School Based Health Centers

Katie Attia received her bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College and her master’s degree in nursing from the Mass General Institute of Health Professions. Katie is a pediatric nurse practitioner who specializes in adolescent health, and has been working in School Based Health for over a decade.

Laura Kelliher earned a bachelor’s of science degree at the University of Illinois and a bachelor’s and master’s of science degree in nursing from the Mass General Institute of Health Professions.  Laura is a pediatric nurse practitioner who loves working with pediatric patients throughout the span of their childhood years, but now focusses on adolescent care. Laura has worked in a variety of healthcare settings but has found caring for patients in the School-Based Health Center the greatest joy.

Brigid “Deedee” Schiano holds a Masters in Social Work (MSW) from Simmons School of Social Work and has over 30 years of clinical experience. She is trained in working with autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression, crisis intervention, care coordination, advocacy. and complex medical conditions such as HIV/AIDS, end of life care, and hospice. She serves pre-adolescents, adolescents, adults, elders, gender identity, LGBTQIA, dual diagnoses, and chronic medical conditions. Deedee specializes in psycho-social assessments, crisis intervention, care coordination, individual, group and family therapy, interdiscplinary team collaboration, and clinical supervision and holds certifications in substance use and mediation.

Shannon O’Leary graduated from William & Mary with a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. She later graduated from Simmons College of Social Work and obtained her Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW). Shannon holds an Advanced Certificate from Boston University School of Social Work for Clinical Work with Children, Adolescents, and Families and completes 30 hours of CEUs each year. She works with adolescents aged 14-19. In her care, she utilizes a person-centered, strengths-based, integrative, trauma-informed, gender supportive, and collaborative approach. She is trained in anxiety, depression, grief/loss, ADHD, relationships, stress-management, and trauma and uses CBT, DBT, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused techniques.

Anna Berrian attended University of Pennsylania for her BSN degree and graduated in 1997. She worked as an RN in pediatric intensive care at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center and then in the cardiac ICU at Boston Children’s. She also later worked as a research coordinator in the pulmonary department on cystic fibrosis studies. She graduated from Simmons College in 2005 with her MSN and became a certified pediatric nurse practitioner. She has spent her NP career working in school-based health, first for MGH Revere Healthcare Center in Revere High School, and then for NSCH at Peabody High School.

Julie Sousa obtained her dual Masters degree from Lesley University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Expressive Arts Therapy. She has board CEU training for strategies in helping clients process grief and loss, anti-racism training, Fundamentals of Sandplay Therapy, and Yoga Teacher training. She specifically works with those seeking gender supportive care, neurodivergence, depression/anxiety, and substance use disorders in addition to working with LGBTQIA+ adults and youth in transition.

Melissa Cruz is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker currently providing counseling services to students at Collins Middle School as a School-Based Health Provider. Melissa received her Bachelor of Arts at Merrimack College and majored in Psychology and Sociology. She also went on to obtain her graduate degree of Master of Social Work at Boston College School of Social Work. Melissa enjoys working with children, youth, and families with varying needs including depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use. She has also taken trainings in various areas including trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, CBT, and art therapy approaches. Melissa is grateful to be a part of such a passionate and dedicated team at NSCH and Collins Middle School.