AUTHOR • THERAPIST • PERSON

About Cheli

A woman with black wavy hair, smiling, wearing a navy blue top with embroidered details, sitting on a teal couch with a floral pillow in the background.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with 16 years experience working with individuals, couples, and families.

My advanced and on-going education and experiential trainings in couples therapies (including Certification in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)) and trauma therapies (including EMDR and closely related modalities) enable me to move flexibly between the inner work of the individual and the in-between work of the couple or family.

My style is warm, non-judgmental, direct, and collaborative. I deeply value the use of compassion and gentle persistence, with a touch of humor, to help my clients feel secure and at ease. From this place of safety, my clients find it easier to confront the most challenging aspects of their lives and all the perplexing things we human beings can say, think, and do.

Using models that extend beyond traditional talk therapy, I have found 90-minute sessions to be highly beneficial for getting to the heart of the matter, especially toward the beginning of the work. The frequency of sessions are flexible and based on client needs. All sessions are currently online.

I consider it a tremendous honor to be of help to clients on this journey. Please feel free to reach out with any questions (I love questions) and to arrange a time to talk by phone. I look forward to hearing from you.

contact cheli
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Kind Words from Clients

  • "Since working together I've felt a significant shift, my overall anger has decreased dramatically.

    It's a change that's been clear not just to me, but to those around me. My husband, in particular, has seen a remarkable improvement in my patience and the way I now express myself with greater confidence and clarity. The work we accomplished together has truly been transformative."

    —M.W.

  • “Thank you Cheli, for all you did to help us to learn to see one another more fully and to heal rifts in our marriage.

     I will add that we have both found your book to be very helpful, particularly the Moves with the suggested language. In stressful moments it is great to have a clear framework to use. Thank you very much for helping us in so many ways.”

    —Anne & Scott

  • "Please also know that David is usually very guarded about mental health in general.

    He was so complimentary about you and liked your style so much. I know it helped him open up. I am grateful we get to work with you."

    —Amy and David

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  • Certification in EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) for couples and families

  • Level I and II Basic and advanced trainings in EMDR and related trauma therapies

  • Workshop trainings, The Trauma Center in Boston, based on the work of Bessel van der Kolk, MD

  • EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) advanced training on sexual intimacy in relationships

  • EFFT (Emotionally Focused Family Therapy) advanced training for families

  • EMDR Advanced trainings on healing the wounds of attachment with Deany Laliotis, LCSW

  • Fourteen years in private practice

Education & Experience

  • Ten years study in the processes and healing of traumatic stress with David Russell, Ph.D.

  • Ten years experience conducting intensive sessions (e.g. three-hour sessions; multiple sessions per day or week with the same client/couple)

  • Counselor and Clinical Coordinator, HopeWorks, Inc., a non-profit organization serving adolescents and their families, West Hartford, CT

  • M.A. in Community Counseling with Certificate in Spirituality, Saint Joseph College

  • Saint Joseph College Faculty Award for Professional Contribution

  • Bachelor of Science, Miami University

Are you curious about working together?

reach out to me here