Meet Our Staff
Meridian Psychotherapy Team

Penny Tavar
Clinical Director - (She/Her)

LCSW-LICSW-EMDR-KETAMINE

Penny is a clinical psychotherapist with over 25 years experience and advanced certifications in EMDR and Ketamine Therapy. She completed her LMSW degree at Fordham University in 1997 and post-graduate studies in Adolescent Play Therapy in 1999 with additional post-graduate training at the Ackerman Institute in 2017.

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Penny specializes in the treatment of Anxiety, Depression, Trauma and Loss for individuals, couples and families. She uses various treatments and modalities based on clinical observations and the unique needs of each client. She utilizes a Systemic-Relational Therapeutic Approach which embodies a collection of ideas, disciplines, techniques and practices designed to be effective in treating presenting issues related to physical and mental illness, childhood developmental difficulties and relational trauma.

Jane Finley
Assistant Clinical Coordinator - (She/Her)

Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist - LCSW

Jane is a graduate of Boston University School of Social Work where she received her MSW master’s level social work licensure. She specializes in holistic and individualized therapeutic approaches that include the use of CBT, DBT, IFS, Psychodynamic, Narrative, Attachment-Based, Mindfulness, and Solution-Focused therapies.

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Jane specializes in the treatment of Anxiety, Depression, Trauma and Loss with adults and families of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds. She uses various treatment approaches and modalities based on clinical analysis and observations, and the unique needs of each individual client. She is passionate about providing a safe, judgement-free space to foster therapeutic relationships and offer growth and healing to every individual that steps into her office.

Cody Helgesen
Assistant Clinical Coordinator - (They/Them)

Licensed Professional Counselor - LPC-A NCC

Cody is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate and graduate from Southern Connecticut State University with their Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. They have clinical experience with schools and community based health centers; as well as residential treatment and psychiatric hospital settings.

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Cody has extensive experience working with individuals and groups presenting with co-morbid mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, grief and loss, including substance use disorders. They also have experience with individuals on the Autism and ADHD Spectrum, Sensory Processing Disorders, and with Highly Sensitive Persons. Within the psychiatric hospital and youth residential agency settings they have done additional work with Personality Disorders, Oppositional Defiance, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorders, and clients presenting with a history of trauma.

Caroline Halbfinger
(She/Her)

Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist - LCSW

Caroline is a graduate of Simmons University School of Social Work where she received her MSW master’s of social work degree. She is a compassionate trauma-informed Clinical Psychotherapist that works with individuals, couples, and family systems who may be struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, loss, and other life stressors.

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Caroline works with adults of all ages and with young adults who are members of the LGBTQA+ community. Her primary concentration deals with substance use disorders, domestic violence, and sexual assault, by utilizing various therapeutic modalities such as CBT, DBT, and IFS. She also specializes in areas such as shame, grief, anxiety, depression, PTSD, Attachment and Adjustment issues, relationships, boundary setting, and improving communication. Caroline’s sub-specialty focuses on treatment for clients that are struggling with Eating Disorders/Disordered eating.

Lexi Garber
(She/Her)

Licensed Psychotherapist - LMSW

Lexi Garber is a LMSW with a Master of Science in Global Community Development and a Master of Social Work from New York University. With specialized training in EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and maternal mental health, she works with individuals and couples ... continued

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...managing depression, anxiety, trauma, interpersonal struggles and life transitions.

Lexi specializes in perinatal mental health, encompasses the challenges of infertility, motherhood, loss, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. She has experience working in inpatient psychiatric, in-home and outpatient settings.

Chloe Landisman
(She/Her)

Licensed Psychotherapist - LMSW

Chloe is an LMSW graduate from the Fordham University School of Social Work. She has extensive experience with adults of all ages including young adults and members of the LGBTQA+ community. She employs various modalities and therapeutic techniques including IFS, CBT, DBT, Narrative and Somatic Therapy.

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Chloe also specialized in areas such as shame, grief, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and can assist clients in navigating relationships, setting boundaries, and improving their communication. Her practice also focuses on clients who present with substance use disorders, domestic violence, and sexual assault trauma. She is an empathetic and compassionate clinician that is highly trauma-informed and culturally sensitive.

Venessa Samuel-Steinmetz
(She/Her)

Licensed Psychotherapist - LMSW

Venessa is a graduate of Fordham University Graduate School of Social work, where she received her Master of Social work with a clinical concentration. Venessa has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults of sexual violence. Venessa specializes in treatment of complex trauma, PTSD, Depression, Anxiety and is trained in EMDR and TF-CBT.

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