2900 Main St. Ste. 3DF, Stratford, CT 06614 203-321-3238
Welcome
Introduction
Your Mental Health is My Priority
Changing the ways you think
Changing the ways you feel
Changing the ways you behave
Changing the ways you live your life for the better
Vision
Mission
Values
My vision is for Changing Ways to be a trusted and valued resource within the communities I serve, providing accessible, compassionate, and high-quality outpatient behavioral health and trauma-informed care. I aspire to create a practice where individuals feel supported, respected, and empowered throughout their journey toward healing, growth, and lasting well-being.
My mission is to support meaningful, sustainable change by providing compassionate, trauma-informed behavioral health care to individuals seeking healing, growth, and recovery. I use evidenced-based practices, unconditional positive regard, and a person-centered, strengths-based approach to honor each individual's unique experiences, strengths, and goals. My goal is to create a safe, supportive, and empowering space where clients can develop the insight, skills, and resilience needed to foster lasting well-being.
I believe every individual has the right to make their own choices and determine how they want to live their life. I honor the inherent dignity, worth, and individuality of every person and strive to create an inclusive, welcoming, and affirming space for all regardless of race, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ability, faith, or creed. My work is grounded in compassion, respect, and collaboration. I provide person-centered, strength-based care that recognizes each individual's unique experiences, strengths, and goals. I am committed to meeting each client were they are and walking alongside them with empathy, understanding, and respect as they navigate their journey toward healing, growth, and well-being.
About Me
Brooke Vargas, LCSW
I bring over 20 years of experience in the human services field, with a career dedicated to supporting individuals through life’s challenges and transitions. I graduated from Fordham University in 2012, earning my Master of Social Work degree, and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2015.
Since 2020, I have provided therapy in private practice, supporting individuals through a variety of personal, emotional, and life challenges. My approach is grounded in compassion, collaboration, and respect for each client’s unique experiences, strengths, and goals. I have a particular passion for trauma therapy and helping individuals heal from the impact of difficult or traumatic experiences. I believe every individual has the capacity for growth and change, and I strive to help clients recognize their strengths, navigate challenges, and develop the insight and skills needed to move toward greater well-being.
In 2023, I completed specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and earned my EMDR certification in 2026. I am committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based, trauma-informed care in a safe and supportive environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered.
Services
-
Changing Ways currently offers individual therapy sessions for clients seeking personalized compassionate support tailored to their unique needs, experiences, and goals. At this time, couples, family and group therapy are not offered.
-
Telehealth sessions are available when clinically appropriate and based on client preference and individual needs.
-
In-person therapy is available as a primary option for clients who prefer to meet face-to-face in a private and supportive setting.
Services
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy provides a safe, supportive and nonjudgemental space where you can openly explore your thoughts, feelings, experiences, and concerns. Together, we will work to better understand the experiences that have shaped you, explore patterns in your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and identify what may be contributing to emotional distress or challenges in your life.
Awareness is the catalyst for change. Developing insight into our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and patterns is an important first step; however, awareness alone does not create lasting change. Meaningful change also requires action.
Through our work together, I will support you in turning insight into action by developing practical coping strategies, challenging unhelpful patterns, making intentional choices, and practicing new ways of responding to life's challenges.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is an evidence-based approach that focuses on the connection between our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The way we interpret our experiences an influence how we feel and how we respond to the situations we encounter. Sometimes, patterns of thinking or behaviors that once helped us cope can become unhelpful over time and contribute to emotional distress.
In therapy, I work collaboratively with clients to identify patterns that may be contributing to anxiety, depression, stress, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, or other challenges. Together we explore and gently challenge unhelpful thought patterns, develop healthier perspectives, and build practical coping skills that can be used in everyday life.
CBT is often structured and goal-oriented, with an emphasis on developing skills that clients can continue to use beyond the therapy session.
My goal is to help you better understand the connection between your thoughts, feelings and behaviors while empowering you to make meaningful change that support your overall well-being.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
I am an EMDR-certified provider and offer EMDR as part of my trauma treatment services.
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy designed to help individuals process distress or traumatic experiences that may continue to affect them emotionally, mentally, or physically. Rather than requiring you to repeatedly describe every detail of traumatic experience, EMDR uses a structured approach that supports the brain's natural ability to process and integrate difficult experiences.
EMDR may be helpful for individual experiencing symptoms related to trauma, anxiety, distressing memories, emotional triggers, or other experience that continue to interfere with daily life.
Treatment is collaborative and paced according to your individual needs, with an emphasis on establishing safety and readiness before beginning trauma processing.
My goal is to provide a supportive environment where you can feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout the healing process.
"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."
Maya Angelo
"The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination."
Carol Rogers
"Forgive yourself for not knowing earlier what only time could teach."
Anonymous
"Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light."
Brene Brown
Insurances Accepted
-
Aetna
-
Anthem/ Blue Cross Blue Shield
-
Cigna/ Evernorth
-
Connecticare
-
Medicaid/ Husky
-
Medicare Part B
-
Optum
-
Oxford
-
United Behavioral Health
-
United Healthcare
Hours of Operation
Sundays Closed
Mondays 9:00 am -4:00pm
Tuesdays 9:00 am -4:00pm
Wednesdays 9:00 am -4:00pm
Thursdays 9:00 am -4:00pm
Fridays Closed
Saturdays Closed
Contact Us
Changing Ways Counseling is here to support you in your life's journey. Contact us for a free consultation.
2900 Main St.
Ste. 3DF
Stratford, CT 06614
203-321-3238