Shani Ben-Dov

Finding a therapist who genuinely understands your background — not just your diagnosis — can make the difference between therapy that feels like going through the motions and therapy that actually moves you.

I'm a bilingual LCSW and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) fluent in English and Hebrew. Through Shani Ben-Dov Therapy, I work with adolescents and adults in Fairfield County and across Connecticut on trauma, PTSD, grief, BPD, substance use, anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges. My clinical background includes crisis intervention, hospital-based care, and community mental health — experience that shaped how I show up for people when things are serious.

The CCTP certification means trauma treatment is a core part of my clinical training, not just a specialty I've listed.

My approach adapts to what you need — but it's always grounded in the relationship first. I believe healing happens when someone feels genuinely safe, not just technically "in therapy."

For trauma and PTSD, I use Trauma-Focused CBT and trauma-informed care — structured, evidence-based approaches that process difficult experiences without re-traumatizing. For clients dealing with intense emotions, emotional dysregulation, or BPD, DBT gives us concrete, practical tools for managing what feels unmanageable. Narrative Therapy helps you examine and rewrite the stories you've been telling about yourself. An Attachment-Based lens informs how I understand relationships and relational patterns.

I draw on Motivational Interviewing when ambivalence about change is part of the picture — because that ambivalence is real and worth working with, not past.

The first session is about getting to know each other and starting to understand what's brought you here. I'll ask about your current challenges, your background, and what you're hoping changes — and give you space to share at whatever pace feels right.

By the end, we'll have a clearer direction and a starting point that fits your actual life. Sessions are available in English or Hebrew — whichever feels more natural.