Counseling/Therapists in Hartford, CT

The first thing you might want to do is look for someone covered by your insurance if you have it since treatment costs add up, and then their area of expertise. For example, if you're not a pregnant woman with cancer, someone who focuses on those clients might not be ideal. My insurance has a pretty useless outdated and unmaintained list with almost zero information about what anyone is good for, and when they say they to call for assistance they just email the same useless list because the phone agents don't know anything and can't dispense advice, so keep in mind the insurer may not be helpful. They're there primarily to cover costs, handle bills from out of network providers, etc. I had to do my own research. http://psychologytoday.com has a search engine that lets you filter for criteria like specializations and distance (convienience was a big factor for me) and often contains their insurance affiliations but it's not a guarantee of accuracy or quality. Once you have a general list you'll want to narrow it down, compare their qualifications and experience and try to read through their blurbs looking for anything that speaks to you personally rather than some generic "I will heal your pain and make you whole again" platitude that they all say. But hey, maybe that speaks to you. Education, accomplishments and experience don't necessarily mean they're a good match for you personally but they are something to consider. Someone who's been working longer will at least in theory have had more on the job training. Psychologists know a lot but can't prescribe medication. Psychiatrists can prescribe but are usually more expensive. A lot of people see a psychologist primarily and only go to a psychiatrist when referred for medication. They'll both cost probably more than Marriage and Family Therapists and Licensed Mental Health Practitioners, but that doesn't necessarily mean one is better than another. Some offer payment on a sliding scale for those with financial difficulties. Some are elitist, busy and unaccommodating. Also consider whether you'd feel more comfortable talking to one sex or the other, someone older or younger, etc. Even their picture can make a difference. Someone you feel like you could go bowling with? Someone who looks like they just stepped out of the beauty salon? You have to feel safe opening up to this person so if they remind you of an overbearing boss or a judgmental family member it may not work very well. It needs to be a supportive and trusting relationship. Every patient and every therapist is different and the most important thing is to find someone good for you. Lastly, you'll want to call and talk to them. Take your list of potential candidates and write down any questions you might have, and carry forward anything you find out from one person to the next to see how they respond. This is a pain in the ass. It's hard to tell from a call whether you can relate to someone, whether they will understand what you're going through and be able to provide the insight and solutions you need, but it can help. They're all trained and certified so it's unlikely you'll wind up seeing someone truly terrible, but it happens. If one doesn't work out you can always move on to the next person on your list. It might take a couple months before you know. A lot of people switch therapists so don't feel bad about it. It's the nature of the business. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Are you a woman? If so, I would check out [Seattle Women's Therapy Referral Service](http://www.therapyreferral.org/). For $135 (sliding scale available), you get an initial consultation to get matched with three therapists...based on expertise, location, availability (nights/weekends), etc. You get to meet with these three therapists and get a feel for whether or not they are a good fit.

Sent you a PM.

Hi there. I'm a mental health worker. Things you should know: EVERY therapist will say they specialize in anxiety/depression, so yeah, there will be a lot to choose from. Are you planning on using insurance or paying out of pocket? If you're planning on using insurance, starting with your insurance company will help narrow down who you can see. You can also go onto psychologytoday.com, put in your zipcode, and start sifting through therapist profiles. It can be hard to find a good one, so trust your instincts if something doesn't seem right. I have a good friend in private practice that I would trust, but she doesn't take insurance and she only works on Saturdays right now but here is her website http://magsaleks.com/

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I have had a lot of success working with [Sound Mental Health](http://www.smh.org). They are inexpensive (with my insurance) and took the time to evaluate my level of anxiety and what would work best for me - specifically that I did not want to be placed on medications but wanted a more behavioral therapy approach. I was new to Seattle at the time and they really helped guide me through the process and options, what counselors and locations were available, etc. When I first called, they asked for my insurance information and known issues. They did the research as to what my insurance would cover and let me know what all services would cost without charging me anything for that research. Very helpful!

I recommend [Kim Buehlman](http://lifespanintegration.com/directory/item/kim-buehlman-ma-lmhc/) who I've been seeing for the last couple years for general anxiety. I was hesitant about going into therapy but I've found it very rewarding. Her approach is nurturing and patient. It's not like therapy you see on TV where you spend a lot of time analyzing your current life events intellectually. There is some of that, but mostly we do exercises designed to get to the root of anxiety in childhood and exploring feelings as they arise. Sounds cheesy but it's worked pretty well for me.

I used Stephen Kubacki and have had a pretty good experience. You want to find someone that does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I would recommend you look into mindfulness meditation. Its really helpful to take a 10 minute break when you're feeling anxious and meditate a bit. I would also recommend talking to your General Practitioner about potential medications. Typically speaking, a combination of CBT and medication is more effective than either alone -- the medication helps take the edge off which gives you reprieve to form productive mental habits that will help you manage your anxiety and depression (when you go off the medication).

sooo I absolutely recommend Ben Dorfman - he is an acupuncturist and life coach. He has helped me tremendously! He is pricey, but he takes insurance! A bit different than a therapist in that he doesn't focus on exploring your past. He focuses on the present and talks you through it - giving you a completely different perspective and point of view. I clench my jaw like crazy when I am really anxious - the acupuncture and cupping completely removes all the awful tension I hold in my upper back/neck. I leave feeling totally rejuvenated. It also helps that he has gone through anxiety/panic attacks and has great insight. I see a therapist as well who helps with my past issues - she is wonderful and works with a sliding scale (she also takes insurance). Her name is Liziah. She works in Greenlake. She gives me the ability to vent and talk about things I don't like to spill to other people - really helps not to internalize and compound anxiety and stress. Good Luck!

What area? Psychology Today is a great place to search for someone in your area who would be a good fit.