Joseph Grzelak, Psy.D.

Supervising Psychologist 1

Dr. Grzelak began providing behavioral health services to the persons supported by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Public Programs Division in May 2020. As a Clinical Psychologist, he regularly created and oversaw the implementation of positive behavioral support plans, provided consultation on complex cases, and led coping skills groups. In June of 2023, Dr. Grzelak was promoted to the position of Supervising Psychologist in the Private Programs Division. Dr. Grzelak’s current responsibilities include supervising behavioral health staff, providing behavioral health consultation, and serving as a reviewer on the South Region’s Program Review Committee (PRC). Prior to joining DDS, Dr. Grzelak served as a Program Manager in the Forensic Division of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). Over time Dr. Grzelak’s role expanded to include serving as the Risk Management Consultation Team’s Liaison for the DMHAS. Dr. Grzelak also enjoys teaching and he has taught psychology, sociology, and computer literacy courses at community colleges in Connecticut.

Dr. Grzelak earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, summa cum laude, from Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU). He was a recipient of an ECSU Academic Excellence Award and the psychology department’s Outstanding Senior Award.  Dr. Grzelak earned a Master of Arts in Clinical Practices and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Hartford’s Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology. He completed his pre-doctoral internship by providing individual and group psychotherapy to military veterans at the Veteran Administration’s West Haven campus. He completed his post-doctoral work experience at the DMHAS Office of Forensic Evaluations, where he participated in Competency to Stand Trial (CST) evaluations and wrote CST reports that offered an opinion on competency status and recommendations for competency restoration.