Parenting Therapists in Topsham, ME

Throughout our lives, we often find ourselves experiencing circumstances that can benefit from proper support. Do you have a desire get ‘un-stuck’ from unhelpful patterns in your own life? Whether due to trauma, unlearned skills, or whether you are a parent of a young child, someone who is interested in discovering new ideas about becoming a 'better' you or simply striving toward your ideal version of yourself (in parenting, career, relationship and/or health), I can help you learn how to shift your thoughts, emotions and actions through our work together.

There are many powerful tools available to help individuals, couples, and families achieve meaningful, positive change in their lives. As a psychologist in clinical practice for over 25 years, I am vitally engaged in the process of integrating a broad range of therapeutic practices to meet the unique needs of each client. Effective psychotherapy can be of great assistance in negotiating the complexities of modern human existence. Engaging mind, heart, and intuition, it is a process that may become an "adventure of the Soul" imparting profound benefit beyond the alleviation of symptoms.

Whole-person wellness is at the core of my clinical practice. I believe that mental health is most effectively treated in conjunction with physical, nutritional, and interpersonal health. My clients can expect a thorough assessment of overall well-being and a treatment plan that delivers noticeable results. I recognize the enormous financial constraints of todays workforce and the need to quickly and efficiently solve problems. That is why my therapeutic approach looks at client strengths and resources. I meet you where you are at and help you get to where you want to be!

I provide a safe and supportive space for you. My approach is focused on using your strengths to help you learn to move through challenges, gain insight, and develop tools for change. I can help you be seen, be heard, and be connected to others and to yourself. If you have difficult life stories that cause repeating triggers, let's tackle small and big issues impacting the quality of your life.

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over 25 years experience, providing treatment for children, adolescents, families and adults.

Focused on healing through trauma-informed, body-based care and grounded in family systems theory, I draw on a range of counseling approaches including; psychodynamic, transpersonal, existential, expressive, mindfulness, mind-body, behavioral (DBT and CBT). Together we sojourn toward self-awareness and compassion for self. Emblematic moments from the past may have become conditioned responses to the present. We focus both on here and now and historical events. TAT (Tapas Acupressure Technique), mindfulness, sensorimotor psychotherapy and EMDR-Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing help re-program stored arousal in the body.

First of all, I view all my clients' presenting issues as unhealthy yet normal adjustments to life problems. These adjustments have become problematic and created symptoms in the individual and in relationships. My goal is threefold: "stop the bleeding," seek healthier adjustments and, ultimately, to build a quality life of contentment and satisfaction. My orientation is existential and cognitive behavioral, with a specialty in clinical hypnosis and its many valuable applications.

I Am Accepting New Patients: I am a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist who works with people to enhance their natural strengths and overcome obstacles to success. I am Nationally Certified as a Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist. I work with children, youth, adults, and families with mental health concerns, using solution-focused, evidence-based approaches. Specializing in Focus and Performance, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression Attention and Mood Regulation. I help empower people to enhance their strengths, supports, and skills toward living healthy, productive lives.

I work with people dealing with the difficulties and struggles that come from living and growing. Many of my clients are struggling with life transitions, relationship problems, grief, stress, anxiety or trauma. They may have noticed patterns in their life they want to change. All of them want to feel better, to function better, and to understand themselves better. You do not need a diagnosis to work with me. However, if you have been diagnosed with a mental health issue, or are interested in being diagnosed, we can work together to identify and understand your struggles. Your goals will determine the work we do together.

Would you like to feel more calm, confident, hopeful, and energetic? Are you facing roadblocks or transitions in your relationships or family life? Would you like to become more effective at getting your needs met through self-compassion rather than self-criticism?

*** MY PRACTICE IS CURRENTLY FULL.*** I am a licensed clinical psychologist who has worked for over 30 years as a therapist and school consultant. My goal is to help individuals gain greater understanding of the challenges they face; identify the changes they want to make; develop the confidence to make those changes, and learn the skills necessary to do so. I have consulted regularly within schools to help school personnel support students and design strong policy and protocol; and to parents to help them manage the formidable challenges of parenting teens and young adults.

I work with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds and varying needs. Often, I support people to manage stress, sadness, and frustrations during life transitions. This may include assistance navigating stressors in relationships, within the family, at work, and at school. I enjoy helping families, and working with women who are pregnant or post partum. I help people to sort through their feelings, identify their goals, and develop a plan to move forward.

I offer individual counseling to adults and adolescents ages 16 and over. My approach is a combination of cognitive-behavioral (actively working on changing ones thoughts and behaviors) and therapeutic mindfulness (learning to experience difficulties with awareness and self-compassion rather than judgment and avoidance). I place a strong emphasis on building communication and coping skills that can be used again and again in challenging situations. I have experience treating anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, self-harming behaviors, and counseling around life transitions and family concerns.

At times, we all get stuck. Sometimes we worry, sometimes we don't see a way out, and sometimes we feel distant from or in conflict with the ones we love. There is a way through this, but it isn't always obvious. I can help. As a therapist, my job is to help you move beyond these difficult experiences and to re-engage with your most cherished aspirations, values and hopes.

People seeking the help of a therapist often feel alone, defeated, and even ashamed. Because of these typical feelings I believe it is extremely important for the therapist to foster feelings of hope and acceptance as a foundation for the work to follow. To achieve this I embrace the humanistic principle of Unconditional Positive Regard working with clients within a non-judgmental cooperative alliance.My office is located in a convenient, rural, residential setting that many of my clients have described as therapeutic. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship problems, PTSD, and loss of meaning in their lives.

**I AM NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS** I provide a client-centered, strengths-based approach to meet the unique needs of each individual within the safe and accepting space of the therapeutic relationship. Whether you are experiencing depression, ongoing anxiety and "dis-ease," a crisis due to a loss or life transition, family or relationship conflict, a sense of meaninglessness and lack of purpose in your life, a realization that perhaps you are relying on substances to cope, a yearning to be more at peace with yourself and the world, or a desire to be better able to manage the stress of everyday living, I can help.