Psych Fitness LLC is a boutique-style private practice offering high-quality, personalized, and confidential therapy.
Find answers to frequently asked questions about therapy with Dr. Fathi.
Psychological fitness means cultivating mental strength and resilience to maintain optimal functioning. It means having a foundation of coping skills and the mental flexibility to navigate life’s challenges effectively. It means being able to stay in control of your emotions, communicate effectively, and manage high levels of stress. Building psychological fitness is the key to a successful and happy life.
Before the first online therapy session, you will be emailed consent forms and practice policies which are expected to be completed before we begin – so that your session time can focus on you.
During the first session, we will focus on your concerns, explore your history, and your goals for therapy, and come up with a plan of how I can best help you.
Finding the right therapist for you is important – if I am not the right person for your needs, I will gladly provide some referrals.
I work with high achievers from all backgrounds including business executives, healthcare professionals, parents, college students, teenagers, and athletes.
Definitely – I work with teens ages 15 and up on issues like depression, anxiety, trauma, stress management, parental issues, divorce, and more.
I do not take insurance and am considered an out-of-network provider. I will gladly provide receipts for clients who want to use their out-of-network benefits.
My cancellation policy is 24 hours. Appointments can be conveniently canceled by text message or phone calls. Sessions canceled within 24 hours will be charged the full session fee.
Absolutely. As an LGBTQIA+ -friendly and affirming therapist, I’ve received specialized training and have extensive experience providing LGBTQIA+ therapy in Connecticut and the NYC area.
My name is of Persian origin (my cultural identities are Persian, Irish, and Canadian.) Dariush is pronounced “dar you shh” but I prefer to go by “Darius.”
Fathi is pronounced “fah-tee” and means “conqueror” or “victorious” in Persian.
Psychologists are the most advanced trained forms of therapists. Psychologists generally complete a 11-12 year long academic and training journey, including 10 years of college followed by with an internship and then a residency. In addition to an undergraduate degree, psychologists have completed a master’s and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology. Psychologists primarily provide talk therapy or testing, and in some states prescribe medication although not yet (but hopefully soon) in Connecticut and New York. Dr. Fathi does not prescribe medication but is happy to provide referrals to trusted psychiatry providers for clients in need of medication management.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who complete medical school, then do a 4-year psychiatry residency (a 12-year journey.) Psychiatrists primarily prescribe medications in short 20-minute visits, although some do provide therapy as well.
I am a cat person and have two Ocicats named Max and Molly. I appreciate a good therapy dog, too.
Dariush Fathi, PsyD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
I am licensed in Connecticut, New York, Florida, and PSYPACT to provide online therapy to clients in over 40 states.
I live in Norwalk, Connecticut, which is located in Fairfield County. I have worked in private practice in Fairfield County for over 8 years, and many of my clients work and commute to New York City and spend their winters in Florida. I am licensed in multiple states to provide ongoing support to clients with fast-paced, traveling lifestyles and to support high school students when they transition to college.
As a high-achiever, I know the issues facing working professionals very well, along with the demands of high-stress jobs, colleges, and school systems. I am passionate about helping people overcome their challenges and thrive in all areas of their lives.
Wondering about the effectiveness of online therapy? Numerous research studies have found that online therapy is equally effective as in-person therapy, with convenience benefits ideal for people with busy schedules.
I am trained in several forms of therapy, including psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
My therapeutic approach is tailored to your specific needs and interests.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is a form of insight-oriented therapy that helps you gain insight into who you are, why you do the things you do, and feel the way you feel. This form of therapy is great at helping people identify the root causes of their problems. It can help people understand their unconscious motives and drives, why they repeat patterns of behavior, and work through family of origin issues. It can help answer questions like “Why am I depressed? Why do I keep dating people who are emotionally unavailable.”
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavior therapy helps you identify the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is more solution oriented and can help you address problems head on. Learning CBT skills can help you change and modify thoughts, feelings and behaviors addressing symptoms of anxiety, depression or alcohol use head-on.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
Dialectical behavior therapy is a form of CBT that is highly research based and effective for helping people address strong negative feelings. Dr. Fathi likes to call it learning mental martial arts. It is very skills focused and practical and can help you to prepare with life’s most challenging situations. There are four skills focus areas of DBT which include mindfulness skill, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation. It is great for helping people manage strong emotions (like anger or depression), being more present and self-aware, and helping navigate challenging interpersonal situations.
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