Family therapy and counseling in Southbury, CT

As a social worker, I endeavor to make a strong bond with you and explore your strengths. I will hold a space for you to experience feelings that you may have been putting off or avoiding confronting. I have a calming demeanor and welcoming personality that will put you at ease. Together we can evaluate & explore any issues that may be troubling you.

Twenty-five years in this field — across inpatient units, outpatient programs, and private practice — means I've sat with people in virtually every kind of difficulty. That depth of experience shapes how I show up: grounded, unhurried, and genuinely confident that change is possible, even when it doesn't feel that way yet.

I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, ADD/ADHD, stress, and major life transitions. I bring both clinical rigor and real human warmth to the work — because neither alone is enough.

I trained at Hunter College School of Social Work and have built my practice around one belief: that insight without practical tools doesn't get people very far, and tools without insight don't stick. We'll work on both.

Life can be a lot. Between juggling work, friends and family life, anxiety and sadness can sneak up on you. Therapy isn’t about lying on a couch while someone silently nods, it’s about having a real convo with someone who gets it. Together, we’ll work together out how to quiet the noise, boost your mental health, and build habits that make life feel less like survival mode and more like you actually living it. Life throws curveballs — and when we don’t fully process them, they can sneakily pile up as stress, anxiety, or that heavy feeling you just can’t shake. That’s where therapy comes in.

My mission is simple: create a space where you can express yourself, shake off the weight you’ve been carrying, and explore who you’ve been, who you are, and who you want to become. A safe zone for real talk and growth. EMDR (a way of helping your brain re-file old memories so they don’t keep hitting the panic button), systems theory, person centered theory.

Therapy with me isn’t about lying on a couch in awkward silence. It’s modern, collaborative, sometimes even a little fun — because growth doesn’t always have to feel heavy. I’m open-minded yet structured and here to make the process feel less like a chore and more like a genuine reset.

For insurances I do not accept: Out of network provider: 4 questions to ask insurance representative: Does your plan include "out-of-network" coverage for mental health? What is your annual deductible for mental health benefits? What is your co-insurance? (What percentage does the plan cover?) Is there a limit on sessions?

Welcome to Stem Wellness! My name is Stella Stempel, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Psychologist. In over 10 years of private practice, I worked with individuals, couples, and families. My approach is consistent, incremental change coupled with healthy thoughts that leads to a more satisfying life. Changing the way we act affects the way we feel and the way we view ourselves. When working with me, you are guided towards intentional living and healthy thought processes.

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!

Do you feel that your life, marriage or family are falling apart? Do you say to yourself that things can't go on the way they are yet unclear about a way out? I am an ally who can see things from your point of view. I listen, reflect, and support you on your process of making sense about issues close to your heart. My work doesn’t just focus on difficulties or the past, but looks at your strengths, and aims to help you get what you want out of life; whether that is to grow, to become happier and more fulfilled, to change old patterns that no longer serve, or to identify and develop your potential.

Siente usted que su vida, su relacion de pareja o su familia se estan derrumbando? Tiene claro que las cosas no pueden continuar de la misma manera mas no encuentra la salida? Todos pasamos por esta situacion en algun momento de nuestras vidas, no es facil buscar ayuda profesional. Si desea un cambio tome el primer paso y permitame trabajar con usted.

I have 20 years of experience working in the mental health and addiction field, I am a certified Gambling Counselor. Thirteen of the 20 years I spent in leadership roles. I have a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology and varied training in trauma, anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

Have you ever felt like you’re doing your best to hold everything together, yet inside you feel overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or misunderstood? Maybe you overthink, shut down, react before you have time to process, or find yourself repeating patterns you know are no longer serving you. Anxiety, depression, intense emotions, difficult relationships, and life transitions can leave you feeling disconnected from yourself and unsure of how to move forward. Therapy can be a place to slow things down, explore what’s happening beneath the surface, and begin finding a healthier way forward.