Meet the Team

  • Charlie Leahey, LMSW

    Individual Therapist

    Charlie Leahey, LMSW is a Licensed Master Social Worker dedicated to supporting individuals of all ages and backgrounds. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from Sacred Heart University, with a minor in Psychology.

    Charlie has experience with clients ages 5 and up, addressing a range of mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, emotional dysregulation, suicidal ideation, self-injury, and among others. She also has a special interest in helping clients navigate ADA accommodations related to service and support animals.

    Drawing from DBT and CBT, Charlie offers a warm, nonjudgmental space for growth. For those interested, she can integrate Christian counseling into sessions. Her approach often includes art, humor, and games to foster creative expression.

    Outside of work, Charlie enjoys time with her dogs, painting, reading her Bible, and snacking.

  • Taylor McCafferty, LADC

    Taylor McCafferty, LADC

    Taylor McCafferty, LADC is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor with dual master’s degrees in Addiction Studies and Clinical Forensic Psychology. She brings extensive experience working with individuals across outpatient, residential, and court-involved settings, providing personalized care for those facing substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, and a variety of life stressors.

    Taylor specializes in treating substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, gambling addiction, and binge eating disorder, offering compassionate and non-judgmental support to clients seeking lasting change. Her approach is strengths-based and person-centered, grounded in evidence-based practices such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Positive Psychology.

    Taylor partners closely with her clients to help them develop healthy coping skills, build emotional resilience, and make empowered decisions that support their recovery and overall well-being. She understands that no two journeys are the same, and she tailors her approach to meet each client’s unique needs, experiences, and goals.

    Beyond clinical practice, Taylor has contributed to academic research focused on justice-involved populations and addiction treatment, earning the prestigious Marnie Rice & Grant Harris Award at an international forensic psychology conference. She integrates her research background into her work, combining evidence-based insight with a down-to-earth, relatable style.

    Known for her warm, coaching-inspired presence, Taylor creates a safe and supportive therapeutic space where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to move forward at their own pace.

  • Jacob Nicholls, LCSW

    Clinical Director, Brookfield

    Jacob is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience in the social work field. He earned his Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Western Connecticut State University in 2016 and his Master of Social Work (MSW) from Southern Connecticut State University in 2020.

    Jacob has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families from a wide range of socioeconomic and clinical backgrounds. He supports clients managing concerns such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), borderline personality disorder, mood disorders, intellectual and learning disabilities, and trauma-related challenges. He also helps clients navigate relationship issues, grief and loss, life transitions, maladaptive coping strategies, and the development of stronger social-emotional skills.

    Jacob is known for his compassionate and empathetic approach. He practices from a person-centered, strength-based perspective, believing that every client has inherent value and the potential for growth. He works collaboratively with clients to build confidence, foster resilience, and support them in achieving meaningful personal goals. Jacob understands that therapy is a journey—and he is committed to walking that path alongside each individual who steps into his office.

    Outside of his clinical work, Jacob enjoys spending time with his family, watching sports (especially the Lakers, Dodgers, and Lions), enjoying movies and TV, and listening to music.

  • Belinda Powell, PMHNP-BC

    Belinda Powell, PMHNP-BC is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science in Nursing from Hunter College. She has extensive experience providing compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care across the lifespan—from children and adolescents to adults and older adults.

    Belinda specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders. She is committed to helping individuals manage symptoms, regain stability, and improve their overall quality of life through individualized treatment plans.

    Over the course of her career, Belinda has worked in diverse clinical settings including inpatient psychiatric units, outpatient mental health clinics, emergency departments, home-based care, supportive housing programs, and partial hospitalization programs. This broad experience allows her to understand and meet the unique needs of clients from various cultural, developmental, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

    Belinda’s approach to care is holistic and client-centered, integrating multimodal therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based practices. She emphasizes the importance of culturally sensitive and developmentally appropriate care, tailoring each treatment plan to align with the specific needs, values, and lifestyle of every client.

    Belinda is passionate about creating a safe, supportive environment where clients feel empowered to actively participate in their mental health journey. Her goal is to foster long-term emotional wellness and resilience through personalized psychiatric care.

  • Laura Castillo, LMSW

    Laura is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) dedicated to empowering individuals to create lasting, meaningful change in their lives. With extensive experience working with children, adolescents, families, and adults, Laura provides compassionate support for a range of mental health and behavioral challenges, including depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, PTSD, and mood disorders.

    Laura integrates evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, and person-centered care, to guide clients in developing emotional regulation skills, building effective coping strategies, processing past experiences, and achieving positive shifts in thoughts and behaviors.

    Laura is committed to cultivating a safe, non-judgmental environment where clients feel truly heard, respected, and empowered. By meeting clients where they are, she fosters a collaborative approach that emphasizes strength-building and progress toward meaningful goals. Laura’s goal is to help clients create a balanced, fulfilling, and authentic life, offering unwavering support and compassion along the journey of growth.

  • Layla

    Hi! I’m Layla, a 5 year old Lab-Chihuahua mix. I know, it’s a unique combo, but I’m pretty special too! I proudly served as my mom’s multipurpose service dog for 3.5 years. Now that she’s doing much better, I’ve retired from service work and taken on a new role as a therapy dog. These days, we work side by side to help others through ruff times! Hand and paw, we’re here to support every client in becoming their best self!

Southbury Counseling opened in 2019 when Brendan Stack moved his offices into the Southbury community from northwestern Connecticut. Southbury Counseling is committed to making therapy accessible to every member of the community that needs it regardless of finances. Southbury Counseling is continuing to grow and hopes to help you along the way on your healing journey.

Ready to take control over your life? Schedule an intake today