Jeff Chervenak, LADC

As a licensed clinician with three decades of executive experience, I understand the unique challenges facing successful professionals in recovery. I specialize in body-centered approaches that go beyond traditional talk therapy to address trauma stored in the nervous system. My practice focuses on helping established professionals translate their commitment to sobriety into deeper personal fulfillment and stronger relationships.

For over three decades, I navigated the world of business leadership in the highly regulated financial industry. I understood the weight of difficult decisions and the pressures of risk management. I also understood something else—that professional and financial success, while rewarding, doesn't automatically translate to personal fulfillment.

This realization led me to leave the business I had founded to pursue my true calling: helping others achieve the deeper recovery and transformation that goes beyond just getting by, as I continue to do.

My Journey
My transition from entrepreneur to therapist wasn't just a career change—it was a calling rooted in personal experience and professional insight. Sober since 1988, I intimately understand the unique challenges faced by high-achieving professionals, particularly those navigating recovery.

This dual perspective—business acumen combined with clinical expertise—allows me to speak both languages fluently. I understand the drive for performance, the fear of vulnerability, and the need for approaches that enhance rather than compromise effectiveness.

Clinical Expertise
My clinical training reflects a commitment to the most effective, evidence-based approaches available:
Academic Foundation:
• PsyD in Psychology - Comprehensive doctoral-level training in psychological theory and practice
• MS in Addiction Studies - Specialized graduate education in addiction science and recovery

Professional Licensure:
• Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) - Connecticut state licensure ensuring ethical, competent care

Advanced Specialized Training:
• Seven-year Body-Centered Gestalt Training (Hartford Family Institute) - Extended immersive training in somatic approaches
• Internal Family Systems (IFS) Trained - An innovative therapeutic model that helps resolve inner conflict
• Polyvagal Theory Certified - Cutting-edge neuroscience applications for nervous system and trauma resolution
• Psychedelic Integration Specialist - Supporting clients explore plant medicine and psychedelic-assisted therapy
• Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) & Rest & Restore Protocol (RRP) Certified – listening protocols for nervous system regulation

My Approach: Beyond Traditional Therapy
While I deeply respect and use cognitive/traditional talk therapy, my specialty lies in accessing the wisdom stored in the body-mind. This isn't about abandoning logic or strategic thinking—it's about integrating these cognitive strengths with the profound intelligence of your nervous system.

Your body-mind keeps the score. While your conscious mind may have processed addiction and trauma cognitively, your nervous system often continues operating from old patterns of survival and stress. Body-centered approaches allow us to access and transform these deeper layers directly. This approach leverages the same strategic thinking skills that made you successful while accessing healing pathways that pure cognition cannot reach.

Why This Matters
The people I work with often discover that this deeper work translates into:
• Stronger, more authentic relationships with family and colleagues
• Enhanced emotional resilience and decision-making clarity
• Greater enjoyment of achievements and daily experiences
• More sustainable approaches to high-performance living
• Deeper emotional sobriety

Who I Work With
While I welcome clients from all backgrounds ready for deeper recovery, I specialize in working with executives and professionals who:
• Are long term sober, newly abstinent or abstinent curious
• Have established sobriety but sense there's more meaningful work to be done
• Experience professional success but struggle with inner fulfillment
• Are curious about body-based approaches to recovery and growth

The Commitment
This work is not always a quick fix, but rather a deepening process that builds on the foundation you've already established. It’s like becoming proficient at a new language or musical instrument, you build the skills over time while experiencing success along the way.
My role is to provide expert guidance, evidence-based approaches, and the safety needed for this exploration. Your role is to bring the same commitment to growth that has served you in recovery and business.

Ready to Explore?
Reach out to me at jeff@jeffchervenak.com