Therapeutic Connections, LLC

Christine Levine, M.S. J.D, LMSW, BCBA, the Executive Clinical Director, is excited to introduce her group practice to individuals and families in Connecticut. Christine has been working as an educator, advocate, clinician and behavior analyst for the past 20 years. She has extensive experience working with children and adults with autism, developmental disabilities, social and emotional disroders, learning disabilities, ADHD and behavioral disorders. Christine received her B.A. from New York University, her M.S. In Special Education from Southern CT State University, her Juris Doctorate from Fordham University School of Law, her certification in behavior analysis from the University of North Texas and her MSW from the University of CT School of Social Work.

She has worked in both public and private schools, groups homes, birth to three and law firms representing children with disabilities. She founded and served as the executive clinical director for a private agency dedicated to improving the lives of children with autism and related disorders. Christine has presented on various topics at schools, family support groups, Headstart, U-Conn and St. Joseph's Graduate Education program. Christine played a key role in the development of insurance legislation that mandated coverage for individuals with autism, by working closely with legislators and testifying at legislative hearings.

Services include:

Diagnostic Assessments- In order to appropriately treat a disorder, it is important to have the correct diagnosis. These assessments can include the diagnosis of: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Mood Disorders, Oppositional Defiance Disorders, Personality Disorders, Conduct Disorders and ADHD. You will receive a clinical diagnosis if appropriate. A written report will be provided with detailed results and recommendations for schools and community providers.

ABA Therapy: ABA is a great tool to enable an individual to develop valuable skills and decrease behaviors that interfere with optimal life functioning. ABA can be used to teach speech, social skills, adaptive skills, receptive language, fine motor skills and gross motor skills, like riding a bike.

Counseling: Whether you have a clinical diagnosis or are facing life stressors and transitions, coulnseling can help you understand your thoughts, feeling and behaviors and help you to develop tools to create a good fit between yourself and your environment. A combination of psychotherapy, behavior modification and cognitive behavior therapy is used.

Independent School Evaluations: If you disagree with the evaluation completed by your school district, you have the right to an independent evaluation completed by someone of your choosing. It is the responsibility of the school district to pay for it. Therapeutic Connections offers independent educational evaluations, autism assessments, functional behavioral assessments, ecological assessments and bio-psycho-social assessments.

Special Education Consultation and Advocacy: It can be overwhelming trying to navigate the special education system on your own. Therapeutic Connections can assist you with PPT meetings, IEP development, mediation and observation of school programs to ensure that your child is getting an appropriate educational program.

Functional Behavioral Assessments: In order to decrease challenging behaviors, it is important to determine what triggers the behavior and what function the behavior serves. Through this process, a comprehensive behavior intervention plan can be developed that will decrease challenging behaviors and increase appropriate behaviors.

Social Support Groups: Groups can provide a great opportunity for learning new skills, connecting with others and mutual aid. Therapeutic Connections is looking to form social support groups for children and parents.