Book a therapist or psychiatrist in West Hartford, CT covered by Aetna

There are times in life when we feel stuck, lonely, anxious, or disconnected from ourselves. While these experiences can be painful, I believe they often serve as powerful catalysts for growth, healing, and transformation. Earning your trust and helping you establish a secure, empowering baseline for your care is an honor I hold deeply. Over my five years of practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I have found profound meaning in supporting adults and couples through their most difficult moments. I specialize in helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, eating disorders, OCD, and trauma. I am also fiercely committed to providing affirming care for the LGBTQIA+ community, offering a safe harbor for those seeking an inclusive, sex-positive space. It is a privilege to support people as they develop greater self-awareness, strengthen their resilience, and move toward a more authentic version of themselves.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 20 years experience helping people navigate life's challenges. As an empathetic and person-centered therapist, I work with adults living with anxiety, depression, substance use and trauma.

Emil Pauling has 16 years of experience treating adolescents, young adults, adults, and families with varied challenges. Emil takes a holistic, strength-based approach to empower clients to meet their goals. Emil also has 34 years of combined experience in teaching, crisis intervention, and facilitating therapeutic and music programs. Life has its challenges. Finding joy in exploring your interests like music and humor can create a nice balance.

My name is Kari, a clinician with over 20 years of experience working with individuals who are ready for change, want to discover themselves, overcome barriers and achieve stability and resilience. I believe you are the expert of your life and I am here to help guide you along your journey to self-awareness, provide practical tools to assist with obtaining and maintaining your mental health goals and celebrating your successes along the way.

My therapeutic method is tailored to fit your temperament and individual experience. You may be facing a combination of personal, social, and institutional adversity. Discomfort may be unavoidable, but you are not alone; I can help you transform hardship or tragedy into resilience. My process is effective; it evolves as you do. If you experience negative feelings like inadequacy, grief, or shame, I can help you understand the origin of the discomfort and make changes toward ease. Sometimes, worry can be helpful; other times, anxiety and depression lie to us. Having worked in both economically-strained and prosperous communities, I have seen the impact of trauma and neglect on various people. I also understand being a white male can insulate me against the prejudice and discrimination commonly experienced by people of color, women, and the LGBTQ community; I trust my client’s experiences and take responsibility for my blind spots.

Angellina Swart, LCSW is a social worker who has been in practice for six years. She is passionate about helping people access their strengths to overcome anxiety,

depression, and substance use disorders. Although she mainly works with adults, she does have experience working with children. She prefers to be authentic with her

clients to make them feel more comfortable and welcome in the therapeutic setting. She incorporates how external systems (family, work, policy, etc.) can affect a client’s well-

being and impact a person’s mental health.

For over 20 years, I have had the privilege of sitting with people through some of life's hardest moments: depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and the pain of racism and loss. My goal is to build a real connection with you, so you never feel alone in figuring this out. I'm here to support you on your journey of self-exploration and personal growth.

Finding a therapist who truly gets your life can feel like a long search. One who sees more than a diagnosis, who doesn't need you to explain yourself before you can get to work. If you're part of the LGBTQ+ community, that search often comes with an extra layer: the quiet work of figuring out whether this therapist is actually safe, or whether you'll spend your sessions educating them. With me, you won't have to do that work.

I'm a licensed therapist with more than 22 years of experience in mental health and addiction treatment. I've worked in community mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, correctional settings, and private practice. I've sat with people in some of the hardest moments of their lives and know how to meet them there without flinching.

My primary focus is LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. That includes navigating identity, coming out at any stage of life, relationship dynamics unique to queer and same-sex partnerships, internalized stigma, minority stress, and everything that comes with living authentically in a world that doesn't always make that easy. I also work with anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, substance use and dual diagnosis, men's issues, and stress and burnout.