Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum Therapists in Weston, CT

I am a psychotherapist licensed to see clients in New York and Connecticut. I am passionate about working with women who are navigating life and facing various stressors such as infertility, the postpartum period and the challenges of everyday life of being a mother. I have worked in various hospital settings, with a focus in supporting families both during and after a NICU admission, with women who have experienced birth trauma or are in a caregiver role and with mothers who have children diagnosed with food allergies, a child with a medical diagnosis or behavioral concerns.

Susan is a Marriage and Family Therapist who has enjoyed working with parents and families for many years. After receiving her degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fairfield University she continued her clinical work through the Yale Child Study Center IICAPS (Intensive In-Home Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services) Program. Susan focused on the family system of the clients and collaborated with them in building on their strengths, developing solutions, and honing family skills. Susan took particular interest in supporting parents navigating the stressors of parenting children with special behavioral and emotional needs.

Dr. Dobbs is an accomplished clinical psychologist with over fifteen years of experience between teaching and clinical work. She specializes in working with children, teens, and adults and has worked across various settings, including private practice, school, residential, and community mental health. Her therapeutic approach is rooted in the gold standard of treatment, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which provides faster, more effective results. With children and teens, she goes beyond the traditional confines of therapy by harnessing their natural creativity, integrating art, music, games, journaling, and other creative outlets.

**We will work together to help you find balance, happiness, and health.** I am a licensed clinical psychologist with a wide range of training and interests. I specialize in psychodynamic, humanistic, and interpersonal/relational psychotherapy, but also incorporate skills/CBT/Mindfulness-based techniques. I have extensive training in women's/men's issues, relationship issues, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, life transition difficulties, GLBTQQ identity, PTSD/trauma/sexual abuse treatment, young adult/college-related difficulties, grief, pregnancy, and adjustment disorders.

I am a seasoned psychotherapist with extensive training and experience. I am psychoanalytically trained but use an eclectic approach to meet the needs of my clients. I conduct individual, family, couples and group psychotherapy with a demographically and diverse patient population. I am skilled at working with clients with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, family problems, parenting issues, coping with health issues, life transitions, grief and loss, gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-sexual issues, women's problems, infertility, trauma and PTSD. Issues of Adult Children of Alcoholics. Clients struggling with recovery from addiction as well as clients with a past and present history of abuse.

Is your relationship with food complicated and distracting, keeping you from your friends and family and taking over your life? Perhaps you are so controlled by thoughts about food and body image that you are isolating, overexercising, and binge eating. Perhaps you have lost your focus, listening to all the noise in your head, overthinking, self-critical, comparing yourself to others, constantly seeking an elusive standard of perfection. Change is possible. I can help you find peace and possibility.

Whether with partners, family, friends, children, parents or at your work, relationships are the centerpieces of our lives. Handled thoughtfully, they uplift, or they can frustrate, provoke guilt and aggravate. For twenty-five years I have helped people to find greater satisfaction through better understanding of the events in their lives, along with honest discussions of options and helping to find the motivation to move forward. I have published articles about marriage, parenting, and growing healthier relationships, and a book: HOW TO KNOW IF ITS TIME TO GO. Website: lbirnbach.com. I work interactively and confidentially.

I believe that the power for change resides in each individual and that therapy can promote and facilitate desired changes through the collaborative therapeutic relationship. I strive to create a safe environment and relationship within which each individual can explore old patterns of relating and create new relational capacities. I have 23 years of experience and expertise treating depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse, divorce adjustment, parenting as well as couples therapy. I have post-doctoral training and teach new therapists at the post-doc level. In addition to psychotherapy.

I am a licensed psychotherapist, certified eating disorder specialist, certified school counselor, and certified trauma therapist, with two decades of successes treating individuals, couples, and families. I am also a media subject-expert, author, speaker, and program pioneer, and presently oversee four mental health treatment centers. I bring to the therapy room twenty years of field expertise, lived experience in parenting, mental health, and expert knowledge of navigating school systems, workforces, family systems, and relationships, with confidence, grace, and ease. My clients are my superhero, and my reason.

Clients come to me with many different issues: from parenting to personal and from relationships to reentering the work force. You may be experiencing concerns in these facets of your life or you may be struggling with the particular demands of your own life. But the foundation of my practice is that you can most effectively face and overcome your challenges in a nonjudgmental environment where you can build a trusting and respectful relationship with your therapist. By building that connection, you can begin reconnecting with those you love and moving your own life forward.

I provide a safe and supportive space for clients to initiate change and personal growth. Clinical areas of focus include, anxiety, depression, grief/loss and maternal mental health. I work with clients to develop strategies and skills that help manage symptoms in realistic and effective ways. Prior to private practice, I trained at NYU School of Social Work and worked at Mount Sinai's Elmhurst Hospital with adolescents and parents in both individual, family and group settings.

The choice to begin therapy is often laden with emotions and questions. From this initial decision process to later stages, I bring warmth and a strong skill set to every person and couple I treat. Together, we focus on connecting current problems to old patterns, finding meaning in symptoms and identifying realistic approaches to change. The approach I use is highly collaborative and will be tailored to suit your needs.

I help people make sense of their internal lives by helping to identify and understand the spectrum of emotions one feels in a safe, nonjudgmental environment. I help give feelings and behaviors a deeper context for understanding which is an essential first step towards healing. I'm passionate about my work and have 28 yrs of experience working with individuals and couples. My style is engaged, collaborative, and direct. I started off as a "family systems" trained social worker, and later obtained certificates in both Psychoanalysis in 2006 and Somatic Experiencing Therapy in 2019 (body-based/trauma).

You may have wondered whether therapy could be helpful to you. I offer a complimentary consultation to discuss any questions you may have. You can talk to me about anything; nothing you tell me will shock or surprise me. I can help you work through your difficulties and also help you become your own therapist by learning how to better deal with challenges that come up in life. I work well with clients struggling with anxiety, OCD, panic, depression, relationship, eating and body image, and addiction issues. Clients often see reduction in symptoms and improved well being early on in therapy.

Therapy can be more than relief from suffering. Psychotherapy can develop your experiences of awareness and vitality, deepen satisfaction in your relationships, and generate your energy for creative, professional, and fulfilling pursuits. You can build a felt and meaningful life by stripping away mental barriers and unlocking your potential. Treatment is considered a collaboration, based on our safe and trusting therapeutic relationship.

It can be hard to reach out for help, especially if you are struggling or have felt unheard; but taking the first step and coming to therapy is a gift to yourself. I am a compassionate listener who will help you achieve the goals and changes that you are looking for, without judgment. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, low self esteem, or stressful relationships, I will support you in your journey towards a happier life. In therapy, you can learn to find your strengths, understand yourself better, honor your lived experiences and needs, and live a more balanced and empowered life.