The TILI Team
At TILI, we believe our clients are the experts on their own lives – we know our clients come to us with much more than the problems that constrain them. Guided by this core philosophy, TILI clinicians listen in a supportive, non-judgmental and interactive way. We are interested in your story and the strategies you developed to live in that story. We focus on strength, hope and possibility as we collaborate with you to help you live your life with meaningful and mindful intention.
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Start your therapeutic journey today. Give us a call at (781) 990 3051.
ELISSA RIGGIO TOSI
Owner & Clinician
Elissa began her career with a passionate focus on family therapy working in community mental health centers on the north shore of Boston. She became the Clinical Director of Family Continuity Program in Beverly, and Children's Friend and Family Service in Salem. Since 2003, she has been in private practice which subsequently lead her to start Tili. Elissa is thrilled to expand her practice to include colleagues who share her enthusiasm, mission and philosophy for the work. Elissa enjoys working with adult individuals and couples. She has lots of experience treating anxiety, mood disorders including depression, relationship issues including recovering from affairs and divorce coaching, life transitions, and trauma.
JODY COOPER
Clinician
Jody is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) who has a master’s degree in social work from Simmons College in Boston, MA. She has had the privilege of working with adults in a variety of settings including a short-term residential treatment program for substance use disorders, in-home therapy, and outpatient therapy mental health. ​ ​Jody has experience providing support to those dealing with and overcoming the effects of depression, anxiety, trauma, stress, loss and grief, life transitions, relationship challenges, and general life stressors. ​ Jody’s style is strength based and integrative which means that the work will draw on various approaches that are tailored toward one’s needs, strengths and goals. She uses a blend of therapeutic techniques, and creates a supportive and non-judgmental environment in which self exploration is possible. Jody aims to build a trusting relationship that will allow for reflection, enhanced self-awareness, and movement toward meaningful and sustainable change.
JENNIFER HOWLAND
Clinician
Jen is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) that earned her masters degree from Salem State University. Jen has worked with individuals, couples and families in non-profit agencies, drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, and as an outreach therapist providing in-home services. Jen's approach is influenced by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and cognitive analytic therapy (CAT). She has experience treating mood and anxiety disorders, grief, life transitions and anger management. Jen is devoted to helping others become empowered, find focus in their strengths, and move toward healthy changes at a pace her clients are comfortable with.
EMMELINE KIM
Clinician
Emmeline is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) with a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from William James College (formerly known as the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology), and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Emmeline enjoys working from a strengths-based perspective in collaboration with her clients. She has experience supporting clients through trauma, depression, grief and loss, stress and anxiety, substance abuse, relational/interpersonal concerns, social justice issues, and family of origin challenges. Her empathetic and adaptive approach is influenced by mindfulness, narrative, cognitive-behavioral, and compassion-focused therapies, as well as her previous career and life experiences. Emmeline strives to help her clients develop a greater understanding of themselves and make desired changes within their lives to further healing and meaningful growth.
JOAN LOVINS
Clinician
Joan received her Master’s degree from Tufts University. She has over 20 years of experience working with individuals age 5 and older, couples and families. Her specialties include trauma, grief, parenting, ADD, women in transition and mood/anxiety disorders. Using a strength-based, collaborative approach Joan utilizes various treatment modalities to assist clients in their journey towards empowerment and growth.
CHRISTINE MAKARY
Clinician
Chris began her career at the Department of Veterans Affairs where she spent 33 years treating men and women with a variety of issues. She specializes in PTSD, anxiety, depression, parenting and LGBTQ issues. Her trauma training at the VA encompassed different types of trauma including combat, childhood, first responders and other adult trauma. Chris utilizes different modalities to get her clients to a better place in their lives. Using compassion, humor, and a direct style of communication she is able to connect with her clients in a meaningful way. She believes growth comes from a combination of insight and practical behavior change.
FRANK MILITELLO
Clinician
Frank is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with wide-ranging experience in the mental health field, working with individuals and families. His therapeutic interests include helping people through the struggles of depression, anxiety, and trauma, especially brought on by difficult life transitions, such as unemployment and job difficulties, school struggles, grief and loss, change in health, and relationship issues. His approach to therapy, influenced by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and traditional talk therapy, recognizes the healing value of honestly telling one’s story while developing practical solutions for today through the instrument of a collaborative therapeutic relationship. Frank is compassionate and brings to the therapy session the wisdom of life experiences. Frank earned a bachelor’s degree at Chaminade University in Honolulu, HI while serving in the United States Navy. Frank earned a master’s degree and certificate of advanced graduate studies (CAGS) in counseling psychology from Cambridge College in Cambridge, MA while working full-time in non-profit agencies on the North Shore, MA.
JERRY SCHWARTZ
Clinician
Listening carefully, being attuned fully, curiosity, and non-judgmental empathy are the hallmarks of Jerry Schwartz’s style of psychotherapeutic healing. After 35 years of practice in a variety of roles using a variety of therapeutic techniques, Jerry brings an integrated perspective, understanding, and diverse set of skills to his work with individuals, couples and families. ​ Jerry earned his PhD in Clinical Psychology at the Wright Institute in Berkley, CA receiving an exceptional foundation in psychodynamic theory. He went on to be the Director of an adolescent and family counseling program in Alameda, CA which was based on a narrative therapy approach. While in the Bay Area he was also very involved with men’s groups and retreats as both a participant and leader. ​ Jerry has been practicing on the North Shore since 1994. He has done some college teaching and for almost 20 years he has focused on end of life and palliative care work with individuals and their loved ones. This work has led to an understanding of the profound impact that chronic and advanced illnesses have on a person and their family. He also received training as a non-denominational chaplain at Beverly Hospital. ​ From all of this experience, along with a love of poetry, a meditation practice, and an awe of the beauty of life all around, Jerry incorporates a sensitivity to and respect for the diversity and importance of the socio/cultural context of a person’s life.
LINDA WERBNER
Clinician
Linda enjoys helping people move toward realistic and empowering solutions to problems that may seem intractable. As a solution-focused, strength-based therapist, she draws from an eclectic mix of treatment modalities from Cognitive Behavioral and Emotionally Focused Therapy to Narrative, Motivational Enhancement and Mindfulness. As a seasoned trauma-informed clinician, she has extensive experience working with clients through grief and loss, medical trauma and diagnosis, post-partum depression and mood disorders, coping in the aftermath of miscarriage, suicide, violence and overdose. Linda also has experience with problems of estrangement, low self-esteem, anxiety, caregiver stress and life transitions. Working overseas with immigrant and refugee communities has imbued her with cultural competence as well as a deeper understanding of the challenges in navigating a new culture. She speaks fluent Russian and has a working knowledge of Spanish. She continues to enjoy working with immigrants and acculturation.
LOREN WESTON
Clinician
Loren is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and holds a Master of Science degree in clinical mental health counseling. With over twenty years of experience in the field, she has worked in home-based and outpatient settings with adults, families, and adolescents struggling with mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, relationship issues, grief and loss, and other life challenges. Loren’s integrative approach is rooted in a Humanistic and Person-Centered theory, with Existential, Cognitive Behavioral, Support and Solution Focused theories mixed in. Most importantly, she always approaches her therapeutic relationships from a strengths-based perspective. Loren brings extensive personal and professional experience to the therapeutic relationship and treatment. As a therapist, Loren fosters resiliency and post-traumatic growth. She strives to facilitate and promote insight, growth, learning, and positive change with her clients, using a healing-based, empowering, supportive, and genuine approach. Helping people find deeper meaning and connection to themselves, others, and the world is Loren’s focus. Furthermore, she hopes to assist her clients with discovering and strengthening their alignment with their personal values and purpose, and therefore gaining deeper fulfillment and balance. Loren is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) trained and certified by the Coaches Training Institute (CTI) and is an ACC Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Loren is also an Organizational and Relationship Systems Coach (ORSC) and enjoys working with people on their relationships with others and themselves.
DEIDRA SMITH-HORTON
Clinician
Deidra is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LICSW) who received her master’s degree from Salem State University where she is an adjunct professor for the graduate school of social work. Deidra began her career working within community mental health settings working within the area of crisis, inpatient setting and has spent the last 20+ years working within the medical and community setting. Currently she is the Wellness Director at Endicott College in Beverly MA. Deidra has experience working with adults in the modalities of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Deidra practices from a Strengths Based perspective, focusing on an individual with anxiety, depression, and relationship struggles. Deidra aims to build a strong therapeutic relationship based on respect, self-discovery and trust to help clients reach their goals.
TARA M. SAYEGH
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Tara Sayegh is a licensed and board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She completed her Masters Degree in Advanced Practice Nursing at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. She has been practicing adult psychopharmacology since 2008. Her areas of clinical interest include depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, adult ADHD and substance abuse. Tara also is experienced in the treatment of chronic pain through a holistic mind-body paradigm/approach and psychiatric medication management.
REBECCA LAFRANCE
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Rebecca LaFrance is a licensed, dual board certified psychiatric and family nurse practitioner. She completed her Master's Degree in Nursing at Saint Joseph's College of Maine and her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification at Wilkes University. Her areas of clinical interest include the treatment of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and ADHD as well as grief management. Rebecca believes strongly in the positive role psychiatric medications can play in stabilizing symptoms making it easier for clients to do the necessary work in psychotherapy to better their lives.
LAURA QUINLAN
Clinician
Laura is an experienced mental health practitioner who earned her MA of Social Work Degree from Simmons College, Boston, MA. Laura’s experience includes work with individuals, youth and families in residential treatment, outpatient mental health, community mental health and crisis work. She earned a Trauma Certificate from Boston University, trained as a trauma coach, trained in Written Exposure Therapy, Action Commitment Therapy, and Sandtray Therapy (which is a modality for a person of any age). She has remained current in treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and its impact on the individual, family and relationships. Laura brings a strength based and compassionate approach to her work. She believes that development is ongoing throughout the lifecycle. Whatever the current stressor, be that grief, stress, relationship issues, school and work or other challenges, we maintain the capacity to re-integrate and to rediscover our capacities and true selves in ever deepening ways. The amazing research on the brain and in trauma over the past two decades teaches us that while the conditions that beset us are complex, real and painful, the impacts are better understood and the conditions for healing are ever present. The practices of mindfulness, and increased knowledge of the integration of body, mind and spirit offer resources for clients to find, develop and trust in a healing path forward in a supportive environment.