Therapists in Hardwick, VT

Aaron Billings, LCMHC a licensed clinician in Northern Vermont. Aaron primarily works with adults and children who are struggling with mental health, addiction, co-occurring and/or accompanying medical concerns. Aaron has been working in the fields of human services, wellness, and education since 1993 and as a counselor since 2012. Experience includes young children, teens, disabled persons, TBI and acquired brain injury, autism, Trauma and abuse, college students, elders, young adults, and people with addictions. I use a combination of counseling and learning theories including Solution Focused, Human centered, and Cognitive.

My counseling approach is both practical and realistic, provided in a relaxed atmosphere. I work with adults, children, and families interested and willing to make necessary changes in their lives. I've also incorporated pets into my practice, as research has proven the use of pets in counseling reduces stress and elevates mood. Areas of treatment include depression, anxiety, PTSD, behavioral issues, identity concerns, relationship difficulties, crisis consultation, etc.

My practice is based on the premise that the relationship is key to emotional wellbeing. Life experiences and especially trauma can lead us to distort our interpretations of both our internal and external worlds. My counseling experience began in 2007 working with young people with extensive social, emotional, and behavioral needs. This inevitably raised my awareness of the importance of the family and related support systems. I spent much of my life as a professional musician and have been able to use music in my therapeutic work, supporting the development and maintenance of sharing, self-regulation, and effective communication.

In our journeys through life we experience both pleasurable and distressing events. When these events reach a level of trauma and are not processed or effectively integrated, individuals may rely on less adaptive strategies to manage discomfort, stress and change. These strategies can negatively influence the way we perceive and interact with the world and affect our intuitive nature and our intentionality for seeking meaning and experiencing joy. My practice is informed by a deeply attuned and heartfelt approach to my client’s emotional wellbeing. I enjoy working with children, adolescents, individuals, couples and families.

Everyone wants to have a Successful Life? You know that your life could be better, but you don’t know where to start. You feel overwhelmed. You fall back on the same patterns because they feel familiar, but you know that you need to try something different. My role as a counselor is to guide you toward successful recovery from dependence or abuse. During our confidential, one-on-one meetings, I will share my ideas for you to find successful recovery. I can help you build a strong bridge to move forward.

I have been in private practice in Hardwick, VT since 2003. I use a psychodynamic approach. Psychodynamic therapy views the therapeutic relationship as a mirror of patients' difficulties in relation to others and, on a deeper level, of patients' earlier relations to their parents. This type of therapy is valuable for anyone but especially for people who are curious, who have the capacity for insight, and who are passionate for self-development. Common presenting issues are depression, anxiety, family of origin conflict, relationship problems (for example, divorce, separation), history of abuse/neglect, and obsessive and/or compulsive behaviors.