Teletherapy for Concord, MA

A wise doctor once wrote: "It is more important to understand the person who has an illness than the illness a person has." This is even truer for emotional problems than physical ones. Likewise, without understanding the context of a person's life and family, past and present -- one cannot really begin to help the person. I have worked for many years with young men and women of all ages with addictions, family and relationship issues, and the universal challenges of depression and anxiety. Certainly there are commonalities among the problems they present, but it is the uniqueness of each of my patients that leads to change.

It is as though a “What if…” reel is running in your mind. You are so exhausted by the second (third and fourth!) guessing of your choices and your interactions with others. Dealing with your anxiety is taking up so much energy. Sometimes you try to avoid the things or situations that are causing your anxiety. Other times you might check in with a friend, partner or parent asking, “Do you think what I did was okay?” Still other times you imagine worse-case scenarios playing out and strategize how you can prevent them. But the worry comes back.

I specialize in meeting the needs of creative individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues. Because I am the author of ten critically acclaimed books, I also work with aspiring writers, helping them to gain publication. My work is intensely relational and always focused on real results. I believe that clients are paying for a service and that they deserve to see measurable and lasting change. Along these same lines, my treatment is often relatively brief. We identify the problem(s) and the steps to change along with a timeline for these steps. Clients become active agents in their own recoveries.

If there is one thing we can count on in life is change--expected or unexpected; wanted or unwanted. Perhaps it is a loss, a difficult transition, a new diagnosis, chronic pain, becoming a caregiver, parenting a child with a disability--it could be anything that significantly alters your life plans, your relationships, expectations, sense of self, and day-to-day functioning. People often experience depression, anxiety, relational tension, and feel overwhelmed when faced with a challenging life issue, whether the challenge is short or long-term.

I am available for video sessions and in-person. Whether working with individuals, couples, or families, my goal is to increase connection. Connection to ourselves by deepening self-awareness, insight, and options for change. Connection to our family members by overcoming the obstacles that cause pain and distress. Connection to our partners by learning how to reach for each other and maintain secure attachment.

For all of us, there are moments when life becomes extremely challenging. I believe that even during times of intense pain, loss, confusion, chaos, and fear, we can find peace and even joy. I teach skills to nurture happiness, hope, inspiration, courage, confidence, creativity, wonder, serenity, balance, and ease. While working alongside individuals to increase resilience, adaptability and flexibility, I assist in identifying and releasing habitual behavioral patterns that perpetuate anxiety, stress, and suffering.

After gaining clinical experience in academic, psychiatric, and medical hospital settings, I've chosen to specialize in supporting adolescents and adults in order to address anxiety, life adjustments, and mood disorders through a trauma-informed, strengths-based lens. I take an integrative, relational approach to therapy. At its core, therapy is about building a trusting relationship and rapport to create a meaningful holding space for every client. I believe in client's expertise in their own life, and strive to center that in our work.

I conduct individual, couples and family psychotherapy in both English and Spanish. I specialize in couples and families, addressing problems like depression, anxiety, low self esteem, ADHD and how these issues affect communication and interaction patterns. I help couples learn to communicate their emotional needs and to see each other in a new light. I also work with children in the context of the family and help parents deal with their child's behavioral/emotional problems. I have a great deal of experience in diversity issues, including cultural, gender, and socioeconomic disparities.

Chris Senechal is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Massachusetts who has been practicing since 1993. She graduated from the School of Social Work at Boston University. Chris enjoys developing relationships with clients which become the foundation of their work together. Providing support and education, as well as observations and challenges, Chris actively helps clients move toward the change they seek and the life they want. She sees therapy as more than just discussing one's problems or past; therapy is a pathway to solutions.

Please note that I do not have availability after 3PM, and email is the best form of contact. I believe that effective therapy starts with a good working relationship, so I strive to provide an environment that is safe, empathetic and free of judgement. I have over a decade of experience working with people who experience a wide range of mental health issues and life stressors, including mental health professionals who experience fatigue. I enjoy helping people tap into their ability to alleviate distress and manage negative emotions in a healthy way.

As a trauma-informed psychotherapist, I appreciate how core wounds, and the emotional distress surrounding them, can show up in adulthood and prevent us from living our happiest lives. My focus is on helping individuals to realize their power to feel safe in regulating emotions. In my work, I utilize approaches such as CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), IFS (Internal Family Systems), and SE (Somatic Experiencing), and enjoy the practice of destigmatizing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, thereby assisting my clients in developing self-compassion, a key ingredient for growth and change.

NOW open for NEW clients ages 13 and up! I am a Licensed Certified Social worker providing individual therapy for adolescents, young adults and older adults. I have more than 10 years of experience providing therapeutic services in various settings and with diverse populations including: residential, corrections, and adoption services. Most recently, I have been working in an outpatient setting for the past 4 years with various ages. I have an extensive background working with individuals who suffer from depression, anxiety, complex trauma, mood disorders, and personality disorders.

Is your anxiety or stress feeling out of control? Is weight loss seeming impossible? Is insomnia contributing to daytime sleepiness and nighttime anxiety? Is your mood and/or lifestyle stopping you from taking good care of your medical condition? Are key relationships causing stress? Together, we can address the problem, using scientifically-validated treatments within a supportive and respectful environment. The mind-body connection provides an important framework for treatment. My background and training is in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and I use other research-validated treatment approaches as they fit your situation.

It takes courage to enter into therapy and explore the challenges that bring you to Windhorse Counseling. The sessions are your time to reflect, learn and practice skills, discuss issues, and problem solve. You may never have experienced therapy or you have tried to find a “goodness of fit” with a clinician and it hasn’t worked as you’ve hoped. I had the good fortune to hold the role of a local high school clinical social worker (now retired) for more than 30 years. It is truly special to work individually and in groups with teens, parents/caregivers and participate in their growth and development of self and skills.

I am a Massachusetts-licensed Psychologist Provider with nearly 40 years of clinical experience. My clinical approach is individual psychotherapy (in contrast to other expertise such as psychological testing, DBT, CBT, etc.). I see individual adults to provide support and understanding of current challenges and symptoms including anxiety, depression, work or school issues, loss and relationship challenges. I see families referred by other clinicians. We will evaluate whether substance misuse (your own or that of a loved one) plays a role in your symptoms or distress.

I believe that one of the most important aspects of successful therapy is the connection between the therapist and the client. I offer a safe and nurturing environment based on trust and mutual respect. I believe many clients have the unconscious wisdom to guide themselves through difficult life events, and my role is to help the individual explore and discover themselves. I use a strength based approach to healing and problem solving, while always providing unconditional respect and nonjudgmental regard for the individual's personal therapeutic journey.

In the role of both generalist and eating disorder specialist at Windhorse Counseling, my work with clients is direct, but infused with a generous dose of humor, empathy, and compassion. I believe in creating a safe space where clients can express their zone, and my deepest hope is that clients can walk away from each session having gained more insight and a new goal to work towards. My natural energy is always present in session; I have a particular interest in helping young adults get unstuck and move toward newness, be it within the realm of their emotional wellbeing or in a performance-related setting.

As a clinically trained psychologist with over 25 years of experience, I have worked with a wide range of populations including children, adolescents and adults. I view my work as a blend of art and science. My patients are generally competent, loving people who are struggling with painful issues related to relationships, work, sexuality, life changes and other stressful situations. The couples I work with are looking to heal and grow from a wide range of issues, from infidelity to parenting concerns. I help people who need to re-imagine what their relationship can be and want to expand their ability to communicate effectively.

"Life feels too hard, too disappointing, too scary. I feel like a terrible person." Feelings are normal. We all have them but sometimes we become overwhelmed and get stuck in patterns that repeat unsatisfying results over and over. Whether from trauma, grief, low self esteem, addictive behaviors or attachment disruptions, I can help you shift toward greater satisfaction and ease in your life by listening and working together to focus in on core areas that have become barriers to your well being.