D. David Pecirep, MS, LPC

Clinical Background:

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and earned my master’s in counseling from Central Connecticut State University. Additionally, I was awarded with the Graduate Certificate Award for Academic Excellence and inducted into Chi Sigma Iota International Counseling Honor Society.

As a clinician, I spent over two years working at a residential detox and substance abuse facility. Within the facility, I focused on inpatient treatment, intensive outpatient programing, as well as group and individual counseling. I have been working in private practice since 2017 focusing on a theoretical orientation in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for adolescents and adults.

I am a mental health affiliate of Southington Pediatric Associates. I am also listed on the Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington’s (ECCS) website as well as being listed in the Southington Behavioral Health Resource Directory. Beacon Counseling, LLC also holds a seat at the Southington Stakeholders Meetings. Finally, I am proud to announce that Beacon Counseling, LLC received a grant from ECCS to teach a series on parenting strategies.

In addition to the above, I have also had the privilege of studying and volunteering in the international community. I was able to study mental health in Europe and had the privilege of teaching children in Nepal.

Military and Leadership Background:

I deployed twice with the US Army Infantry. The first, mobilized to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. The second, to Afghanistan. For my active participation in combat operations in Afghanistan I was awarded, among other medals, the Combat Infantry Badge, a Purple Heart, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Medal. Finally, I attended the US Army Primary Leadership Development Course and soon after graduation earned the rank of Sergeant.

After recovering from my wounds in Afghanistan, I was honorably discharged and went on to spend three years working in research on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) with the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and Yale University.

Beacon Counseling Staff

Aleena Santhosh, LMSW

I am a Licensed Masters Level Social Worker (LMSW) who graduated from University of Connecticut in 2021 with my Masters in Social Work. My focus was on individuals, families, and group practice. Over the past several years, I worked with various different nonprofit agencies, hospitals, and school systems with focus on ages 3 to adulthood. My main focus is providing assistance with anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, ADD, conduct disorders, and emotional issues. As a clinician I have previously utilized a wide variety of clinical skills such as goal-oriented, strength-based, trauma sensitive. Within my practice I have used variety of therapeutic treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Play Therapy to provide clients with the opportunity to develop a safe therapeutic relationship in which you can grow and heal.