Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Bridgeport, CT

Most of us haven’t made it through life without a few bruises. Sometimes we lose touch with ourselves along the way, shaped by what we’ve been through and the weight of those experiences.

That doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you. It means you adapted. Sometimes beautifully. Sometimes painfully. Often both.

Therapy is a space to slow down, get curious, and gently begin untangling what you’ve been carrying. Together, we can explore your story with compassion, reconnect with who you are beneath old patterns, and move toward a way of living that feels more aligned, grounded, and authentic.

Hi, I’m Nikki — owner of Dragonfly Haven Wellness LCSW PLLC. I’m looking forward to starting our work together.

I’m a licensed clinical social worker with a Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University, earned in 2003. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of supporting children, teens, adults, and families through life’s challenges in both outpatient and school-based mental health settings.

I believe therapy works best when you feel safe, supported, and genuinely understood. My approach is warm and collaborative, while also helping to point out connections to support your growth. I draw from a blend of psychodynamic therapy, relational approaches, CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, and Encompass co-occurring treatment to help clients build insight, strengthen coping skills, and create meaningful change.

I’ve recently completed a certified integrative mental health provider course and somatic technique training to focus more on body-based approaches alongside traditional talk therapy to support healing as a whole-person process.

Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, stress, relationship challenges, life transitions, or simply feeling stuck, you don’t have to do it alone. My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable showing up exactly as you are and knowing that I am here to work alongside you as you move towards change.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Connecticut, and I work with individuals, families, and couples using relational and psychodynamic psychotherapy. We will explore how you can build greater confidence and self-esteem. You will develop new skill sets to process anxiety, depression, trauma, and family conflict. I work with individuals including children, teens, couples, and families to explore and treat anxiety, depression, ADHD, college preparedness, OCD, family conflict, court/legal process, life transitions, and trauma.

There was a time when I felt trapped by anxiety, depression, and overwhelm. I spent years feeling like I was constantly reacting to the world around me—easily overwhelmed, shutting down, and unsure how to move forward. I was living in a hypervigiliant state - always on edge, feeling unsafe in relationships and in my aloneness. This was also followed with depressive states followed by shame and guilt. Working with a Practitioner in Somatic Experiencing has transformed my emotional well being by helping my brain and body recognize safety and reducing my sensitivity to unpleasant sensations and arousal. I now feel more in control, I welcome unpleasant bodily sensations when they show up, and feel more safe in my body.

With over 15 years of experience in human services, I am a dedicated and compassionate social worker committed to supporting individuals through life’s most challenging moments. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of New Haven and my Master of Social Work from Fordham University.

Throughout my career, I have held leadership roles and developed extensive experience in crisis intervention, community engagement, and client advocacy. I understand that reaching out for support can feel overwhelming, and I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered.

Emotions can be overwhelming, especially when coupled with difficult memories from your past. Along with poor sleep, brain fog, and no energy, it can seem impossible to cope. Many people struggle with these symptoms whether it’s from depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, or difficult life transitions. Life can be hard and we all need help sometimes. I'm here to help you figure out what works best for you.

I am Stanley Okeyemi, the founder of Brighter Light Behavioral Health Services. I am currently licensed as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) in Texas, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Washington, North Carolina, Nebraska, Virginia and New York. I have been working in the mental health industry for 16 years, but licensed as a PMHNP for four years, with a vast amount of experience and affiliations with over 40 hospitals/clinics combined across the USA