“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Irena Taylor, LMFT
Hi, I'm Irena Taylor (she/her), a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the Assistant Clinical Director at Well Life Therapy.
I believe in meeting clients where they are and joining them on their journey toward their goals. My therapy approach is honest, compassionate, and non-judgmental. I approach situations from a systems perspective and explore the way the environment influences the person. I believe we are all doing the best we can in given situations and, at times, need someone to help us explore the bigger picture and get unstuck.
Seeking out a therapist is the first step in putting your needs first, and I value the opportunity to guide you as you work through unresolved traumas, relationship concerns, life transitions and adjustments, and ways to cope with anxieties and feelings of depression. For change to occur, you need to feel safe, valued, and heard. My goal is to provide a safe and accepting environment that fosters growth and new experiences.
I have experience working with individuals, couples, and families dealing with a myriad of concerns ranging from anxiety, stress, depression, communication issues, life transitions, and PTSD. I use evidence-based interventions to help them find their own ways to manage their needs and move past difficult times.
I earned my graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Southern Connecticut State University in 2007, and I am licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). I am also certified in Gestalt Therapy and trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), as well as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), among others. I also speak German, Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian fluently and incorporate multicultural influences into therapy sessions, as appropriate. I have worked in various settings over the last two decades, including outpatient facilities, residential treatment, and extended day programs.
Irena participates with Aetna, Anthem, Cigna/Evernorth, and Husky plans.
Irena will be providing in-person sessions on Mondays and Thursdays.
A Little More About Me
I believe that wounded warriors tend to be the best healers. I am a single mom of two wonderful daughters who give me so much joy and the determination to keep being the best person I can be. As a child, I moved to Germany as a refugee due to the Bosnian civil war and eventually immigrated to the United States as an adolescent. Adjusting and overcoming have been themes in my life, which have ultimately shaped the therapist I have become and the compassion that I have developed for one’s determination and resiliency.
When I am not working, I enjoy kickboxing, watching football, and listening to music.