Why Polaris?
Who We Are
POLARIS was founded by two friends from grad school who bonded over wit, wisdom, and their mutual respect towards a good Power Point. With over 20 years of field experience our owners, Dr. Daryl (Cioffi) Appleton and Jennifer Weaver-Breitenbecher began Polaris Counseling & Consulting, LLC after seeing the need for 360 degree individualized care in an environment of security, luxury and comfort.
Nationally known as experts in the field of mental health, Daryl and Jenn have appeared in local and international news outlets, as guests on radio and professional panels throughout the country, and have published books, and papers in the academic circuit. The handpicked POLARIS clinical team specializes in a range of psychological needs and treatments with an intense focus on goals and directives toward overall well-being and self-actualization.
The POLARIS boutique consulting experience is offered to corporate, non-profit, and professional teams looking to set mental heath/crisis policy and procedures, train employees in mental health sensitivity, and engage in mental health workshops to prevent burnout and promote wellness initiatives.
Our hand picked team works seamlessly together to provide you with the high-quality and professional grade service you deserve with the personalized, authentic style you desire. We pride ourselves on our passion for service, our commitment to our clients, and our proven ability to help others help themselves. We will work with you to confront your issues, move past your challenges, know what it takes to get you to beyond you can achieve your fullest sense of self and discover true wellness.
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Take the first step towards a brighter tomorrow.
Our Owner
JENNIFER WEAVER-BREITENBECHER, CAGS, LMHC
FOUNDER, OWNER, CLINICAL DIRECTOR
Jennifer Weaver-Breitenbecher has been training and working in the mental health field since 2002.
After obtaining a bachelors degree from Providence College in Psychology, she completed a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and continued on at Salve Regina to receive a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in Mental Health Counseling. She currently holds a License in Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) in the state of Rhode Island.
Prior starting her private practice with Daryl Cioffi Appleton LMHC,Weaver-Breitenbecher worked and trained extensively in both behavior analysis and criminal & addictive thinking. A sought out expert in the field of forensic psychology, she has been quoted in on-line publications and blogs, and has provided teaching and consulting on array topics in mental health, addictions, and criminality across the country.
Her specialties include Mood Disorders, Personality Disorders, Addictions, and General Life Adjustments.
– ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS
Dr. Daryl Appleton LMHC, ED.D
Founder
Daryl (Cioffi) Appleton has been on a clear path to success for the past ten years. After completing a Bachelor’s degree at Stonehill College, she obtained a Master’s degree in Counseling from Providence College. She then received a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in mental health counseling from Salve Regina University and a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Johnson & Wales University. She is currently a Licenced Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Rhode Island. In addition to her mental health counseling career Cioffi has taught Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology in the Counseling Psychology masters and undergraduate programs at several colleges and universities in the New England area, while also speaking about mental health to audiences across the country. Recently Dr. Appleton published her first book “Be Freud” which made it to Amazon’s best sellers list.
At 28, Dr. Appleton established Polaris Counseling & Consulting, along with Jennifer Weaver-Breitenbecher, LMHC. She is an authority on mental health and life adjustment issues, having been quoted in several online publications and websites, and published scholarly articles in the fields of additions and higher education in addition to offering advice on national radio, and print. A firm believer in confronting one’s issues utilizing a blend of psychological and scientific modalities, Dr. Appleton utilizes this approach to each individual goals with each of her clients.
In addition to her work at POLARIS, Dr. Daryl Appleton collaborates with exclusive clientele at Fortune 500 companies, on the CEO level, and with professional athletes at her eponymous consulting firm where she acts a an executive advisor and consultant on matters of work-place wellness and well being. Information on in-person or virtual advising/consulting with Dr. Daryl can be found at www.drdarylappleton.com.
Her specialties are in Empowerment & Success, Relationships, Work-Life Balance, and Executive & Leadership Development/Wellness
Daryl moved on from Polaris in 2023.
Our Team
Jennifer McCalligett
CLINICAL STAFF, LCSW
SPECIALTIES:
Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Adolescents and Young Adults, General Life Adjustments
– ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS
Regina LaPietra
CLINICAL STAFF, LMHC
SPECIALTIES:
Mood & Anxiety Disorders, General Life Adjustments, LGBTQ+, Adolescent Issue
– ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS
