MEET OUR TEAM
Rebecca Degnan, LPC (she/her)
Founder/Owner
Hello and welcome! I am the founder, owner and manager of Prism Counseling and Support LLC. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and have a passion for working with LGBTQ+ youth and their families. I received my Master of Science degree in counseling at CCSU in 2012. My undergraduate degree was in music, with a double major in Music Composition and Music Production and Technology from the Hartt School of Music in 2000. I have worked as a school counselor at the middle school level for over 6 years, and before that I taught music and choir for more than ten years at the middle school level. I am proud to have started my school’s first Gay-Straight Alliance while working there and provided professional development trainings for staff at our middle and high schools about how to support LGBTQ+ youth in our schools. I am a pianist and I love music, theatre and the arts! I am the President, and one of the founders, of Blue Fire Stage Company, a non-profit theatre company in Higganum, CT. I have two therapy dogs that are registered with Pet Partners, Solo and Gryffin. Solo is retired, but I love to bring Gryffin to my counseling sessions. I am the very proud mother of two kids, my 15-year-old daughter and my 16-year old son.​I started Prism after our son came out to us as transgender and I noticed a lack of support for the LGBTQ+ community and their families in CT. I decided to do something myself to fill that void, and Prism was born!​ In addition to counseling, I LOVE to facilitate professional development workshops for schools, businesses and other organizations. I am passionate about education and helping improve our communities through knowledge and support.
Emma Gulick, LMSW (she/they)
Hello! My name is Emma Gulick and I am so excited to be joining Prism’s team. I recently graduated with my Master of Social Work from Sacred Heart University. My undergraduate degree is also in Social Work from James Madison University and I received a Master of Science in Violence, Conflict and Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies in 2021. I worked for an organization specializing in addiction recovery and housing insecurity as well as many years working with youth. I spent the past year interning as a School Social Worker and love working with humans of all ages. As someone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community, I am passionate about creating safe spaces for all and empowering individuals to be their best and truest selves.
Jillian Celentano, LMSW (she/her)
Hello, my name is Jillian Celentano and I am very happy to be part of the Prism Counseling team. I am a transgender woman who transitioned at the age of 55. When I transitioned, I realized my life’s mission and passion was to help others in the trans/gender diverse community. Working with the gender diverse population and their families is extremely important to me. I bring my knowledge of working with my amazing population based on education, experience in the field and my own personal experience. I love working with all ages, especially young folks, teenagers, and young adults. I have interned at the Yale Gender Program in New Haven for 2 years and continue to be a community liaison for the gender program. I have co-authored two published transgender studies at Yale University and am a published author of my own book, "Transitioning Later in Life: A Personal Guide.” I have been part of the Stonewall Speakers, a GSA instructor, and currently am a public speaker and educator for the gender diverse community.
I work with gender identity, dysphoria, depression, anxiety, and trauma. I see all ages and will hold appointments in person or by telehealth. I am licensed in CT and NY.
Paul Lietz, Clinical Intern (he/him)
Hello! My name is Paul Lietz and I am thrilled to be joining Prism as an intern among the ranks of this passionate team. I am currently enrolled in a Masters program at the University of New Haven for Clinical Mental Health Counseling, however I have been working in community based mental health for over half a decade as a case manager. I bring personal experience as a member of the community that Prism supports, and it is important to me that I’m able to foster an environment where those I serve feel safe, validated and empowered. I graduated with a BA in theater in 2013 and still love to create art and share it with the world. Thanks for reading and I look forward to working with you!
Devin Orde (she/her)
Office Administrator
Hello! My name is Devin Orde and I am so excited to be working at Prism as their Office Administrator. I have been working with children and their families for 11 years as an early childhood educator and a paraprofessional. As a member of the community, I am very passionate about being an advocate for LGBTQ+ Kids and the people in their lives who support them. In my spare time I am involved with several local theaters as I love to be on stage and behind the scenes! I hope to be the friendly face and/or voice that you meet at Prism!
Introducing Gryffin (he/him)!
Gryffin is a five-year-old Leonberger. He and Rebecca are registered as a therapy dog team with Pet Partners. Gryffin loves to be pet and can get very excited about playing with his toys. He is very energetic and loves to play with other dogs, but also enjoys his “down time” when playtime is over. Gryffin is a very patient older brother to his little sister, a boxer puppy named Piper. Gryffin especially loves when we have groups and he can make his way around the circle to maximize his attention!