Debra Bailey PHD

Debra Bailey PHD is a clinical psychologist in West Hartford, Connecticut, whose lifelong curiosity about human behavior and deep commitment to helping others have guided her professional path. Before beginning her work in psychology, she spent her early years in the competitive equestrian world, training and showing Arabian horses across the United States and Canada. This experience developed her patience, emotional awareness, and discipline—qualities that would later shape her compassionate and thoughtful approach to therapy.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kent State University in Ohio, where her strong academic performance and passion for research led her into the university’s Ph.D. program. There, she pursued a dual-track focus in experimental psychology, emphasizing personality theory, social psychology, and clinical psychology. After completing her master’s thesis and passing rigorous qualifying exams in both areas, she began blending scientific study with clinical application, building a foundation for evidence-based and human-centered care.

She moved to Connecticut to complete a pre-doctoral internship in Clinical Psychology at an American Psychological Association-approved psychiatric hospital. Choosing to work with individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, she developed an interest in understanding the complex layers of thought, emotion, and behavior. She later completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology at the Yale-affiliated West Haven Veterans Administration Hospital, where she explored how brain function influences emotional and psychological health, integrating research with practical clinical work.

Her professional experience includes years in inpatient psychiatric care, directing a statewide mobile crisis program, and managing a hospital-affiliated outpatient service. In addition to her clinical roles, she has contributed to teaching, research, and policy discussions, held academic appointments, and published studies focused on the relationship between emotion, behavior, and neuroscience.

In her private practice, she provides psychotherapy for older adolescents and adults dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, bipolar disorder, stress, and relationship challenges. Her forthcoming book, The Elephant and the Turtle: A Metaphor for the Work of Psychotherapy and Personality Change, expresses her belief in creativity, humor, and authenticity as essential tools for growth and healing. Through her compassionate work and dedication to understanding the human experience, Debra Bailey PHD continues to help individuals find clarity, resilience, and personal transformation.