Family therapy and counseling in Southbury, CT

I’m a psychotherapist and coach with nearly two decades of experience working with teens, young adults, and families. Much of my work focuses on strengthening communication, rebuilding trust, and helping people navigate major life transitions, including adolescence, college, relationships, and career development.

Over the past several years, I’ve focused deeply on generational, religious, and family dynamics—especially the ways past experiences shape how we relate to ourselves and to the people closest to us. My goal is simple: to help people like each other as much as they love each other.

My approach is practical, direct, and collaborative. I integrate evidence-based therapies such as CBT, DBT, EMDR, and Internal Family Systems, while also helping clients develop clear communication skills, emotional awareness, and confidence in who they are and how they want to live.

Clients who work with me can expect thoughtful conversations, honest feedback, and a focus on meaningful growth—not just symptom relief.

I believe that meaningful therapy begins with feeling safe, heard, and supported. My goal is to create a compassionate, non-judgmental space where individuals and families can explore challenges, build on their strengths, and move toward positive change.

I hold both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Social Work and have over five years of experience working directly with children and families. My professional background includes supporting children and caregivers through emotional, behavioral, and relational concerns, while collaborating with families to strengthen communication, coping skills, and overall well-being.

In addition to my work with children and families, I also have several years of experience supporting older adults, including assisting individuals and families with long-term care planning. This work has given me a deep appreciation for the emotional, practical, and relational challenges that can arise during later life transitions, caregiving roles, and decision-making processes.

I am passionate about supporting clients across the lifespan and helping individuals and families navigate change with greater clarity, resilience, and connection.

Hi, I'm Jessica and I love supporting youth and their families to bring out confidence and build healthy relationship patterns to support them as they grow in today's world. I have background in Expressive Arts Therapy and bring creative approaches including art, play, and drama therapy techniques as entry points into cognitive behavioral interventions and strategies to assist with behavior, emotion regulation, and understanding of one's self. My philosophical goal as a therapist is to help people I work with curate more joy into their lives and for children to be seen in their unique strengths and supported to grow through challenges. I believe that curiosity is the antidote to depression. Let's get curious together!

You can have a positive mindset with SOLUTION-FOCUSED THERAPY. Feeling worried, or your thoughts race, your sleep is off, or you get that feeling in your stomach? At times we get frustrated enough with someone that it affects your work, family life, or health. I know how it sucks to be questioning, stuck, and worked up with tension and concern. Then, self-doubt creeps in--but it doesn’t need to be like that anymore. If you’re curious how to get things calmer, under control, and feel more self-assured, I’m here as a confidant who listens deeply AND offers tools that really work. You CAN increase confidence!

I’m Schuyler ("SKY-ler") Manhattan, a licensed CT-based counselor and coach with an opening now for morning, afternoon, or evening. I see adult individuals, couples and families online and in-person.

Types of modalities we may use:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Emotionally Focused Therapy
• Gottman Method
• Hypnotherapy
• Motivational Interviewing
• Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
• Positive Psychology
• Reality Therapy
• Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
• Somatic
• Structural Couple Therapy
• Structural Family Therapy

I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) with a graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling. I also graduated from NYU.

I am a therapist with over 10 years of experience working with youth who are dealing with trauma and depression. I've spent years working with children and families as a DCF worker, foster care therapist, outpatient therapist, and now school based therapist. If you are dealing with anxiety, depression, anger, trauma, family issues, or any tough emotional struggle please reach out!

Therapy should be as unique as the individual seeking it—what works for one person may not work for another. I provide a relaxed, welcoming environment where you can explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences at your own pace. My approach is grounded in attachment theory and psychodynamic therapy, meaning I help clients uncover how past relationships and experiences shape their current patterns, behaviors, and emotional well-being