Psychotherapists
Welcome to Held Center for Healing
Emilie A. Held, LCSW
EMDR Psychotherapist
Emilie is the founder of Held Counseling, LLC and Held Center for Healing. Emilie is certified EMDR and ego-state therapist specializing in trauma recovery. Emilie began her career working with teens and adults struggling with PTSD and addiction and expanding her practice to include all age groups. Prior to the opening of Held Counseling and Held Center for Healing, Emilie worked in large behavioral health organizations, with her work ranging from direct research and implementation of trauma-informed therapeutic models, to working directly with those seeking behavioral health services, and finally working within administrative social work. Emilie completed her work in the agency settings by opening and leading a brand new behavioral health clinic within a community-based organization.
Although each of these roles held importance, Emilie has found the most passion in working directly with clients in their healing journeys. Emilie began Held Center for Healing with the hope of creating a one-stop-shop for healing and to work directly with those seeking trauma-recovery. She is available at the Unionville and West Hartford office or online for virtual therapy. The services offered at Held Center for Healing compliment the work done in EMDR therapy.
Accepted Insurances: Cigna, United, Husky, Aetna and Anthem. Self pay or out of network available as well.
Salena Shaikh, LMSW
Psychotherapist
Salena Shaikh, LMSW, is a compassionate and integrative psychotherapist who provides holistic, person-centered care to individuals ages 16 and up. She works with clients navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, and major life transitions, with a particular focus on women’s mental health and life transitions for the geriatric population. Salena offers a supportive space to explore the deeper emotional patterns that may be contributing to distress, empowering clients to make meaningful and lasting change.
Drawing from mindfulness practices, somatic awareness, and the principles of Internal Family Systems (IFS), Salena incorporates polyvagal theory into her work to support nervous system regulation and emotional resilience. Her approach is grounded in curiosity, empathy, and collaboration, helping clients feel safe, seen, and understood throughout their healing journey.
Whether you’re working through trauma, managing stress, or seeking greater self-understanding, Salena brings a warm, affirming presence to every session. She offers both in-person therapy in West Hartford and virtual appointments.
Accepted Insurances: Cigna, Aetna, Husky and Anthem. Self pay or out of network available as well.
Sarah Held, LICSW/LCSW
EMDR Psychotherapist
Sarah, LICSW/LCSW, is a clinician specializing in trauma recovery and EMDR. She began her career in New York, providing in-home therapy for survivors of domestic violence. In addition, she worked with a prevention program that supported pregnant women and families facing a range of risk factors including intimate partner violence, mental health challenges, poverty, substance use disorders, and other life stressors. In this role, she utilized attachment theory and psychoeducation to help disrupt cycles of generational trauma. Sarah later relocated to Boston where she worked in the public school system with adolescents navigating a variety of mental health concerns. She brought a trauma-informed lens to her work, helping students access appropriate resources and support within the academic setting.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Sarah transitioned to a medical setting, joining the pediatric unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, one of the nation’s leading hospitals. There, she supported children and families through some of the most difficult moments in their lives. Through this work, Sarah’s passion towards trauma recovery deepened as she witnessed the profound resilience of the human spirit. In 2023, Sarah returned to her home state of Connecticut and joined the Held Center for Healing. She brings with her a rich and diverse clinical background, which informs the compassionate, evidence-based care she provides today.
Sarah’s preferred modality is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which she integrates with mindfulness-based practices and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills to support her clients’ healing and resilience. She is available at the Unionville office or online for virtual therapy.
Accepted Insurance: United, Cigna, Husky, Anthem and Aetna. Self pay or out of network available as well.
Tiffany Howell, LMSW
Psychotherapist
Tiffany, LMSW, brings over 20 years of experience working with diverse populations, with a focus on teens and adults navigating trauma recovery and personality disorders. Her professional background includes serving in specialized sexual assault survivor units within a state agency, where she provided critical support to young survivors and their families. Tiffany’s approach to therapy is deeply rooted in advocacy — she is passionate about helping clients access the resources and tools they need to support long-term healing and stability.
In her clinical work, Tiffany combines evidence-based interventions with mindfulness and holistic practices to help clients foster emotional balance and personal growth. She also incorporates sound healing and other integrative modalities to support the connection between mind and body. Tiffany is dedicated to helping her clients move through trauma, strengthen self-awareness, and create meaningful change in their lives.
She is honored to continue her journey with Held Center for Healing, offering a safe, compassionate space for growth, recovery, and self-discovery. Tiffany is accepting new clients at the West Hartford office and virtually with online sessions.
Accepts Insurances: Anthem, Aetna, Husky, and Cigna. Self pay or out of network available as well.
Drew Cullen, LMSW
Psychotherapist
Drew, LMSW, is a passionate Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and a former United States Army Captain. He specializes in working with veterans and first responders as well as those suffering with grief, loss and interpersonal struggles.
His time in the military gave him valuable insights into working with people from all walks of life. Before joining the team at Held Center for Healing, Drew had the privilege of working in community mental health settings, at the US Veterans Affairs (the VA), and in primary care offices. Through these experiences, he discovered his true passion for supporting others on their healing journeys. Drew works closely with individuals or couples who are seeking healing from traumatic experiences, navigating life transitions and grief and loss.
Accepted Insurances: Cigna, Aetna, Husky, United and Anthem. Self pay or out of network available as well.
Sarah Tailor, LMSW
Psychotherapist
Sarah Tailor, LMSW, offers compassionate, culturally informed therapy for children ages 4 and up. With experience in both the United States and India, she brings a global, inclusive perspective to her work and believes that healing and growth are possible at any stage of life. Sarah works with children helping them process trauma, navigate emotional challenges, and build resilience through play-based and developmentally appropriate approaches.
Specializing in trauma recovery, depression, and anxiety, Sarah uses Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to help clients understand and regulate emotions, reframe negative thought patterns, and find balance and stability. Her approach is gentle yet empowering—grounded in empathy, curiosity, and a deep respect for each person’s story.
Whether working with children healing from trauma or adults seeking greater peace and clarity, Sarah creates a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore, heal, and thrive. She is currently accepting new clients for both in-person at the Unionville and West Hartford offices as well as virtual sessions.
Accepted Insurances: Husky, Cigna, Aetna and Anthem. Self pay or out of network available as well.
Grayson Arango, LPC-A
Psychotherapist
Grayson (She/Her) works primarily with teens and young adults navigating the often overwhelming terrain of life transitions, anxiety, grief and loss and identity development. With a warm, affirming presence, she creates a collaborative space where clients feel seen, supported, and empowered to explore their experiences and emotions without judgment. Her trauma-informed, strengths-based approach helps clients gain insight, build emotional regulation skills, and strengthen self-advocacy.
Grayson draws from a diverse range of modalities, including CBT, DBT, mindfulness, play therapy, and sensory motor work to support deeper emotional awareness and long-term growth. Her clinical experience includes working in therapeutic residential programs, youth mentorship environments, and men’s recovery programs—giving her a unique perspective on resilience and healing across various settings.
Whether you’re struggling with school-related stress, low self-esteem, or simply feeling stuck, Grayson meets each client where they are with compassion and practical tools for change. She offers both in-person therapy sessions in West Hartford and virtual appointments to meet clients’ needs and preferences.
Accepted Insurances: Cigna, Aetna, Husky and Anthem. Self pay or out of network available as well.
Gary Gray, LMSW
Psychotherapist
Gary, LMSW, is a dedicated therapist with over 20 years of experience supporting teens and adults through anxiety, trauma, mood disorders, and major life transitions. As a Jamaican-American clinician, Gary brings a culturally attuned, compassionate approach to therapy that honors each client’s lived experience, identity, and personal story. His goal is to create a space where clients feel genuinely seen, supported, and empowered throughout their healing process.
Gary’s work is grounded in a trauma-informed and attachment-based framework, recognizing how early relationships and life experiences shape emotional patterns, self-perception, and responses to stress. He helps clients better understand the roots of their challenges while building practical, effective strategies to manage anxiety, trauma symptoms, and relationship struggles. His approach balances insight-oriented work with tools that feel realistic and manageable in everyday life.
Using mindfulness-based techniques, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and relational approaches, Gary supports clients in strengthening coping skills, emotional regulation, and self-esteem. Whether navigating trauma recovery, mood disorders, identity-related concerns, or life transitions, Gary offers thoughtful, nonjudgmental care tailored to each individual’s needs. He is currently available for both in-person sessions in West Hartford and virtual appointments.
Accepted Insurances: Husky, Cigna, Aetna and Anthem. Self pay or out of network available as well.
