Meet the Team
Thelma Pineda, LPC, NCC
Thelma brings extensive experience working with children, adolescents, emerging adults, adults, and families. She has supported individuals through various challenges, including life transitions, depression, anxiety, OCD, anger management, grief, and substance use. Thelma is certified in the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA), an intervention aimed at helping adolescents and emerging adults develop healthy coping skills in their schools, communities, and homes as alternatives to substance use.
In her practice, Thelma emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship and primarily utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) while integrating person-centered and solution-focused approaches. Her goal is to empower individuals to achieve their personal goals and build the confidence needed to make meaningful changes. She also focuses on mindfulness, improving executive functioning and interpersonal skills, and incorporating spirituality to equip individuals and families with the tools they need for their journeys. When working with families, Thelma prioritizes enhancing communication skills and fostering mutual empathy as key elements of her approach.
Thelma holds a Bachelor of Science from the School of Business at the University of Connecticut. After a successful 17-year career in the finance industry, she transitioned into mental health, earning a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Fairfield University. During her studies and after graduation, Thelma gained direct experience at a non-profit clinic serving children and families. She is passionate about advocating for mental health needs and teaching others to advocate for themselves.