top of page
DSC_7318.jpg

about sarah matus, lcsw

I have an unrelenting passion for helping youth and families experience success.  I have over 15 years’ experience providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and families in multiple settings. My therapy practice focuses primarily on children, adolescents, and families in the greater Hartford community.  This allows me to provide individual, family, and group therapy to those that struggle both in an out of school.  In my past work as an outpatient therapist in a community-based treatment center and in-home intensive adolescent and family therapist, much emphasis was placed on improving youth functioning at home, in school, and in the community when facing such issues as delinquency, truancy, depression, anxiety, and addiction.  I work collaboratively with many schools, juvenile courts, and community programs, including DCF, to help my young clients and their families make the most of their family, social, and educational experience, while preparing them for young adulthood. 

​

​

Graduating from an accredited program in social work with an emphasis on child and family services and direct practice in schools, I have a strong background with issues of depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, personality and developmental disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, learning disabilities, delinquency, and addictions.  I am familiar with the implications and potential setbacks such disorders can cause, and their impact on children and adolescents both individually and within the school, family, and community settings.  I am strongly versed in diagnosing and providing mental health evaluations based on DSM V criteria.  Having lived in the Middle East and Europe for party of my youth, I am comfortable working with diversity and embrace this as being integral in my practice and who I am as a person. I meet youth and families where they are at. Challenging tweens and teens are my specialty!  I am fully committed and determined to advocate for youth and families as I believe every youth, if given the proper guidance, can find a path to their own personal success. 

Capture.JPG
client focus

client focus

Depression

Depression is a serious condition that requires treatment. Do not take a wait and watch approach if you suspect depression–early intervention is best. In addition to professional treatment, there are some things you can do at home to help your teen.

​

Anxiety

If your teen appears to be struggling with anxiety that interferes with school, friendships, family relationships, or other areas of daily functioning, it’s important to get an evaluation from a licensed mental health practitioner. Anxiety is treatable, and most teens can learn to cope with and manage their anxiety independently.

 

Trauma and PTSD

The longer we live, the more inevitable it is that we will experience trauma. Trauma is the response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, causes feelings of helplessness, diminishes their sense of self and their ability to feel the full range of emotions and experiences.

43229104_267778523873335_530892658973868

other specialties

  • ADHD

  • Adoption

  • Anger Management

  • Antisocial Personality

  • Asperger's Syndrome

  • Behavioral Issues

  • Bipolar Disorder

  • Borderline Personality

  • Codependency

  • Coping Skills

  • Depression

  • Developmental Disorders

  • Divorce

  • Domestic Abuse

  • Domestic Violence

  • Emotional Disturbance

  • Family Conflict

  • Infidelity

  • Learning Disabilities

  • Life Transitions

  • Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)

  • Oppositional Defiance

  • Parenting

  • Peer Relationships

  • Racial Identity

  • Relationship Issues

  • School Issues

  • Self Esteem

  • Self-Harming

  • Sexual Abuse

  • Spirituality

  • Stress

  • Suicidal Ideation

  • Teen Violence

  • Video Game Addiction

  • Women's Issues

  • foster care & adoption, family issues

  • Impulse Control Disorders

  • Mood Disorders

  • Personality Disorders

  • Thinking Disorders

  • Sexuality

Click to download the Pathstone Counseling Policies & Procedures.

If you suspect that your teen (or your friend) is suicidal, take action right away. Call 1-800-273-TALK for 24-hour suicide prevention and help through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

bottom of page