Meet Our Team
Karina Sorensen
MAATC, LPC, ATR
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Karina is an art therapist/counselor and has been with Artlighten since 2021. Karina takes special interest in women's issues and empowerment, and is also an active ally and safe space for LGBTQ+ clients. Karina feels honored with every opportunity to be part of a client's story and witness them on their healing journey.
Karina has experience working with adults, teenagers, and children struggling with anxiety and depression, among other mental health conditions. She has worked as both an individual and group therapist and also enjoys hosting public art workshops (check out our shop page to see what we're currently offering). Karina also is a content creator for our social media.
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Karina earned her MA in Art Therapy and Counseling from Albertus Magnus College after receiving my BA in Photography from WCSU. Like most art therapists, she has loved and created art for as long as she can remember. Also having fallen in love with psychology, discovering a path that brings together her love of art and her passion for helping others has been the greatest gift.
Francesca Siano
MAATC, LPC, ATR-BC
Francesca is an Art Therapist and Counselor. She received her dual degree Masters of Art Therapy and Counseling from the CAAHEP, ACATE and AATA accredited school Albertus Magnus College located in New Haven, CT. Francesca has art therapy experience working with a diverse group of populations of all ages both domestic and abroad and in a variety of settings. Francesca has worked as both a group and individual therapist serving those who are struggling with mental health conditions and illnesses including co-occurring substance use and addiction issues.
Francesca is passionate about her line of work and has an instinct to help people access ways for expressing their feelings through creative channels. She has a genuine and calming demeanor which encourages an open space for an individual to feel comfortable and at ease with one’s emotions and vulnerabilities. She is dedicated to supporting individuals of all ages with their mental, physical, and emotional well-being with the wholehearted notion that art therapy is an immensely powerful therapeutic intervention that fosters the mind-body-spirit connection and facilitates healing and growth in the most intrinsic way.
Francesca offers art workshops and groups at Artlighten LLC. Visit our Shop Page to register for a workshop/group today.
Colleen Warner
MAATC, LPC-A, ATR
Since Colleen was a child, she loved to create art and help others. Colleen has always found psychology fascinating and art-making thrilling; when she discovered that she could combine her two passions, it all clicked into place and she knew that being an art therapist was what she was meant to do. Colleen continuously marvels at the magic that creativity and expression can bring, and is passionate about sharing that magic with clients.
Colleen graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, CT with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Studio Art. She earned her Master of Art in Art Therapy and Counseling from Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT. Colleen is excited to continue her journey in this profession and to have the opportunity to connect to people through art making.
Jenna Reeser
MAATC, LPC-A, ATR-P
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All Jenna's life, art has allowed her to express herself when words could not. She knew from the age of 4 years old that she wanted to grow up and have a job that involved art making. Jenna's interest in psychology peaked when she had to experience grief at a young age and found that art was her coping mechanism and allowed self-expression through those hard times. Discovering art therapy allowed her to bring both her passion for art and the desire to help others through hard times, together.
Jenna graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT with a Bachelor of Art in Studio Art and a minor in Psychology. Jenna received her Master of Art in Art Therapy and Counseling from Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT. Jenna is thrilled to continue using art therapy and the power it has to heal.
Alissa Zemering
ATR, LCAT
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Alissa is a seasoned creative arts therapist with over 16 years of experience, has worked across diverse healthcare settings including memory care, skilled nursing, physical medicine and rehabilitation, chemical dependence and detox facilities. Her extensive journey has fueled a mission to address the myriad questions surrounding mental health. Specializing in aiding individuals with compromised health and mental conditions, Alissa integrates various modalities such as art, music, animals, technology, and community engagement to enrich lives. She encourages individuals to embark on a journey of creative exploration by setting goals and crafting personalized plans to create and maintain a fulfilling life. Through her therapeutic approach, Alissa offers empowerment and tools to gain insight into living one's best life.
Rachel Chiappa
MAATC, ATR-P, LPC-A
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Rachel graduated with a Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling from Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT in 2025. She first earned an Associate in Fine Art at Housatonic Community College of Bridgeport, CT in 2015. She later graduated from the University of Bridgeport, CT in 2022, earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Cum Laude.
Rachel discovered her passion for art therapy within her own mental health journey and synchronistic experiences through the creative process, which ultimately called her to pursue the profession in 2019. She later became a Milieu counselor at a mental health residential facility for adolescents from 2021 - 2025. She also formally interned at a hospice setting from September 2023 - May 2024, as well as Artlighten from 2024 - 2025.
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Rachel has experience working with vulnerable populations, including those navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, mood and personality disorders, end-of-life transitions, and grief. She is deeply passionate about grief work and supporting others through the many forms of loss. Rachel takes an integrative approach, blending modalities rooted in humanistic, existential, and mindfulness-based practices to support each person’s unique journey of self-discovery, healing, and growth. Through a compassionate and authentic presence, she gently guides individuals in reclaiming their power by helping them tap into their creative process and inner-knowing—elements she believes are essential to the discovery of a meaningful life.
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Caroline Galante
LPC-A, ATR-P
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Caroline graduated with a Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling from Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT in 2025. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art, with a concentration in painting and a minor in Psychology, from the University of Hartford.Caroline has always been deeply passionate about both the arts and psychology. When she discovered the field of art therapy, it immediately resonated with her which blends creativity with a helping profession. This path has allowed her to support individuals in meaningful and transformative ways.
Her experience includes working as a teaching assistant at several Kumon centers, where she worked with adolescents and their academic challenges. She completed her clinical internships at the VA Hospital and a private practice, providing both individual and group art therapy sessions. Through these roles, Caroline has supported clients managing anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, and life transitions.
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Caroline is open to working with individuals across the lifespan and is committed to meeting people where they are. Her approach integrates elements of person-centered theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness to help clients gain insight, develop coping strategies, and connect with their inner creative voice. She is passionate about the healing power of the art-making process and strives to create a safe, nonjudgmental space for exploration, expression, and growth.
Margaréta Salek
​GRADUATE INTERN, CEDARCREST COLLEGE
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As far back as Margaréta can remember, she has always been someone people confided in. Her passion for observing and creating art naturally led her to the world of art therapy. She is currently enrolled as a graduate student at Cedarcrest College in Pennsylvania. Margaréta is dedicated to fostering respect, trust, and receptiveness while upholding the highest standards of ethics and integrity and advocating for inclusivity and diversity. Furthermore, she aims to create a safe, therapeutic space and help people make positive changes. Margaréta enjoys outdoor activities, spending time with family, traveling, making art, and practicing yoga in her leisure time.
Alyson Moschcovich
GRADUATE INTERN, ALBERTUS MAGNUS COLLEGE​
Aly is currently pursuing a double Master’s Degree in Art Therapy and Clinical Counseling as a third-year graduate student at Albertus Magnus College, New Haven, CT. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts (with a concentration in Graphic Design and Photography) from Western Connecticut State University.
As a child, she was always fascinated with storytelling, and saw a connection between the stories people told and the artwork they selected to go with it. Her passion led her into the field of print and photo journalism, where her interactions in the communities enlightened a deeper passion to express stories as they were meant to be heard. Her desire to take personal narratives and reflective art to a deeper, more meaningful level led her to art therapy. She completed a year-long internship in art therapy at the VA Hospital, where she immersed herself in assisting therapy for various outpatient populations.
She is committed to helping clients express their narratives through art-making to promote awareness, discovery, and self-esteem. She is dedicated to a person-centered approach, which allows each client the option of bypassing difficult conversations and exploring their inner thoughts through their own artwork instead. She believes that this instills confidence-building, personal value, and a deeper mind-body connection for the client.
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