Find a Therapist in Hamden, CT

After over 15 years in private practice, I have come to believe that healing is less about the “right” technique and more about feeling genuinely seen, and safe enough to discover yourself. Authentic connection is at the heart of my work. Much of my practice is with people who have experienced trauma, or who find themselves caught in patterns they haven't been able to change. Sometimes we come to therapy because life is overwhelming, or we know something needs to change - but aren't quite sure how to get there. Often the things that helped us survive earlier in life are the very things that are getting in our way now. I believe you are the expert on your own experience, and that the wisdom and capacity for healing are already within you. My role is to create a grounded, compassionate, and non-judgmental space where you can slow down, become more deeply connected to yourself, and discover what is asking to be seen, held and or changed. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and my work is informed by Somatic Experiencing, Gestalt therapy, EMDR, Brainspotting and Family Constellations. I work experientially - at a pace that respects your nervous system, rather than asking you to override (again) what has happened to you. Sessions are intentionally longer than a typical therapy hour, allowing enough time to move beyond simply talking about what is happening and into actually experiencing something different. I also offer psychedelic preparation and integration for people who are approaching these experiences thoughtfully and with intention. My personal experience with Ayahuasca, Kambo, Bufo5-MeO-DMT, and MDMA has given me a deep respect for the power—and the responsibility—of this work. I believe therapists need to continually do their own work. We cannot reasonably invite another person into places we are unwilling to explore ourselves. I have spent many years doing that work, and I know how difficult it can be to sit in the other chair. I also know how profoundly life can change when we are willing to do it. If you are ready for something to change—not just to manage things a little better, but to genuinely explore what is underneath them—I would be honored to work with you

In order to keep my clients safe during this time, I am now offering telehealth and video therapy services only. Please reach out for more information. You have the opportunity to take one more step toward empowerment, positive growth, and well-being today. As a practitioner of solution-focused therapy, my objective is to help you reach your full potential and live the happy, healthy, successful life you deserve. Although it is impossible to change past events, we can gain insight into your current challenges and figure out the best way to resolve them. I utilize complementary therapeutic modalities to uncover the root causes for any negative behavioral patterns or beliefs that may be prohibiting you from living life to the fullest. If you are eager to take your life in a new direction or if you need professional guidance to deal with a personal challenge please reach out to me. I am committed to helping you overcome your obstacles and reach your personal goals. For your consideration, I am a Board Certified Masters Level Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified School Social Work Specialist. I also possess a graduate certificate in School Security and Safety Administration. I have been a school social worker for 32 years, and have been in private practice for over 25 years. Please call or email me for an individual, couples, family, adolescent or child therapy consultation today.

You’re tired. Maybe you’ve been holding everything together for everyone else, but inside you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck. Your mind won’t slow down. You replay conversations. Old pain shows up when you least expect it. You’re functioning but you’re not at peace. If that’s where you are, you don’t need to be fixed. You need space to breathe, understand what’s happening beneath the surface, and begin to feel steady again. When we work together, I help you slow things down. We identify the patterns keeping you stuck and gently unpack the experiences that still feel heavy. I don’t believe in just talking about problems. I focus on helping you experience real relief in your daily life. If trauma is part of your story, we may use EMDR to help your brain and nervous system reprocess painful memories so they stop hijacking your present. If anxiety is loud, we’ll build practical tools to quiet the noise and help you feel grounded and in control. I’m warm, direct, and culturally responsive. I’ll support you, challenge you when needed, and walk alongside you as you build clarity, confidence, and emotional stability. You don’t need the perfect words. You just need to show up. Healing is possible and you don’t have to do it alone.

If you're looking for a therapist who mostly nods quietly and asks, “How does that make you feel?” without really engaging, I’m probably not your person. And honestly? That’s okay. I always tell clients that I’m not everyone’s cup of tea—but I am a lot of people’s cup of tea. Therapy with me is active, honest, collaborative, and deeply human. I’ll laugh with you, sit with you in the hard stuff, celebrate your wins, and gently call you out when you’re stuck in patterns that aren’t serving you anymore. Because if I spent our sessions telling you everything you do is perfect and amazing, then what are we doing here? I tend to work best with people who are incredibly self-aware but still feel stuck. The overthinkers. The people-pleasers. The perfectionists. The emotional suppressors. The “I’m fine” humans who are very much not fine. Many of my clients struggle with anxiety, ADHD, self-esteem, relationship challenges, burnout, life transitions, or feeling exhausted from carrying the weight of everything on their own. My approach is warm, direct, and practical. We’ll build insight, challenge patterns, develop healthier ways of coping, and work toward meaningful change without making therapy feel robotic, clinical, or like another item on your to-do list. Starting therapy can feel weird, vulnerable, awkward, or honestly just exhausting—especially if you’re used to handling everything yourself. You don’t need to have the perfect words or your whole life figured out before reaching out. We’ll meet human-to-human, figure it out together, and see if it feels like the right fit.

As clinical psychologists we understand that your life can be complex. There are various demands and expectations at different life stages that can be impacted by situational and mental health struggles. It's important to be mindful of the interaction between those demands and your stage of life. For example, you may be an adult feeling overwhelmed with anxiety worrying about aging parents while managing your spouse and children's needs. your needs in this scenario would be different than an anxious adolescent trying to cope with school, friendship, and family demands. We recognize and respect that people have individual needs throughout the lifespan and we want to work closely and collaboratively with you to ensure that you reach your goals to a richer and more satisfying life.

Life can often feel overwhelming, particularly when facing major transitions, daily stress, or ongoing emotional challenges. Many find themselves feeling anxious, stuck, or uncertain about the future. Therapy provides a space to delve into these feelings, helping you understand your situation, how you’ve arrived at this point, and gain a deeper understanding of yourself. I specialize in working with motivated clients navigating anxiety, relational and women’s issues, trauma, and significant life changes. My clients are looking to understand themselves better, overcome challenges, and lead more meaningful and authentic lives. If you're looking to better understand yourself and find ways to manage your challenges more effectively, I invite you to reach out. Let's work together to explore your strengths and develop practical and personalized tools. Contact me today to schedule a free consultation and see if therapy could be helpful for you.

I provide individual and couple therapy. I offer a compassionate approach. I am skilled at attuning with my client’s unique situation. I assist in mapping out a plan to overcome obstacles and finding a healthy solutions, facilitating a healing therapeutic environment and providing the space for clients to draw out their inherent strengths and achieve desired outcomes.

Embarking on the journey of self-discovery and healing is a courageous step, and I am honored to accompany you along this path. As a dedicated therapist, I am committed to providing a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. With a solid foundation in social work, including a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Southern Connecticut State University, I bring a wealth of academic knowledge and practical expertise to our therapeutic journey. As a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Connecticut, I adhere to the highest ethical standards and continuously engage in professional development to ensure the best possible care for my clients. Throughout my ten years of experience in the field of human services, I have had the privilege of working with individuals ranging from 5 years old to 75 years old, spanning a wide spectrum of life experiences and developmental stages. I have extensive experience in addressing various mental health challenges including but not limited to Depression, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, ADHD, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, Adjustment Disorder, trauma and anger management. Moreover, as a bilingual therapist, fluent in Spanish, and culturally competent, I recognize the importance of providing therapy in a language and cultural context that feels comfortable and relatable for you. Whether you prefer sessions conducted in English or Spanish, my goal remains the same: to support you in finding clarity, resilience, and empowerment. My approach to therapy is integrative, drawing from various modalities such as Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based techniques, and Narrative Therapy, tailored to suit your unique needs and strengths. Above all, I believe in the inherent strength and resilience within each individual. Together, we will explore your inner resources, build coping strategies, and cultivate a deeper understanding of yourself, ultimately empowering you to lead a more fulfilling and meaningful life. I look forward to the opportunity to support you on your journey towards healing and growth. Warm regards, Cynthia Martinez, LCSW

I am a clinical psychologist with experience treating adolescents & adults, as well as training graduate-level clinical counselors. My specialty, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is an empirically-supported short-term approach to treat anxiety, panic, phobias, obsessional thoughts, compulsive or unhealthy behaviors, depression, anger, and trauma. CBT strategies can also be useful in the domains of stress management, romantic relationship concerns, family conflict, parenting, self-improvement, goal-setting and performance enhancement. I was trained and mentored directly by Dr. Albert Ellis, the founding father of CBT (Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy). For women seeking therapy, I have also focused on how to most effectively help women with challenges faced throughout the life span, such as: dating, marriage, divorce, emotional disturbance, gender role frustration, parenting, self-image, stress management, career satisfaction and development, leadership roles, and the elusive work-life balance. If you are struggling with any of these issues, I’m here to help! My therapeutic work is based on a collaborative approach and a healthy dose of warmth, acceptance, efficiency, hope, support, and humor. We will work together to set goals and help you develop the tools and strategies to make them a reality. Please contact me for a free phone consultation.

At Uplift & Imagine (U&I) we strive to help you be an independent individual. U&I will help build your confidence and self-esteem by creating goals to meet your specific needs. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with years of experience in the Juvenile Justice system. I have worked with many families and adolescents of all cultural backgrounds and gender identities in residential programs, as an outpatient therapist and providing in-home Multi-Dimensional Family Therapy (MDFT). At U&I, our therapeutic style is warm and interactive. My greatest strength is being able to engage with all clients. U&I understands making the decision to start therapy may be a difficult one. U&I as a team can figure out how to help you be your best self. Feel free to reach out for a free consultation to see if U&I is the perfect fit for you.

If you’ve landed here, chances are you’re carrying more than you can keep inside. Maybe you feel anxious, overwhelmed, stuck in old patterns, or like the people you love don’t really see what you’re going through. You might even be telling yourself, “I should be able to handle this on my own.” That’s a heavy burden, and you don’t have to carry it alone. At Sycamore Counseling Services, my goal is to create a safe, judgment-free space where you can breathe, be honest, and feel supported. I believe therapy isn’t about “fixing” you—because you’re not broken. It’s about helping you uncover your strengths, untangle what feels confusing, and give you tools to move forward with more confidence and peace of mind. When we work together, you can expect me to be real, compassionate, and direct. I’ll listen closely, but I’ll also challenge you when it’s needed. My approach blends evidence-based therapies with a warm, collaborative style. That means we’ll look at both what’s happening in the present and what past experiences might still be impacting you. Together, we’ll set clear goals, try out practical strategies, and keep checking in so that therapy feels useful and empowering—not just like “talking in circles.” Most importantly, I want you to know you don’t have to show up as anyone but yourself. Therapy with me is about building a genuine connection and helping you get back to feeling like you.

If you are suffering from depression, anxiety, panic attacks, or substance use, feel free to contact me via a phone call, a text, or an email. I’ll respond back within 2 hours, Monday – Sunday. My office hours are 8am EST to 5pm EST. Struggling through serious relationship problems? I’ve helped dozens of couples and perhaps I can help you. Is your teen son or daughter having difficulties adjusting to COVID and feeling down? Call me anytime and we can schedule a free consultation to discuss your individual needs.