Meet Our Clinical Team

Introducing: Novia McLaren, LMFT
Founder of My Story Counseling

A Message from Novia (Owner/Founder)…

“Welcome, my goal as a therapist is to help my clients reach their full potential and develop better insight into themselves”. To me, therapy is the ability to dream, combined with the courage to look inside ourselves, get rid of the things that prevent us from being who we really are and who we want to be, and become empowered to live our dreams.  As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I take a collaborative approach when working with my clients to help them take charge of their treatment as well as their own lives. I have been practicing therapy for the past twelve years.

I specialize in working with the young adult population as well as adults with anxiety, depression, addiction/substance abuse, PTSD. I also offer family therapy and couples counseling. I utilize various models such as CBT, DBT, Structural Family Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Narrative Therapy. As a Marital and Family Therapist, I have formulated a systematic form of treatment utilizing the client’s family and natural supports as part of the treatment process, to help evoke change in the clients natural environment.

I am multicultural. I am Jamaican decent as well as I am semi fluent in Spanish. I am also trained in EMDR through EMDRIA and specialize in working with individuals with PTSD and severe anxiety disorders. Looking forward to working with you”.
Welcome Stephanie Watkins, LPC
Here is what Stephanie has to say:
Our mind is a battlefield. Individuals often fight thoughts and feelings of guilt, shame, worthlessness, and regret throughout their lifetime and often engage in maladaptive behaviors to attempt to medicate the pain they are dealing with. Many times mental health problems stem from spiritual issues and deep rooted, distorted core beliefs. When life gets rough, these core beliefs often rise to the surface and cause us to go in a downward spiral of depression and negative harmful behaviors. Therapy is a powerful ally to help conquer the negative and often debilitating thoughts that try to take over every aspect of our lives.
My mission is to provide evidence-based mental health services, such as DBT, CBT, and other integrative therapies that are individualized to each client. My emphasis is centered around issues of anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, behavioral addictions, and eating disorders. I also offer faith-based, Christian therapy to those that request it.
My heart’s desire is to empower you with the tools you will need to heal and fulfilling faith to reach your full potential in every area of your life. You are not alone! I would be honored to work with you and provide you with a confidential and secure space where you can feel safe while seeing positive changes and growth take place in your life.
Welcome our Bilingual therapist Vanessa Battice, LPC – A

Vanessa is a graduate at Post University with her master’s degree in Human Service and Professional Counseling.  Vanessa is currently working towards her licensure in Professional Counseling.

Vanessa specializes in trauma, anxiety, and from a relational perspective is here to support those in need .

Her goal is to offer a safe space for clients to explore their thoughts and offer a course of treatment using CBT, DBT and Humanistic  Therapy tailored for each individual.

Coming from a multicultural background, Vanessa is bilingual (Spanish and English). Using compassion and empathy as a building block, she is diverse in her approaches to counseling based on the uniqueness and needs of the individual.

She has experience with trauma in children, adolescents, and adults. Vanessa will treat any clients looking for help individually or in group therapy.

  • Trauma or Abuse
  • Domestic Violence
  • Abandonment
  • Identity Issues
  • Grief and Loss
  • Anxiety/Stress
  • Social Issues
  • Adjustment Issues
  • Emotional Abuse
  • Self Esteem Issues
  • Blended Family Issues
  • Parenting Issues

 

My Story Counseling welcomes the newest addition to our team! Ebonie Goulbourne, LMSW

Ebony is scheduling new clients for virtual sessions as of  January 2024 

Check out her profile below!

Do you stuff your feelings down and know now is the time to get support for your journey? Have you used self-help but found it doesn’t go as deep as you need? Do you measure your worth by how useful or accomplished you are? My name is Ebonie Goulbourne and I am a Licensed Master Social Worker passionate about helping people heal and thrive. I am a Black, Queer, First Generation Jamaican-American, and I firmly believe therapy is a key to developing authenticity, joy and self compassion. If you struggle with any of the following:

Occupational Burnout

Substance Abuse

Grief and Loss

Self-Esteem

Decision Making

Boundary Setting

Divorce/Difficult Breakups

I provide telehealth group and individual sessions. My goal is for you to develop your own healthy formula for how you repair, thrive and grow.

 

Meet our Bilingual Care Coordinator Jismeiry Hernandez

Jismeiry is a young and passionate and compassionate professional who takes pride in helping clients have a smooth process getting scheduled with the right provider and oversees clients progress ensuring quality care to each client here at My Story Counseling.

Kathy – Enfield, CT: “Novia worked with my son and I around issues with substance use and parenting and my son loved having her as his therapist and opened up a lot to her. She helped him feel better about himself and hopeful about his future. She helped me learn to have better boundaries and communication with my son and we are now in a better place however we still have continued work to do but I feel more confident in our future as a result of the tools Ms McLaren gave us in therapy.”
Ailyah – East Hartford, CT: “Novia was very good with my teenage daughter who had low self esteem and anxiety. My daughter loved having her as a therapist and told her alot of things she wasnt comfortable expressing to me. Novia helped the communication between me and my daughter and helped us have a better relationship. She was very compassionate, warm and understanding. I would definitely recommend her to anyone having a hard time.”
Katie – Hartford, CT: “Novia is an excellent therapist. She has helped me overcome anxiety and depression and learned healthy coping skills. She was very easy to talk to and very professional. I endorse her.”
Melissa – East Hartford, CT: “Ms. McLaren has a very warm and welcoming presence to her. She was non judge mental and made me feel very hopeful about the situation I was in. She’s very knowledgable and was very resourceful. One of the best therapists I’ve had. I would highly recommend her again to anyone going through a hard time.”