I first became interested in the helping field when I was in my early adulthood. I obtained an Associate degree in Human Services from Suffolk County Community College, Selden, NY. Then a Social Work Bachelor's, BSW, & an accelerated Master’s degree, MSW, from Adelphi University, Hauppauge NY. During my schooling, I had the opportunity to work with an array of persons, organizations, & needs. An afterschool program, an independent living community, a HEAP & energy program management, a boys & girls youth support group, HIV/HCV services, children protective services, home care, palliative care, & hospice care. These experiences have shaped me; not only have they provided me with knowledge & growth, but also the skill to now go into private practice.

Working in the medical field since 2016, I’ve found my passion in geriatrics as well as with persons with severe, chronic, & terminal illnesses. Why these populations? Well, consider me an old soul. But I believe & acknowledge it’s not only about age & illness… but the person. Their strengths, background, limitations, and needs. Working in home care, palliative care, hospice care, & bereavement care, I have a greater sense of a person’s psyche when going through the aging or illness process. I also understand with this population most times it takes a village. I work in conjunction with the person’s medical team and support system. This is a standard best practice of mine to ensure the interdisciplinary team & patient are all aligned. If you are the person taking care of your ill loved one, or maybe just watching the progression of their disease process know there is support for you as well, you don’t have to go this alone.

My ultimate goal with all my patients and in private practice is to instill a sense of peace and promote the best functioning.

A bit of personal disclosure: I am a wife, mother, & dog lover. I love to walk & be a part of nature. I am a Long Island native & moved to Connecticut in 2016. Since being a mother of a small child, I don’t have a typical schedule and only taking on new clients minimally. I enjoy performing home visits as I find the clinician can learn a lot about the person in their environment. People tend to be more open when in the comfort of their own homes as well as I understand some people are homebound, cannot get out easily, and are suspectable to public spaces.

I hope this short narrative gave you a sense of who I am & what I can bring to psychotherapy.

A special thank you to my husband, family, social work colleagues, mentors, supervisors, interdisciplinary clinicians, and organizations who have supported me, my growth, & practice throughout the years.

Sincerely,

Rebecca L. Sember