Our Team
Dr. Chris Abildgaard, Ed.D, NCSP, NCC, LPC
Dr. Abildgaard is the owner and director of the Social Learning Center, LLC, in Cheshire, CT. He received his Doctor of Education in School Psychology from Loyola University Chicago. Dr. Chris is nationally certified in School Psychology and Counseling (NCSP, NCC) and holds a CT license as a Licensed Professional Counselor, specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Neurodiverse learners. Additionally, he has a Graduate Certificate in Behavioral Interventions in Autism from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Beyond his leadership at the SLC, Dr. Abildgaard serves as a Visiting Assistant Professor and 2025-2026 Jackie McLean Fellow in the Psychology Department at the University of Hartford. He has developed a curriculum for Special Topics courses on ASD and Neurodiversity, which he taught for the first time in the fall of 2025. Previously, he made significant contributions as an Adjunct Professor in the Special Education Department at the University of St. Joseph (USJ), enhancing their Master’s program in Autism and Neurodiversity.
Dr. Abildgaard is preparing to publish a book with Routledge Publishing in 2025, titled "Effective Counseling Techniques When Working with People with ASD & Their Families" as part of his fellowship year at the University of Hartford. This publication will support his clinical, consultative, and supervisory roles at the SLC, as well as his teaching duties at the University of Hartford.
Chris is currently not accepting new clients for individual counseling.
Our Clinicians
Offering the best support to our growing community.
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Licensed Professional Counselor
Erica has been a member of the SLC staff for over 10 years. Following her college graduation, she began her career as an instructional assistant at Benhaven Academy. During this time, she met Dr. Chris and was offered the opportunity to gain additional experience in a field she had long been passionate about. Erica joined the SLC as a social coach, supporting after-school social cognitive groups.
Her early experiences at both the SLC and Benhaven provided valuable opportunities to learn from skilled educators, clinicians, and colleagues while working with neurodiverse individuals. Motivated by these experiences, Erica returned to school and earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Southern Connecticut State University in the winter of 2017. She obtained her professional counseling license in March 2021.
So far, her time in the mental health field has consisted of strengthening her clinical skills in supporting individuals who are neurodiverse and those experiencing anxiety and depression. She has a particular interest in working with females with neurodiverse profiles, as well as young adults. In addition to her clinical work, Erica serves as the Lead Clinician at the SLC, providing supervision, collaboration, and support to the clinical staff.
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Licensed Professional Counselor
Dr. Abildgaard is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with and have Pat on staff with the SLC. Pasquale (Pat) Giordano has over 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents and families. He is a licensed professional counselor and works full time as a director at a mental health agency in Milford. Pat has been the president of the Connecticut Counseling Association twice and the Connecticut Mental Health Counseling Association in which he received the Counselor of the Year Award. He has held many leadership positions with the American Counseling Association.
Pat is an adjunct professor and a member of the Advisory Board at Southern Connecticut State University’s Clinical Mental Health Program. In this role he instructs and supervises future counselors. He specializes in treating anxiety and depression in children and adolescents as well as their families.
Email: Pat@sociallearningcenter.org
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Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
Laurie Capobianco-Garibaldi holds a MA in School Psychology, Sixth Year Professional Diploma and her LPC-A. After graduating from Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) in 2001 with a B.A. in Psychology with a Specialization in Mental Health, Laurie decided to continue her studies. She completed her Master of Arts in School Psychology, followed by her Sixth Year Professional Diploma in School Psychology at SCSU in 2004. She is a certified School Psychologist in the State of Connecticut and has been employed by the State of Connecticut, Department of Correction, Unified School District #1 for the past 18 years. She has experience working with urban youth in a variety of settings, both educational and recreational. She specializes in working with high-risk youth and young adults to promote advocacy and knowledge. She has experience working with multiple school districts in and outside of Connecticut and is trained on the new CT SEDS- Connecticut IEP system. As a mother of three she is learning how to navigate the stages and challenges of development every day. She hopes to offer her clients support and instill lifelong strategies to youth to help them find their own unique path to success and fulfillment.
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Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
Autumn is a dedicated Licensed Professional Counselor Associate with a passion for empowering individuals to navigate lifes challenges with resilience and confidence. With a Master’s of Science in Psychology and Sixth Year Professional Diploma in School Psychology with 20 years of experience, Autumn specializes in a multifaceted approach to therapy, blending executive functioning strategies, trauma-informed practices, and cognitive-behavioral techniques to facilitate holistic healing and growth. Autumn is a certified School Psychologist in the State of Connecticut and has been employed by the State of Connecticut, Department of Correction, Unified School District #1 for the past 20 years.
Autumn is a compassionate and dedicated counselor who is committed to supporting individuals in their journey towards healing, growth, and self-discovery. With her expertise in executive functioning, trauma-informed care, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and transitional services, she empowers clients to overcome obstacles, embrace their strengths, and live fulfilling lives.
During her free time, Autumn spends time with her twin girls and attending their sporting events!
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Licensed Master of Social Work
Brittany is a LMSW who takes a warm, person-centered approach in her work with those she serves. She earned both her Master of Social Work (2025) and Bachelor of Science in Social Work (2019) from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Connecticut.
As part of her graduate training, Brittany completed two years of clinical internships as a school social worker in elementary schools located in Wallingford and Meriden, Connecticut. In these roles, she provided individual counseling, group support, and classroom-based social emotional learning (SEL) interventions focused on emotional regulation and social development. She also collaborated with teachers, administrators, and parents to develop and implement individualized behavior plans that supported students’ emotional and behavioral growth. In addition to her school-based experience, Brittany brings over six years of work from Adelbrook, where she provided trauma-informed care in residential and therapeutic group home settings. Her work emphasized skill-building and behavioral interventions for youth with autism spectrum disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and co-occurring psychiatric conditions.
While she is growing her specialized experience in neurodiversity and behavioral health, Brittany is equally committed to supporting clients with diverse needs. Her strengths-based, collaborative approach centers on fostering meaningful therapeutic relationships and working closely with each client’s broader support system.
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Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
Roy Medina Gonzalez is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in Connecticut, with a Master of Science in Counseling and post-master’s studies in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. He is also a certified K–12 School Counselor and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, as well as completed post-master’s program, from Southern Connecticut State University.
With a background in Studio Art, Roy creatively integrates art-based interventions into his therapeutic approach. He has over a decade of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in both school and clinical settings, including acute care and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs.
Roy has experience working with neurodivergent individuals and specializes in individualized, skill-based interventions, crisis support, care coordination, and group therapy for clients facing complex emotional and behavioral challenges. Fluent in Spanish, he is deeply committed to culturally informed care and advocacy that respects and reflects diverse cultural identities.
Roy is passionate about creating safe, empowering spaces where individuals of all ages can express themselves, build resilience, and grow through creative interventions, clinical support, and personalized care.
Email: Roy@sociallearningcenter.org
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Licensed Master of Social Work
Ashley White, LMSW, is a clinician at the Social Learning Center with experience in Outpatient, Intensive Outpatient, and Residential treatment settings. She earned her Master of Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University and has focused much of her work on supporting children and families who have experienced trauma. Ashley is also deeply interested in neurodiversity and is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive environment where clients feel understood and empowered. When helpful, she incorporates hands-on and art-based activities into her sessions. Ashley brings a compassionate, observant, often playful approach to her work and values continual learning and growth as a clinician.
Outside the office, Ashley is the mother of four boys, ages 5 through 14. For fun, she enjoys karate, painting, and spending time outdoors.
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Licensed Master of Social Work
Rebecca Nazario, LMSW received her Master of Social Work degree from Our Lady of the Lake University. She specializes in working with children, adolescents, and families, with a strong focus on trauma-informed care and support for neurodivergent individuals. Rebecca has been working with children and youth since 2014 and brings extensive experience across a variety of clinical and community-based settings, including Vista Life Innovations, Benhaven, BHcare, and Fair Haven Community Health Care.
Rebecca provides a supportive, affirming, and strengths-based therapeutic environment that honors each client’s unique neurotype, identity, and lived experience. She is trained in EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , and Dialectical Behavior Therapy and integrates these approaches in a flexible, individualized manner. Rebecca is fluent in Spanish and offers bilingual services to better support clients and families from diverse cultural backgrounds. She is especially passionate about helping clients build self-understanding, emotional regulation skills, healthy boundaries, and self-acceptance while collaborating closely with families to promote lasting growth and resilience.
Our Staff
Ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for our community.
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SLC Business Manager
Lois is the Business Manager at the SLC and oversees completing all billing and insurance related matters. Any questions pertaining to insurance or billing issues should be directed to Lois and she will be happy to assist you the best way she can.
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Office Assistant
You will see Kyle in the office on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons so make sure to say hi when you come to check in for your appointments!
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Office Assistant
You will see Jake in the office on Monday and Wednesday afternoons so make sure to say hi when you come to check in for your appointments!
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the SLC Axolotls
When you come and visit the SLC, come say hi but be sure to have calm bodies and voices)!
