About Me...

          Hello and welcome to Practicing Change Licensed Mental Health Counseling, PLLC. My name is Connolly Harrigan, and I am the founder of Practicing Change. I wanted to take a moment to tell you a little about myself. I am a Western New York native and have lived everywhere from the Southtowns off of Lake Erie to the suburbs North of the City of Buffalo, and am currently in the process of relocating to Central New York. Many people have asked me over the years why I chose mental health counseling for a career. This is a complicated question, one that has several answers. The most common answer I give is that it has always been in my nature to help others. As a very young child, I used to hand out coupon books to strangers at the grocery store. As I got older, I did my best to be a shoulder to lean on for friends and would provide my loved ones with whatever support I could offer when they needed it. I wanted those around me to be happy and to know that there was someone in their corner. As I moved into adulthood, I started to understand how challenging life could be and believed that everyone could use a little support at times. The next answer I give to those who ask me why I became a counselor, is that I am following in the footsteps of family members who are also licensed therapists. My Grandfather was a counselor and one of my greatest inspirations for who I hoped to be one day. My Uncle and his wife are also licensed therapists, and each have mastered their skills in their perspective practices. My last answer to that question is one that is much more personal. I have seen many people in my life struggle with a multitude of challenges including alcohol and/or substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders all of which greatly impacted the livelihood of those individuals. My goal was to help those who are struggling, learn and develop healthier ways of managing their challenges and live a healthier and more fulfilling life.

         So now I will tell you a little about my work. I started in this field of work in 2014 as an administrative assistant. I worked for an organization that primarily helped those struggling with substance abuse and addiction. From there, I graduated with my undergraduate degree in psychology. In 2018, I graduated with my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. While completing my 3000 supervised hours for licensure, I worked for a different organization helping children and families who were struggling with life’s challenges and barriers. I received my New York State license in April of 2022. Then in January of 2023, I opened Practicing Change Licensed Mental Health Counseling, PLLC. I currently offer strictly tele-health counseling services (in New York State only). I have found that tele-health opens a door for those who may have otherwise not given counseling a try. Tele-health gives individuals the opportunity to receive the support that they need but often in the comfort of their own home. Tele-health is also a great option for those who may not have the means to travel, or do not have easy access to therapy practices or organizations. I work with individuals ranging from 12 years of age and above, who primarily struggle to manage daily stressors, experience anxiety and/or depression symptoms, struggle with alcohol and/or substance abuse and addiction, experience social anxiety and/or struggle with personal relationships, and are challenged with negative intrusive thoughts that impact their daily life and functioning. I also provide support for those who would like to learn and develop healthy and sustainable coping skills and daily habits. 

        At Practicing Change, I understand that life can be difficult sometimes. I want to offer you the time and safe space to help you identify and discuss your barriers and support you on your journey of discovering a healthier and happier you. If you are interested in getting to know more about my practice, and if I am the best therapist to fit your needs, please contact me via email or phone. I will be happy to answer any questions that you may have and hopefully I will be able to provide you with the tools and skills you need to overcome life’s stressors.

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              “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

                                                 - Lao Tzu -