Our therapists provide family therapy in West Hartford, 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.

Eshe Hamilton is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) who specializes in working with school-aged children, adolescents, and adults experiencing difficulties such as stress, anxiety, trauma, behavior issues, and inter-relational conflicts. Eshe completed her Master of Science (MS) in Counseling and Human Service at Post University.

Eshe offers an unbiased and integrative counseling approach that is supportive in helping you feel secure and empowered to create changes in your current circumstances and generate feelings of happiness. Understanding that challenges and difficulties present for us all, Eshe’s goal is to help you become inspired to create positive change and confidence in the ability to make those changes.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with 2 years of experience supporting individuals, couples, and families through life’s challenges. I help clients navigate stress, relationships, and personal growth by creating a warm, collaborative space where they feel seen and supported. My approach is tailored to each person’s unique needs, focusing on building strengths, developing coping skills, and fostering resilience and lasting change.

I earned my Master’s in Counselor Education from Radford University. I use a person-centered and strengths-based approach that combines empathy, support, and practical strategies to help clients overcome barriers and build self-awareness.

It takes courage to begin therapy, and I believe everyone deserves a space to feel heard, understood, and empowered. In our work together, you can expect guidance, authenticity, and a safe space to grow at your own pace.

Clevetta Gilliam, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, brings 40 years of experience supporting individuals through life’s challenges, including relationship struggles, loss, stress, and trauma. She is dedicated to creating a supportive, trusting therapeutic space where clients can explore their concerns and move toward more fulfilling and meaningful lives. Clevetta empowers preteens through seniors to discover resilience and embrace positive change, encouraging growth both personally and within their relationships.

Clevetta earned her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grand Canyon University. She integrates psychodynamic and family systems perspectives with cognitive-behavioral strategies, incorporating holistic stress management approaches such as mindfulness, diet, and exercise to help clients build healthier coping skills.

Clevetta is passionate about serving Black, Brown, and Caucasian adolescents, survivors of domestic violence, and those healing from sexual assault. She is committed to advancing research on generational trauma and strives to provide care that fosters empowerment, healing, and hope for every client she serves.

Mark Blanchard is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate with 1 year of experience supporting clients through a variety of mental health challenges. He works with individuals across diverse backgrounds and diagnoses. Mark’s goal is to provide compassionate, individualized care that empowers clients to establish meaningful goals and make measurable progress. He is committed to fostering a safe, respectful therapeutic environment where clients feel heard and supported in their healing journey.

Mark holds a Master’s in Counseling and Human Services from Post University. He utilizes a person-centered, strengths-based approach to care, focusing on therapeutic strategies that align with each client’s unique needs. Mark believes in meeting clients where they are and guiding them toward growth at their own pace.

Clients describe Mark as warm, supportive, and genuinely invested in their well-being. He is an active listener who creates a space for clients to explore concerns openly. With a calm and caring presence, Mark is dedicated to helping clients work through challenges and uncover their resilience.

I strongly believe in a person’s ability to be able to overcome difficult situations that may arise in their lives. That ability comes from self-motivation and guidance using a unified approach by problem solving, gaining insight, and implementing strategies to alleviate symptoms. My name is Courtney and I have 15 years of experience. I hold a Master's of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling from UAlbany. Prior to obtaining my Master's degree, I attended UCONN to double major in Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies. I am currently licensed as an LPC in the state of Connecticut. I have experience providing group, individual, and family therapy in the community, inpatient hospital, outpatient facility, group home, and residential settings. I have been able to serve diverse populations and have varied experience with people of differing ages, race, religion, sexual orientation, and diagnoses. I am passionate about working with individuals struggling with parenting and behavioral needs of their children, anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship concerns, and substance abuse. I typically use CBT, mindfulness, dialectical behavioral therapy, and solution focused techniques to assist in mitigating the struggles people are experiencing. Most importantly I use a collaborative approach as the client is the expert of their lives and my role is to help provide guidance and feedback rather than to dictate and force opinions. I look forward to meeting you and being a help to you in anyway that I can.

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.

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.