North Franklin, CT Local Support & Community Resources

Welcome to Franklin Professional Counseling Center. By visiting this page, individuals have embarked on a meaningful journey toward self-help and positive change. Laura Ialacci Burke is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a Master’s degree and five years of experience in the counseling field. She has worked with clients facing a diverse range of challenges, including Depression, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Before joining Franklin Professional Counseling Center, Laura served as a clinician in the Intensive In-home Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services (IICAPS) program, focusing on at-risk children and families in crisis. Centering her practice around a strength-based approach, she empowers clients to become the captains of their own ships, helping them navigate their unique paths toward personal goals. Laura fosters a supportive and judgment-free environment for those seeking to take their first or final steps toward achieving their aspirations. She looks forward to guiding individuals on their journeys to healing and growth.

Paul Dunion is a dedicated psychological healer who recognizes the journey of life as a profound and often unpredictable odyssey. He provides individual and couples counseling, alongside group therapy and workshops designed to help participants embrace the mysteries of existence and cultivate self-acceptance. With a special focus on clients who have faced trauma, Paul integrates techniques such as EMDR, Integral Somatic Psychology, and Somatic Experience to facilitate healing and recovery. His compassionate approach equips individuals to navigate the complexities of their experiences with confidence and understanding.

Michelle Lynn Zarucha-Buscarello, a dedicated Drug & Alcohol Counselor with an MS, LADC, and CCDP credentials, believes wholeheartedly in the potential for change among individuals facing addiction. Her approach fosters a safe environment that ignites the desire for personal transformation. As a compassionate guide, she provides essential tools for clients to explore unhealthy behaviors and develop personalized recovery plans. Michelle specializes in supporting women, teens, and adults on their recovery journeys, utilizing her 25 years of experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, including medically assisted treatment programs with methadone and suboxone. She emphasizes the importance of building a strong therapeutic relationship as a critical part of the change process. With a focus on Motivational Interviewing, Michelle effectively guides therapy sessions towards meaningful progress and healing. Currently, she works at Franklin Professional Counseling Center LLC in Franklin, CT, as well as Aurora in Cheshire, CT, where she serves individuals grappling with mental health and substance abuse issues, always dedicated to providing a safe and caring environment for recovery.