Therapists in Westport, CT

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in CT, NY, CA with 40+ years of experience. My areas of expertise are counseling couples and individuals who are experiencing relationship distress and intimacy issues. I provide insight and perspective that helps you resolve your problems while creating a trusting and safe environment. My work is client centered and collaborative using a systemic approach to facilitate change. I focus on process, attachment needs and emotions in order to deepen your experience in therapy. I find success using a relational attachment perspective for healing. My Website www.brennertherapy.com.

I believe in the ever-present possibility of growth and the power of the therapeutic relationship to facilitate productive change in regard to what is not working or troublesome in people's lives. As a psychotherapist, I engage in confidential collaborative relationships grounded in respect, empathy, and safety in order to explore and help free people from patterns of functioning that are generally old, now maladaptive and personally limiting. Through achieving a deeper sense of self-understanding and personal growth, I believe in the increased capacity to live more satisfying emotional, social, and professional lives.

Are you feeling stuck in life? Or perhaps experiencing emotional distress that is interfering with your quality of life? In my experience, problems arise when the ways we cope with life's challenges are no longer effective or are inhibiting the growth we desire. By identifying these behaviors and understanding the beliefs that are driving them, I can help you resolve issues that impede your progress and promote personal growth.

I know it's hard to take that first step. I am a strength-based family-systems-trained therapist who believes, "it is never too late to be what you might have been." I believe that who we are both in and out of relationship is not fixed, and that implementing small steps toward change is both do-able and rewarding. My passion for therapy is grounded in the belief that problems and worry held in isolation grow, whereas voicing them aloud in a safe place and working together with a compassionate and skilled therapist can help reduce them to a manageable size.

I work with individuals, families and couples. I work from an emotional perspective, which means I help people sort out and understand where their feelings come from. When people are able to make sense of their emotions, they can let go of old wounds and find new feelings that lead to a more positive and compassionate connection with themselves and others. It is my belief that in order for the client to feel better, a therapist has to both understand the client conceptually and be emotionally attuned. I strive to create a strong empathic connection with my clients.

Choosing a therapist is a very important decision. It is difficult to know where to start, what to look for or what questions to ask during an interview. To make this easier for you, I say- let's get to know each other. In an atmosphere of compassion and acceptance, we will talk about you and what brings you joy. Providing a safe and accepting environment where you can feel comfortable to speak freely and openly is of the utmost importance to me.

I have been a psychotherapist in Westport for the past 25 years seeing adults, couples, children and adolescents and families. In all cases, I think generally in terms of family dynamics. Welcoming and nonjudgemental fundamentally define my attitude. The adolescents I see often come with social or home complaints, or obsessed with online activities, eating disorders, or other self injurious behaviors. My work with them frequently focuses on identity issues, including explorations of relationship choices and career direction, gender and/or sexual orientation questions, and divorce or blended family dilemmas.

I believe that one of the most important aspects of therapy is the relationship between the therapist and the client. I feel that my role as a therapist is to create an environment of trust and support in which my clients can safely explore areas of concern. Using a positive approach to therapy, I work with my clients to uncover their existing strengths and resources. My goal is to help them feel understood and affirmed, as I believe acceptance is fundamental to human development and change.

Relationship specialist, Desire disorders, Sexual dysfunctions, www.amitarava.com

My practice is rooted in my belief in the resilience of the human spirit, and my passion for supporting my clients in the process of healing and growth. As an emotionally focused therapist, I work with individuals, couples and families, and integrate a variety of treatment modalities tailored to my clients' individual needs. Among the issues I commonly work with are anxiety and depression, relationship challenges, trauma, grief and loss. The choice to begin therapy is an act of courage and hope. I am committed to creating a safe space to explore the difficulties you are facing, as well as what inspires you.

Have you just gone through a painful breakup? Do you find it difficult to relax and enjoy life? Perhaps you feel misunderstood by those you love. Regardless of the problem you face, you have just taken the first step in healing and improving your life. While each individual's motivation for therapy is unique, I believe the foundation of all successful psychotherapy is a genuine, collaborative relationship between client and therapist. Through empathy, warmth, and a non-judgmental stance, I work with my clients to create an environment of safety and trust, which will instill hope and foster growth.

There is no reason to delay... a better life is yours for the making! If you are thinking of coming to therapy there is probably at least a small part of you that knows things could be better in your life. I specialize in helping you articulate what is getting in the way and moving to where you want to be. The specific challenge may be a relationship that isn't working, a pattern of behavior, a way of treating yourself or other issue. I am easy to talk to and highly interactive.

**We will work together to help you find balance, happiness, and health.** I am a licensed clinical psychologist with a wide range of training and interests. I specialize in psychodynamic, humanistic, and interpersonal/relational psychotherapy, but also incorporate skills/CBT/Mindfulness-based techniques. I have extensive training in women's/men's issues, relationship issues, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, life transition difficulties, GLBTQQ identity, PTSD/trauma/sexual abuse treatment, young adult/college-related difficulties, grief, pregnancy, and adjustment disorders.

My mission is to empower you to define and claim the authentic, peaceful life you were born to lead; letting go of self-judgment, guilt, and maladaptive patterns to uncover strength and resilience. I believe in the transformational, healing power of a trusted therapeutic relationship. I possess advanced training and expertise in a variety of evidence-based modalities. Collaborative assessments and thoughtful, intentional treatment planning yield a customized course of action tailored to match your presenting problem and case disposition. I look forward to working with you, and am honored to play a role in your unfolding story!

Therapy can help. Are you anxious, frustrated, do you have sexual desire issues? Infidelity, betrayal, unhappiness? Relationships are hard! Right now if you are home due to COVID-19 we can meet by phone, Skype, Zoom or Facetime. Relationship and sex therapy or individual counseling can help you heal and determine what comes next. I'm a Licensed Counselor and Certified Sex Therapist with over 30 years of experience. Therapy can help repair your relationship, heal from pain or create more passion. Find more happiness. Create intimacy now. Intensives for couples available. Online coaching. Open, poly, closed, LGBTQ welcome.

Strength Based Psychotherapy is a unique and holistic approach to life's challenges. I will assist you in understanding and resolving your issues while teaching you to use your strengths. It is a process of empowerment and helping you to create the life you want to live. Anyone with anxiety, depression, addiction issues, LGBT concerns, and relationship issues can benefit from this therapy. This work is suited to individuals, couples and families and I use a variety of approaches including skills training, cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation and meditation training.

As a psychotherapist, I feel privileged to work with people as they explore the challenges that bring them to treatment. I understand that it takes courage and vulnerability to take the first steps to contact a clinician and come to therapy. It is important to me that you feel safe during our work and that our collaboration is a good match for you. A positive therapeutic relationship creates the opportunity for insight, growth and fulfillment. I am an interactive therapist, who facilitates a treatment environment that is empathic, warm and supportive. I treat adolescents, adults and couples and provide both short and long-term treatment.

***At this time, I have limited availability during the day *** As a Licensed Professional Counselor and Life Coach, I provide confidential psychotherapy and coaching services to individuals seeking improvement with the quality and content of their life. Compassion and unconditional positive regard form the core of my relationship with each and every client. I believe that each person is inherently strong and holds the key to create the personal change desired. It is my job and privilege to provide the tools, support and encouragement for change and growth to occur.

For years I've helped women with their relationships, exploring the often unnoticed emotions and circumstances that can derail even the most fulfilled lives. Recently I've focused on our relationship with our pets. As a certified Pet Loss Grief Specialist, I find my clients are overwhelmed by the illness or death of their companion animals, and by the extent of their grief. Many clients are surprised by the depth of the bond they have or had with their pets. Often, friends and family don't understand or honor their pain, and it is my job to help them process their grief knowledgeably and in a safe and loving environment.