Counseling Services
We understand that life can be overwhelming for any and all of us at times, and that sometimes you, your partner and/or your child, may need some extra support. Whether you or a family member is navigating stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, loss or trauma, our compassionate team is here to help. We offer a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can explore and build new skills.
Our counseling services are designed to meet you where you are. We work with adults, children, couples, and families to provide personalized therapy that respects your unique journey. With a team of experienced, empathetic therapists, we offer a healing environment where you can become more empowered, hopeful, and resilient.
Medication Management Services
In addition to personalized therapeutic care, we provide medication management services for clients of all ages and broad range of diagnoses and symptoms. We work with clients who are currently engaged in therapy at the Bridge, as well as people who receive therapy from another provider.
Treating mental health challenges often requires a comprehensive approach, including psychiatric medication management services. Kerisha Prince, APRN, helps clients navigate their medication management, including determining the best medication, dosage and timing, safety precautions and possible side effects.
For those individuals who do not receive therapy service through the Bridge, we need permission to share treatment and health information with your primary care physician or other behavioral health providers.
Bridge Now Offers SPACE Therapy
If your child struggles with anxiety, you already know how much you would give to make it easier for them. Maybe you answer the same worried question again and again, stay close until they fall asleep, or quietly change plans so they won't have to face something scary. You do it because you love them. And still, the worry keeps coming back.
You're not doing anything wrong. SPACE simply offers another way forward.
What is SPACE?
SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) is an evidence-based treatment for childhood anxiety and OCD, developed by Dr. Eli Lebowitz at the Yale Child Study Center. Unlike traditional therapy, SPACE works entirely with parents. Your child doesn't need to attend sessions, which makes it a wonderful option for kids who are too anxious, too young, or simply unwilling to participate in therapy themselves.
In clinical research, SPACE has been shown to be as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), one of the most well-established treatments for childhood anxiety.
How does it work?
When children are anxious, families naturally adjust to help them feel safe. These adjustments, called accommodations, bring short-term relief but can unintentionally signal to a child that their fears are justified and that they can't cope without help. Over time, anxiety tends to grow.
SPACE helps parents gently shift this pattern. Rather than trying to change your child's behavior directly, you will focus on what is within your control: your own responses. You will learn to offer what SPACE calls supportive statements, which combine acceptance ("I know this feels really scary") with confidence ("and I know you can handle it"). This helps your child feel both understood and capable.
What to expect
SPACE typically runs about 12 weekly sessions with a Bridge clinician. Together, you will:
Learn how anxiety works and how it affects your family. Identify the specific accommodations that have become part of daily life. Choose one or two to focus on and build a clear, manageable plan for reducing them. Practice responding with supportive statements and staying steady when your child is upset. Review progress each week and adjust the plan as needed.
One or both parents can participate, and the program can be adapted to fit your family's unique circumstances.
Who is SPACE for?
SPACE can help children and teens experiencing separation anxiety, social anxiety, generalized worry, specific fears and phobias, panic, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It can be used on its own or alongside your child's other care.
Offering Several Therapy Treatments
Each counseling center offers therapy treatments to address a broad range of concerns for children, teens, adults, couples, and families.
We focus on issues such as:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Trauma
- Relationships
- Grief and loss
- Sexuality and sexual identity
- Gender identity
- Women survivors of domestic violence
- Body image
- Self esteem
We also offer medication management services:
We provide personalized medication management services for clients of all ages and broad range of diagnoses and symptoms. We work with clients who are currently engaged in therapy at the Bridge, as well as people who receive therapy from another provider.
For those individuals who do not receive therapy service through the Bridge, we need permission to share treatment and health information with your primary care physician or other behavioral health providers.
Kerisha Prince, APRN, helps clients navigate their medication management, including determining the best medication, dosage and timing, safety precautions and possible side effects.
Schedule An Appointment
Call 860.313.1119 for an appointment. A member of our team will gather necessary information during a 15 minute intake call. If you have insurance, you will need to have your information before the first appointment can be made. Weekday and evening appointments are available.
Our Payment Philosophy
Simply stated, "no one is turned away." As a designated Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic for Children (OPCC), the Bridge accepts many private health insurance plans, as well as Husky/Medicaid. If your insurance does not cover our counseling, we will adjust your fee to a level you can afford. We're here to help.
Getting Started
Prior to arriving for your initial visit, please review our policies and complete necessary forms:
- Policies for Therapy Services
- Notice of Privacy Practices
- Written Acknowledgement of Receipt of Notice of Privacy
- Welcome Letter
- Agreement for Therapy Services
- Credit Card Authorization
When you begin counseling, you will be provided with an online patient portal login for your appointment and health information.
Our Counseling Team
Our multidisciplinary team is led by Christopher Dutton, LCSW, Director of Clinical Operations, and includes:
- a licensed clinical director
- an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) for medication management
- marriage and family therapists
- professional counselors
- social workers
- masters-level therapist trainees
Getting to Your Appointment Location
Bridge Central Counseling Center
1021 Farmington Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06110-1154
Free parking is available on the premises.
Elmwood Counseling Center
100 Shield Street
West Hartford, CT 06110
Free parking is available on the premises.
Bridge West Counseling Center
2 Bridgewater Road, Suite 202
Farmington, CT 06032
From Hartford: Take exit 39 toward CT-4/Farmington. Continue on Farmington Avenue (CT-4W) for 2.6 miles. At the intersection of Farmington Avenue and Brickyard Road, turn left onto Bridgewater Road. Parking is available in back of building. Office is located on the second floor, Suite 202.
We Are Here to Help
We are here to help you communicate with loved ones, cope with difficult issues, and manage stress. Our counseling centers are licensed as Outpatient Psychiatric Clinics for Children (OPCC). We adhere to the high standards of excellence required by this license and have located our clinicians in Elmwood, Farmington, and West Hartford.
