Find a therapist, counselor or psychologist in Manchester, CT

"I am a firm believer in problem solving and finding solutions that can allow clients to reclaim their sense of self and lead a purposeful life."

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?

"My 25+ years of experience dedicated to promoting well-being for individuals from backgrounds of all kinds has shown me that it is through having a connection with supportive others that we are able to overcome emotional challenges, take steps toward healing, and make positive changes in our lives."

Marcia Hughes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Connecticut and holds a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies. She has 25+ years of experience dedicated to promoting well-being for individuals and families from backgrounds and lifestyles of all kinds. In providing therapeutic care, she seeks to understand how beliefs, motivations, and day-to-day functioning develop in particular contexts. 

Marcia has supported individuals seeking help with depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationship or family issues, trauma, and parenting concerns. She is passionate about helping people feel empowered to solve problems and create change that is meaningful to them. She uses elements of narrative, intra-psychic, attachment/relational, intersectionality, ecological, solution-focused, mindfulness/spirituality, cognitive-behavioral, and trauma-informed approaches in her practice, as relevant for individual or couple interests and needs. 

Marcia sees the therapeutic-client relationship as a partnership, helping individuals and couples build on their strengths. She works to establish a warm and supportive collaboration with you by closely listening and taking an interest in your struggles, achievements, and goals, and helping you to explore and pursue new possibilities for yourself.