Founder & Psychiatric Provider

Christine Bouey is a licensed clinical social worker with over 25 years of experience working with adolescents and young adults. She earned her undergraduate degree from Southern CT State University in psychology and a masters in social work from Marywood University. Ms. Bouey is licensed by the Department of Public Health. WIth over 25 years of experience, she has expertise in working across multiple setting such as inpatient, outpatient and residential care. She specializes in holistic care, with a concentration in meditation.

Dr. Valencia Bagby-Young is a licensed psychologist and board-certified family nurse practitioner (FNP) with a post-master’s psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) certificate.   Dr. Bagby-Young has 38-years of experience as a registered nurse. She has been employed with the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services for 34-years, as a nurse manager for the past 14-years.  Dr. Bagby-Young’s most recent position at DDS was the Director of Health and Clinical Services.  She has been a licensed psychologist for 9-years.  As a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Dr. Bagby-Young has worked in primary care providing holistic care in the areas of wellness, acute illness, chronic diseases, depression, certifications for the CT Medical Marijuana Program, and providing medication assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD). Her nursing clinical practice has included the following specialties: childbirth educator, maternal-child visiting nurse, pediatric homecare nurse, neonatal intensive care, geriatrics, psychiatric – mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and dual diagnosis (mental illness and cognitive/intellectual disabilities).  

Dr. Bagby-Young is a graduate of American International College, with doctorate and master’s degrees in educational psychology, and a master’s degree in science and nursing. Regis College with a post-master’s psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certificate.  She is also a graduate of Central Connecticut State University, with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing, as a registered nurse.   Her current focus is behavioral health, providing medication management and psychotherapy.    

Andrews is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)  with over 12 years of experience working with adults and children with mental health and or substance abuse challenges.  His passion lies in providing compassionate support to individuals from diverse backgrounds who struggles with trauma, substance use, anxiety, depression, adjustments, stress, grief, and loss, and more.

As a therapist, he draws inspiration from integrating evidenced-based practices that are uniquely curated to each person and family, which tend to be especially effective in bringing about truly meaningful and sustainable change.

Sabrina is a compassionate and nonjudgmental licensed master social worker with over 10 years experience working with adolescents and adults. She  earned her masters in social work from UConn School of Social Work.

Sabrina has experience in working in legislation, inpatient and outpatient settings with individuals struggling with substance use and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. 

She uses a variety of evidence based techniques such cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused approach, mindfulness, strengths based approach and motivational interviewing. Sabrina's aim is to empower individuals to be self aware and find their true passions. 

Kemistry the Mad Scientist (real name Kemauli Brown) is a multidimensional artist with a history in photography, dancing, acting, directing, writing, and in Guinea West-African drumming and dancing. He was born and raised in Jamaica before emigrating to Hartford, CT, in 2014. He is the CEO of an art and entertainment company, We Rise Network LLC, whose mission is to create realities for your vision, to be true to oneself, and to spread love through afro-centric art expressions.

Kemistry has a different approach to expressing himself as an artist because of his background in art, science, health, and business, but one of the better things about Kemistry is that he is a mental health advocate who shares his journey with bipolar 1. Being creative, he uses his insight and understanding of his diagnosis to channel his emotions into various art mediums, giving more meaning to the “mad scientist” in his moniker.

“I am not my diagnosis; I see this as my superpower. I believe in the power of expression, and I want to share this with you through the love of arts”.