Mindfulness-Based (MBCT) Therapists in Vermont

Our natural state is wellness. Yet many of us feel sick in our souls. Empty and discouraged, we seek creative bandaids to contain our despair : pursuits of money, relationships, sex, achievement, adventure, good works, productivity. Even health practices can become compulsive activities that fail to mend a persistent sense of inner broken-ness. Mindful Psychotherapy cultivates inherent wellness in the midst of life difficulty and opens the potential for real and lasting change. I am now honored to offer Mindfulness for couples as a certified Dialogue Therapist, a powerful time limited intervention : https://young-eisendrath.com/d

Please note: I respond faster to emails for setting up a time to chat. You will find the link to my website at the bottom of this page where you can read more about my work as well as my list of fees including consultation. My approach is holistic and evidence based. I work well with clients who seek better self-understanding, show up with a willingness to do the work, and are open to new perspectives and ideas to address solutions to problems. If any of this sounds on point for what you are looking for in therapy, then do reach out for a consultation to see if we’re a good fit.

As a somatic and mindfulness-based mental health counselor, I work with individual adults in identifying and affirming gifts and strengths; finding and maintaining calm, connection, and contentment; and creating new patterns that encourage health, growth, and resilience through life’s changes. A session with me might include movement exploration (informed by dance/movement therapy and yoga), awareness-building (mindfulness and meditation) exercises, therapeutic conversation, and lifestyle coaching. Sessions can be online, or outdoors among the trees - an opportunity to gain insight and inspiration from the natural world.

In a safe and supportive environment I work with adults, teens, children, couples, and families. For more than thirty years I have worked collaboratively with my clients around many different concerns, including illness and grief, relationship stress, separation and divorce, parenting (including co-parenting and step-parenting), career change and stress, care-taking of elderly and other family members, and self esteem struggles resulting from childhoods touched by neglect and/or abuse. Special interest and training in EFT (Emotionally Focused Couples and Individual Therapy).

My aim is to help you address problematic ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving by way of examining the ways in which you perceive the world around you. The goal is to assist you in reaching a position of appreciation for your genuine self (for you are the perfect you) and an acceptance of the events that occur in your life. I would be honored to take part in your journey of discovering the narratives which potentially distort reality and lead to discomfort, diminished self-worth, or other barriers to attaining contentment.

I specialize in treating adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, parenting issues, stress and trauma. I am also a yoga teacher and enjoy helping clients connect with their bodies to release tension and make space for self-awareness. I believe in the importance of creating a warm, non-judgmental and safe therapeutic space, and a relationship in which you feel supported, understood and heard. I create a collaborative and compassionate space with my clients to help them discover why they are struggling and work towards meaningful change and growth.

I believe that the most healing, transformative therapeutic work occurs when there is an authentic relationship between therapist and client. I provide an environment which fundamentally supports a feeling of safety by witnessing you where you are with curiosity and without judgment. For many people, feeling safe also involves being able to set their own pace in therapy.

I have been in the counseling field for over 30 years and have spent my time in Community Mental Health and Private Practice. I believe in the power of the human spirit to rise above the suffering that we all experience. Mindfulness is the foundation of my practice and I believe that becoming aware of our thinking patterns and distortions can move us in the direction of less suffering. When we can live in the present moment we can be free of the past and the depression this can cause and free of the future where anxiety and worry can reside. We can shed the stories we have carried for many years and develop a more spiritual path.

Having a safe, nonjudgmental space, to be yourself, and to reflect, discuss, and learn about your reactions, decisions, and challenges can lead to improved well-being. My psychotherapy practice creates that space in a hopeful, compassionate atmosphere. Psychotherapy is a collaborative process. Between your counseling sessions, you are encouraged to reflect and put new skills and insights into practice. I can weave traditional psychotherapy with mindfulness practices to relieve symptoms, promote self-care, make intentional decisions, and grow. Please email me and I'll be able to answer more quickly.

The goals of my practice are to support the development of self-compassion, reduce suffering and increase the capacity for a meaningful life. I am a Vermont Rostered Master of Psychology specializing in the Expressive Arts Therapies. I earned my degree at Goddard College and completed my clinical internship with a community mental health agency in Vermont, The Clara Martin Center. Prior to earning my degree, I worked for mental health agencies in New England and the Midwest, facilitating Wellness programming and therapeutic farming with young adults at alternative schools in Detroit, Michigan and Western Massachusetts.

Therapy can seem like a challenge at the beginning. The most important thing is that the client experiences a sense of safety and agency. I always appreciate when clients share openly about their struggles and communicate what they think is helpful. Clients already come with a lot of knowledge and experience. As a professional I aim to bring my skills and therapy experience to meet clients where they are at that moment. Good therapy involves both listening to the what each client needs and adapting my approach to help guide them and help them overcome challenges.

Have you, a friend/partner/family member experienced a traumatic event - loss of loved one, loss of child, loss of pet, a life-changing event, verbal/emotional/sexual abuse - and need help processing the grief, regaining control of your life, rebuilding your self-confidence/self-esteem? Do you or someone you know have issues with substance use and are seeking assistance in identifying challenges that have kept you or your loved one from breaking through barriers of addiction toward recovery? Are you a youth/family needing help identifying positive communication/coping strategies, managing anger, or identifying triggers of anxiety?

The goal of my practice is to reduce suffering, expand personal freedom, and create a stable and joyous life for my patients. And because the problems people face in life are as unique as people themselves, I approach therapy in a highly personalized manner. I have experience working on a wide range of problems from adjustment to life stress and transforming pervasive negativity to managing and transforming complex mental and emotional pain.

I am currently making a waitlist for new clients! Welcome to Joyful Otter Therapy. I offer in-person and telehealth counseling and psychotherapy services for children, adolescents, adults and families, ages 4 and up. Through a holistic approach, I strive to provide a safe and accessible environment to explore your strengths and needs, and develop goals that fit your current situation. Using evidence-based therapy, such as cognitive behavioral (CBT), mindfulness-based, and play therapy, I incorporate expressive arts to allow for more accessible treatment.

I work with adolescents, families and adults, joining with them in their quest for wholeness, emotional recovery and greater happiness. I have experience helping others navigate through trauma, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, anger and issues specific to the LGBTQQ community.

Telehealth only! I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. I excel working with clients who desire evidence-based treatments such as DBT and CBT. It is my belief that clients know themselves best and should be in the driver's seat at all times.

***Limited Spaces Available. Currently Accepting New Clients. Due to the large amount of families that I see, I can only accept new, adult individuals at this time. I'm available in Barre, VT*** Throughout my years in the field of mental health I've had the incredible opportunity to work with a wide range of clients from several different cultures, backgrounds, and socio-economic status. In addition to my strong clinical background, I have also worked in the field of forensics and substance abuse recovery.

Feeling stuck? Wondering how you got to where you are in life? Relationship issues? Overwhelmed? Sad? Wanting to make a change but don't know where to begin? These are often the concerns my clients bring into therapy. Through our work together, we find the way forward; no issue is too big or too small. Counseling can help and contrary to popular belief, it can be fun and healing at the same time!

I believe that a collaborative approach and a genuine therapeutic relationship serve as the foundation for immense personal growth and change. I approach therapy through warmth and compassion, striving to create a safe and non-judgmental space from which to explore emotions, life patterns, and areas for growth. I specialize in working with adolescents, college students and adults experiencing anxiety, depression and trauma.