Couples Counseling Therapists in Burlington, VT

I assist and support individuals and couples to live from the deepest places, to make meaning in their lives, and to improve functioning within self, and between self and others. I offer possibility. I have been in the private practice of psychotherapy since 1977. Clients sometimes come to me when therapy with other therapists has not worked. I am willing to go as deeply as you are within the safety of clear ethical boundaries. I value difference and work to hold and accept and work with differences, whether they be personal, sexual, racial or cultural.

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.

My practice is currently full and I'm unable to respond to referrals. I believe the foundation for effective therapy is a trusting and empathic relationship . With my guidance, clients develop insight to their thinking and behavior patterns in order to make space for change. I work collaboratively with clients to develop a plan and empower them to follow through on change. My approach incorporates mindfulness and behaviorally based interventions.

If you are an individual that is motivated, desiring change and healing, or just seeking a good mental health checkup knowing you are on the path you embrace, you will find a good fit with me. My style is compassionate but direct. Do you appreciate openness, straightforward communication, thoughtful questions, humor, and building a strong working relationship ? I will be supportive and challenge you to be the best you. I will offer a deep understanding with human life struggles especially trauma, grief, and tragedy. Every part of self is important: emotional, intellectual, psychological and spiritual. A safe space is created.

I believe that times of transition or crisis, though frequently painful and disorienting, offer us powerful opportunities for adaptation and healing. I believe we have a fundamental need for connection, for being truly heard and for feeling effective and valued. Whether you are 35 or 85 or somewhere in between, I offer you a place to safely explore your needs and challenges. My clients describe my style as honest, engaged, compassionate and respectful. From my work in urban and rural settings, within a variety of socio-economic communities, I have developed a profound belief in everyone's capacity for positive change.

It's hard being human. Whether you are living with grief, loss, emptiness, low energy, the demands of a busy world, the impacts of you uniquely complicated past, lack of focus, self-criticism, depleted inspiration, relationship challenges, health concerns, harms due to injustice and systematic oppression, and/or the struggle to find meaning in your life… I invite you to dock your ship in the harbor of your own presence & to seek healing and solace through the accompaniment that therapy offers. I would love to walk beside you on your journey of honoring your truth(s) and connecting to what matters most to you.

My clinical work has consisted of treating a variety of clients with different backgrounds and concerns. I am particularly interested and experienced in treating interpersonal relationship problems, self-esteem concerns, family of origin issues, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, codependency and LGBTQ issues. I enjoy facilitating individual and couples therapy with adults. As a compassionate, yet assertive clinician, I work with clients to meet self-identified goals. I view myself more as a guide and mentor than expert. My clients have described me as "down to earth" and "personable."

Welcome! I believe that every person deserves to live a life that feels the most true and fulfilling to them. My goal is to be present with you through any challenges you may be facing, while using those challenges as a powerful opportunity for healing and growth.

Being a person in 2023 is hard. Whether you're experiencing depression or anxiety, understanding new identities, working towards building healthy relationships, or simply trying to understand your own goals better, it can feel overwhelming. I see therapy as a means of helping you understand how you work, supporting you in identifying strategies for getting your needs met, and building motivation to try new things. I believe in a collaborative approach and work to integrate feedback to co-create a therapy relationship where you feel safe and seen.

We are all worthy of love and belonging. It is a fundamental part of the human experience. We all strive to find meaning, purpose, connection, safety, and healing within all domains of our lives. I am enthusiastic about aiding people in their quest to deepen self-understanding, self-compassion, and personal growth. Together we will create a therapeutic relationship grounded in trust, respect, authenticity, curiosity, and collaboration. This allows us to address the issues you are facing in a warm empathic space. It helps us to develop a greater awareness of self and others; cultivating more fulfilling interpersonal relationships.