Self Esteem Therapists in Middletown, CT

I am a licensed clinician is the state of Connecticut with over 16 years of experience in the mental health field working with youth diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness, teenagers, individuals, and families. I graduated with a masters degree from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work. I am currently the director of a foster care program in my state or residence, and run my own practice. In addition, I have experience as a clinical supervisor and clinician in the mental health field. I believe in meeting you were you are at. You are the expert of your life and will take the lead in your transformation.

I am a clinical social worker licensed in the states of Connecticut and Oregon with over 15 years of experience. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, bipolar disorder, relationship and attachment issues, addictions, managing emotions, and self esteem issues. I am also a certified health coach and a certified law of attraction life coach, and love supporting people in finally achieving their dreams. My counseling style is warm and empathic. One of the most important things I do is to help people to recognize and connect with their own strengths and abilities.

*Accepting new in person and/or telehealth (virtual) referrals * People choose therapy for various reasons but the goal remains the same: wanting to heal, feel better, and learn how to be mentally healthy long term. For over 10 years I have helped teens and adults achieve those results through education, mindfulness, authentic and culturally responsive communication, and various evidence based practices. Identifying mental health concerns and understanding how they impact you is not always an easy task. Having the right person to support and guide is an essential piece to your healing and growth.

As a strengths-based, compassion-focused, person-centered therapist, I see each client as an individual rather than a diagnosis, and strive to support them holistically using a wellness model of therapy. The beauty in therapy is that there is not a “one size fits all” approach, and as such, I utilize a variety of evidence-based practices in order to fit the unique needs of each client and the dynamics within the therapeutic relationship. I am committed to providing Health at Every Size (HAES), LGBTQ+ affirming, sex-positive, culturally-sensitive, trauma-informed care.

Our minds are often full of made up stories we have been telling ourselves for years. Often, they are stories that have been written based on who others have told us we are or are "supposed" to be. My clients are those who want to rewrite the stories that create a sense of heaviness or limit their life experience, including stories full of anxiety and negative thoughts. I help those who are looking to find inner peace, clarity, a better understanding of themselves, and freedom from the heaviness our minds and life experiences can bring.

Do you feel as though your life is stuck in the same place and that you are unable to make necessary changes? Do you feel powerless in managing intolerable feelings and struggle to identify why you have these feelings in the first place? Well, I am here to tell you that you can indeed have a life of abundance, joy, and peace. My goal is to understand your beliefs and personality to support you in aligning your actions with who you are. I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in assisting clients with identifying the root cause of these issues and how these issues can be addressed.

My goal is to help you thrive. In life, everyone faces challenges. They may be uncertainties, traumatic events, losses, trouble with doubting yourself or self-esteem, mood shifts, anxiety, emotionally regulating, communication, relationships- the list goes on.

Hi! I am so glad you’ve decided to put yourself and your needs first. Finding a therapist is not always easy, however, it is so important to have a safe space to heal. Moving through life carrying around unresolved feelings can weigh us down. Life can often have unexpected moments, thrusting you in a situation you may have never encountered before, and leaving you unsure of how to manage. While I don’t have all of the answers, I am here to partner, guide, and encourage you along your journey.

You deserve to be happy. You deserve to have fulfilling and authentic relationships. Seeking therapy is the first step to healing so you can live your life to the fullest. And I thank you for considering me to be a part of your journey. So many factors in life can lead us to feeling unfulfilled in our lives and/or our relationships. Life transitions, relational challenges, low self esteem , anxiety, depression, work stress, traumatic experiences, multi generational cycles and not to mention the inevitable curve balls life throws at us. These are just a few of the many factors that impact every single one of us.

***Accepting new patients*** Brene Brown says, that "daring greatly is being brave and afraid every minute of the day at the exact same time". Deciding to participate in therapy is one of the most brave and scary decisions a person can make, but it is also one of the most rewarding. I congratulate you on taking the step to see change happen, and it would be an honor to walk with you through this journey! Using a strengths based perspective, together we will work to address the various barriers and life circumstances that are getting in the way of living your best life.

Life can be crazy sometimes and as a therapist, I want to walk with you through anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, a new medical diagnosis that threatens life as you know it, or transitioning from one stage in life to another. Therapy can be a long or short journey to help you gain the insight needed to explore how past and present experiences impact your ability to manage life's daily stressors and help you develop the coping skills you need to get on with your life. I strive to establish a therapeutic relationship that builds on trust, honesty, empathy and compassion as the pathway to healing and wellness for yourself.

Working on the shoreline for more than 30 years; I have been passionately dedicated to helping individuals in all stages of life who are motivated toward personal growth and seeking to find relief from emotional pain/stress, anxiety, and depression; and who are struggling with relationship(s). I can help clients help themselves through the use of strategies and techniques to achieve greater impact, integrity, and intimacy in their lives.

My practice is designed to help you discover creative solutions for life's challenges. Together, we will collaborate to actualize your goals. Central to my therapeutic philosophy is that individuals want to be happy, healthy and balanced. As a teacher, counselor, and life coach, I am eager to listen and reflect as we work together to discover who you are and who you want to be. My approach is informed by the view that each of us is capable of wellness and wholeness. I believe that everyone can develop the tools and skills necessary for their own healing.

John Fernandes Jr is a Licensed Master of Social Work with a Master's Degree from Quinnipiac University. Throughout his career he has worked in many settings ranging from medical Social Work at St. Mary’s and Yale New Haven Smilow Hospital as a case manager, ER behavioral health triage, crisis clinician, 1-on-1 therapist and facilitator of groups for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis and various types of cancer. John has also worked in-home setting with teens, tackling behavioral & familial challenges inside and outside the home. He has worked using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Strength-based.

I specialize in using an integrative, mind-body-spirit approach to help individuals get back in touch with their own inner source of wisdom, creativity, and empowerment. Reconnecting with the deeper parts of yourself is often the key to overcoming challenges and moving forward again. Therapy offers a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore what is troubling you, as well as ways to heal and grow that reflect the potential of your True Self. I am passionate about seeing my clients use this process to make positive changes and create the life they want.