Be Seen, Heard, and Understood
Phone: (203) 952-0131
Email: JJ@RainbowCounselingServices.com
Virtual Sessions & Conversations by Appointment
Meet The Practitioners
We take tremendous pride in our staff, which includes therapists as well as a family nurse practitioner. We only ask a practitioner to join our team when we feel confident not only in their training and experience, but also in how they conduct themselves and how they view the world. Ensuring the utmost compassionate care is our highest priority.
LMHC
JJ Jarrard (they, their)
JJ received their graduate degree at the Aron Beck Institute of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at Assumption College in 2015. JJ also provides training and consultation to companies seeking guidance on compliance with state regulations for treatment, especially diversity and LGBTQ+ competence training.
JJ's background includes treating alcohol and addiction issues, community based and residential treatment counseling, domestic violence advocacy and career counseling. JJ has assisted new companies and outpatient departments in designing curriculum and implementing treatment and training programs. JJ is a member of the American Association of Sexuality Educators and Therapists (AASECT).
JJ describes their work, "The work I do both with private counseling clients, as well as the professional therapists I have the honor of working with, drives me each and every day. My mission as a queer therapist and trainer is to provide the best techniques and information for an individual to achieve their goals, whether in their personal lives or within the LGBTQ+ therapy community, creating a legacy of "paying it forward."
MA
Summer Shaud (she/ her)
Summer Shaud is a Masters-Level Clinician who has experience in both outpatient and community mental health settings. Summer’s background includes work with under-served children and youth, trauma survivors, parents, and college students, and at Rainbow Counseling she is available for work with adults and adolescents, couples and other relationship configurations, and families. Summer draws from an eclectic mix of theories and approaches in her therapy work, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, psychodynamic therapy, and internal family systems.
Summer is a member of the LGBTQ+ community and enjoys working with clients who are exploring their own sexuality and gender identities. She provided queer- and kink-positive sex education to adolescents for many years before entering the counseling field, and brings a straightforward, non-judgmental approach to work with sexual health and intimacy issues. Summer has been involved in anti-racist work for several years, and finds it rewarding to work with clients around cultural identity and racial trauma. She is also experienced at work with pregnancy, fertility challenges, pregnancy loss, and parenting.
Summer holds an MS in Counseling Psychology from Framingham State University, where she was a member of the Psi Chi honor society. She also received an MDIV from Harvard Divinity School, and a BA in English literature from Harvard College.
LMHC
Demitria Perrin (she/ her)
Demi has experience working with underserved populations such as correctional settings, substance use populations, and emergency services. Demi’s background includes working with adults who have chronically experienced homelessness and substance use as well as trauma survivors, people with severe mental illness, personality disorders and prolonged grief. She also has experience working with adults who have difficulties with self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and interpersonal skills. Her specialty is working with substance use disorders, severe mental illness, and trauma processing.
Demi is also a member of the LGBTQ+ community and is looking forward to working with this population directly. “It is incredible to be given the opportunity to reflect on someone’s growth; This is why I create neutral and inclusive spaces, so individuals can learn from their own experiences and strive to be themselves in totality.”
Demi provides a non-judgmental, warm, and inviting, safe space to work with individuals tailored to their needs. Demi’s counseling approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Person Centered, Strength Based and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) depending on the unique needs of the individual.
Demi holds an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Merrimack College, where she graduated Summa cum laude. She also received her BA in Human Development and Human Services from Merrimack College, where she was member of multiple honor societies, received a merit scholarship, graduated magna cum laude, and began her Master’s program her senior year.
LMHC
Alexis Fresolo (she/ her)
Lexy is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Massachusetts with several years of experience working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community. As an LGBTQIA+ ally, Lexy has provided gender affirming care and worked with many clients navigating their gender identity, sexuality, and those seeking medical gender affirming care.
Lexy also has experience working with underserved populations, including justice involved individuals and individuals with disabilities. Lexy has worked with individuals involved in school and/or high stress jobs, those struggling with anxiety and/or depression, and survivors of childhood, relationship, and experienced trauma – just to name a few!
Lexy believes that therapy should be a comfortable and safe space and tailors her approach to what works best for each client. Her therapeutic style incorporates CBT, ACT, trauma informed care, and strength-based approaches to drive healing, growth, and understanding. Lexy asserts, “I truly believe that therapy is a collaborative effort, and I will work with you on developing goals that best support your needs. I look forward to working with you!”