Meet our team
richard P. Douglas
bcba
Rich Douglas is a founder and Co-Director of Bridge Partnership, LLC. He was an appointed member of the Special Action Committee on Special Education for the state of Connecticut and served in that role for 4 years. He has a Master's Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Rich spent his first 11 years in the field working at a private school in Fairfield County that specializes in the treatment of children with autism. He has worked successfully to incorporate a multi-disciplinary approach to education utilizing principles and techniques found in a variety of related therapeutic models. Rich is experienced in developing and implementing school, home, and community-based programs for children with special needs and their families. In addition to his role at Bridge Partnership, Rich is a founder and Executive Director of Harbor Light Foundation, Inc.
Stacy Desabella
MA-Special Eduction
Stacy has been in the field of special education for over 20 years specializing in Autism and related disorders. She is a founder and Co-Director of Bridge Partnership, LLC. Stacy received her Master’s degree in education from C.W. Post in Long Island where she participated in the university’s C.A.S.E. (Competencies in Autism for Special Educators) program. She was a special education teacher and behavioral therapist in home programs utilizing applied behavior analysis principles and techniques with staff from the Eden II Programs. She currently coordinates home programs providing supervision and therapy for students in both Connecticut and New York. In addition, Stacy is a founding member and Program Director of Harbor Light Foundation, Inc. which provides educational and therapeutic services to children with special needs.
Whitney Buckley
PsyD. Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Buckley is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in working with children. She also works as a certified school psychologist, which gives her a unique insight into one of the primary environments in which your child has to function, as well as the evaluation process for special education and 504 eligibility and plan development. She conducts comprehensive psychoeducational assessments to determine children's unique learning and/or social emotional needs and develop recommendations to support them. She also provides individual and small group therapy and works with parents to address parenting or behavioral concerns. Dr. Buckley specializes in young children (toddler through late elementary school), particularly those on the autism spectrum. Her work with your child can develop social skills and the perspective-taking necessary to foster positive peer relationships. She also specializes in treating anxiety, depression, ADHD, executive function weaknesses, poor self-esteem, selective mutism, attachment disorders, children with separated/divorced parents, and siblings with exceptional needs.
Denise leverty
speech & language
pathologist
Denise holds both a Bachelor and Masters degree from Loyola College and numerous post graduate credits in sensory integration, Prompt method, oral motor dysfunction, floor time, autism spectrum disorder, apraxia as well as speech and language disorders over her 20 years of experience in the field. She is full of energy and easily engages others around her. She prides herself on staying up to date to meet all the ever changing needs of the children she treats. She loves being part of a team and sharing information across disciplines to achieve the best outcome for the children she works with.
Kristi Nguyen
Occupational
Therapy
Kristi Nguyen OTR/L is the owner of OT-Kids, LLC. Kristi received her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University in 2002. She has extensive experience treating children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Developmental Disabilities, and sensory processing dysfunction and holds advanced certifications in various treatment techniques including, Therapeutic Listening, Integrated Listening Systems (iLs) Handwriting Without Tears and Pediatric Yoga. Kristi has specialized training in numerous therapeutic approaches including DIR Floortime, visual vestibular treatment techniques and RISE (Reflex Integration Supporting Education). She has presented numerous in servicetrainings and provided professional development opportunities to Parents, educators, school administrators and clinicians throughout Fairfield County. Kristi is passionate about making a difference in the lives of every child she works with.