Staff
The Neurovation Center as a whole is more than the sum of its parts. Each staff member is an important part of that whole. Here are the people that make Neurovation happen!
Executive Staff
Jeffrey J. Schutz
MA, MA, LMFT, BCN, ORD
Senior Neurofeedback Clinician,
Owner and Executive Director
Jeff is the Founder and Executive Director of The Neurovation Center. He has pioneered integrative techniques for assessing and integrating neuroanalysis and neurofeedback into mental healthcare. Jeff is also the CEO of NeuroInnovation Consulting Services, and he is currently pursuing a PhD in Psychology through Liberty University, doing research on the integration of neurofeedback into mental healthcare.
Jason Higdon
Director of Office Administration
Jason keeps TNC running well and smoothly on the business end of things. If you have any questions about your insurance coverage, charges, or other matters related to finances or clarifying details of your healthcare plan, he's the guy to talk to. And don't hesitate to ask him anything – Jason is approachable, a great listener, and always available to take care of you and your concerns. He's a wealth of insurance information, able to find / work out most insurance questions (if in fact there is an answer to be found!) and a wonderful person to talk to when it comes to the "unfortunate" part of treatment (that is, the cost of it!).
Laura E. Schutz
BS
Co-Owner; Accounting / Bookkeeping
Laurie is Jeff’s life partner in running The Neurovation Center (and the Schutz home overall). She is actively involved with personnel support and resourcing, as well as brainstorming and trouble-shooting everything behind-the-scenes. She is the one who keeps a close eye on The Neurovation Center bottom line as the Bookkeeper. Laurie is an outdoor enthusiast, loving all things about gardening, birds, hiking, and just plain getting out into God's Creation. (And don't let her sweet disposition fool you - she's a crazy great athlete and can run Jeff into the ground when they jog!)
Kimberley Worthington
LCSW
Clinical Director of Neurofeedback Services
Kim provides supervisory oversight for the running of the Neurofeedback Floor, including management of Clinician and Technician roles and development, implementation of NFB Floor policies and procedures, and responding to client inquiries and concerns. She is also a highly experienced trauma therapist with certifications in EMDR, IFS (pending), and NFB (pending).
Lindsay K. Higdon
MS, QEEG-D, BCN
Clinical Director of Neurofeedback; Senior Neuroanalyst
Lindsay is the Clinical Director of Neurofeedback and Senior Neuroanalyst at TNC. She started at TNC in 2013 and is a Board Certified Neurofeedback Clinician - Senior Clinical Fellow. She was the first person in Connecticut to become Board Certified as a QEEG-Diplomate.
Counseling Staff
Thérèse Bolat
Masters Intern
Thérèse is a counseling intern at TNC. She is a graduate student at Grace College
pursuing a master’s degree in mental health counseling, expected in May 2025, and will then work towards licensure as a licensed professional counselor in CT. Thérèse takes
a holistic approach to therapy . . .
Hunter Cobb
Masters Intern
Hunter is Interning at TNC and is currently enrolled at the University of New Haven CT in the graduate Clinical Mental Health program with a concentration in General Studies. On track to graduate in December, he will soon be a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate. Hunter is interested in pursuing talk based therapy and neurofeedback, with his career goal of providing counsel, support and breakthrough to young Black Americans and athletes in general who are facing mental health challenges.
Meleah DeMent
LPC MS
Neurofeedback Clinician,
Therapeutic Counselor
Meleah’s passion for counseling is about helping people navigate the challenges of life and stay on-track with the direction they desire to journey through life. She enjoys working with children and adults alike and avoids the one-size-fits-all approach. Meleah adapts her style to her client’s needs, and she finds ways to align her approach with client goals through enthusiasm and authenticity.
Diana Mille
PHD, MA, LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor, EMDRIA Certified EMDR Clinician
Clinical Director of Therapeutic Services,
Senior Trauma Clinician
Diana is one of the most experienced trauma therapists you will find. Period. She is devoted to giving hope, healing and help to individuals, couples and families suffering from complex trauma. Drawing from a wealth of professional experience with and personal healing from trauma, Diana creates an environment of safety and compassion where clients can leave behind the pain from the past that shackles present emotions and leaves a cloud of fear over the future. Her breadth of knowledge in integrating various trauma-focused techniques means that Diana has a wealth of resources to address trauma with skill and grace. She has the cultivated ability to keep an eye on her client’s tolerance of painful memories and triggers while balancing humor, authenticity and encouragement to calm the emotional storms.
Rebecca Parmalee
NFB Clinician
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Rebecca has experience helping families discover their strengths and overcome life’s difficulties with her supportive and compassionate, yet challenging, nature. She’s the youngest of seven, so trust that she can handle whatever you dish out. Rebecca believes clients have the tools needed to be successful, and just by taking the step toward therapy are showing immense bravery and growth. When not providing therapy, you can find Rebecca hiking (please do- she gets lost sometimes), at the movies watching superheroes do their thing (Batman was her first love, & she will reference him in session), or boxing at the gym (the youngest of seven was mentioned before.) Being multifaceted herself, she looks forward to getting to know the many parts of each of her clients. If you were wondering, Rebecca earned her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Iona College.
Lauren Peterson
Neurofeedback Clinician
Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Lauren Peterson, LCSW, LADC, CAC, CASAC-Advanced, is a dedicated and compassionate clinical social worker with over 13 years of experience in the field who brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her clients.
Throughout her career, Lauren has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the well-being and growth of her clients. Her boundless energy and enthusiasm create an inviting and supportive environment where clients can feel safe and heard. Understanding the challenges that individuals face when dealing with trauma, addiction, and mental health issues, Lauren tailors her approach to each client's unique needs.
Theresa Ullrich
NFB Clinician
Licensed Marriage and
Family Therapist
Theresa is a specialist who works as a trauma expert and as a relationship expert – often with clients who need both! Her passion and training as a counselor revolve around bringing a sense of healing and wholeness into relationship systems while helping clients find balance and freedom to live life fully. Theresa’s calm, compassionate and open demeanor lends to the experience of welcoming and non- judgmental sessions. Her commitment to goal-based outcomes and structured interventions means she is as committed to the positive changes as you are, making the most of your time investment.
Vince Varsh
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Connecticut.
MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Southern New Hampshire University (2021)
BA in Psychology from University of Connecticut (2009)
While Vince’s style of counseling can be described as goal oriented, strength-based, and solution-focused, his approach to counseling is integrative, as he will utilize a variety of evidence-based treatment models to help individuals achieve mental/emotional goals. Vince allows clients to be the “lens” through which he views their lived experience, and believes the therapeutic alliance is built on a foundation of trust and collaboration.
Sulani Watkins
Clinician
Sulani equips clients with insights and strategies to free them from negative cognitions which can lead to stress, anxiety and depression, while encouraging them toward strength, meaningfulness and self-actualization. Sulani’s aim is to encourage clients toward a more fulfilling life by collaboratively employing person centered and motivational approaches toward self-discovery and finding one’s own path to wellness.