Our therapists offer premarital counseling in West Hartford, CT

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.