Larisa Zukic-Halilovic, LPC specializes in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy. She graduated from Clark University with a degree in Clinical Psychology and minor in Biology, after which she pursued graduate studies at Erin Beck Institute of Cognitive Behavioral Studies at Assumption University followed by clinical training at Valley Psychiatric Services in Worcester MA and clinical research study which examined the correlation of depression and cardiovascular diseases at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, MA. Her initial clinical experience focused on long-term residential care of children with a history of Autism, Learning Differences, ADHD, anxiety, depression and reactive-attachment disorders. From there on, her clinical spectilies shifted on areas of trauma, PTSD, anxiety and high risk behaviors such as self-harm. Her clinical training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy provides patients with a sense of hope and therapeutic skills to assist patients in regulating difficult emotions in everyday life. Larisa is a compassionate and culturally sensitive therapist who is also interested in working with diverse populations. Larisa is native of Bosnia and Herzegovina and moved to the United States as a refugee at age sixteen to Woodstock, CT. In Connecticut, she worked at The Learning Clinic as a primary clinician, Natchaug Hospital as lead clinician, Pomfret School as a Director of Counseling and is currently employed as a part-time clinician in the outpatient behavioral health clinic at Day Kimball Healthcare in Putnam, CT, where she treats patients from diverse backgrounds and her primary focus is on treating children, adolescents, and parent psychoeducation. Larisa is also an owner of Bright Beginnings Therapy and Clinical Consulting LLC in Putnam,and has been in private practice since 2007. She is fluent in English, Croatian and Conversational German. My specialties: ● Child and adolescent psychotherapy ranging ages 8 to 18 and young adults ● Anxiety ● Depression ● Trauma ● PTSD ● Self-Harming behaviors ● Adjustment Disorders in particular due to trauma, life transitions, immigration or parental divorce Strengths: Passionate about therapeutic alliance, teaching clinical skills in an engaging and creative way, and collaboration with a child’s clinical team.