Eric is the Executive Director at New Harbor, and is responsible for overseeing the operations of New Harbor and ensuring its activities align with New Harbor’s mission and values. Eric received his bachelor’s degree from Union College and completed a dual-degree , JD and an MBA in Healthcare Management, program at Albany Law School and Clarkson University, where he graduated summa cum laude. Eric began his legal career at a large law firm based in Upstate New York, where he focused on healthcare law and advising various behavioral and health and human services treatment providers. Eric also serves on the Board of Directors for Friends of Recovery New York, and has had his story featured in Men’s Health Magazine.

Destinee is the program director at New Harbor, overseeing and supervising day-to-day clinical activities in the facility. She is a patient centered clinician that has a passion for mental health treatment. She has experience with working with diverse populations and cultures over the years. Her experience includes Intensive-In-Home Family therapy, Adolescent Detox, and as Program Director for a Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Program. She received her bachelors in Criminal Justice and Pre Law at Anna Maria College and her Masters in Clinical Social Work at Simmons University. Destinee enjoys creating and implementing narrative based group therapy as well as assisting the patient’s in finding their own path to a healthy and happy life. She believes recovery is a multifaceted process that encompasses the mind, body, and soul.

Laura is an individual, family, and group therapist who is happy to be part of the New Harbor team. She received her Master’s Degree from Cambridge College School of Counseling and Psychology, with a clinical focus in Trauma Studies and Addictions counseling, and also holds a certificate in Family Systems Therapy. Since graduating, Laura has worked with adults, children, and families in the Boston area in a variety of clinical settings, including schools, homes, and community-based health centers, and has developed a special interest in working with teens struggling with depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and trauma. As a dedicated person-centered therapist, Laura pulls from a variety of modalities using a tailored approach to support clients in finding meaning, connection, and healing on their own terms.

Abby serves as a primary therapist at New Harbor. She is a graduate of Simmons University with a Master’s in Social Work, and a certificate in trauma practice. She has prior experience as an intensive care coordinator, a practice manager, and shadowing within the psychiatry department in the emergency room. In her previous role as a school-based outpatient therapist within a community mental health center, she worked with youth and families from various backgrounds and demographics. Her approach stems from the belief that growth comes not only from enduring difficult experiences but also from how we make meaning of them. She collaborates with clients to explore how this meaning can shape their lives.

Isabella is the Director of Admissions at New Harbor, managing all aspects of the journey families take to enter our programs. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychological Science from Fitchburg State University. Since graduating, she has worked extensively in community-based mental health settings, supporting individuals across the lifespan from children and adolescents to adults and older adults. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at Merrimack College, she also serves as a graduate-level counseling intern, serving clients in individual and group therapy. Driven by a genuine passion for helping others, Isabella believes in the power of empathy, connection, and access to care as key components to healing and growth. 

Alexus is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling student at Grand Canyon University and holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Hartford. She has extensive experience working with children and adolescents in educational and therapeutic settings, including several years at Walker, a behavioral school in Needham, MA. Alexus currently serves as the Admissions and Discharge Coordinator at New Harbor, where she supports clients and families throughout the treatment process. She has a strong interest in supporting youth with mental health challenges, focusing on fostering resilience, self-regulation, and adaptive coping skills. Alexus is passionate about using evidence-based interventions within a client-centered framework to support children in reaching their full potential. Throughout her career, she has emphasized understanding each child’s unique experiences and applying a holistic, developmentally informed approach to treatment. In her current role, she is dedicated to integrating therapeutic techniques with empathy and encouragement to help clients navigate challenges and achieve meaningful progress.

Abby Dufresne is a graduate of Lesley University’s program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Drama Therapy, with specialized training in the drama therapy technique of Developmental Transformations and other creative relational approaches to care. She is passionate about using expressive therapies to foster connection, transformation, and self-discovery among adolescents. Abby’s clinical interests focus on integrating the expressive arts into therapeutic work to support emotional growth and resilience. In addition to her clinical role, she will be leading New Harbor’s alumni programming, where she aims to build a supportive and enduring community for program graduates.

Kayla Parsons is a Clinical Psychology PsyD student at William James College, working as a Clinical Intern at New Harbor. She has a strong interest in the intersection of psychology and the legal system, particularly in conducting forensic assessments and evaluations. Her background includes extensive experience working with child victims of abuse and neglect as well as adults with severe mental illness. Kayla is passionate about using psychological science to inform legal decision-making and promote justice for vulnerable individuals. Throughout her training, she has continued to develop her passion for greater understanding of a person and their experiences and her appreciation of an integrated comprehensive approach to mental health treatment. While working at New Harbor, she is extremely eager to apply evidence-based interventions to her empathetic client-centered approach in order to provide children with the most appropriate and encouraging support in their treatment progress.

Paco was a beautiful boy who spent a good portion of his life at New Harbor showing love and kindness to clients and staff. He sadly passed in October 2025. His spirit lives on in the hearts of those he touched at New Harbor and beyond.