Jayson Brunelle (LPC)

“And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation – some fact of my life – unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens in God’s world by mistake. Until… [and] unless I accept Life completely on Life’s terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and my attitudes.” – Alcoholics Anonymous, Fourth Edition. Hello! My name is Jayson Brunelle. As a Licensed Professional Counselor in Connecticut, I’ve provided evidence-based Clinical Mental Health, Addiction, and Christian / Pastoral Counseling services – in private practice – for over a decade. I specialize in treating the whole person – mind, body, and soul. Consequently, in addition to the myriad tried-and-true psychotherapeutic techniques that have become essential to the best practices of the science and the art of healing – methods such as active listening, motivational interviewing, elements of Psychodynamic techniques, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical and Behavior Therapy (DBT), and therapies based on Operant and Classical Conditioning, I additionally presuppose the veracity of a Christo-centric theological anthropology, which sees each human Person, most fundamentally, as a “body-soul composite.” Furthermore, in both my personal and professional experience, the 12-step Model of Recovery has proven itself to be nothing short of miraculous in the treatment and recovery of otherwise treatment-resistant individuals. The 12-Step approach has its roots in the Oxford Movement of the early Twentieth Century (which included such prestigious minds as Carl Jung, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien), which itself has its roots in Judeo-Christian Scriptural principles and traditions. Many have re-discovered the Truth, Goodness, and Beauty contained in the pages of the Word of God, which is “Ever ancient, ever new.” It has been the great honor of my life to have been of some small assistance to my clients, many of whom have either fully overcome, or at least regained no insignificant degree of control over their lives, in their fight to overcoming such debilitating conditions as clinical depression, bipolar, anxiety, PTSD, obsessive and compulsive disorders, low self-esteem, substance and process addictions, maladaptive behaviors, procrastination, lack of confidence, identity issues, and myriad other “issues.” Happiness is of such a nature that it cannot be had, or “possessed,” via direct pursuit. Instead, happiness is a state of being that we only experience when we truly “forget” our subjective, selfish, and often irrational “Ego,” and seek to transcend ourselves in continual acts of authentic, self-giving love; of God – and our neighbor. For more information on finding oneself through authentic, self-giving love – as supremely articulated and lived by Jesus of Nazareth – please avail yourself of the brilliant writings of Boston College Philosopher Emeritus of Philosophy, Peter J. Kreeft, Ph.D. His writings may be found at www.PeterKreeft.com/featured-writings.htm. Therapy belongs to the client, and for that reason, the therapist/counselor has a personal and professional obligation to provide, facilitate, and foster a safe, open, and entirely judgment-free zone wherein all clients should feel and experience the safety of confiding in a trusted, professional confidante, who prizes the client for whom s/he is; not for what s/he has or has not done. We are human beings, not human doings! It takes great courage to seek a better, happier, and more fulfilling way of life; consequently, I applaud you! It has been said, “When folks get sick and tired of being sick and tired, they become ready to make changes and to try on new ideas, behaviors, and emotions.” Should you choose to begin therapy with me, please know what an honor it will be for me to accompany and support you on your journey of self-exploration and personal growth.