Activities Staff

Administrative Staff

Finance

Human Resources

Information Technology (IT)

Development

Communications

Admissions Staff

Clinical Social Workers

Erikson Institute Distinguished Faculty

Erikson Institute Staff

Faculty

Leadership

Nursing Staff

Online Intensive Outpatient Program

Therapeutic Community Staff

Therapy Staff

Fellows

Psychology

Predoctoral internship at Utah State Hospital

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Psychoanalytic Studies at the Austen Riggs Center

Heather Churchill, PhD, is the associate director of the Therapeutic Community Program, the director of health and wellness, and a staff psychologist who provides psychotherapy and psychological testing at the Austen Riggs Center.

During her graduate training, she was a teaching assistant for several classes, including History and Systems of Psychology, as well as Cognitive and Projective Assessment. Also during her graduate training, she completed the New York Society Fellowship program, as well as the Couple and Family Fellowship program at the Washington Center for Psychoanalysis. During her internship at Utah State Hospital, she received intensive training in dialectical behavioral therapy and provided individual, group, and family therapy, as well as psychological assessments.

Churchill is a certified group relations consultant with the AK Rice Institute and former president of the Center for the Study of Groups and Social Systems, a non-profit whose mission is to further the understanding of groups dynamics and social systems.

University Fellowship Award for academic and scholarly achievement from George Washington University

The overlap between psychodynamic psychotherapy and other psychotherapies, such as dialectical behavioral therapy, as well as how integrating components of a psychodynamic approach may improve the quality of care in non-dynamic intensive treatment milieus.

Heather Churchill, PhD

Director of Health and Wellness/Associate Director of the Therapeutic Community Program

Executive Assistant

BS in human development and early education (Pre-K-2nd grade) from Lesley University

Patty Codwise

Nursery School Teacher

BA and MA in English, philosophy and letters from St. Louis University

As the director of the Riggs Theatre, Kevin Coleman’s job is to collaborate with patients to create full theatrical productions for public performances twice a year, in the Fall (classical, modern or contemporary dramas and comedies) and the Spring (Shakespeare). Additionally, there are periods and workshops for training (Stage Combat, Clown, Voice, Dance) and play readings. Rehearsals are in the evenings and are always open for non-participating patients to attend, and the performances are public ticketed events. Patients rehearse and perform with local actors from the larger Berkshire community. No previous experience or background in theatre is necessary. Production elements, (lights, set, sound and costumes) and working with professional designers from Shakespeare & Company are part of Riggs theatre experience. Artistic exploration, collaboration and celebration are at the heart of this theatre program in the Activities department at the Lavendar Door.

Mr. Coleman has worked professionally in the theatre for over 40 years, acting, directing and teaching. He has worked in NY and around the country, as well as Australia, the UK, and an upcoming Festival in Israel. He has worked in professional and community theatre settings, university graduate and undergraduate programs, and has created professional development workshops for teachers, teaching artists, and directors.

Back when Mr. Coleman’s sons were in school, he coached baseball. Currently, he is lovingly landscaping and renovating a 200 year old house.

Professional Affiliations/Organizational Memberships

Founding Member, Board of Trustees, and Director of Education at Shakespeare & Company, Lenox, MA

Project Director, National Endowment for the Arts

Project Director, National Endowment for the Humanities

(2009) Distinguished Theatre Artist Award, MA Alliance for Arts Education

Two-time Tony Award nominee, Theatre Educator

Producing director for documentary film, 

Kevin Coleman

Theatre Director

Chauncey Collins, MBA, started at the Austen Riggs Center in 1980 and has spent three decades working in various roles.

Chauncey T. Collins, MBA

Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer

Jennifer Costa, MSN, RN, is a staff nurse at the Austen Riggs Center.

Jennifer Costa, MSN, RN

Staff Nurse

Greg Cutter is an IT Administrator at the Austen Riggs Center.

Greg Cutter

IT Administrator

Sandra Delgado, PsyD, is a staff psychologist at the Austen Riggs Center.

Sandra Delgado, PsyD

Staff Psychologist

Tina deManbey, RN, is a staff nurse at the Austen Riggs Center.

Tina deManbey, RN

BS in marketing and communications from Bryant University

Nadine Desautels is the website coordinator at the Austen Riggs Center, where she updates website content, analyzes data, edits video and photography for online consumption, and maintains the Austen Riggs social media accounts. In addition, she is responsible for maintaining the website’s functionality and Google Ads account.

Prior to becoming the Website Coordinator, she worked in various roles at Austen Riggs including: Executive Assistant to the Medical Director/CEO, Development, Marketing, and Education Assistant, and Database Assistant. She is also the Conference Coordinator for the Rapaport Klein Study Group.

Social Media Strategist certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Marketing Measurement & Analytics and Search Marketing School certificates from MarketingProfs

Nadine Desautels

Website Coordinator

MSW, Smith College School for Social Work

BSW, Central Connecticut State University

Miriam Desgazon, MSW, LICSW, is a social worker in the 

 for College Students and Emerging Adults in Massachusetts at the Austen Riggs Center.

In addition, she is a dedicated clinical supervisor and family clinician at the Institute for Health and Recovery (IHR) where she passionately serves families grappling with dual diagnoses and Department of Children and Families (DCF) involvement. In addition to her impactful work with IHR, Miriam also runs a thriving small private practice based in Northampton, MA.

A proud alumna of Smith College School for Social Work, Miriam attained her MSW in August 2020 and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her practice, drawing from her strong foundation in BSW. Her clinical approach is deeply rooted in psychoanalytic concepts, utilizing a brief psychodynamic approach that encompasses developmental theory, attachment theory, and trauma-informed care. Miriam firmly believes in the power of cultural competence and applies a culturally sensitive lens to her therapeutic interventions. She adopts a relational approach to empower her clients on their healing journey, fostering a safe and supportive environment for growth.

Miriam's dedication to her profession has also afforded her unique opportunities to present her work at esteemed national and international conferences, such as the 2023 Spring Meeting of Division 39 of the American Psychological Association, further solidifying her reputation as a respected clinician in the field.

Miriam Desgazon, LICSW, Online IOP Social Worker

Miriam Desgazon, LICSW

Online IOP Social Worker

Karen Dinofrio is the medical office assistant at the Austen Riggs Center.

Karen Dinofrio

Medical Office Assistant

Meet the Austen Riggs staff of therapists, nurses, administrators, and other healthcare professionals who work as a team on behalf of our patients. 

Staff Directory of Therapists and Teams | Austen Riggs

For more information on our residential treatment programs, or answers to any questions, please feel free to contact us. 

Meet Our Team

Heather Churchill, PsyD

Tamara Cloutier

Patty Codwise

Kevin G. Coleman

Chauncey T. Collins, MBA

Jennifer Costa, MSN, RN

Greg Cutter

Sandra Delgado, PsyD

Tina DeManbey, RN

Nadine Desautels, BS

Miriam Desgazon, MSW, LICSW

Karen Dinofrio

Contact Us for More

For more information on our residential treatment programs, or answers to any questions, please feel free to contact us.

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