Therapists in Cheshire, CT

I strive to provide a safe place for you to utilize the support necessary to set and reach your goals. In addition to mental health, I have extensive experience and am happy to aid in early recovery as well as sustained recovery from any substance or addictive behavior.

Shannon is currently full, but other clinicians are available. Check out www.balancingactcounseling.com to see other clinicians available! I work primarily with adolescents and young adults who find themselves struggling with depression, anxiety, family conflict and trauma. I am always learning and growing myself and seek to expand my knowledge in the newest therapies and healing modalities. I am currently earning my certification in EMDR-evidence based trauma treatment.

Many children, adolescents and young adults are struggling with the pressure and stress of everyday life. Imagine having someone to help them cope with their difficulties, decrease negative feelings or self harming behaviors and increase feelings of self worth, hope and happiness. My goal is to give clients a safe and trusted space where they are comfortable to express their feelings in a calm and nurturing environment and are ready to challenge their thoughts, problem solve or just decompress. When you are ready, I am here and happy to work with you as part of your team!

I believe in treating the whole person, mind and body. Relationship is so important when you are seeking support and guidance and one of my strengths is in establishing a secure relationship. I specialize in working with clients who have experienced trauma and am certified in EMDR. I also have a background is co-occurong disorders and my degree specialized in this concentration. I worked for my years in geriatrics and enjoy working with a wide variety of populations. Your privacy, personal growth, journey with mental health and healing and autonomy are important to me.

The same thought has been assaulting you in an agonizing loop of repetition for days on end. Or has it been weeks? One compulsive behavior or another keeps you trapped in a constant cycle of despair. The more you resist, the tighter it grabs you - there's no escape. No one understands how hard it is or that you can't just stop. They couldn’t imagine how much you suffer inside your own mind. So, you hold it all in and suffer in silence, ending each day drained, defeated, and depressed. What you wouldn't give to get your life back, to be free. It’s time to make a change - time to get unstuck.

With two locations in Hartford and Cheshire, the Anxiety Disorders Center (Director: David Tolin, Ph.D.) provides outpatient, individual therapy for adults and children with anxiety disorders (including panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, separation anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder), obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (including obsessive-compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, hoarding disorder, trichotillomania, and skin-picking disorder), illness anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and school refusal/avoidance.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with extensive experience working with individuals and families to improve their lives. I enjoy working with women and mothers who are challenged with various life stressors, postpartum depression, relationship challenges, divorce, and anxiety. I have also worked with at-risk and delinquent youth and their families as well as court involved adults. I am confident and comfortable working with individuals and families who are stressed by the many challenges of navigating school, work, court, and judicial systems.

Whether it's your 1st time seeking psychotherapy or your 15th, I'm committed to gaining a deep understanding of you and exploring with you the changes you'd like to make in your life. If you're interested in reducing or eliminating anxiety, panic, depression, the impact of past trauma or some other type of suffering, I will explore with you the underlying reasons for these symptoms and collaborate with you to help you on your way to becoming your best you. I work mostly with individuals who have experienced complex trauma and I help identify and work with dissociation.

Jennifer Kowalski is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Connecticut with over 20 years of experience working in the field of mental health and addiction services. She believes that we all have a responsibility to make the life we want regardless of our circumstances, and with encouragement and acceptance, we can all be empowered to change. Jennifer has received her Master of Arts in Psychology and her Master of Science in Community Mental Health Counseling from Southern Connecticut State University.

Welcome to The Alliance - Psychology, Advocacy, and Support (my practice). Accurate diagnosis, caring therapy, and a roadmap to a brighter future. Detailed clinical, neuropsychological, and educational assessments. Empathic treatment from a Professor who studies, teaches, and practices Psychology. State-of-the-Art assessment and treatment from a professional with an international reputation as an expert. We start within 2 weeks. I will also assess, and then advocate for, you or your child with the educational, legal, or psychiatric system. Or, serve as advisor and therapist.

Typically, the usual approach to addiction begins with the premise that something is broken, and needs to be fixed. You will often be given a list of things to do,and a time frame to do it in. I believe that my job is to help you reflect on why you behave and think the way that you do, and coach you to begin the process of making the changes you need to make in your life in order to heal. Change begins with you. It is important to become more solution-focused, and not distracted by worry and anxiety.

Therapy is really about you. My approach is influenced by Person-Centered and Cognitive-Behavioral therapy. Basically, this means that you lead with what you’d like to discuss, I help to find connections between thoughts and behaviors, then together we discuss helpful tools, skills, or next steps. Whether you’re searching for peace, clarity, or healing, we will work towards your goal together. It is important to find a therapist that you connect with. Working together is more successful with a therapist you trust. I provide an unbiased, collaborative, open, and relaxed environment and strive for honest and direct communication.

Life is challenging, and sometimes those challenges can feel like too much to overcome alone. I work with individuals, couples and families to explore the obstacles they face to live their best life. I want to help you focus on the strengths you have, find the positivity in your life, and lead you on the path to happiness. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, my specialties include Addictions, Eating Disorders, Abuse/ Domestic Violence, Trauma, Codependency, Depression, and Anxiety Disorders. I over 15 years of working with children, adolescents and adults providing individual, couples and family therapy.

Jennifer brings to our practice 10 years of experience working with adults in a wide variety of settings. Her areas of focus include anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions and adjustments, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia, caregiver stress, grief and loss.

Are you stressed and feeling overwhelmed? Are you seeking to improve your quality of life? We can work together to overcome fear, anger, confusion, other obstacles and empower you to make positive life changes. In a compassionate and non-judgmental environment we will collaboratively develop personal goals and work through any barriers.