Hoarding Therapists in Connecticut
As an expert in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety, mood, and obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, I use evidence-based practice for conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, hoarding, trichotillomania, panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder.
I am an active clinician/researcher, working with the National Institute of Mental Health. I am Past-President of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, and Past-President of the Clinical Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association. I am an Adjunct Professor at Yale School of Medicine.
As an expert in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety, mood, and obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, I use evidence-based practice for conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, hoarding, trichotillomania, panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder.
I am an active clinician/researcher, working with the National Institute of Mental Health. I am Past-President of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, and Past-President of the Clinical Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association. I am an Adjunct Professor at Yale School of Medicine.
I specialize in treating OCD and related disorders, such as hoarding, skin picking, hair pulling, tics/Tourette's as well as parent training.
You might be feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or even ashamed by thoughts or behaviors that don’t seem to make sense—but that you can’t seem to control. Maybe you’re spending hours stuck in mental loops, battling urges to pick, pull, or repeat movements or sounds. I specialize in helping individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) like hair pulling & skin picking, and tic disorders, including Tourette’s Syndrome. They aren't habits or choices—they're neurobehavioral conditions. Feels confusing and isolating—but with the right tools and support, you can experience real relief.
I specialize in treating OCD and related disorders, such as hoarding, skin picking, hair pulling, tics/Tourette's as well as parent training.
You might be feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or even ashamed by thoughts or behaviors that don’t seem to make sense—but that you can’t seem to control. Maybe you’re spending hours stuck in mental loops, battling urges to pick, pull, or repeat movements or sounds. I specialize in helping individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) like hair pulling & skin picking, and tic disorders, including Tourette’s Syndrome. They aren't habits or choices—they're neurobehavioral conditions. Feels confusing and isolating—but with the right tools and support, you can experience real relief.
The most important aspect of treatment is having someone you can talk to, feel comfortable with, and trust. Establishing that therapeutic alliance is my number one priority. Originally, I worked at a dialysis clinic, helping patients with insurance issues. I found that I really liked sitting chairside with people, listening to their stories, understanding their day-to-day challenges, and finding ways to help them. This experience made me realize that therapy was my calling, and I decided to pursue it as a profession. At NOCD, my team and I specialize in providing evidence-based treatment for OCD.
The most important aspect of treatment is having someone you can talk to, feel comfortable with, and trust. Establishing that therapeutic alliance is my number one priority. Originally, I worked at a dialysis clinic, helping patients with insurance issues. I found that I really liked sitting chairside with people, listening to their stories, understanding their day-to-day challenges, and finding ways to help them. This experience made me realize that therapy was my calling, and I decided to pursue it as a profession. At NOCD, my team and I specialize in providing evidence-based treatment for OCD.
I believe therapy should be more than just talking—it should leave you with greater insight, practical tools, and a clearer direction forward. My approach is collaborative, flexible, and tailored to your unique needs so that each session feels meaningful, supportive, and focused on real-life change.
I believe therapy should be more than just talking—it should leave you with greater insight, practical tools, and a clearer direction forward. My approach is collaborative, flexible, and tailored to your unique needs so that each session feels meaningful, supportive, and focused on real-life change.
I believe in meeting you where you are on your journey of growth and change. Healing starts with validating and accepting your unique experiences. Change can be a gradual process, and it’s completely normal to feel uncertain at times. If you’re open to exploring and understanding more about yourself, I’d be honored to support you on your path to greater wellness. Together, we can uncover endless possibilities. My goal is to provide you with the tools and guidance to help you thrive. I am currently accepting new patients and look forward to working with you.
I believe in meeting you where you are on your journey of growth and change. Healing starts with validating and accepting your unique experiences. Change can be a gradual process, and it’s completely normal to feel uncertain at times. If you’re open to exploring and understanding more about yourself, I’d be honored to support you on your path to greater wellness. Together, we can uncover endless possibilities. My goal is to provide you with the tools and guidance to help you thrive. I am currently accepting new patients and look forward to working with you.
Nicole Helps People Counseling,
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC, ATR
1 Endorsed
Online Only
I work with people with even the slightest instinct of a need for change. You may not know precisely what needs to change in order to have a greater sense of life satisfaction and that is something to discover through the therapeutic process. I will meet you where you are at and help you along to the path you are striving for through action oriented work.
I book clients through headway. If you are interested in booking please visit my website care.headway.co/providers/nicole-mchugh
I work with people with even the slightest instinct of a need for change. You may not know precisely what needs to change in order to have a greater sense of life satisfaction and that is something to discover through the therapeutic process. I will meet you where you are at and help you along to the path you are striving for through action oriented work.
I book clients through headway. If you are interested in booking please visit my website care.headway.co/providers/nicole-mchugh
As a trained psychologist, I specialize in CBT for anxiety-related disorders (social anxiety, panic, phobia, GAD, perfectionism, body image), ERP for OCD-related disorders (BDD, skin picking, hair pulling, hoarding), and DBT for emotion dysregulation.
As a therapist, I recognize the uniqueness of each individual and will tailor your treatment goals to fit your pace, needs, and expectations focusing on enhancing self-awareness and self-compassion. We will collaboratively process past and current life stressors as well as identify coping tools that will fit your needs in a safe and comfortable environment.
As a trained psychologist, I specialize in CBT for anxiety-related disorders (social anxiety, panic, phobia, GAD, perfectionism, body image), ERP for OCD-related disorders (BDD, skin picking, hair pulling, hoarding), and DBT for emotion dysregulation.
As a therapist, I recognize the uniqueness of each individual and will tailor your treatment goals to fit your pace, needs, and expectations focusing on enhancing self-awareness and self-compassion. We will collaboratively process past and current life stressors as well as identify coping tools that will fit your needs in a safe and comfortable environment.
Sara Heller
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, LADC
1 Endorsed
Torrington, CT 06790
Waitlist for new clients
Life is not easy and in this increasingly disconnected society, we often feel alone even when living among the people that we love. As an experienced therapist, I offer a connection built on honesty, authenticity, and empathy. By developing and fostering this connection, we can face your pain together while also uncovering and challenging blocks that hinder your own ability to heal yourself. I use a variety of modalities to help each person meet his or her goals, though EMDR, IFS and Interpersonal Process Therapy are my most common approaches to treatment.
Life is not easy and in this increasingly disconnected society, we often feel alone even when living among the people that we love. As an experienced therapist, I offer a connection built on honesty, authenticity, and empathy. By developing and fostering this connection, we can face your pain together while also uncovering and challenging blocks that hinder your own ability to heal yourself. I use a variety of modalities to help each person meet his or her goals, though EMDR, IFS and Interpersonal Process Therapy are my most common approaches to treatment.
You may look like you’re holding it together on the outside, but inside your mind rarely slows down. Anxiety, overthinking, and self-doubt are mentally and physically exhausting. I specialize in helping adults with anxiety, OCD, and related disorders develop a new, steadier relationship with their thoughts, emotions, and inner experiences so they can move through life with more clarity and confidence. I integrate evidence-based treatments like CBT, ERP, and ACT with a reflective, insight-oriented approach, helping you shift how you understand your thoughts, fears, and inner world so real, lasting change can happen.
You may look like you’re holding it together on the outside, but inside your mind rarely slows down. Anxiety, overthinking, and self-doubt are mentally and physically exhausting. I specialize in helping adults with anxiety, OCD, and related disorders develop a new, steadier relationship with their thoughts, emotions, and inner experiences so they can move through life with more clarity and confidence. I integrate evidence-based treatments like CBT, ERP, and ACT with a reflective, insight-oriented approach, helping you shift how you understand your thoughts, fears, and inner world so real, lasting change can happen.
My mission is to provide compassionate counseling that instills hope, provides tools to cope with life challenges, builds resilience; promotes mental health and well-being that will positively affect your life. Therapy is a process of growth and self-discovery. It is through our therapeutic alliance that we will travel together into a journey to optimal mental health and behavioral changes.
My mission is to provide compassionate counseling that instills hope, provides tools to cope with life challenges, builds resilience; promotes mental health and well-being that will positively affect your life. Therapy is a process of growth and self-discovery. It is through our therapeutic alliance that we will travel together into a journey to optimal mental health and behavioral changes.
Many of us are navigating stress, anxiety, identity, and relationship challenges while balancing cultural expectations and personal growth. In therapy, we explore how life can feel like a difficult level in a game where strategy, patience, and skill-building matter. Together, we develop emotional “power-ups” and tools to manage stress, heal, and rediscover joy in the journey. As an Asian American therapist fluent in Vietnamese, I create a safe, culturally sensitive space where you can explore who you are, build resilience, and find balance between your inner and outer worlds.
Many of us are navigating stress, anxiety, identity, and relationship challenges while balancing cultural expectations and personal growth. In therapy, we explore how life can feel like a difficult level in a game where strategy, patience, and skill-building matter. Together, we develop emotional “power-ups” and tools to manage stress, heal, and rediscover joy in the journey. As an Asian American therapist fluent in Vietnamese, I create a safe, culturally sensitive space where you can explore who you are, build resilience, and find balance between your inner and outer worlds.
I specialize in the assessment and treatment of:
PTSD
, Substance abuse
, Conduct Disorder
, ADHD
, Oppositional Defiant Disorder,
Anxiety,
Depression
, Postpartum & can help with health related issues. My most recent endeavors have been learning how to heal without medication. Many don't know that 90% of our brain's serotonin is made in our gut. Let me teach you how to feel better by eating the right foods. I also have a great deal of experience working with adolescents and can effectively provide emotional and behavioral support for youth with wide array of needs utilizing a holistic and strengths-based clinical approach.
I specialize in the assessment and treatment of:
PTSD
, Substance abuse
, Conduct Disorder
, ADHD
, Oppositional Defiant Disorder,
Anxiety,
Depression
, Postpartum & can help with health related issues. My most recent endeavors have been learning how to heal without medication. Many don't know that 90% of our brain's serotonin is made in our gut. Let me teach you how to feel better by eating the right foods. I also have a great deal of experience working with adolescents and can effectively provide emotional and behavioral support for youth with wide array of needs utilizing a holistic and strengths-based clinical approach.
As an LCSW, I am dedicated to helping adolescents, adults, couples and families to cope with daily challenges and transitions. I strive to help create a greater sense of overall peace, hope and self-awareness. It is my honor to be able to work with clients who are brave enough to show me into their world, so that I can help create and support better coping. I specialize in addressing complex trauma, anxiety and panic, depression, OCD, reactivity, addiction, problem sexual behaviors, and other life transitions. I also have a personal interest in working with the donor-conceived population, not parent expected and adoptees.
As an LCSW, I am dedicated to helping adolescents, adults, couples and families to cope with daily challenges and transitions. I strive to help create a greater sense of overall peace, hope and self-awareness. It is my honor to be able to work with clients who are brave enough to show me into their world, so that I can help create and support better coping. I specialize in addressing complex trauma, anxiety and panic, depression, OCD, reactivity, addiction, problem sexual behaviors, and other life transitions. I also have a personal interest in working with the donor-conceived population, not parent expected and adoptees.
Creative Hypnosis LLC, Hypnosis is being open to suggestion and can bring positive changes to your life such as change smoking habits, manage weight, relieve stress, and trauma symptoms. Using hypnotherapy We will work together to achieve your greatest potential through changing perceptions, patterns and other issues. In a safe environment you experience increased self esteem, freedom from emotional distress and deep healing. For trauma survivors I also practice Holographic Memory Resolution®, a trauma treatment using energy psychology, color psychology, internal family systems and hypnotherapy.
Creative Hypnosis LLC, Hypnosis is being open to suggestion and can bring positive changes to your life such as change smoking habits, manage weight, relieve stress, and trauma symptoms. Using hypnotherapy We will work together to achieve your greatest potential through changing perceptions, patterns and other issues. In a safe environment you experience increased self esteem, freedom from emotional distress and deep healing. For trauma survivors I also practice Holographic Memory Resolution®, a trauma treatment using energy psychology, color psychology, internal family systems and hypnotherapy.
Many of us feel stuck- overthinking about the past or worrying about the future. If you are feeling overwhelmed or disconnected, you're not alone. I'm here to help you along this journey towards finding increased overall life satisfaction in the present. My approach focuses on gaining insight into core beliefs and patterns, while understanding how cultural aspects and past experiences may impact us shaping the way we think, feel, and respond. Together we'll reconnect with your strengths to create meaningful change leading to a more balanced life .
Many of us feel stuck- overthinking about the past or worrying about the future. If you are feeling overwhelmed or disconnected, you're not alone. I'm here to help you along this journey towards finding increased overall life satisfaction in the present. My approach focuses on gaining insight into core beliefs and patterns, while understanding how cultural aspects and past experiences may impact us shaping the way we think, feel, and respond. Together we'll reconnect with your strengths to create meaningful change leading to a more balanced life .
"Without change there would be no butterflies" Maya Angelou.
I provide a nonjudgmental, supportive space where you can show up exactly as you are. My role is to meet you with compassion, curiosity, and honesty, so you can explore your experiences safely and at your own pace. I help people who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected reconnect with themselves and build a life that feels calm, grounded, and intentional. Together, we’ll explore what’s getting in the way and create realistic steps toward healing and growth.
"Without change there would be no butterflies" Maya Angelou.
I provide a nonjudgmental, supportive space where you can show up exactly as you are. My role is to meet you with compassion, curiosity, and honesty, so you can explore your experiences safely and at your own pace. I help people who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected reconnect with themselves and build a life that feels calm, grounded, and intentional. Together, we’ll explore what’s getting in the way and create realistic steps toward healing and growth.
My ideal clients are individuals, couples, and families struggling with emotional regulation, anxiety, obsessive thoughts, or trauma related patterns that are keeping them stuck in life, in their relationships, and or career.
My ideal clients are individuals, couples, and families struggling with emotional regulation, anxiety, obsessive thoughts, or trauma related patterns that are keeping them stuck in life, in their relationships, and or career.
Are you a person of faith who has been experiencing significant difficulties in life? Have you found yourself asking, “If God is all-good and all-powerful, why is there so much evil in the world—and in my own life?” Have your emotions begun to feel overwhelming? When the alarm goes off in the AM, do you feel exhausted at the prospect of dragging yourself through yet another meaningless, unfulfilling day? Perhaps you’ve turned to unhealthy substances/behaviors in an effort to escape or numb the pain? Maybe you feel stuck in the past or burdened by fear and uncertainty about the future? If so, you may be longing for a way forward.
Are you a person of faith who has been experiencing significant difficulties in life? Have you found yourself asking, “If God is all-good and all-powerful, why is there so much evil in the world—and in my own life?” Have your emotions begun to feel overwhelming? When the alarm goes off in the AM, do you feel exhausted at the prospect of dragging yourself through yet another meaningless, unfulfilling day? Perhaps you’ve turned to unhealthy substances/behaviors in an effort to escape or numb the pain? Maybe you feel stuck in the past or burdened by fear and uncertainty about the future? If so, you may be longing for a way forward.
After almost 30 years in mental health, I'm still passionate about the work I do. With that said, I'm here to help with the problems that have brought you to therapy. Gathering information and developing our relationship, along with trust and creating a safe space to share are my strengths in helping others. I use various approaches to assist clients. Along with this, I enjoy educating about how we learn and form in an inter-generational family system and how we can transmit problems in that family system unconsciously. This can inform and empower growth and change.
After almost 30 years in mental health, I'm still passionate about the work I do. With that said, I'm here to help with the problems that have brought you to therapy. Gathering information and developing our relationship, along with trust and creating a safe space to share are my strengths in helping others. I use various approaches to assist clients. Along with this, I enjoy educating about how we learn and form in an inter-generational family system and how we can transmit problems in that family system unconsciously. This can inform and empower growth and change.
Perhaps you are having difficulties in your primary relationships, perhaps there are stressors at work, perhaps you face a great choice and several obstacles are hindering your clarity and peace. I have been honored to witness individuals and couples overcome many barriers that initially seemed insurmountable. Based on my experience and the lived experience of those I work with I believe that a full, happy, and peaceful life is within reach for everyone who seeks it.
Perhaps you are having difficulties in your primary relationships, perhaps there are stressors at work, perhaps you face a great choice and several obstacles are hindering your clarity and peace. I have been honored to witness individuals and couples overcome many barriers that initially seemed insurmountable. Based on my experience and the lived experience of those I work with I believe that a full, happy, and peaceful life is within reach for everyone who seeks it.
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Hoarding Therapists
What is the most effective treatment for hoarding?
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) has been well-studied in the treatment of hoarding. This type of therapy includes changing beliefs surrounding possessions, as well as learning how to discard items and reduce acquisitions. The hoarder may also gain much-needed organizational skills. Another useful therapy may be compassion-focused therapy, which can address emotion regulation and negative self-perception.
How long does therapy for hoarding take?
Although treatment can vary, most people demonstrate improvement after 23 sessions, with some showing improvement after just a few sessions. Researchers have developed a 26-session cognitive behavioral program. People who hoard may need “maintenance” sessions over the years if the problem arises repeatedly.
Are there medications for hoarding?
The more commonly-prescribed medications for hoarding are including antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). This can include drugs such as venlafaxine and paroxetine. And because hoarding disorder is related to obsessive-compulsive disorder, medications for OCD, such as clomipramine, may be effective for hoarding as well.
Can hoarding come back after treatment?
Hoarding is a chronic disorder and it can last throughout an individual’s lifetime. Regularly checking in with a psychotherapist can help manage symptoms long-term. A good therapist will help the person learn needed skills including decision-making, organization, and stress reduction. The patient will gain a better perspective and the need to cling to useless items will lessen.