Therapists in Burlington, VT

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.

OPEN TO ACCEPT NEW CLIENTS. PLEASE CONTACT FOR AVAILABILITY. Transitions, relationship issues, anxiety, traumatic events, grief, loss… these are all experiences that can hold us back from truly living our lives by causing us to feel worried, confused, or hopeless. To support you in exploring what is happening, my starting point is to connect with you to build a relationship of trust, empathy, and respect. I offer curiosity and compassion while holding a safe space and time for you and with you. I have a calm presence and encourage you to engage in the process of making choices that open doors to the life you want.

Start where you are! Everyone of us has experienced rough times in our lives. Sometimes we feel stuck in painful patterns. Sometimes we are overwhelmed with anxiety or sadness. I believe we have the inner resources and qualities we need to work through our issues, but we don’t always know where to start and we need help accessing those resources. I will help you find your way and teach you to use your own innate intelligence to move forward. After more than 25 years of helping clients, I bring compassion, mindfulness and life experience to my practice.

I am a therapist who specializes in serving the GBTQ+ community, with practices based in Colorado, Vermont, and California. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community myself, I understand the challenges that GBTQ+ individuals face when seeking mental health support from therapists who may not fully understand their unique needs. I am committed to providing effective Queer Specialized Therapy to my clients. My passion lies in exploring the relationships between mental health and Queerness, which is why I have dedicated my professional life to serving the LGBTQIA+ community through my therapy practice.

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 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.

I'd like to help support you. I often work with people who are entering new life stages: having kids, changing jobs, finishing school, getting married, leaving relationships, or learning to set boundaries. I believe that therapy should feel encouraging, equip you with the skills and confidence you need, and support you in being yourself—whatever that means for you. Maybe you’re feeling worn down by some old struggles and are ready to move on from them. Maybe you’re trying to get used to a whole new set of challenges. Maybe you’re feeling totally lost in the woods. I’d like to help you find your way through.

The goals of treatment with me often focus on goal identification, skill development, and working through trauma. I believe therapy is most impactful when clients give themselves permission to try new things, approach themselves with curiosity and empathy, and push themselves out of their comfort zones. I have served individuals who struggle with mood instability, people with substance use disorders or who are considering making a change in their use, formerly incarcerated people, LGBTQIA individuals, and survivors of trauma.

*My practice is currently full and I am not starting work with new clients. I believe that our mental health 'symptoms' are often our psyche's way of calling us to a different way of living. Each struggle in our lives is an opportunity for self-awareness and personal growth. Through many years of experience, I have developed an integrated approach utilizing the best practices in the field of psychotherapy. My approach adapts to the uniqueness of each individual and their own personal story, beliefs and interests. The foundation of my work is the development of a meaningful, trusting relationship with my clients.

It's your life. It's important. Figuring things out for yourself doesn't mean you must do it alone. Therapy helps reconnect to fundamentals, grow from pain, and cultivate wellness. Your therapist is your partner on the journey. We help you build pathways, forge deeper connections, build relationships, and live authentically. We tune into the core of the matter and acknowledge the impacts of your history and society.

Family experiences shape our functioning in relationships. Understanding the dynamics & patterns used can lead to better self management in relationships, whether in families, marriages, partnerships or in the workplace. As individuals increase self awareness they are better equipped to navigate the challenges presented to them. When individuals put efforts into changing themselves, I believe that interesting and creative ways of addressing challenges begin to emerge. Managing self requires the ability to find ways to step back from the moment to gain a broader perspective, to gather facts, to strengthen one's knowledge, and to think through a plan of action.

I believe that good therapy starts with a strong therapeutic relationship. From this place of connection, empathy, and understanding, we’ll work together to explore what’s holding you back from living a life that feels full and meaningful. As your therapist, I will join with you to help heal old wounds, discover inner wisdom, and move towards a more full way of being in the world. My approach to therapy is integrative and recognizes the importance of mind, body, and spirit. I pull particularly from my training in AEDP and IFS as well as other approaches including mindfulness, psychodynamic, emotion-focused, and person-centered.