About Youth & Family Counseling

The Youth & Family Counseling Program operates in alignment with the DYS by supporting and fostering hope and teaching the skills necessary to lead positive and productive lives. 

The Youth & Family Counseling Program provides quality clinical care to youth ages 5-18 and their respective families in Greater Danbury. DYS offers the highest standards of behavioral health services to all families regardless of their ability to pay.   

Danbury Youth Services is a licensed psychiatric clinic through the Department of Children and Families with a Child Psychiatrist on staff.  DYS accepts HUSKY Insurance and other major insurances and has a sliding scale fee schedule.

Program Objectives

Danbury Youth Services continues to use a systems approach in case conceptualization, emphasizing the family role in the counseling process. Success is measured by functioning within the family system and the community and school environments. DYS continues to partner with community stakeholders to provide support and intervention for the child and family with an emphasis on their strengths and assets. 

Meet our Clinicians

Dr. Sol Lee, MD, Medical Director, is a graduate of the University of Chicago and received her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Illinois. She did her General Psychiatry Residency at Harvard University and worked at North-Shore-Long Island Jewish Hospital before joining Danbury Hospital as the Director of Child and Adolescent Services.

Ediany DeSousa, MS, NCC, LPC, received her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Western Connecticut University.  Ediany has 7 years of experience working with children, teens, and their families. She utilizes an integrative approach to counseling such as skills and techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, and Mindfulness practices in her work with her clients.

Kim Gioia, MS, LPCA, is currently working towards her LPC licensure. Kim has been working as a school-based counselor for over 10 years and has experience working with adults, children, and families. Kim utilizes a solution focused approach supported by Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Family Therapy and mindfulness-based interventions. Kim’s goal is to help individuals reduce symptoms of mental health disorders and help them live life to their fullest potential.

Paul Laedke, MS, received his Master's degree in Counseling from Western Connecticut State University. Paul has nearly 25 years of experience working with school-aged children and their families as an educator. He utilizes a solution-focused approach to counseling in an effort to improve the mental health and goal attainment of children and their families.

Julia Timmel, MS, LPCA, is a licensed professional counselor associate with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Psychology from Western Connecticut State University. She is also a certified k-8 teacher who has worked in the Danbury Public School system since 2012. She utilizes an integrative approach to counseling, including Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Family Therapy. She is passionate about working with children and their families in the Danbury community and beyond.

Ryan Soto, MS, received his Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Western Connecticut State University. He has worked in the human services field for more than 15 years. He has experience with individual, group, crisis and substance use counseling.