Essex, CT Local Support & Community Resources

Maria Aresco, LCSW, is a dedicated therapist committed to creating hope and connection for individuals of all ages. With an understanding that seeking help can often feel like a daunting task, she strives to make this journey beneficial and rewarding for each client and their families. In her practice, clients are welcomed into a space characterized by unconditional acceptance and advocacy, guiding them toward health and wholeness. With over 20 years of experience in the mental health field and licensing in both CT and FL, Maria is also a Registered Play Therapist. Her therapeutic approach features a warm and comfortable atmosphere, fostering a sense of connection and understanding. Maria sees the therapeutic relationship as an essential tool for clients to deepen their treatment, and she is dedicated to assisting them and their families in reshaping their perspectives on life’s challenges, promoting effective coping strategies that can support them now and in the future. Specializing in issues such as anxiety, trauma, peer relationships, and life transitions, she employs a range of modalities including Expressive Arts, Positive Psychology, Play Therapy, and more, ensuring a holistic and eclectic approach tailored to meet diverse needs.

Michael Barrios, PhD, embodies the belief that living life with courage, insight, and vitality is both essential and challenging. He understands that relationships can often be difficult, disappointing, or elusive, and that families and careers may demand more than one has to give. Life transitions and losses can lead to anxiety, depression, and self-doubt, creating low motivation amidst stress. Michael's mission is to help individuals develop a nuanced understanding of their circumstances, fostering awareness of their complex emotional patterns while promoting a sense of responsibility and freedom to move forward. He employs a blend of insight-oriented and cognitive behavioral therapies in his practice. Moreover, he specializes in working with couples facing interpersonal challenges. With nearly 30 years of experience working with adults, adolescents, and elders, Michael has a rich background, having trained in the Department of Psychology at Yale University and the Yale Psychiatric Institute. Currently serving as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Yale Department of Psychiatry, he was honored with a Distinguished Faculty Award in 2015 for his exemplary supervisory work.

Diane Brouder is a dedicated Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) who understands that many individuals experience anxiety, sadness, panic, or worry in response to life's stresses. She invites those who are facing such challenges to explore their coping mechanisms and consider the changes they desire. Therapy, for her, is a deeply personal journey, and she strives to create a compassionate, nonjudgmental atmosphere where clients can feel supported as they move forward. With a keen understanding of human nature and stress responses, Diane guides her clients in designing a meaningful path toward balance, joy, and greater peace. By utilizing mindfulness-based skills and evidence-backed strategies, she helps individuals develop healthy boundaries and effective coping techniques, enabling them to live more intentionally. Whether dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, or life transitions, Diane is committed to fostering a space for growth and healing.