New Outlook Counseling Staff

Charlie Coretto is a passionate and skilled Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, currently serving as the Director of the Mental Health Counseling Program. With a strong commitment to assisting individuals and families facing mental health challenges, Charlie has established himself as a respected leader in his profession.

Charlie began his academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Central CT State University, followed by a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Connecticut. After obtaining his LCSW licensure, Charlie embarked on a fulfilling career, working with diverse populations and addressing a wide range of mental health issues.

Throughout his career, Charlie has gained invaluable experience in areas such as crisis intervention, family therapy, and substance abuse counseling. His deep understanding of mental health complexities has allowed him to create innovative and effective treatment approaches tailored to the unique needs of his clients.

As the Director of the Mental Health Counseling Program, Charlie leads a dedicated team of mental health professionals, offering supervision, guidance, and support to ensure the delivery of exceptional care to those in need. Under his leadership, the program has grown and broadened its range of services, positively impacting countless individuals and families in the community.

Charlie is an active member of various professional organizations, contributing his expertise to the development of best practices and advocacy for policies that promote mental health awareness and access to care. As a recognized expert in his field, he regularly speaks at conferences and workshops, sharing his insights and inspiring others to join the cause.

Outside of his professional life, Charlie is an enthusiastic traveler and nature lover, finding inspiration and tranquility in the great outdoors.

Charlie Coretto’s unwavering commitment to mental health advocacy, along with his extensive experience and empathetic approach, make him an invaluable leader in the field of mental health counseling.

Terri Dierkes is a passionate and dedicated mental health professional currently pursuing her Master of Social Work at Sacred Heart University. With a long-standing commitment to helping others navigate life’s challenges, Terri’s journey into counseling is deeply rooted in her own personal experiences and the profound impact that supportive relationships have had on her life. She believes in the power of feeling seen, heard, and accepted, and brings this philosophy into her work as she offers a safe, nonjudgmental space for healing and growth.

Terri’s counseling approach is centered on fostering connection and community, with a particular focus on group therapy. She believes that group settings provide an invaluable opportunity for individuals to support one another, gain insight through shared experiences, and build meaningful peer connections. Her facilitation nurtures self-awareness and emotional growth, creating a collaborative environment where participants can reflect, model positive behaviors, and discover new tools for personal development.

With a background that includes event production and marketing, as well as extensive volunteer work with marginalized populations, Terri brings a unique blend of creativity, leadership, and compassion to her role as a counselor. She is driven by a desire to empower individuals and promote inclusivity, striving to create opportunities for all voices to be heard.

When she’s not working, Terri enjoys spending time with her husband and their two teenage children. Together, they love hiking, kayaking, and exploring new coastal destinations, finding joy and peace in nature.

Meet Lisa LaGratta, our vibrant and passionate Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, who is committed to helping others live their best lives. Lisa’s journey into the world of therapy was sparked by her enduring interest in people and relationships, leading her to shift gears after a fulfilling 17-year career in sales and client management.

Lisa brings a wealth of experience from her MBA in Marketing and her extensive corporate background. As she navigates her practicum, Lisa is excited about the prospect of working with a diverse range of clients and remains open to discovering her specific areas of specialization.

Her approach to therapy is refreshingly straightforward—she’s all about helping clients achieve their goals for change while understanding the importance of each client’s unique journey. Lisa’s heart is wide open to working with clients from various backgrounds, embracing diversity in culture, sexuality, and spirituality.

Inspired by her deep curiosity about people’s relationships and life experiences, Lisa found her calling during the Covid-19 pandemic, realizing the profound impact she could make as a Marriage & Family Therapist. She emphasizes the importance of MFTs in creating positive changes in the lives of individuals, couples, and families, fostering love, mindfulness, and self-awareness.

As an active member of CTAMFT, Lisa looks forward to deepening her engagement, attending conferences, and networking events. She envisions a future for our profession where MFTs play a vital role in schools, communities, and corporations, promoting love and bridging family and relational connections.

Charles Paternina, MFT, joins our dedicated team at Catholic Charities with a profound passion for therapy and a steadfast commitment to guiding individuals on their path to well-being.

Charles’s enduring dedication has shaped him into an exceptional clinician. His Post-Graduate Degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from Fairfield University, earned in August 2022, equips him with the expertise needed to provide exceptional therapeutic services.

Charles’s specialization in couples therapy stems from his deep fascination with the intricacies of marriage. However, he doesn’t limit himself to one demographic. His dedication extends to helping individuals of all ages navigate life’s transitions, from youths grieving and coping with parental loss to older generations seeking solace and closure.

In therapy, Charles’s authenticity shines through as he assists clients actively engaged in their healing journeys. He prefers to work with individuals and couples committed to making positive life changes. He values the opportunity to learn from his clients, drawing inspiration from their kindness and determination to embrace change.

As a versatile generalist in his career, Charles connects with a wide range of clients, reflecting his inclusive approach. Fluent in Spanish, thanks to his education in Spain, he offers culturally sensitive therapy.

With an open heart and an open mind, Charles is dedicated to serving and supporting everyone who seeks our services at Catholic Charities.

Charles is a devoted husband and father of five, cherishing quality time with his family. He’s also an avid traveler who enjoys crafting and exploring diverse cultures during his leisure time.

Waleska Rosa is a dedicated and passionate bilingual (English and Spanish) social worker serving underserved populations for over a decade. Waleska joined the Catholic Charities team on August 29th, 2022, bringing her a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to helping those in need. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Lehman College in 2012 and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University-Graduate School of Social Service in 2018, with a concentration in Clinical Social Work & Community-based Practice & Leadership. Waleska is also a proud member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

Before joining Catholic Charities, Waleska was part of the executive team at HELP USA, a national leader in homeless prevention services. In this role, she provided permanent, transitional, and homeless prevention services to underserved populations in New York City. After several years of working in homeless prevention, Waleska decided to transition to a role in therapy, where she could focus on directly impacting the lives of individuals and families.

As a Clinician at Catholic Charities of Fairfield County’s Behavioral Health Program, Waleska adopts a holistic approach to providing short and long-term psychotherapy for children, adolescents, adults, and families. She is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment in which clients can explore their emotions, develop coping skills, and work toward personal growth and healing.

In her personal life, Waleska enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, exploring new places, and engaging in various community activities. Her passion for helping others and her commitment to social justice shine through in all aspects of her work, making her an invaluable asset to the Catholic Charities team.

Maryellen Zarnik Silva, APRN, is a deeply committed nurse practitioner with a wealth of experience in various medical fields. Based in Fairfield, Connecticut, she brings her extensive skills and compassionate care to Catholic Charities’ New Outlook Counseling Program.

Maryellen began her nursing journey with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and advanced her expertise with a Master of Science in Nursing, focusing on Critical Care Nursing Education. She also holds a Masters Certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Her dedication to providing top-notch care is evident in her ongoing commitment to furthering her education and skills.

Currently, Maryellen serves as an Internal Medicine Nurse Practitioner with the Department of Corrections in New Haven, CT, where she provides comprehensive care to the male inmate population. Her role includes evaluating patients, creating care plans, diagnosing conditions, and offering both chronic and acute care. Maryellen also mentors nurse practitioner students, shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Before this role, Maryellen worked as a Hospitalist Nurse Practitioner at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, CT, where she managed patient care, facilitated discharges, provided patient education, and participated in family meetings. She also served as a General Surgery/Trauma Nurse Practitioner, caring for patients in surgery and trauma departments, mentoring medical students, and collaborating with surgeons.

In family practice, Maryellen has cared for patients of all ages and has been a preceptor for nurse practitioner students. Additionally, she has extensive experience in internal medicine, providing care for adult patients and conducting rounds for nursing home and homebound patients.
Maryellen’s passion for education shone through during her decade-long tenure as an Associate Professor at Marymount University School of Nursing, where she specialized in medical-surgical nursing.

She holds important certifications as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, and Registered Nurse in Connecticut, along with certifications in Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Maryellen also maintains DEA and CPS licenses.

Maryellen Zarnik Silva, APRN, exemplifies the spirit of dedication and compassion that Catholic Charities values. Her vast experience, commitment to education, and unwavering dedication to patient care make her an invaluable member of the New Outlook Counseling Program, ensuring our community receives the highest standard of mental healthcare.

Bartosz Szczypiorski is a graduate of University of Bridgeport where he earned his Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. He has worked as an intern at the Wolf Spirit Counseling and Wellness Center, providing in-person and telehealth psychotherapy, conducting assessments, and keeping confidential health records. He also has clinical experience from his practicum at the University of Bridgeport Counseling Services where he helped students navigate the challenges they face.

Bartosz’s experience includes working as a Case Manager with people struggling with homelessness and mental illness at the Thomas Merton Family Center. By connecting them to resources, coaching them through the obstacles, and advocating on their behalf, Bartosz served the Bridgeport community with compassion and care.

Bartosz believes that if you can figure out the right questions to ask, the answers will become clear. He utilizes motivational interviewing, CBT, and DBT skills focusing on interpersonal effectiveness and distress tolerance.

In his free time, Bartosz enjoys Historical European Martial Arts, hiking, and miniature war-gaming.