Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Westport, CT covered by Cigna

Terence Ching, PhD (he/him) is a Yale-, Dartmouth-, and UConn-trained clinical psychologist licensed in CT.

Dr. Ching has vast academic and clinical expertise in mood, anxiety, and trauma-based disorders, especially obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Dr. Ching is also an Instructor on the faculty of the Department of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine. There, he leads psychedelic clinical trials (namely, psilocybin) for OCD, depression, and other disorders in the Yale Program for Psychedelic Science. There, Dr. Ching assumes the role of Director of Psychedelic Training, pioneering the training and supervision of numerous facilitators who work with study participants in psychedelic dosing sessions.

In the psychedelic therapy space, Dr. Ching is an extensively published global leader in culturally attuned, queer- and trans-affirming, and ethically rigorous care of individuals experiencing altered states of consciousness.

Lastly, Dr. Ching is an internationally sought after scientific speaker. He has significant consulting experience in various aspects of psychedelic research and practice, having trained hundreds of study therapists for multiple companies who have achieved FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation in their drug development programs.

Great to meet you!

Reaching out for therapy can feel intimidating, so if you’re here, you’ve already taken a really meaningful first step.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who works with individuals, couples, and families navigating a variety of challenges. I specialize in working with addiction, couples and relationship concerns, family dynamics, autism-related support, and anxiety and depression.

My background includes working in both school systems and clinical settings, which has given me the opportunity to support people from many different backgrounds and life stages. Through this work, I’ve developed a strong passion for helping people better understand the patterns within their relationships and families.

Many of the clients I work with are trying to improve communication with a partner or family member, navigate the impact of addiction, support a loved one on the autism spectrum, or manage feelings of anxiety and depression that are affecting daily life.

No matter what brings you to therapy, my goal is to create a space that feels supportive, honest, and human; where you can show up exactly as you are without fear of judgment.

I want you to know that when you come into therapy with me, you don’t have to pretend, minimize, or hold everything together. You get to show up exactly as you are — overwhelmed, hopeful, exhausted, confused, motivated, or anything in between. We take it from there together.

My favorite part of this work has always been sitting with people one‐on‐one. That’s where real connection and real healing happen. I genuinely enjoy getting to know who you are, what you’ve been carrying, and what you’re hoping might feel different.

My style is warm, steady, and honest. I listen closely, ask thoughtful questions, and help you understand the experiences and patterns that are shaping your life. I’m also practical — I like to offer tools and strategies you can actually use in your day‐to‐day life, not just in the therapy room.

I work with people dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, major transitions, and substance use concerns. But most importantly, I work with people who feel stuck or weighed down and aren’t sure how to move forward. Everyone deserves a space where they can breathe and be supported.

Something I tell clients often is this: I don’t want you to just feel better — I want you to be well. Feeling better can be temporary. Being well means building insight, healing, and lasting change.

My goal is simple: to help you feel safe, understood, and supported as you find your footing and move toward what’s healthier and more meaningful for you.

Hi, I am Susan. I am a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with more than 30 years of experience in psychiatry, caring for adults with a wide range of mental health needs. I earned my BSN from Skidmore College, my MSN from Fairfield University, and I also completed training in Behavioral Sleep Medicine and adult sleep disorders at the University of Pennsylvania. Over the years, I have supported adults living with mood disorders, bipolar disorder, OCD, and ADHD, and I have also worked closely with parents and caregivers of children and adult children with special needs.

There was a time when I felt trapped by anxiety, depression, and overwhelm. I spent years feeling like I was constantly reacting to the world around me—easily overwhelmed, shutting down, and unsure how to move forward. I was living in a hypervigiliant state - always on edge, feeling unsafe in relationships and in my aloneness. This was also followed with depressive states followed by shame and guilt. Working with a Practitioner in Somatic Experiencing has transformed my emotional well being by helping my brain and body recognize safety and reducing my sensitivity to unpleasant sensations and arousal. I now feel more in control, I welcome unpleasant bodily sensations when they show up, and feel more safe in my body.