Rachael A. Petitti, Ph.D., LCSW

Dr. Rachael A. Petitti is a policy and healthcare systems expert in the field of behavioral health. Throughout her career, she has served as a healthcare executive, regulator, and academic. Dr. Petitti has held several C-level positions in the nonprofit sector and has consulted in multiple states to implement more efficient and cost-effective patient-centered behavioral health services within the managed care environment. Previously she served as the Director of Mental Health Treatment Services for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Dr. Petitti holds a Doctorate in Public and Urban Policy from the Milano School of International Affairs, Management and Urban Policy (New York, NY), a master’s degree in clinical social work from Columbia University, and Public Policy from the New School for Social Research. Dr. Petitti received her clinical training as a psychotherapist through the Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, and has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Connecticut since 1993.

Dr. Petitti currently holds a Lecturer title position in the Department of Population Health & Leadership within the School of Health Sciences at the University of New Haven. She previously lectured at the University of California, Davis, on health disparities and mental health public policy.

Updated: March 2025