Dr. Hassan Minhas, MD
Medical Director
Assistant Professor, Yale School of Medicine
Hassan M. Minhas MD is a board-certified psychiatrist with training in Adult Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Forensic Psychiatry.
In addition to serving as the Medical Director of Turnbridge, Dr. Minhas is also the Chief of Autism Services at the Hospital for Special Care, and an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Yale University School of Medicine Department of Law and Psychiatry.
He graduated medical school from Rawalpindi Medical College in Pakistan, then completed his internship, residency, and pediatric psychiatry fellowship at Brown University. Following his clinical training, he completed a fellowship in forensic psychiatry at Yale University.
Dr. Minhas has been the recipient of many awards and fellowships. Some of these include the APA Leadership Fellowship, the Brain Conference Travel Award, the Martin B. Keller Award, and the Haffenreffer Family Resident Award. Most recently, he was recognized by the Hartford Business Journal as one of their 40 under Forty honorees.
Achievements
Education and Training
- M.B.,B.S., Rawalpindi Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
- The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI
- Yale University, New Haven, CT
- Harvard-Macy Program for Post-Graduate Trainees
Honors and Recognition
- 2011 – 2013 Brown Psychiatry Residency Research Track Awardee
- 2011 Second Prize Psychiatry Residency Research Poster, Fourteenth Annual Research Symposium on Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- 2011 Runner-up to the Weinshilboum Prize (invited to attend the 10th Annual Psychiatric Genomics Course), Department of Psychiatry, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- 2012 Second Prize Psychiatry Residency Research Poster, Fifteenth Annual Research Symposium on Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- 2012 Travel Fellowship awardee, 17th Annual Research Colloquium for Junior Investigators, American Psychiatric Association
- 2012 – 2014 American Psychiatric Leadership Fellow, American Psychiatric Association
- 2013 Brain Conference Scholar Travel Award, American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training
- 2013 International Medical Graduate Fellow, American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training
- 2013 Society of Biological Psychiatry, 68th Annual Convention, Mentor-Mentee Program Participant
- 2013 Martin B. Keller Award for the Outstanding Resident in the General Psychiatry Residency Graduating Class, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- 2015 Haffenrefer Family House Staff Excellence Award; awarded to 5 graduating house staff across specialties for demonstrating excellence in clinical service, professionalism, leadership and scholarly activities, Rhode Island Hospital
State and National Organization Committees
- American Psychiatric Association
- Rhode Island Council for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
Hospital and Training Program Committees
- Brown University
- Bradley Hospital
- Butler Hospital
Publications
- Minhas HM, Pescosolido MF, Schwede M, Piasecka J, Gaitanis J, Tantravahi U, Morrow EM. An unbalanced translocation involving loss of 10q26.2 and gain of 11q25 in a pedigree with autism spectrum disorder and cerebellar juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A. April 2013;161(4):787–791
- Minhas HM, Vahabzadeh A. Autism Spectrum Disorder in DSM-5. The Residents’ Journal, American Journal of Psychiatry, May 2013;8(5):4-6
- Banerjee R, Liu JJ, Minhas HM. Lyme Neuroborreliosis Presenting with Alexithymia and Suicide Attempts. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. October 2013;74(10):981
- Minhas HM, Lowenhaupt EA. Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Ferri’s Clinical Advisor, 2015 edition.
- Minhas HM, Philip N. Antipsychotics. The Encyclopedia of Clinical Psychology, First Edition, 2015.
- Minhas HM, Lowenhaupt EA, Xavier, SL. Conduct Disorder. Ferri’s Clinical Advisor, 2016 edition.
- Minhas HM, Elliot MB, Price LH. Altered mental status due to hand sanitizer ingestion. British Journal of Psychiatry, December 5 2011. bjp.rcpsych.org/letters/
- Aoun EG, Minhas HM, Hunt JI. Synthetic Marijuana: a serious emerging substance use problem in adolescents. The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter (CABL). January 2014; 30(1)
Jack Britton, LPC
Vice President of Clinical Services
Jack grew up in Dallas, Texas, where he earned B.B.A. and master’s degrees in accounting from S.M.U. and started work with a Big Four firm, auditing hedge funds and energy companies. Getting sober in 2007 led Jack to consider other professions that he might enjoy more, and in 2010 he moved to rural Minnesota where he completed a master’s in counseling from Hazelden. Not a fan of blizzards, in 2011 Jack left for Lubbock, Texas, where he worked as a counselor at a residential treatment program for young adults and developed a passion for helping families. In 2015 he briefly lived in Austin to help a college friend open a counseling office. Over time, Jack saw first-hand how quality of life improves the most when a person engages in long-term treatment, a truth supported by decades of research, and so in 2016 he moved to Connecticut to work in Turnbridge’s young adult program.
Since then, Jack has held roles in all our service offerings. He started as a primary clinician and later a family therapist. In 2017 Jack helped open and was director of Turnbridge’s community outpatient services, which started in New Haven in the evenings and have since shifted to our Westport clinic. In 2020 Jack co-developed and -launched Turnbridge’s first adolescent residential treatment center in Woodbury, serving as clinical director. In 2021 he shifted to non-client care to work on a variety of projects ranging from program analysis and enhancement to hiring and training.
As Vice President of Clinical Services, Jack ensures the ethos of Turnbridge’s mission is carried to and thrives within all our programs. He also recruits and hires superb clinical talent from around the country. Additionally, Jack builds and develops relationships with Turnbridge partners through tours, conferences, and speaking engagements. Jack loves spending his time with his wife and their daughter, golf, and travel.
BILL SIMMONS, CAC
Vice President of Operations
Bill has over 15 years of professional experience in the field of mental healthcare, having made significant contributions as a direct-care clinician and administrator in multiple settings and levels of care. Bill is both nationally and internationally credentialed as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor and is a certified BLS & CPR trainer through the American Heart Association. Additionally, Bill’s personal experience in long-term recovery adds to his ability to combine professional expertise with a unique passion and motivation. This has afforded Bill the opportunity to help others achieve their own sustained recovery with approaches that are evidence-based, while respecting the unique needs of the individual.
In Bill’s current role as Vice President of Operations, he provides visionary leadership ensuring that the logistical systems of staffing, safety, and administrative and procedural reporting are in place and functioning effectively. Bill’s creative leadership has contributed to the growth of the organization through increased operational efficiency. Bill has an energetic style that, combined with respectful and constructive communication, has allowed him to increase the retention, ability, and capacity of his staff, which has directly led to improved outcomes for clients.
GORDON DICKLER, CAC, ICADC
Vice President of Admissions
Gordon oversees the admissions department and helps families in crisis find help for their loved ones in need. As both a board certified counselor and a Turnbridge alumni, Gordon’s intimate understanding of Turnbridge’s powerful ability to help young people overcome behavioral health conditions is informed by both personal and professional experience. This perspective allows Gordon to relate deeply to these issues, and to explain at a foundational level the many aspects of Turnbridge’s Programs.
After receiving his Bachelor’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University, Gordon realized a newfound desire to help others overcome mental health disorders. He subsequently completed a counseling certification program and in January of 2011 joined the team of professionals at Turnbridge, where he’s excelled in a variety of direct-care roles. In July of 2013, Turnbridge asked Gordon to apply his knowledge and insight to the work of Admissions, where he has the privilege of being among the first points of touch between families seeking help, and Turnbridge’s ability to give hope. Today, Gordon leads a team of compassionate and knowledgeable admissions coordinators who on the front lines supporting families through the process of evaluating appropriate treatment solutions for their loved one.
In his free time, Gordon enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children and patronizing New Haven’s many exceptional restaurants.
Janet Isdaner, LCSW
Director, Turnbridge Westport
Janet Isdaner, LCSW is a clinical social worker with more than 30 years of experience in the treatment of mental illness and substance use disorders, She obtained a B.A. in Sociology and Speech Communications from the University of Arizona, and her M.S.W. from Columbia University. Through her many years as a clinical social worker, Ms. Isdaner has gained invaluable experience in all aspects of the provision of mental health and substance abuse treatment, including assessment, placement, treatment planning and program development. Ms Isdaner has worked in both the public and private sectors with all ages and diagnoses. She is a dynamic leader, with a wonderful sense of humor and has mentored dozens of social workers. Ms. Isdaner dedicated the last 15 of her 19 years at Silver Hill Hospital to successfully developing the Transitional Living residential program at Silver Hill Hospital. Under her lead, the Transitional Living program thrived as it grew new and innovative programs, maintained a robust census, and provided clinically excellent care.
In addition to administrative responsibilities, Ms. Isdaner uses evidence-based practices and treatments to help those (and their families) who are struggling with addiction and mental health issues. Regardless of the specific treatment model used, Ms Isdaner believes that a trusting therapeutic relationship with clients is one of the most important qualities in the treatment process.
Nancy Tauck, LCSW
Primary Therapist
Nancy has close to 30 years of experience providing therapeutic treatment to adults, adolescents, and families in both residential settings and in private practice.
During Nancy’s career she has collaborated with municipal institutions serving youth and families, identifying needs and implementing respective services. She spearheaded the development and supervision of programs designed to enhance the lives of adolescents suffering with mental health issues. Nancy was trained and prepared to respond to local/global disasters pre 911 and is recognized in her field and community for her exhaustive efforts during the 911, Kosovo war and most recent Covid pandemic disasters.
Nancy joined Turnbridge Westport to continue her work in an outpatient setting focusing on adults and families specializing in addiction and trauma. Nancy is a graduate of Columbia University, MSW program and earned her licensure (LCSW) in social work. She is known for her extensive knowledge base, approachable engagement style and strengths-based clinical approach. She specializes in the assessment and treatment of PTSD, primarily with victims of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; substance abuse; ADHD; mood disorders; and adjustment disorders due to changes in life situations. Nancy is trained in DBT, ABFT, Trauma and Spiritual wellness which she implements in her work as a primary clinician and facilitator of IOP and OP groups at Turnbridge.
Lakshmi Nair, LADC
Primary Therapist
Lakshmi is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and has been working in the field of addiction and mental health for more than 10 years. She received her Masters in Clinical Psychology from Bangalore University and her Masters in Mental Health and Community Counseling from Fairfield University. She has completed DBT training from Behavioral Tech affiliated with the Linehan Institute and has extensive training in CBT for Depression from the Beck Institute.
Lakshmi uses a wellness-based approach to help clients tap into their strengths and to create individualized roadmaps to a lifetime of recovery.
Debbie Cambareri
Operations Manager
As the Director of Finance & Human Resources, Debbie is responsible for the organization’s financial activities, human resources, and various other administrative operations. She maintains financial and accounting policies, plans, systems, and provides overall management for the budgeting, contract management and audit/tax reporting functions.
Debbie is CBCS and CPC certified and received her Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Connecticut, with a concentration in Health Care Administration.
DAVID VIEAU
Founder & CEO
David’s extensive business background combined with his personal story of recovery led to the founding of Turnbridge in 2003. Under his direction, Turnbridge has evolved into a nationally provider of residential behavioral healthcare services for both young adults and adolescents. He has pioneered innovative approaches and developed programs specifically for these age groups that have changed the way the industry approaches treatment.
His educational background includes a Liberal Arts education from Harvard University. In addition to spending most of his career in the non-profit world, his professional experience also includes a variety of leadership roles with start-up organizations and educational institutions.
He enjoys spending time with his sixteen year old daughter Alexis, is an aspiring musician, and an avid golfer.
BRETT TIBERIO
President
As President, Brett provides oversight and support to all departments within Turnbridge. He joined Turnbridge in February 2010 and is responsible for maintaining focused and driven clinical operations, project management and execution, increasing programmatic efficiencies, and ensuring quality outcomes and customer satisfaction are acheived.
As a longtime alumni of the Turnbridge Young Men’s Program, Brett offers a unique perspective on client-centered treatment. He frequently speaks with families and clients to share his experiences and knowledge of the Turnbridge Program. Before joining Turnbridge, Brett worked for Blum Shapiro, the largest regional accounting, tax and business consulting firm in New England. He graduated from Champlain College with a B.S. in Professional Writing. In his free time, Brett enjoys spending time with his family, maintaining an active lifestyle, the arts, and the pursuit of personal growth.
JAMIE HAZELTON
Executive Vice President
As Executive Vice President, Jamie oversees daily operations and spearheads the effort to build bridges between Turnbridge and other high quality treatment programs across the country. Maintaining close ties with other centers gives Turnbridge two distinct advantages. First, knowing the people, philosophies, and practices of other centers makes the process of integrating new residents from these centers smoother and easier. Second, by understanding the specialties of other centers, it allows Turnbridge to recommend the best care option when Turnbridge may not be their best solution. Jamie has helped hundreds of families navigate the difficult road of choosing a treatment program that best suits their loved one’s needs.
Himself a Turnbridge graduate, Jamie offers a compassionate ear and first-hand knowledge of the Turnbridge program and its unique benefits. Before joining Turnbridge, Jamie attended college for nursing, and has extensive experience caring for people in need including his work with veterans for the American Red Cross. Jamie continues to live his passion for helping others as a Turnbridge Leader.
