Attachment-based Therapists in Dover, NH

I am not currently accepting clients as I will be on maternity leave from June 2021 to September 2021. Follow my Instagram for updates about my practice @theplayfulsocialworker. I provide outpatient therapeutic services for children ages 3-14 and their families, specializing in trauma-informed counseling, attachment based techniques and play therapy to assist children with anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues. I offer a combination of individual therapy, family therapy, and collateral support to restore joy in disrupted families.

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. I help children, parents, and couples overcome obstacles, improve relationships, and better their lives. Starting a family can be one of the most exciting and fulfilling experiences, but when things do not go according to plan, this can be one of the biggest struggles for parents and children. I help families uncover the issues that contribute to the problem and find solutions to help you obtain the vision you always wanted for your child and your family.

Perhaps you’re down or anxious. Maybe you’re unsure about the future of a relationship or you feel as though you aren’t living the life you were meant to lead. Perhaps you’re thinking that something is getting in the way of your ability to function at work or other environments that are important to you. Life can be challenging – whether the challenges are sudden and unexpected or build up over the course of years. In sessions I promote behavioral transformation through collaborative efforts and solution-focused interventions to help you get back on track, identify and achieve your goals, and reach your greatest potential.

My name is James Marston, and I'm a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. In my practice I have worked with a wide range of clients, from adults to children, including couples and families. I'm trained in a wide range of therapeutic techniques and styles, but feel most at home using a combination of client-centered and cognitive-behavioral therapy. I believe that at its core, therapy is forming a positive relationship, and then using that relationship to motivate and reinforce healing and change.

My practice is currently FULL with a wait list that is about 2-3 months long. Are you not feeling quite like yourself? Are you feeling stuck or struggling with a difficult experience that you have had? Are you struggling with worry or feeling down? Do you want to improve your relationship with your partner or with your child/teenager? My goal as a therapist is to work in a collaborative manner to empower clients to reach their goals. It is a privilege to help people improve their lives and their relationships.

I am honored to be able to provide clinical services to those suffering from Substance Use Disorders. My ideal in practice is to form a strong, collaborative, therapeutic relationship with my clients. My style is empathetic, compassionate, and direct. I believe that by exploring thoughts, emotions, and maladaptive behavior patterns, we can become more insightful and understanding of ourselves. Through this vulnerable process we are able to create life-long change that will increase self esteem and the ability to form close interpersonal relationships with those we care about.

What if anxiety, depression, anger, and negative thinking aren't symptoms, but strategies? What if we considered those emotions, thoughts, and body sensations to be trailheads to discover parts of us that are working hard to protect us and to navigate a challenging world filled with stressors and complicated relationships? And what if we considered the roles those parts are playing and directed them instead of being controlled by them?

I have fifteen years of experience as a psychotherapist, partnering with men and women to address a wide range of concerns. I collaborate with clients to explore patterns, often contributing to emotional pain, while helping to make meaning of their feelings and experiences, resulting in self-awareness and healing. The counseling process allows one to identify core issues and develop more effective coping skills to ultimately result in meaningful and lasting change.

Feeling unbalanced, like you’ve lost motivation, or overwhelmed by relationship stress? Therapy can offer a space to calm the emotional storm and reconnect with yourself. I help individuals find inner stability to live their lives with confidence and meaning. I support couples in finding connection and intimacy. Through compassion and connection, we can help you reach your potential.

I enjoy working with people who want to learn about themselves and their relationships and develop insight into their behavior. It isn't easy to ask for help. Sometimes, when we aren't able to solve things on our own, therapy can be a great resource. Clients tell me that I help them make the changes they want. I believe in providing you a safe and supportive place to explore your life. I have twenty years of experience and am committed to assisting you understand yourself and grow. People I've worked with have described me as warm and easy to talk to.

Helping people feel whole again! This is a puzzling time for most! We all have parts of us from depressed, critical, worried to parts that are kind, happy and loving. All of these parts together make us the person we are. Although it is usually in an effort to help, sometimes different parts of us take over at the wrong time or do something that doesn’t seem to be helpful. Get support to uncover and be aware of what part is being activated so that you can begin to see things as yourself instead of as a part of you that is broken. Develop skills and awareness as you take a journey to towards feeling more like yourself again.

**Unfortunately I am not currently taking family cases due to COVID. Are you or someone you know struggling with managing emotions-anxiety or depression, are there sexual concerns for yourself or in your relationship, or are you struggling with adjustments in your life, maybe starting a family or parenting children who struggle with behaviors? If so I would love to hear from you in order to see if I am a good fit to help. I love working with all types of family systems, currently with couples or individuals. I believe that part of moving forward towards change is supporting my clients in finding the solutions within themselves.

I focus on working with couples and individual adults who are dealing with trauma, identity/cultural issues, depression, anxiety, or past trauma (such as abuse, neglect, or separation from, or loss of, loved ones). I can help you excavate your past trauma in a way that helps you understand it, and how it may be impacting what is going on with you in the present moment so you can feel more in control of your body, your emotions, your thoughts, and your relationships. If this sounds like a good fit for you, please go to www.alliancementalhealth.org and get in touch to set up an appointment.

*Please note that I am not taking new clients at this time.* Are you a teen searching for a sense of peace and direction? Are you struggling to hold it all together as a parent? I understand that finding the right therapist is paramount when it comes to seeking guidance, or when you need someone to share your story with. I also appreciate that asking for help is often difficult and uncomfortable. I am experienced, approachable, and I enjoy working collaboratively with people from all walks of life.

I recognize the courage it takes to reach out for help and the vulnerability that people often feel, which is why I make it my priority to create a welcoming and positive environment as we begin the journey towards healing. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is an integral part of the process of improving your life and it is my goal to assist you in working towards your goals while building a relationship of collaboration, accountability, and trust.

Are you navigating a difficult life transition? Experiencing anxiety, depression, or relationship challenges? Feeling disconnected from your family? Have you asked yourself "How did I get here, or How do I get out of this"? I offer a safe, non-judgmental space for you to explore the causes of your current life circumstances. If you are ready to begin, I will support you in building a healthier you. No matter what your circumstances are, I will work with you on the path to meeting your overall health and wellness goals. Reach out today!

At times, we find ourselves in seasons of life where we may feel disoriented and easily overwhelmed. We can begin questioning ourselves and wondering if we’ve chartered off course or lost our way. During challenging times, it can be easy to feel overburdened by heavy emotions, intrusive thoughts, and the simple tasks of everyday life. Navigating relationships, careers, finances, and other responsibilities can pile up and take their toll on our well-being.

Life can be busy, hectic and non-stop. Wouldn’t it be nice to have some space and time set aside just for you? To breathe, slow down and reconnect with yourself and your own needs. In these moments of pause, a wellspring becomes available to support you in regaining balance between your mind, body and soul and to help you become the best version of yourself - one that can experience peace and stillness, even in the middle of a storm. This is why I strive to create a therapeutic environment where you can be your authentic self, and feel safe in order to heal and grow.

It takes a great deal of courage to ask for help. Appreciating and respecting that courage, my work is to help my clients attain their goals, discarding whatever has prevented them from doing so in the past. I consider therapy a collaborative effort between the individual and therapist. My hope is that the clients with whom I work feel supported and empowered to make the changes they desire.

I love what I do. Most of us are overwhelmed right now and are challenged with how to get through this global health crisis. This may come in the form of anxiety/depression about health/safety, job loss, financial stress, parenting frightened children, loneliness that comes with social distancing or trigger previous life traumas. I work to establish a safe working relationship that allows you to take risks and address your deepest concerns. Together we will compassionately understand your life, applaud how you have gotten through and empower you with new skills to manage trauma/stress. Resiliency is a verb (Elisha Goldstein)