Executive Program Director

Erin Jackson, LCSW

For over 15 years, Erin has been partnering with children, adolescents, individuals, couples and families on issues related to personality pathology, trauma, depression, anxiety, substance use, involvement in the criminal justice system, cultural assimilation, life transitions, women’s issues, relationship issues and more. A licensed clinical social worker, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Connecticut and earned her Master of Clinical Social Work from Fordham University. Erin prides herself on patient-centered care and uses motivational interviewing, dialectical behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness to engage therapeutically — always allowing the individual’s needs and desires to remain at the forefront of therapeutic engagement. Erin seeks to establish open, warm therapeutic alliances to assist individuals in processing challenging situations. She works collaboratively with clients to create and build upon coping mechanisms that will lead to desired outcomes. Erin’s specialties include depression, anxiety, trauma, cultural awareness, grief, life transitions and women’s issues.

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Arianna Mora LSW

Arianna is a licensed social worker who obtained her master of social work degree from Southern Connecticut State University with an emphasis on children and families. Arianna has worked in adolescent group home and residential settings. Arianna started as a counselor at Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program before accepting the role of therapist. Arianna utilizes a strengths-based approach and incorporates therapeutic interventions of cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness and psychodynamic theory when working with adolescents and their families. Arianna is passionate about working with adolescents and helping their families with the multitude of challenges that arise with changing life dynamics. Arianna truly believes all the individuals she works with are deserving of recovery, healing and a life worth living.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

BreAnn Erickson

BreAnn is a registered dietitian (RD) and a certified dietitian nutritionist licensed in Connecticut. She graduated from Utah State University with her bachelor’s in nutrition and food sciences, then moved across the country to attend the dietetic internship program at the University of Connecticut, after which she stayed in Connecticut to build her career. BreAnn has worked in private practice and clinical settings and most recently in behavioral health, specializing in the treatment of eating disorders. BreAnn believes everyone deserves to live a healthy and balanced life and enjoys educating and coaching those looking to improve their lives and relationship with food.

FACILITY PSYCHIATRIST

Ruby Lekwauwa, MD

Dr. Lekwauwa is a board-certified child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist and an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Yale University. She is the facility psychiatrist for the Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program residential treatment facilities in Fairfield and Stamford, Connecticut, and joined the Discovery team in 2018. Dr. Lekwauwa graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and attended medical school at the Duke University School of Medicine where she completed her thesis on the relationship between PTSD and substance use in adolescents presenting for trauma treatment. She also co-authored a book chapter on the biological, psychological and social impacts of early adversity on children. She completed her general psychiatry training at Yale University, followed by her child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at the Yale Child Study Center where she served as the chief fellow.

Dr. Lekwauwa has extensive experience in the treatment of children, adolescents and young adults and has worked as a staff psychiatrist, medical director and psychiatric consultant to mainstream and therapeutic day schools, college counseling centers, community child guidance clinics and inpatient psychiatric units. Dr. Lekwauwa has special interests in mood and anxiety disorders and trauma. She has a private practice in Fairfield.

FACILITY MANAGER

Cheryl Jacobs

Cheryl graduated from the University of New Haven with a B.A. in Psychology, including an emphasis on Forensic Psychology with a minor in Behavioral Economics. Cheryl is currently pursuing her Graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Fairfield University. Cheryl comes to the Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program with an abundance of experience inside and outside of the mental health field. Prior to committing to her career in the mental health field, Cheryl served active duty in the United States Army for 7 years, leading Soldiers in Afghanistan, Iraq, South Korea, and Fort Hood, Texas. After her service to our country and obtaining her Undergraduate degree, Cheryl started her commitment to mental health as a Psychiatric Technician at Silver Hill Hospital. Cheryl currently assists at the Yale New Haven Psychiatric Hospital as a Milieu Counselor. Cheryl believes family support is the backbone of mental health and strives to implement ways where every patient feels balance through the duration of the treatment process.

NURSE SUPERVISOR

Maria J. Torres, MSN, RN-BC

Maria is a masters prepared registered nurse, board certified in psychiatric and mental health nursing with an emphasis on nursing education. Maria provides care for our clients in the Fairfield and Stamford locations. Maria has worked in inpatient and residential settings caring for both adults and adolescents throughout her career getting extensive training in DBT as well as ECT. Starting her nursing career in the emergency department, Maria is able to make sure our clients are safe and well-cared for. Currently studying for her doctorate degree in nursing, Maria brings a wide range of experience and skill to our clients every day and takes pride in seeing their progress during treatment.