Dr. Julie K. Jones, Ph.D., LPC
I am honored to be the Founder and Executive Director of Well Life Therapy, LLC. I have been in the mental health field for over 20 years and saw the desperate need for more private, office-based mental health services in and around the Middletown community. In my professional practice and life, I believe in and live a holistic approach to healing. I have personally experienced the benefits of therapy that addresses mind, body and spirit in my own relationships and personal life. I recognize and work on the causes behind my struggles and issues, developing solutions, understanding and healing the causes of my uncertainties and pain rather than focusing on obstacles. As a therapist, I’ve also witnessed the profound impact a holistic approach can have on individuals, for couples and within family systems as a whole.
My aim is to help you see that you are not broken. Our natural state is that of oneness. You are always whole, you are unbreakable. When we remove the judgment of our experiences, we grow and evolve. We are no longer resistant to our experiences. Life can begin to flow. Self-acceptance is a vital part of the therapeutic process. When we fully accept ourselves, we naturally start taking better care of ourselves and appreciate and honor our gifts, talents and abilities.
I will use a variety of approaches in our sessions in order to understand and treat the root causes, not just the symptoms, of your issues. I prefer cognitive-behavioral, strength-based and relational therapy techniques that are designed to address you as a whole person. I believe that this deeper exploration and understanding allows for meaningful and sustainable healing and growth.
I enjoy working with teens and adults and specialize in depression and mood disorders, anxiety, grief and bereavement, chronic pain/illness, perinatal/postpartum mood disorders, difficult life transitions and those navigating complex relationships, non-monogamy and intimacy challenges.
Please contact me here with questions or to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Julie K. Jones earned her Ph.D. from State University of New York at Buffalo. She earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Connecticut (Go Huskies!). She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a graduate of the Components of Care program with Postpartum Support International. She has additional training in mindfulness meditation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, neuroscience, integrative health and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She is a founding member and board member of the Connecticut Chapter of Postpartum Support International. Dr. Jones is also a member of the American Counseling Association, Connecticut Counseling Association and the Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists.
Sarah Hewitt,
LMFT
My experience in professional practice has been with individuals, couples and families from culturally diverse backgrounds, If you are looking for a space to explore internal struggles that are making you feel “stuck”, we can work together to identify how to move forward in a positive way. I believe that if we are able to increase our understanding and compassion for ourselves we can live a life that is more productive, meaningful and peaceful. Through self-kindness, common humanity and mindfulness we are able to change the behaviors that are making us feel unhappy.
I find that we all function best when we can trust, live with good intention and are able to give ourselves permission to feel. Without these abilities, we find ourselves battling anxiety, depression, anger, conflict and resentment. Allow me to help you find the best version of you! And in times where life is beyond our control, I am here in times of loss, change and challenge.
Please contact me here with questions or to schedule an appointment.
Sarah Hewitt earned her MFT from Central Connecticut State University. She earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Connecticut. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and experienced with care coordination, community outreach, crisis destabilization and working within an integrated health care model.
Kristen Charpentier, LCSW
I would like to extend a warm welcome to you and congratulate you on this journey of self-growth. After all, that is truly what therapy is about. It is my belief that therapy allows us the opportunity to process and reflect through the different seasons of life. And what a healthy thing this is! Please feel empowered for just beginning this process and imagine what the world would be like if everybody embraced healthy self-discovery! Unfortunately, we live in such a high-pressured, fast-paced and instant-gratification society. Although therapy may be viewed as counter-cultural, I am here to encourage you to stand firm in taking care of yourself and beginning this growth process. Whether you are a parent, spouse, partner, student, friend, or employee, you cannot ‘pour from an empty cup!’ We have to allow ourselves permission to take care of us first and to remember that self-care is not selfish!
Using a strengths-based perspective, I help empower my clients to solve issues they are faced with, while also embracing and fully accepting themselves. Cultivating a warm, welcoming atmosphere with a relational approach, it is my sincere hope that you find this a safe space to allow the change process to begin. Utilizing, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness practice, motivational interviewing, in addition to other supportive approaches, my aim is to find the right fit for you on this journey towards your authentic self.
“Loving ourselves through the process of owning our story is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.”
– Brene Brown
Please contact me here with questions or to schedule an appointment.
Kristen Charpentier, LCSW earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in in Social Work from the Southern Connecticut State University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Connecticut. She has additional training in working with Mindfulness, Transgender Youth, Self-Injurious Behaviors and Dialectal Behavioral Therapy. Additionally, she is an experienced therapist with Crisis Intervention and Adolescence. Kristen is a member of National Association of Social Work, International Association for Social Work with Groups and American Clinical Social Work Association.
Melissa “Lisa” D. Persaud, Psy.D.
Change is an empowering, challenging, sometimes painful, and amazing process. As a psychologist, I believe that the most important aspect of change is to find the right people and tools to aid you in your journey. Everyone wants to live a happy, productive, and fulfilling life, with positive and supportive relationships. However, at times we get stuck repeating old patterns or feelings, as if we can’t find our way.
As a psychologist, my job is to help those with whom I work, identify problematic patterns and work together to create new, more helpful ways of thinking and behaving in order to achieve their goals. It is my goal as a therapist, to create a warm, supportive, non-judgmental space where we can explore the past and create the future you desire.
In our sessions, I use variety of approaches to create a unique plan to help you achieve your goals. I prefer using cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness, relational, and dialectical behavioral strategies. I believe in building on your existing strengths and skills to help you move toward your desired life. I enjoy working with teens and adults and specialize in treating individuals with anxiety, depression, trauma, and self-harm behaviors, as well as those who are experiencing challenging life transitions.
Please contact me here with questions or to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Melissa “Lisa” D. Persaud earned her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Connecticut. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. She has over 10 years of experience working with adolescents and adults via individual, family, group, and couples therapy. Dr. Persaud has additional training in mindfulness and has earned certifications in Brief Strategic Family Therapy, as well as Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the State of Connecticut and is a member of the American Psychological Association.
Michelle Marais, LMFT
The ability to love and accept our authentic self comes with many challenges. Each of us faces the rollercoaster of life every day and it takes an abundance of energy to create the path you strive for. I am here to help you find that energy and strength to be the person you want to be, within yourself and your relationships. During my experience as a marriage and family therapist, I have learned that there is always more than one way to look at a situation and as such more than one solution to resolve a problem.
I have been honored to provide mental health services in both inpatient and outpatient settings, including a dual diagnosis unit, outpatient behavioral health facilities as well as in schools. My areas of expertise include anxiety, substance use evaluation and treatment, parent training, academic coaching, and optimizing individual functioning and family relationships.
Please contact me here with questions or to schedule an appointment.
Ms. Michelle Marais, LMFT, earned her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Central Connecticut State University and her undergraduate degree in psychology from Salve Regina University. Ms. Marais is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART ®), an evidenced-based therapy, using rapid eye moments to change the way in which the negative images are stored in the brain. Clients with depression, anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, substance abuse and many other mental and physical conditions are appropriate candidates to experience significant benefits.
Kara Fairchild, LMFT
Life is hard and wonderful, sometimes at the same time. My hope is to help you navigate through the parts of your life journey that are challenging, joyous and everything in between, providing you with unconditional support, acceptance and gentle challenging when it is helpful.
I recognize that life is full of inevitable change, within ourselves and our lives. It can be difficult to know how to adapt when change comes, particularly when things like anxiety, depression or low self-worth get in our way. I believe, however, that growing and healing comes from being in relationship with one another, and in fostering a positive relationship with oneself. I see the value and importance of having a secure attachment to our loved ones, where partners and family members can rely on one another physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally.
It is my goal to help individuals to develop the best versions of themselves, so that they can be the best partners, parents, family members, friends, employees or students that they can be. No one can be their best self all the time, but together we can help you to be your best self more often.
I have experience working with clients who have a myriad of struggles, including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, PTSD/trauma, grief and bereavement, chronic pain/illness, difficult life transitions and relationship concerns. I am honored and grateful to have a chance to positively impact the Middletown community and surrounding areas.
Please contact me here with questions or to schedule an appointment.
Kara Fairchild is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She is also trained as an Emotionally Focused Couple Therapist. She attended Seton Hill University outside of Pittsburgh, PA, where she earned her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy. Prior to that, she grew her love for psychology and helping others while attending Elmira College in Elmira, NY, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in human services. She has had the privilege of working with individuals ranging from the age of 4 to 78 in various settings, including outpatient centers, partial hospitalization programs and doing mobile therapy in homes and in schools. In these different settings, she had an opportunity to work with individuals, couples, groups and families from various cultural, economic and religious backgrounds.