patterns that keep showing up, and what might be underneath them. Lou will give his clients space to work through things at their own pace, while also asking questions, offering another perspective, and gently challenging them when he thinks it could be helpful.
Lou has spent nearly two decades working in mental health, with experience ranging from inpatient care and crisis intervention to individual therapy. He works with adolescents and adults across a broad range of concerns, with particular experience in men’s mental health, trauma, neurodivergence, parenting and family challenges, and transitions throughout different stages of life. His work is informed by CBT, DBT, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), trauma-informed care, and neurodivergence coaching. These approaches give Lou and his clients different ways to work, but the direction of therapy depends on the client, what they're experiencing, and how they want to process their time with him.
Dr. Aisha Farra, Ph.D.
Postdoctorate Psychology Fellow
Dr. Aisha Farra provides culturally responsive, strengths-based psychological assessment and psychotherapy. She views assessment as an opportunity to understand the whole person, integrating cognitive, emotional, and contextual factors to provide diagnostic clarity and meaningful recommendations. She aims to help individuals better understand themselves and build upon their strengths to navigate relationships, school, work, and other meaningful areas of life. In therapy, Aisha works with adults experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, workplace and/or relationship stress, college-related concerns, and life transitions. She has particular experience working with individuals living with psychosis and other serious mental health concerns, as well as in women’s mental health, with a particular interest in the experiences of women of color. Aisha earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Boston and completed her predoctoral clinical internship at Yale School of Medicine.
Cristian Xavier Morillo
Doctoral Psychology Intern
Cristian is a doctoral psychology intern completing his Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology at Felician University. He provides psychotherapy and psychological assessment services to adolescents and adults, with particular experience supporting neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as those navigating addiction and life transitions. His therapeutic approach is grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy and integrates relational work, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and person-centered perspectives. He is certified in LGBTQ-affirmative CBT through the Yale LGBTQ Mental Health Initiative and holds a graduate certificate in alcohol and drug counseling from Montclair State University. Cristian is also a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) whose integrative approach draws from gentle practices, including Hatha, Yin, and Restorative yoga, to create accessible and affirming somatic experiences for individuals of all sizes, abilities, and identities.
Saima Kazmi, M.S., M.S., M.A.
Predoctoral Psychology Intern
Saima Kazmi, M.S., M.S., M.A. is a predoctoral psychology intern at Apex Psychological Services. Ms. Kazmi is currently pursuing a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology and has previously received graduate degrees in areas of Clinical Practices, Forensic Psychology, and Criminal Justice. In her role at Apex, she focuses on clinical areas of ADHD, Autism, and more for patients across the lifespan through a collaborative, testing approach. Ms. Kazmi also provides individual therapy to adult clients struggling with anxiety-related disorders, mood disorders, and trauma. In her free time, Ms. Kazmi enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and visiting museums.