For families in Connecticut trying to get a child evaluated for autism, anxiety, or a behavioral challenge, the answer from the mental health system is often the same: wait. Months on a waitlist without answers. Months watching a child struggle while the clock ticks.
At Aspire Living & Learning, we believe every child deserves timely, thoughtful support.
This April, we are opening a new behavioral health clinic in Marlborough, CT, and we are now accepting new patients. Located at 5 South Main Street, the clinic brings together psychological, educational, and psychoeducational evaluations; behavior assessments; and therapy, under one roof, with a team that specializes in children who are neurodivergent, autistic, or navigating anxiety and behavioral challenges. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services are planned for the future as we expand the clinic’s offerings.
The Need Has Never Been Greater in Connecticut
Nearly 1 in 5 children in Connecticut has a mental, emotional, or behavioral health condition, according to the CDC. Yet the state faces severe provider shortages, with waitlists for evaluations and therapy stretching six months or longer. A 2024 state report found that workforce shortages are impairing Connecticut’s ability to deliver timely care during a period of record demand.
“When children cannot get care when they need it, the impact shows up everywhere in their lives,” said Elizabeth Sellinger, chief of clinical and children’s services at Aspire. “It affects learning, relationships, and confidence. This clinic is about ensuring families and schools have access to thoughtful, timely support before challenges become harder to navigate.”
Meet Our Children’s Behavioral Health Team
The Marlborough clinic is led by Dr. Courtney Cotter, senior director of children’s mental health at Aspire, a licensed psychologist and doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with nearly 20 years of experience supporting children and families across New England.
She is joined by Dr. Marlena Minkos, a licensed psychologist and BCBA with over 15 years of experience in clinical and educational settings across Connecticut, and Chelsea Colonese, a school psychologist with nearly a decade of experience supporting students’ social, emotional, and behavioral well-being statewide.
Together, the team brings specialized expertise in autism evaluations, ADHD assessments, anxiety treatment, psychoeducational evaluations, and school-based intervention across Connecticut.
“Every child deserves support that recognizes their strengths and differences,” said Dr. Cotter. “Our role is to bring clinical expertise and practical strategies together so children, especially those who are neurodiverse, can make meaningful progress in real-world settings.”
Where Clinical Expertise Meets the Classroom
For over 20 years, our team has been supporting Connecticut school districts, working alongside educators to help students with complex behavioral and mental health needs thrive. We provide consultation and systems-level support that connects what happens in the clinic directly to the classroom. Research shows that roughly 70% of children who receive behavioral health support access it at school, making that connection one of the most powerful tools we have. The Marlborough location strengthens our ability to serve even more families and schools across central Connecticut.
We Are Ready When You Are
If your child is struggling and you are not sure where to start, reach out to our team. We are now accepting new patients and would love to help you find the right support. Call 203-527-0083 or visit allinc.org/behavioral-health-services to start the conversation.
In Connecticut, Aspire accepts Aetna, Carelon Behavioral (Anthem), Cigna, Optum/UBH, and Medicaid (HUSKY), and families using other insurers may inquire about out-of-network options.