Therapists in Burlington, VT

I believe that therapy is most effective when it is empathic, collaborative, non-judgemental and non-pathologizing. I am deeply interested in the uniqueness of each human being who comes to me. By talking together in ways which nurture curiosity, compassion and insight we will look at what troubles you, what brings you hope, and which patterns of thinking/feeling/being you are engaging in that are not serving you well now.

Sometimes we all need extra support as we navigate life's challenges and find ways to move forward. My counseling approach is grounded in the belief that everyone is capable of change and that we all have within us a deep well of strength and resilience that enables us to overcome and move toward our fullest and most empowered selves. Together, we will work to draw on your strengths and resources, clarify your goals, and explore your internal and external worlds in order to deepen your awareness and create the space for change, growth, and healing.

I strive to provide an open, safe and respectful place for individual's to begin, or continue, working on their identified issues. My approach is to work collaboratively with individual's to facilitate person-centered strengths based therapy in order to help them accomplish their goals. I utilize a variety of therapy modalities to help with this process.

The goal of my practice is to help reduce suffering and to increase capacity for joy, flexibility, and life fulfillment. I individualize my approach to your needs using a mix of different psychological approaches, including cognitive-behavioral, narrative and psychodynamic. I am a Vermont licensed doctoral-level psychologist who trained in health psychology at the Minneapolis VA Hospital, and engaged in postdoctoral study in behavioral medicine at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. I worked for many years at the Hazelden Center, a nationally-recognized leader in addiction treatment, and gained additional experience working with adolescents as a high school counselor and wellness teacher.

I work collaboratively with clients to facilitate person-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed therapy in order to help each of my clients reach their greatest potential. I have experience working with people from early adolescence through late adulthood, concentrating specifically on substance use treatment while exploring relationships, mood and anxiety problems, self-esteem, and any other areas of living a client would like to discuss.

Do you have questions or concerns about your drinking or drug use, or perhaps that of someone else? Have recent events in your life caused you to be sad, confused, or feeling alone? I can provide you with a safe and accepting environment with which to explore these uncomfortable feelings. Together we will make a plan to help you eliminate the shame and secrecy which may keep you from thriving. I will help you to communicate about your beliefs and behaviors in an inquisitive, non-judgemental manner which will aid you in fully realizing your potential.

I believe that each client is their own best expert, and has come to counseling because they have hit a log jam or bump in the road. Often times they have unresolved issues in their past that have been triggered by current issues that have the same theme. Also, some clients come to counseling due to current situations that are more short-term. My counseling style is very respectful, collaborative, going at a pace that meets the client's needs. Validation of the client's strengths, feelings and stressors is key to helping them transcend traumas and negative experience of the past and present.

I believe that a collaborative approach and a genuine therapeutic relationship serve as the foundation for immense personal growth and change. I work from a place of 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 college students and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, loss, relationship challenges, and trauma. I have worked in the mental health field for five years, two of those years working in college counseling and the past three years in community mental health.

Life is full of challenge, hardship, transition, and unknown. Together we create a space for you to explore and address the challenges in your life; space where you can be seen, heard, and take a breath. In life, change and healing are possible. You can change your habits, ways of being, patterns, moods, thoughts, and you can heal. Using mindfulness and trauma informed practices that focus on a body mind perspective I will assist you in realizing the changes you want to make in life so you can begin taking the steps toward safe healing. I use Brainspotting to address traumatic experiences, PTSD, and other unresolved life incidents.

I help people live satisfying lives. People come to see me for various reasons. Those reasons include depression, anxiety, relationships, grief, and trauma. Some people have trouble eating, sleeping, having sex, socializing or keeping their bodies safe from harm. I help people understand what they are feeling and how those feelings are being expressed.

I have accrued over ten years of experience with people on sorting through a variety of life's difficulties. I work with people who may be struggling with all sorts of problems including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and relational difficulties.

CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS. 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.

We could all benefit from support at times. Someone who is willing to listen. Someone to provide an outside perspective. We can work together to help you stay connected to your positive parenting skills, your need to find calm or perhaps work through a past trauma. You may be at the beginning of a journey, in the middle or further along. Wherever you are, connect with someone who provides encouragement and perspective. Children and families are welcome! We live in an ever changing world. Let's do something to help strengthen our foundation...for life!

We share a universal humanness as we agonize over decisions, struggle with isolation, endure losses, & seek meaning in life. I believe this fundamental connection is at the root of all healing. You yearn for compassionate listening & an empathetic personal engagement in your journey towards positive self-discovery. I want to help you find the freedom to generate new ways of thinking, feeling & acting: to transform unhelpful personal narratives into strength-based versions you can use to flourish. Adult or child, you are uniquely beautiful & vulnerable. Through talk or play, we'll explore how you can live more comfortably as both.

In my practice, I treat older adolescents, college students, adults, and families. I have extensive experience in working with those who face a variety of issues including anxiety, depressed mood, OCD, grief, family and life transitions, chronic illness, peer issues, trauma, adoption, and attachment-related concerns. Additionally, I work with clients seeking to deepen self-awareness, heal emotional wounds, and explore areas in their lives that they would like to strengthen.

I'm a licensed and published psychoanalyst (NPAP-New York) and can help you look deeply at the origins of your pain, conflicts and confusion so you can experience more peace and satisfaction with yourself, your relationships and your work. I believe change is always possible, and understand it takes courage to ask for help. My approach will help you remember who you are and what you need to resolve in order to thrive. I will listen deeply, and provide insight, direction and support to help you recognize and overcome self defeating patterns and build on your particular strengths.

Hello and welcome. My name is Vicki Garrison, and I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC). I deeply value my work as a clinician and providing services in a manner that meets your needs. As such, my work is grounded in establishing a genuine therapeutic relationship with you and maintaining a safe, warm, nonjudgmental, confidential, inclusive, and empowering therapeutic environment.

I offer consultations, psychotherapy, and intensive psychoanalysis. An initial consultation will allow an investigation into the possibility of working together.