“Many people find that a heart attack, heart
surgery, or a diagnosis of congestive heart failure leads to a very personal desire to understand the connection between emotional
and physical well-being.”
– Dr. Ellen Dornelas, Director
Approximately one out
of five people with heart disease has diagnosable depression and/or anxiety. And rates of psychiatric distress are even higher
among cardiac patients who are acutely ill. Behavioral Cardiology Associates tailors their mental health services to meet
the needs of cardiac patients.
Ellen A. Dornelas, Ph.D. is the
director of Behavioral Cardiology Associates and a national leader in treating people who are at risk for heart
disease. Author of the book, Psychotherapy for Cardiac Patients: Behavioral Cardiology in Practice, and
many book chapters and scientific articles, Dr. Dornelas has more than 15 years of experience as a fulltime psychologist working
in a busy heart center. Dr. Dornelas created the first behavioral health program in Preventive Cardiology in Connecticut and
sees clients in her private practice in West Hartford, CT.
“[Dr. Dornelas] has
devoted her career to practice, research and training in the relatively
new field of behavioral cardiology”
“[Dr. Dornelas] has
devoted her career to practice, research and