Our therapists offer premarital counseling in Milford, CT

My name is Karlene Chisholm. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of Connecticut. I have had the honor and privilege of working with individuals, families, and couples—both young and old—for the past 27 years. I have experience working with children and teens (ages 6–19), young adults, couples, and older adults. I have worked with a range of concerns, including ADHD, ODD, grief and loss, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and marital issues.

When working with clients, the first step toward successful treatment is creating a safe environment where they can fully engage in the therapeutic process. Once that engagement is established, we can work together to develop treatment goals, encourage behavioral change, and implement appropriate therapeutic approaches.

As a therapist, I believe that my clients already possess the tools they need within themselves to heal and grow. My job is to help facilitate that change and support them throughout the process.

Michael A. Roohr is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who works with individuals as well as couples and families. Michael has experience helping clients with depression, academic difficulties, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mood disorders, self-harming behaviors, and adjusting to life-changing events. He completed his Master of Arts (MA) in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of St. Joseph.

Michael recognizes and respects the unique perspectives and backgrounds that each of his clients brings to the therapy room. This respect helps him to co-create long-lasting solutions to problems and to develop strengths that can form the foundation for a healthier future. Making the first step and reaching out for help is often an act of bravery that is to be respected and honored. Michael’s role as a therapist is to create an environment of acceptance, safety, and honesty for his clients where you can collaborate on building a new perspective and developing the tools to create long-lasting change.

Janine Hitchens Parker is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has more than 24 years of experience working to help teens, adults, and seniors who are suffering from low self-esteem, depression, loss, addiction, illness, anxiety, and difficult life transitions. 

She completed her Master's degree at the Hunter College Graduate School of Social Work in New York City. After moving to Connecticut, Janine earned her Social Worker's license. She also completed her SIFI certification as a Field Instructor. Janine's clinical approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, mindfulness-based practices, existential therapy, and more.

Janine has helped many clients deal with concerns or conditions related to all types of situations or experiences; she knows how to help. She feels it has been her privilege to help people make sense of difficult circumstances, and find a way forward that works for each person. Through individualized care, Janine will assist you in setting and achieving the goals you have in mind. 

Cristina Perera is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) that has been working in private practice for over 15 years, working with an eclectic range of adults and seniors, from trauma survivors of 911 and the Sandy Hook shootings, to everyday families looking for support and expert care. She specializes in treating abuse, trauma, depression, family conflict, anxiety, stress, relationship issues, and more. 

She earned her Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Southern Connecticut State University and has been a Keynote Speaker on behalf of The National Collation for Domestic Violence. Her many years of work with individuals with disabilities have also given her a strong knowledge of helping people on the autism spectrum. 

Work together with Cristina to empower yourself to take on new situations and relationships with confidence and newfound understanding. With her help, you can work to achieve your goals and improve your emotional wellbeing, one session at a time. Cristina believes that everyone has individual needs and preferences in therapy, and she works to accommodate as needed.

Tavia Briscoe is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 9 years of dedicated clinical experience specializing in crisis intervention and supporting children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Throughout her career, she has provided compassionate, solution-focused counseling that empowers clients to navigate stress, trauma, life transitions, and relationship challenges. Tavia strives to create a warm and collaborative environment where every client feels heard, valued, and equipped with practical tools to promote personal growth and lasting emotional well-being.

Tavia earned her Master’s in Social Work from Springfield College. She supports individuals and families as they navigate life’s complexities, using evidence-based practices to promote healing and resilience. Tavia is dedicated to helping her clients embrace positive change and thrive.

Tavia believes in creating a warm, collaborative environment where clients feel safe, heard, and supported. Her holistic style emphasizes practical strategies to reduce stress, build confidence, and improve relationships. Tavia takes pride in guiding her clients toward lasting growth, self-discovery, and an enhanced sense of well-being in their daily lives.

Danielle Seivwright is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 9 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families resolve emotional, psychological, and relational conflicts. Danielle also has experience supporting the geriatric population. She has worked previously in substance abuse counseling, foster care, crisis intervention, social work, case management/coordination, group counseling, and family therapy.

Danielle received her Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from Iona College. She utilizes a variety of clinical approaches including strategic family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness-based methods.

Danielle is passionate about helping people reach their highest potential. She encourages clients to explore and celebrate their strengths while developing the tools to navigate challenges. Schedule an appointment today!

Justyna Ferenc is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 7 years of experience in the mental health field. Justyna has worked diligently with clients facing challenges with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and substance use. She is enthusiastic about helping others on their personal journey of healing and growth. Justyna completed her Master’s in Marital and Family Therapy at Fairfield University. After graduating, she became a counselor at an intensive residential program where she worked with clients struggling with a myriad of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use.

Justyna's approach to therapy is tailored uniquely to each individual. She uses various evidence-based approaches such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, Bowenian family therapy, strategic family therapy, and structural family therapy.

Life is like a puzzle — when all the pieces are in front of you, it’s hard to see a clear picture. With Justyna's help, you will gain a better understanding and view of the way forward through collaboratively putting the pieces together.

Becky Hafford is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field. She specializes in treating concerns and conditions related to PTSD, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, grief, and trauma. Her clients have all dealt with major tragedies and struggles. She is also fiercely devoted to her field and her clients.

Becky earned her Master's degree in Social Work from Alabama A&M University. In sessions, she utilizes methods including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), attachment-based therapy (ABT), emotionally-focused therapy (EFT), and reality therapy (RT).

Becky works with her clients at their pace. Becky is open, honest, and sincere. She is a seasoned clinician who has dealt with thousands of clients. She is pleasant and easy to talk to and she has a good sense of humor. If you're ready to begin, schedule an appointment with Becky today.

Crystal Thomas is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with more than 5 years of professional experience helping teens, adults, and seniors who are struggling to cope with anxiety, anger, past traumas, unprocessed grief, betrayal, rejection, resentment, depression, and more. 

Crystal obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health with a certification in Forensic Mental Health Counseling. Crystal helps clients manage their emotions and identify how particular thought patterns can lead to challenging behaviors and emotional distress. She'll meet you where you are at, emotionally and academically.

Crystal will offer her support and guidance as you begin to gain a new understanding of your life story and the courage to identify the purpose behind your pain. Life can have significance even in the unhappiest of circumstances and the inspiration for a better tomorrow often comes from discovering that meaning.

Betsy Ibsen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor with over 40 years of working in both the mental health and addiction fields. She has treated adolescents and adults in outpatient, inpatient, and long-term residential settings. Betsy has studied how the effects of early childhood trauma have caused both physical and emotional effects on adults. What has impressed her the most over the years is that the human mind is creative, complex, and, above all, flexible. With appropriate treatment and life changes, people can heal, move forward, relearn old skills, develop new ones, rebuild support systems, or discover a network unique to their specific needs. Therapeutic tools and strategies will depend on where the client is on their life journey. She has two tenets of her philosophy that focus her work with clients: "Life is not fair," and "There is never enough time."

Betsy completed her master's degree in Social Work at Boston University and lived in Boston for 20 years before relocating to Connecticut and the greater Hartford area. She also worked as a kindergarten teacher in Italy for a year, spent two summers camping in the Soviet Union, and embraces multiculturalism as a way to connect with, recognize, and respect the strengths and needs of people with differing customs and beliefs. Treatment is only as good as the relationship developed with the client.

Life doesn’t much resemble a Hallmark movie with things falling into perfect place at the end of two hours. It’s messier and more random, and at times unpleasantly chaotic. Recognizing that you need some sense of order, safety, and calmness is the first step. Asking for help is the second. Betsy can offer you the space to start this personal journey, to process what is and isn't working for you and why, what belongs to someone else, and what needs to be given away. Who doesn’t want to feel better?

Melissa Pagan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with over 10 years of experience in the mental health field. She is passionate about helping adolescents, adults, couples, and families address their unique challenges and live more fulfilled lives. Melissa specializes in depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, anger, behavioral issues, child therapy, family conflict, parenting, self-esteem, relationship issues, and major life transitions.

Melissa completed her Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT. She also has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Southern CT State University. Melissa utilizes multiple treatment approaches including mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy (SFT), and much more.

Melissa is confident that she would be able to support you on your unique journey in order to gain new perspectives and techniques that allow you to cope with whatever you may be struggling with. Your journey is not a straight line, If you are ready to understand your journey and to work on it, schedule an appointment with Melissa today.

Daniel Garel is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 6 years of experience in the mental health field. He strives for excellence in helping adolescents, teens, adults, couples, and families address their challenges and identify/pursue their life worth living. Daniel specializes in mental health disorders, trauma, substance use disorders, behavioral issues, relationship issues, major life transitions, and stress management.

Daniel completed his Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Fairfield University. He started his career working with adolescents in a long-term residential facility through his undergraduate career, which sparked his pursuit to work with families and couples. He then began working with clients with substance use and mental health disorders throughout his graduate school profession, where he developed his skills in supporting his clients and their goals. Daniel uses multiple treatment models, including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy, structural family therapy, Bowenian family therapy, and strategic family therapy.

Everyone has their limits and everyone gets to a point in their life where they hit a wall or feel like they cannot overcome an obstacle. Daniel provides a judgment-free zone where you can feel comfortable and safe to talk about anything. He will join you as a co-explorer on your life's journey and assist with helping you make the path clearer by gaining new perspectives and techniques that suit your needs. If you are ready to put in the work, schedule an appointment with him today he will be ready and excited to work with you!

Joseph Seele is a Licensed Professional Counselor with thirty years experience. Joe has a comprehensive understanding of mental health and substance abuse systems of care. HE received his BA from ECSU and received his MS in community mental health, specializing in clinical psychology with adults, from Trinity College of Vermont. Joseph is a Cognitive Behavioral based therapist. It is Joe's firm belief that through the use of best practice models and solution focused approaches, positive outcomes will be achieved. Strengths based perspectives allow for all talents and skills of the individual to be part of the solution. Joe's a firm believer that the key to success is a strong therapeutic relationship. He utilizes a holistic approach in developing strategies that best address client needs.

I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with 12 years of experience providing care across outpatient, intensive outpatient, in-home, and telehealth settings. I support children, adolescents, adults, parents, families, and older adults. My background includes crisis work and treating concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, mood disorders, family conflict, autism spectrum differences, grief, addiction, and life transitions.

I earned my master’s in clinical mental health counseling from Southern Connecticut State University. My experience includes community and clinical work supporting individuals with trauma, PTSD, OCD, and conduct disorders. I use cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavioral, play-based, creative, and therapeutic-gaming approaches.

I aim to offer a culturally sensitive, collaborative environment where you feel valued and supported. Together, we will identify your strengths, develop effective coping skills, and explore new perspectives that bring clarity and relief. My goal is to help you move toward meaningful growth and create lasting change in your daily life.

Jewell Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 20 years of experience supporting individuals through emotional, behavioral, and crisis-related challenges. She has worked extensively with clients experiencing severe mental health concerns, guiding them with compassion, clarity, and skill. Jewell’s collaborative, person-centered approach has consistently helped her build strong therapeutic relationships while promoting safety, resilience, and emotional well-being across diverse populations.

Jewell earned her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Mercy College. She incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and rational emotive behavioral therapy to support healing from trauma and help clients navigate emotional symptoms, strengthen coping skills, and create lasting change.

Jewell is passionate about helping clients feel seen, safe, and empowered in their healing process. She provides a warm and supportive environment for growth, focusing on building trust and developing tailored strategies to meet each individual’s needs. Her goal is to walk alongside clients as they move forward with clarity, confidence, and hope.