STACY Hankey-Mangini, DSW, LCSW

THERAPIST AND FOUNDER

I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with over 24 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults, in a variety of settings including schools, hospitals, outpatient clinics, residential facilities, juvenile detention centers, and prisons.

I have an eclectic combination of skills and strategies and like to work with my clients to determine the best treatment approach for them.

I have been trained in:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Mindfulness Based Interventions
Life Is Good-Playmakers-Project Joy

I am very excited to have opened my own practice in Watertown, CT and to serve the residents of CT.

Scroll down to learn more about me and my professional journey. mporta

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A Bit About Me-The Human Behind the Therapist

Thanks for taking the time to learn more about me. While I know you may be looking to understand who I am as a professional, I believe it’s just as important to know who I am as a person.

First and foremost, I’m human—someone who has experienced life’s ups and downs. I’ve had to overcome my own challenges and, at times, seek support to navigate them. I bring those lived experiences into my work, because I truly understand what it means to need help and to heal.

I’m also a mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend. I’m a dog mama to two energetic pups who keep me on my toes and fill my life with love. Like so many others, I juggle all of these roles while working full time and doing my best to prioritize self-care.

These experiences have shaped me both personally and professionally. They’ve deepened my empathy and strengthened my ability to connect with others on a genuine level. As we all know, some of life’s most valuable lessons come not from books, but from lived experience.

To stay grounded and balanced, I practice yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. I feel most at peace when I’m outside—especially near the ocean. That’s why I chose the name Waterview Counseling Services. My hope is to offer you and your family the same sense of calm and clarity that the view of the water brings me.

MY PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY

I began my college journey with the intention of working with adults in the criminal justice system. My internship in an adult prison in Massachusetts was deeply meaningful, but it also sparked a realization: I wanted to help individuals earlier in life—before the point of incarceration. That insight led me to change my major to Social Work, and I earned my Bachelor’s Degree from Western New England College in 2001.

I continued on to complete my Master of Social Work (MSW) at Springfield College, where I interned in a middle school setting. This experience further deepened my interest in working with youth and families. I graduated with my MSW in 2004 and earned my clinical license in 2007.

Early in my career, I worked in residential facilities and juvenile detention centers with youth who had experienced significant trauma and disruption. These formative years taught me the power of the therapeutic relationship—and the importance of safety, trust, and even humor when working with children and adolescents. I often say I grew just as much as the youth I worked with during that time.

In 2008, I transitioned into the school setting, beginning in a middle school in Meriden, Connecticut, and later moving to an elementary school in the same district in 2010. I remained in school-based mental health until launching my private practice in March 2025. Working in schools allowed me to collaborate closely with students, families, and staff, and to develop a strong understanding of how to support children and adolescents’ mental health within complex systems.

Throughout my career, I’ve also held part-time positions in group practices, primarily working with adults, and have long enjoyed helping others grow both personally and professionally. I’ve served as a clinical supervisor and in various leadership roles over the years.

I was proud to be part of the Weitzman Institute’s Project ECHO, co-facilitating live learning webinars for medical, dental, and behavioral health professionals—an experience that merged my passion for education and collaborative care.

In 2016, I began the Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program at Capella University, focusing on clinical leadership. I completed the program in February 2020, further solidifying my commitment to clinical excellence and innovation in mental health care.