Culturally Sensitive Therapists in 05404

You may be feeling stuck, lost, or confused. You may be struggling in your relationships or feeling overwhelmed with trying to manage worry, stress, and challenges in your life. You may be feeling worthless, undervalued, and be struggling to remember your purpose. You may be looking for a safe outlet to express your fears, worries, anger, pain, and sadness. My practice is rooted in building a strong therapeutic connection through deep listening and empathy, collaboration, and honesty. I strive to create a safe environment for you to be seen, heard, and to receive help.

*I currently have no openings.* So much of the stress and pain we experience in life is rooted in relationships, but we also find healing in relationships. In our relationship as counselor and client, we can process unmet needs, the feelings that lie beneath, and patterns in relationships. Together, we can explore new ways of being and un-learn the defense mechanisms you needed to survive but are no longer serving you well. With this new awareness, ownership of your experiences and needs, and self compassion comes agency, change, and healing.

**I am not currently accepting new clients** I work with individual adults, relationship partners, and children of all ages and genders. My style is non-directive, strengths-based, warm, and creative, with strong influences from attachment theory, relational theory, and liberation psychology. I specialize in issues related to gender and identity development and affirmation, intersections of identity, emotion regulation, attachment, and trauma, including systemic and intergenerational traumas, as well as LGBQIA+ and transgender related stressors.

Mike (he/his) has worked primarily with at-risk adolescents and young adults for over 10 years across a variety of settings. These have included wilderness, residential, and alternative school programs; local/international community outreach; and a secure rehab facility. He believes that many mental health challenges are rooted in adverse experiences and focuses his therapy with a trauma-informed lens. Utilizing a strong therapeutic relationship, Mike’s work is based in psychodynamic and existential theories which allow his clients to connect the dots between the past and the present, and cultivate a more intentional future.

My approach to therapy is founded on two core beliefs: everyone has a story to tell and everyone's story is worth being heard. I provide a safe space by offering a warm, person-centered approach that places you as the expert of your life, because you are! When working together, you can expect to discover your strengths and resources, explore your past in a meaningful and safe way, challenge unhelpful thoughts or messages you've received, and figure out what YOU want to do with them. Because at the end of the day, this is your journey and you deserve to have the first and last say in it.

I have a focus on providing collaborative support within a framework of social justice and a strong belief that each person has everything they need within them and sometimes we all lose touch with these things and could use some outside support to discover our answers. I view my role as a therapist as the bridge to the answers within that may be difficult to see. I believe that the context of our lives is important to understanding our experiences.

As a clinical social worker, I believe that we all have unique strengths and capacities to face the challenges in our lives. I work with my clients in a collaborative, empowering way. Through the therapy process, solutions and plans to move forward reveal themselves, as you grow more confident in your strengths, intuition and your vision for your life. Working with the stories and thoughts we carry about ourselves and the world, we work to create new ideas, beliefs and behaviors that will lead to a more fulfilling life.

My clinical work has consisted of treating a variety of clients with different backgrounds and concerns. I am particularly interested and experienced in treating interpersonal relationship problems, self-esteem concerns, family of origin issues, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, codependency and LGBTQ issues. I enjoy facilitating individual and couples therapy with adults. As a compassionate, yet assertive clinician, I work with clients to meet self-identified goals. I view myself more as a guide and mentor than expert. My clients have described me as "down to earth" and "personable."

NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS AT THIS TIME. Life can be complex: relationships, family, school, work. Our lives can be further challenged by the unique aspects of our times. We are under constant bombardment of information, straining our ability to focus and compartmentalize. Factors such as trauma, shame and guilt further complicate things. My approach is to help "break it down and make it simple". This means helping people untangle their thoughts, pressures and feelings, while collaboratively devising plans aimed at learning to manage and alleviate whatever symptoms are causing distress.

Congratulations! You've just made your next step toward changing something in your life for the better.

I provide a safe, confidential space for our work together. Each person seeks a therapist for their own personal reasons. Whether you feel stuck at an impasse, want more satisfying relationships, or seek freedom from difficult patterns- no matter your struggle, having a place to think and talk about what is bothering you may help. The outcome of therapy is unpredictable, though it often results in a greater sense of well-being and eases internal conflict. Together we can seek to understand what is going on and explore possibilities not previously considered.

**Currently accepting new clients** My practice is built on a foundation of resilience, understanding and empowerment with a broader focus on life transitions and adjustments, grief & loss and mixed forms of depression and anxiety. Together, we'll spend our time collaboratively focused on promoting growth, self-awareness and building upon the existing strengths that you have. Through gentle humor and straightforward dialogue, my clinical style leans towards the interactive and follows a strengths-based approach. I believe that curiosity and self-reflection are critical in evolving towards a healthier and happier future.

*I am at capacity and am NOT accepting new referrals at this time* Through my work as a therapist, I accompany people on a journey of self-discovery that fosters healing, promotes growth, and empowers them to overcome obstacles and challenges that stand in the way of leading fulfilling lives. I believe that an open, honest and collaborative relationship is the foundation of the therapeutic process. I work with my clients to cultivate genuine trust and rapport that makes this relationship possible.

The therapeutic relationship we will form creates a space where you can explore your life with greater curiosity, hope and accountability than you may be able to on your own. I tend to be a good fit for folks who want a space to reflect and also explore new ways of approaching persistent challenges. I balance asking questions with providing tools to try that I believe may work for you. My goal is to help you live the life that feels best for you and I respect the myriad of paths and approaches your best life may take.

I am here to provide a therapeutic space that is safe, inclusive and validating for all; a space where you are able to expand your capacity to sit with even the most difficult feelings and emotions and transform them into deeper levels of awareness. The process of self-exploration through psychotherapy is not always easy or comfortable but can be incredibly rewarding. I believe we all have the capacity to experience greater levels of joy when we learn how to be with it all. The good. The bad. The complex.

*SORRY, I’M NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS AT THIS TIME* Life can be complicated and counseling can help. People seek counseling to make life better. Relationship issues, medical challenges, trouble healing from the past, unexpected changes, and stress can get in the way of enjoying life.

I aim to co-create the conditions for waking up and realizing the beauty and radiant Life that you already are. In the midst of your current suffering from past traumatic events and/or addictions this may seem like an impossible or distant dream. I am Somatic Psychotherapist and Mindfulness Practitioner. I facilitate mindful awareness of body sensations through to a range of somatic body mind interventions based on the latest knowledge in neurobiology. In accessing your body and mind's innate wisdom you will be able to release the effects of trauma and be free from compulsions and obsessions.

First, I would like to say that I prefer to be contacted through email (megcat77@gmail.com) or text (802-598-2937). I have been practicing as a psychologist for nearly nearly 30 years. My Masters degree in Clinical Psychology is from St. Michael's College, and my undergraduate degree is from U.V.M. I also completed a two year post-graduate training program in Behavioral Medicine, which provided me with a specialty in working with clients who are dealing with chronic medical conditions. I teach coping skills and provide support to clients who are dealing with injuries and illnesses.

I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor practicing in Essex Junction, Vermont. I provide trauma-informed outpatient therapy for individuals with a wide range of mental health and substance use issues. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, DBT Informed Therapy, among other therapeutic modalities depending on the unique needs of my clients. I have extensive experience working with individuals with co-occurring disorders and severe and persistent mental illness.

Are you feeling uncomfortable in your skin? Struggling to find motivation to do the things you enjoyed before? Feeling confused about your identity or your relationships? Engaging in behaviors you want to stop or don’t understand? I work to support people in exploring solutions to their mental health and recovery challenges and needs. I work with Teddy, my therapy dog “co-therapist” (non-shedding Australian Labradoodle) to provide treatment to children, adolescents and adults. I have a deep personal commitment to celebrating diversity and working with individuals with unique life experiences and identities. All are welcome.