About Me

Hi! I’m Debra Wolkenfeld, and I’m a clinical psychologist and the founder of DW Behavioral Health. I’m passionate about supporting teens and adults on their journeys to overcome mental health challenges and live the lives they’ve imagined.

My approach

I believe that therapy should be a safe space where all thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. I see each patient as a whole person, not just a list of symptoms. And I believe that everyone has the ability to heal, no matter how long they’ve been struggling.

I specialize in long-term, insight-oriented therapy, and combine approaches from psychodynamic, relational, cognitive-behavioral (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral (DBT), and trauma-focused methods to create a unique, personalized treatment plan for each patient.

In addition to providing individual therapy, I also conduct psychological testing and assessments and consult with other behavioral health professionals.

Experience & Training

Before opening my private practice, I was a partner at Integrative Behavioral Health in Westport, providing individual therapy to adolescents and young adults. Prior to that, I provided outpatient psychotherapy to children and adolescents at the Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut, where I was a member of the Center’s Emergency Mobile Psychiatric Service and worked with patients presenting with a wide array of complex psychiatric and behavioral conditions.

Previously, I was with the Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York City, where I provided individual therapy to children and adolescents from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds as well as sexual orientations. In that role, I also conducted family therapy and extensive neuropsychological evaluations and assessments.

I hold a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University, where I completed specialized training in psychodynamic treatment and conducted extensive research in the areas of empathy and mindfulness. I am a member of the American Psychological Association and licensed to practice in the state of Connecticut.