Hi, I’m Mary Ellen! I help college students and young adults manage their anxiety and depression and improve their self-esteem so they can confidently succeed in all areas of their lives. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) from Pennsylvania, currently living in Connecticut. I received my masters from Temple University and have been a therapist for 6 years. I use a variety of approaches to help clients including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, we’ll briefly get to know each other and I’ll answer any questions you have about the process of therapy with me. Then we’ll chat about the specific challenges you’re facing now as well as your past history, so that we can create a plan for our work together that is specific to your strengths, needs, and abilities in order to help you reach your goals.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
While I have tools and resources that can help you reach your goals, you are the expert on your life and are in the driver’s seat in therapy, too! I like to serve as the passenger and co-pilot, sharing tools and giving suggestions, but ultimately the decisions are up to you. My role is to provide you the support and encouragement to make the decisions that are best for you and your happiness.
About Mary Ellen Benalcazar
Mary Ellen Benalcazar offers therapy covered by Husky Health and Medicaid in Connecticut.
Specializes in
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT with clients experiencing anxiety and depression to help them understand the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and change thinking patterns that are keeping them feeling stuck.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I use mindfulness with any client who is interested in learning more about the widely researched benefits of mindfulness to reduce stress and improve quality of life.
Strength-Based
I help all clients use their strengths to maximize on the things that are going right in their lives and to use their strengths to help them solve their problems.
Psychoeducation
I believe education can be very beneficial in helping people understand what is going on in their brains and bodies so that they are more in control of making choices to feel and do better.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
You don't need to be in therapy for years to see progress - by learning the right tools for solving problems you can apply them to future situations and feel empowered to handle them on your own.