Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in West Hartford, CT

Annette Braun, LPC, has over 13 years of clinical experience working with adolescents, adults, and older adults. She earned her B.A. in Psychology in 2011 and her M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2013.

She specializes in the treatment of bipolar disorder, eating disorders, OCD, grief, and life adjustment concerns. Her approach is compassionate, collaborative, and evidence-based, helping clients build insight, develop coping strategies, and create lasting change. She has also contributed to the field through published research on parental psychopathy.

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.

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.

I believe therapy should feel supportive, practical, and empowering. Clients often describe me as warm, direct, and easy to talk to. I work with adults who want to better understand their emotions, patterns, and relationships, and I focus on helping clients build skills they can actually use in daily life. You don’t have to have everything figured out to start—just a willingness to show up.

You're the one people call when things fall apart. You're good at it — steady, competent, the person who knows what to do. And somewhere along the way you stopped having anywhere to put your own stuff.

So you can run the meeting, hold the crisis, answer the phone at 2 a.m. — and still not be able to make yourself open the mail. Competence and collapse live together far more often than anyone admits out loud.

I work with adults carrying that particular load: substance use and recovery, emotions that arrive at full volume with no dimmer switch, thoughts of self-harm or not wanting to be here, and the specific erosion that comes from caring for other people for a living. Helpers, clinicians, parents, first responders — people whose exhaustion doesn't have an obvious place to go. I work with teenagers too, often the ones in families like these.

My style is direct, warm, and collaborative. I'm not going to nod quietly for fifty minutes. We'll find what's actually driving things, build skills you can use on a Tuesday afternoon when it counts, and I'll tell you honestly what I'm seeing. You set the pace. I'll bring the structure.

Looking for a therapist who'll be honest with you — not just agreeable? I offer direct, compassionate care, all from the comfort of wherever you are. I'll validate what you're feeling when it needs to be heard, and gently challenge you when it's time to look at things differently. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, we'll work together to reshape the narratives keeping you stuck and help you see your life through a new lens.

Hi, I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor–Diagnostic (LMHC-D) and CASAC with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I work with adults and adolescents facing anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, personality concerns, substance use, and life stress. My approach is warm, supportive, and practical. I use tools from CBT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing to help you better understand yourself and make real, lasting changes. My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable, understood, and empowered to move forward.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 12 years of experience working with young adults & adults in community settings. My work is informed by attachment theory and a systems perspective, emphasizing how early relational experiences influence emotional regulation, connection, and patterns that show up in adulthood. I strive to create a thoughtful, collaborative space that supports insight, growth, and movement toward a more meaningful and connected life.

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 philosophy is very Jungian-based. I offer a masculine perspective to help those in learning about how to help relate to themselves better and then offer better relationships with others. My work is centered on the truth that when we see reality we are set free. The matrix keeps you stuck and enslaved. My mission is to help people free themselves so they can connect to their true nature and feel more fulfilled. I use health, nature, sexuality, and spirit to help others.

Welcome! Therapy can be daunting - but it doesn't need to be. I'm passionate about helping others overcome struggles, realize their true potential, and build the lives they've always dreamed of. My practice focuses on helping individuals and families work through a wide range of mental health, behavioral, and/or substance use issues. Most importantly, I bring my clinical expertise to our work without leaving my humanity at the door.

My journey into this field was deeply influenced by my own personal experiences, which have shaped my desire to create a safe and supportive environment for others. I believe that vulnerability is a vital aspect of healing, and I strive to foster a space where clients feel comfortable sharing their struggles. By actively listening and validating their experiences, I aim to empower them to confront and overcome the obstacles in their lives.

Professional background: I am a psychiatric nurse with over a decade of experience in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. I have worked with all ages. Educational background: I graduated from a hospital based nursing program and went on to get a master's in psychiatric nursing from the University of St. Joseph's. I have worked with clients with diagnoses ranging from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, anxiety, autism, adhd, and substance use disorders.