Dragan Pecirep

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and earned my master’s in counseling from Central Connecticut State University. Additionally, I was awarded with the Graduate Certificate Award for Academic Excellence and inducted into Chi Sigma Iota International Counseling Honor Society.

As a clinician, I spent over two years working at a residential detox and substance abuse facility. Within the facility, I focused on inpatient treatment, intensive outpatient programing, as well as group and individual counseling. I have been working in private practice since 2017 focusing on a theoretical orientation in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for adolescents and adults.

I am a mental health affiliate of Southington Pediatric Associates. I am also listed on the Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington’s (ECCS) website as well as being listed in the Southington Behavioral Health Resource Directory. Beacon Counseling, LLC also holds a seat at the Southington Stakeholders Meetings. Finally, I am proud to announce that Beacon Counseling, LLC received a grant from ECCS to teach a series on parenting strategies. Beacon Counseling is also excited to announce its partnership with Bread for Life in Southington, CT.

Bread for Life has awarded the practice with a special grant to offer free psychoeducational classes on wellness to the community.

In addition to the above, I have also had the privilege of studying and volunteering in the international community. I was able to study mental health in Europe and had the privilege of teaching children in Nepal.

My scope of practice covers Neuro-Developmental, Depressive, Anxiety, Trauma, Disruptive, Impulse-Control and Conduct Disorders. I treat my clients through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I help my clients become aware that their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are interconnected, and that negative thoughts and emotions can lead to problematic behaviors. Through CBT I help clients identify and challenge these negative thoughts and replace them with more positive and constructive ones reducing emotional distress.

In addition to CBT, I also help my clients engage in stoic philosophy. Like CBT, stoicism provides a compass for practical strategies for managing thoughts and emotions. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on what is within one's control, accepting what is outside of one's control, and cultivating a sense of resilience in the face of adversity.

Clients can expect to develop strong coping skills, psychoeducation on their particular illness and solid strategies to handle their mental health diagnosis.