Our Team

Paul Reinhardt
Founder

Nick deSpoelberch, LPC
Facilitator

Cole Duncan, PsyD
Facilitator

Rich Hoge
Parent Advisor

Liza Pohle
Parent Advisor

Eric Thunem
Parent Advisor









Paul Reinhardt is the Founder of the New Canaan Parent Support Group (NCPSG). With a goal of finding a local way to give tribute to his son Evan, who died of an overdose in 2015, NCPSG was founded in 2016. Since then, the support group has held over 400 support meetings, 50 Pathway Sessions and 8 Community Addiction Awareness Vigils.
A native of Albany, NY, Paul attended the Albany Academy, Hartwick College and the Columbia Business School. Before starting NCPSG, Paul was an investment portfolio manager at GE Asset Management, Stamford, CT, for 35 years.
A resident of New Canaan for over 3 decades, Paul now lives in the Silvermine area of Norwalk. He has 3 living children: Evan’s sister, Andrea, and Evan’s two brothers, Karl and Peter. He is a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church of New Canaan, Silvermine Golf Club, and the New Canaan YMCA. Paul loves to bike, hike, ski, and start the day with yoga.

Nick deSpoelberch is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the owner of ND Counseling for Hope and Growth, a therapy practice in Stamford, CT. Nick is trained in CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, and EMDR therapy. Having worked in psychiatric hospitals, schools, residential treatment programs, intensive outpatient programs, and private practice, Nick has expertise in helping individuals with depression, anxiety, trauma (PTSD), and substance use disorders, and in couples & family therapy.
Nick is an individual in recovery who shares his story often and is the author of a memoir/guide called A Second Act in Life. Nick has facilitated the weekly meetings of NCPSG since 2017, and volunteers for both Liberation Programs and the Fairfield County Trauma Response Team, where he is a Clinical Director.
Prior to his counseling career, Nick worked as Dean of Students for Regis High School, NYC, He has an M.S. in Guidance and Counseling from the College of New Rochelle. Nick lives in Rowayton, CT, and is the proud father of three children: Liam, Quinn and Shay.

Cole Duncan is a PsyD and therapist who maintains a private practice in Darien, where he primarily takes a behavioral approach to therapy (CBT/DBT) and specializes in treating dual diagnosis (addiction with a diagnosed mental health issue), personality disorders, mood/anxiety disorders, OCD, and psychotic spectrum disorders.
Cole is a New Canaan native, graduating from NCHS in 2010 as captain of the football team and member of the wrestling team. In addition to his private practice, he is a substitute facilitator for the New Canaan Parent Support Group and a contract psychologist at Silver Hill Hospital, where he provides psychotherapy for PTSD.
Dr. Duncan has a BS from Bowdoin College in 2014, a Master’s in psychology and doctorate in clinical psychology from Xavier University. He currently lives in Wilton, CT, and is planning to be married to Jillian later this year.

Rich Hoge began attending our support group meetings in 2020. He was an active volunteer in New Canaan youth sports for many years and was a member of the New Canaan Youth Wrestling Board. His wife Lori is an elementary school educator. They have three adult sons. Rich provides consulting services to asset managers and early-stage businesses.
After a career in tax law and investment banking, he was a founder of a successful startup and an asset management executive. Rich has a BBA from Hofstra University, a JD from St John's University, and an LLM from NYU Law School.

Liza Pohle began attending our support group meetings in 2021. She and her husband, Chris, have been blessed by opportunities to volunteer with organizations in New Canaan including the YMCA, their children’s schools and sports teams, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, New Canaan Museum & Historical Society, New Canaan Community Foundation, and the Congregational Church. They have three adult children.
Prior to starting their family, Liza worked on U.S.-Soviet programs for the U.S. Department of State and had the good fortune to be part of a transformative time in international relations. Liza has a BA in History and Political Science from Colorado College; she serves on the Colorado College Board of Trustees and on the National Council of the National Park Foundation.
For self-care, Liza enjoys reading, skiing, adventure travel, E-Bike trips, and spending time with her immediate and extended families.

Eric Thunem began attending our support group meetings in 2019. He and his wife, Cynnie, are active members of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and they have two adult sons. Eric is a community volunteer who holds positions on several local boards, including the Gridiron Club and the Town Players of New Canaan. He is also a member of the New York Regional Advisory Board for Caron Treatment Centers.
Eric retired at the end of 2021, after spending twenty-five years in private capital fund-raising, and twelve years in the U.S. domestic oil and gas industry. He has an MBA from Columbia Business School, and a BA, Cum Laude, from the University of Connecticut.
Eric enjoys reading (history and biography), crosswords, cooking, exercise, and travel.

Danny Haidar joined us as our Social Media Intern in September 2025. Danny is set to graduate in May of 2026 with a BS in Marketing & Management from Sacred Heart University. He recently completed an internship at Iron Lion Team, a kickboxing gym in Bridgeport where he created content, managed socials, and helped set up events. Danny plans to pursue a career in social media, video editing & other related fields.
Danny was born in Norwalk & raised in Fairfield. In his free time, he likes to train in mixed martial arts, compete at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournaments over the weekends, hang out with friends & play cards. We are grateful to have him on our team.