Bipolar disorder therapists & psychiatrists in Westport, CT

For 18 years, I worked in education as an elementary school teacher, school therapist, and Director of Counseling, giving me a unique perspective on the challenges teens and families face. In private practice, I work with adolescents (13+), adults, and older adults, helping them navigate stress, anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relationship struggles. My clients often say they appreciate my direct, motivating, and real approach, which helps them feel like an equal in the therapy process.

Most of us haven’t made it through life without a few bruises. Sometimes we lose touch with ourselves along the way, shaped by what we’ve been through and the weight of those experiences.

That doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you. It means you adapted. Sometimes beautifully. Sometimes painfully. Often both.

Therapy is a space to slow down, get curious, and gently begin untangling what you’ve been carrying. Together, we can explore your story with compassion, reconnect with who you are beneath old patterns, and move toward a way of living that feels more aligned, grounded, and authentic.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 20 years experience helping people navigate life's challenges. As an empathetic and person-centered therapist, I work with adults living with anxiety, depression, substance use and trauma.

Emil Pauling has 16 years of experience treating adolescents, young adults, adults, and families with varied challenges. Emil takes a holistic, strength-based approach to empower clients to meet their goals. Emil also has 34 years of combined experience in teaching, crisis intervention, and facilitating therapeutic and music programs. Life has its challenges. Finding joy in exploring your interests like music and humor can create a nice balance.

As a clinician, I enjoy working with everyone in all phases of life helping in building self-esteem, managing addiction, trauma, self-discovery, medication management, anger management, re-establishing one's dreams/purpose, building/strengthening relationships one has with self, partners or family systems.

I have worked with foster children, young adults, primary care staff and patients, those who struggled with substance abuse in a methadone clinic, provided supervision to non-licensed social workers in the hospital.

I welcome the opportunity to meet with you for a consultation to see if working together would be a great match like a grilled cheese or peanut butter sandwich.

Best of luck on your journey to health and wellness.