Patrick Dechello

I am licensed in Connecticut with 41 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients of all ages with marital and divorce issues, stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & coping with grief and loss. I have authored over 35 books and have an international reputation for being on the cutting edge of therapeutic interventions. I’ve been on the faculty many major universities, including Yale university, University of Connecticut, Springfield college, Fordham and others, I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started! I am currently operating as a LCSW and am licensed in the state of Connecticut License number 001143. I have a PhD in Clinical Psychology, a Master in Clinical Social Work, A Doctor of Divinity. I currently am semi-retired and reside in Florida though I maintain a residence in the state of Connecticut. License information CT LCSW 001143

My approach

Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Clinical Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems

My focus

Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Adoption and Foster Care, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Attachment issues, BDSM, Kink, Alternative Sex Culture, Blended Family Issues, Body image, Cancer, Chronic pain illness and disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Divorce and separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, HIV / AIDS, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders , Multicultural Concerns, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Phobias, Polyamory / Nonmonogamous Relationships, Post-traumatic stress, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Self-love, Sex Addiction, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues

My communication style

While very sensitive and empathetic with my clients, I am straight forward and active in the session. I give honest third party unbiased feedback to my clients and work introspectively to help them gain a clearer understanding of the problem and a clearer understanding of the pathway to a solution.

My journey to mental healthcare

My journey began as a child in a home created by my parents filed with foster children. In fact my parents founded the National Foster Parents Association. I entered into seminary at 13 wanting to be a priest in the catholic Church. In this role I helped many and worked in schools, prisons, with the destitute and downtrodden. Still l wanting to help others but no longer wanting to remain celibate I left the priesthood vocation and got a masters degre in social work at Fordham. I became licensed and started working in Child Guidance for 5 years before going to Yale University where I became director of Hispanic Services and w worked with all forms of mental illness and substance abuse until I was recognized for my work and was asked to take the CEO position of the State of Connecticut's Norwich State Hospital, Boneski Treatment Center and 8 years later the CEO of the Connecticut Valley hospital, Dutcher Treatment Center for another 4 years. I then left and founded y own company, D & S Associates Consultants For A Better Tomorrow LLC. Here I provided clinical training to a vast array of mental health professionals. During this time I became a prolific writer and authored 35 books and hundreds of articles. I developed an international reputation and lectured and consulted to companies, clinics, prisons ands international substance abuse and mental health associations all over the world including the United Kingdom where I waws a consultant to Parliament, Russia, Latvia, Poland, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Iceland, Portugal, France Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Estonia and Riga, Canada, Mexico and others. I also was one of the founders of the Springfield College Graduate School of Social Work.

My goals for you

Goals are an essential part of the therapeutic process which requires the active participation of the client. Together we identify the problems and prioritize the order and possible approaches to resolution. This is a negotiated shared process between client and therapist.

My first session with you

The first session is all about getting to know you and develop an understanding of you, your history, including any previous treatment history, your expectations, apprehensions and/or fears of therapy. Together we will negotiate an initial treatment plan nd understanding how I can best be of service.