Raymond Demers is a Licensed Master Social Worker. He earned his Bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Connecticut and his Master’s in Social Work from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work.
Raymond has been working with young children, adolescents, adults, and families of diverse populations for over ten years. He specializes in motivational interviewing to increase internal motivation for a positive change in behavior within his clients. Raymond also incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness Based Therapies in his practice. Through the lens of Systems Theory, he takes a holistic approach to consider the various factors that can influence and promote the possibility of change within any individual.
In his free time, Raymond enjoys attending sporting and music events and spending time with his family and friends.
Suzy Smith is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She was born and raised in Connecticut and received her master’s degree in Social Work from Quinnipiac University. Suzy started her career working in a residential treatment facility for adolescent and young adult females who struggle with mental health, eating disorders, and substance use. Over the course of her career, she has also worked in an outpatient setting treating mental and behavioral health for children and youth, including Early Intervention Programs for at-risk children in preschools and elementary schools. Suzy also holds experience in school social work providing direct and indirect services to students and families. Suzy is passionate about the work she provides to her clients and aspires to make a difference.
In her free time, Suzy enjoys spending time with her 3-year-old son, fitness, cooking, as well as spending time with her two dogs.
David Doheny is a Senior Operations Manager at Turnbridge. David is a certified Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Instructor, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to high quality evidence-based treatment for adolescents which endorses our core values. In addition, David holds certifications as ServSafe Manager, guaranteeing that Turnbridge meets the highest standards for food and sanitation, PMT, First Aid, CPR, Ropes Course and lifeguard certified, ensuring the highest level of safety for clients.
As a founding member, David embodies the spirit and integrity of Turnbridge, his knowledge and expertise are invaluable. He is a decisive and proactive leader who anticipates and resolves weaknesses in Turnbridge’s infrastructure before they happen. David works tirelessly, managing service demands and the daily nuances of residential life and ensures policies and procedures are of the highest standards. David ensures the facility is up to code for licensing and accreditation requirements. David is invested in the professional development of his staff by creating and fostering a positive and cohesive work environment. David effortlessly deals with public relations, various contractors, and vendors to cultivate partnerships, elevating our brand awareness. David strives to provide the best services and experiences possible for the clients and families of Turnbridge. His customer service-oriented mindset ensures clients and families the best possible experience at Turnbridge.
Tammy Platt is a certified teacher in Special Education, Physical Education, and Health. Tammy has Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Rhode Island and completed graduate work at Southern Connecticut State University. Tammy has been in education for over fifteen years and has extensive experience in general and special education. Tammy has a broad range of experience outside academics including coaching youth and high school sports and founding the first Unified Sports Program in region 14.
Tammy oversees the academic and fitness programs at Turnbridge’s Adolescent Boys Residential Treatment Center. Tammy is a consistent, reliable, and compassionate professional who strives for excellence in everything she does. Tammy takes an active role in client’s academic lives and provides assistance and individualized attention to promote each student’s success. Tammy is a fierce advocate for her clients and has fostered a safe learning environment which allows clients to develop meaningful educational goals that are consistent with their personal interests, values, and abilities.
Tammy’s passion for fitness and unwavering commitment to helping youth build a healthy relationship with their mind and body led to the development of our fitness program. The fitness program provides clients with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to empower them to independently navigate any fitness center safely and effectively. Through fitness, clients build the self-confidence and self-efficacy needed to tackle life’s stressors while having fun and building a sense of camaraderie and community with their peers. Clients leave feeling mentally and physically stronger and confident in their ability to tackle the obstacles that lie ahead.
Outside of work, Tammy lives an active lifestyle. She loves spending time with family, sports, and long summer days.
Hiliary Bassett is a Connecticut Certified Teacher that specializes in therapeutic education. She received both a Bachelor of Arts in English Education and a Master of Arts in Education from Fairfield University. Hiliary specialized in secondary education and working with marginalized communities to overcome barriers to schooling.
Prior to coming to Turnbridge, Hiliary worked with students and families in special education and trauma-informed classroom settings, both private and public. Her background in therapeutic education aids in her understanding of our clients and accommodating specific needs that may stand in the way of educational success. She has ample experience creating Social Emotional Learning curriculum and incorporating therapeutic skills into the classroom environment. Hiliary believes in a holistic approach to education and in meeting a client where they are, celebrating successes and supporting setbacks. She creates personalized academic plans for clients while at Turnbridge and works with schools and families to ensure a smooth transition and appropriate services in their continued education.
Hiliary is a Connecticut native with a goal of hiking the highest peak of every state. She is an equine enthusiast and shares her love of horses with many clients on the Killingworth campus.
Peter McConnell has been working in the behavioral healthcare field for more than 14 years and the education field for more than 24 years. Peter holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Political Science with a concentration in international relations from Southern Connecticut State University where he was a member of the Phi Alpha Theta honors society. In addition to his work at Turnbridge, Peter teaches college courses in economics and banking at a local community college.
Peter’s career began in the banking industry while pursuing his undergraduate studies. After working his way up to management at a local bank, Peter’s flair for education became apparent, thus, he transitioned from the field of finance to education. His first teaching position was at a local New Haven school where Peter taught social studies and geography and was elected Rookie Teacher of the Year and Teacher of the Year.
Peter began his career in behavioral health over a decade ago when he joined Turnbridge as a case manager. He was program director in the young men’s program where he had been twice elected by his fellow colleagues as Boss of the Year, and more recently transitioned into a Professional Development role where he’s responsible for helping Turnbridge’s next generation of talent hone their skills. Peter’s life objective is to help those who are struggling in life to understand WHY they are struggling, whether it be vocationally, academically, mentally, and/or behaviorally, and to comprehend how a program of action can improve their condition on multiple levels.
In his free time, Peter has years of experience as a lifeguard, group hike leader, sponsor, mentor, and community leader. He finds that spending time outdoors is a vital healing experience for himself and his clients.
For over a decade, Peter and Turnbridge have been supporting clients in ever-improving ways as the treatment world has evolved.
Kate Mezick received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Minor in Psychology from Quinnipiac University. Kate has spent her career crafting exceptional skills in communication, empathy, and advocacy in the mental health field. She has over 8 years of diverse experience both clinically and with case management for clients of all ages throughout multiple levels of care.
Prior to joining the Turnbridge family, Kate was a Senior Counselor with an intensive in-home program working with adolescents and their families. This role primarily involved collaborating with outside providers and meeting with educational facilities to advocate for appropriate services needed. Kate has also maintained a Per Diem position as a Telephone Counselor for the Accessline since 2018. Accessline is a statewide program supporting individuals seeking treatment resources for substance use. Additional experience also includes working in an outpatient setting as an Art Therapy Mentor for youth and case management of Special Needs Trusts for adults and elders with disabilities. Outside of work Kate enjoys traveling, seeing live music, and playing in seasonal bowling and softball leagues.
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.
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.
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.
