Randi Schnur, PhD

When I wrote my first bio for the Paragon website back in 2001, I shared the story of what “got me started” as a psychologist and therapist. My passion for this field began in college, specifically in Psych 325 at Cornell University, where I sat in a packed auditorium, eagerly listening to the person who would become my favorite professor and mentor. He taught about ways of truly understanding and helping people who were struggling, and I was so enthralled that it felt like lightning struck. Later, this professor told me he noticed me, class after class, in a sea of hundreds of students, by the twinkle in my eye that he could see from the stage. That light has never diminished.

Now, all these years later, I also reflect on what “keeps me going.” Of course, there’s the honor of being a therapist to so many people over the years—being invited into their lives, emotions, struggles, and successes. But beyond my work as a clinician, I’ve also had the privilege of guiding Paragon’s growth and stability, ensuring that we remain a trusted resource in the community and throughout Connecticut. Nothing stays the same, and we’ve navigated some dramatic changes over the years—in our lives, in the lives of our patients, in the field of behavioral health, and in the world as a whole. We’ve been here through 9/11, crippling ice storms, and worldwide pandemics.

What stands out to me most is how, through it all, we’ve been here. When I see a new patient come to our practice who was referred by a grandparent who was seen at Paragon years ago, I’m struck by the fact that we’ve been here for multiple generations of families in our communities. When I get a call from someone who was seen for therapy by me or one of my colleagues 5, 10, or even 20+ years ago, and they say, tearfully, “I’m so glad you’re still here,”.... it’s in those moments that I’m reminded of my purpose, and Paragon’s purpose. It’s to provide a steady, safe, outstanding, and accessible home base for those seeking care when they are struggling.

We are a place that is here now to meet your needs and get you started. A place that will be here next week, next month, and next year as you learn about yourself and discover new ways of thinking and caring for yourself, helping you feel better and live better in your daily life. A place that will be here years from now when something happens or something changes, and you want to return to a place that feels familiar and accepting, where you know you will be well taken care of.

On behalf of all our clinicians and staff, welcome to Paragon Behavioral Health.