Therapists in Sunderland, MA

Psychological suffering exists on different levels and manifests in different ways, in psyche, body, interpersonally, socially, both consciously and unconsciously. Thankfully, there are many ways to address psychological struggle, ranging from the exploration of non-conscious intra-psychic and interpersonal dynamics underlying "symptoms" to the exploration of ways that we are alienated from community and meaningful action in community. My work is social justice-informed and incorporates an understanding of how larger socio-political systems impact our lives. Facilitating empowerment is key in my work.

Humans are wacky, beautiful, awesome, creative, remarkable beings. When we have anchors within and outside of ourselves for safety, we can explore possibilities, feel organized and competent, and speak our minds and hearts. There are many forces that can inhibit our vitality. Sometimes, it can be hard to access feelings of curiosity, interest, motivation, connection, or being ourselves. But under the layers of what gets in our way, each of us is already here, already whole.

Are you hoping to practice clear and effective communication with others about your wants, needs, or boundaries? Are you thinking about breaking a pattern or stopping a behavior that no longer serves you? Are you searching for a supportive, collaborative space to reflect on your past, to stay grounded in the present, or to explore what you want for your future?

Are you feeling stuck, worn down by life's challenges? Are you exhausted by the day to day, wondering what the point of all of this is? Has life recently come at you so fast you've lost track of where you're going? Maybe you find yourself on auto pilot, disconnected from the people and things you love most. Have you sought comfort in quick fixes that leave you feeling more lost and hopeless? You're not alone, so many people have found themselves in circumstances that leave them feeling drained and without purpose or fulfillment. Wandering the world day to day searching for joy and connection. I'm here to help.

Clients often come in seeking more of, and for, themselves. It may be loss, transition, or relationship that brings them in, as well as, stress, overwhelm and/or a clear desire to grow. Regardless of the catalyst, all are wanting something more from life. Together, we can support finding more energy, ease and fulfillment in your experience. What makes you feel alive? What gets in the way? These are questions to ask when feeling stuck. There can be complex feelings of fear, disconnect and confusion, blocking the way to motivation, clarity and desire. With openness, compassion and even humor, we can find the way, to more wholeness.

I offer my clients strategies for growth and change that align with their values and goals. My Holistic and Integrative psychotherapy and Life Coaching is Strength Based and Solution Focused. I am committed to forming a collaboration designed to help you find your own unique path to Wellness, Fulfillment and Happiness. I am also committed to making Therapy and Life Coaching accessible financially, especially to those with no Health Insurance, or if you have concerns about privacy and insurance. I have experience working across the lifespan and with couples. Adolescents and young adults find me particularly easy to talk with.

Relationship issues, work/life stress, minor substance-related disturbances, mood disorders, anxiety, depression, anger management, and career counseling are a few issues I help resolve with my clients. Emotional disturbance (anxiety, depression, confusion, etc) manifests when you fail to confidently and honestly live your life with meaningful purpose and positive action. Low esteem, lack of confidence, little motivation, and chronic worry all negatively impact your relationship to self and others creating symptoms that can spiral downward. We will arrest potential spiral and redirect its energy upward toward wellness.

I view therapy as a creative, collaborative process that facilitates both change and self-acceptance. As a therapist, I create a curious, nonjudgmental space in which we can jointly explore your past and present experience. Our work aims at a deeper understanding of the circumstances that led you to therapy--perhaps painful ways of relating to yourself, to others, or to work. We will work toward helping you grow beyond the patterns or obstacles that have felt limiting so far--and toward helping you realize a more spacious, hopeful, and fulfilling experience of yourself and relationships.

As a person with lived experiences from within and outside the United States, I know the joys, sorrows and pleasures of living with, and beyond, preconceived notions of who you “should” be. You will find me to be a warm, caring and highly skilled companion on your journey in expressing your human fears, concerns, and hopes.

My name is Elizabeth Bristow and I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with over twenty years of experience providing psychotherapy for adults and adolescents. I see individuals, couples and families in my private practice. My office is centrally located, I have day and evening hours and I accept most insurances.

A guiding principle in my work is the belief that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is of the utmost importance. Neuroscientific literature supports the curative powers of deep empathic attunement (limbic resonance) and the brain/body's ability to heal. As such, in addition to attending to you with the same level of respectful presence that I would expect in a therapist, I use both cognitive/emotional and body/mind tools to assist you in your healing. I am certified in both Safe and Sound Protocol ( SSP) as well as a certified +Heart Math provider. I think you will find me warm, genuine, empathic, and knowledgeable.

In life we all need hope, validation, just to know that today, "this too shall pass." I strive to connect with individuals with honesty, warmth, and empathy. When one makes that decision to seek emotional guidance, I understand the vulnerability and the bravery of that moment. While allowing one to take the time they need to reach their desires of the heart and/or identify what one desires through a space of compassion and mindfulness.

By cultivating the qualities of Self in my work with you, we'll open pathways to your health - moving beyond depression, anxiety, trauma - transforming old patterns you realize are no longer effective. Your true strengths emerge. bringing creativity and natural solutions to problems. Being open-minded to your unique and diverse ways of living, thinking and being, we explore the journey toward safe and positive ways of relating to yourself and others.

"It is a joy to be hidden, but a disaster not to be found". Donald W. Winnicott

When stress & anxiety keep you from feeling like yourself, it makes everything harder. I can help you change the ways you deal with stress, tension and struggle, and improve your relationships. Anxiety and stress can be related to trauma in your past, difficulty managing demands and day to day problems, or the challenge of big life changes. I use somatic psychotherapy, mind-body, and creative approaches to help my clients make profound change. You can have less tension, worry, self-doubt, and feelings of isolation and feel more energy, joy, connection and support.

My work is rooted in the belief that there is nothing wrong with us. We just need support in finding what works and what doesn’t work and integrating the myriad parts of ourselves. I work within a relational framework and value collaboration every step of the way. It is also my commitment to create a safe space where the complexity of identity and experience is honored and affirmed.

I believe change happens in relationship and that everyone has the potential to heal. I have built my practice working primarily with young adults/adults who wish to engage in a longer term therapeutic alliance with the goal of gaining insight into relational patterns in order to achieve more satisfying relationships at home and work. My style is relational. When working with adolescents and young adults, I make an effort to include parents and caregivers in the treatment process by providing psycho-education, family sessions as needed, as well as appropriate referrals for family members.

I’m a psychotherapist and EMDR Practitioner based in Philadelphia. I help adults from all over the US heal from trauma using talk therapy, EMDR therapy and healing intensives. If you’ve experienced trauma, you’ll know just how much hold it can have over your life. Daily flashbacks, isolation, anxiety, nervousness, nightmares, and insomnia can bring life to a halt. Using EMDR, I've seen amazing results with my clients.

We are living in unprecedented times filled with great challenge and incredible opportunity for growth. Global and personal events can leave us feeling isolated, disconnected, anxious and depressed. We search for meaning and purpose amidst the overwhelm of loss, transition, disease and chronic pain. Yet, this chaos can be the grit that moves us toward greater awareness and freedom. Support, connection, compassion and skilled guidance can help us forge new pathways in our lives, our brains and our bodies. We then have more capacity to reclaim our inherent joy, creativity and the power to build a positive light-filled future.