Maine Community Health Options Therapists in Portland, ME

MY PRACTICE IS CURRENTLY FULL> . I believe that we all seek to be seen and known. Counseling is a place where we can be supported and reconnect to our strengths, flexibility and resourcefulness. My approach to helping you reconnect to your strengths incorporates mind-body awareness, and relational theory. We'll work in collaboration to help you regain the balance you need to meet your challenges. I offer clients many body based tools from my training in EMDR, AEDP, IFS, meditation, yoga, acupressure, and Attunement work as well as journaling, and spirituality exploration.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with many years experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families. I have worked within mental health agencies and in the public school system for 20 years supporting children and their caregivers through a wide range of challenges including adult-child conflict, depression, anxiety, other mental health diagnoses, ADHD, autism spectrum challenges, and trauma.

My intention as a therapist is to create an environment that is supportive, positive, and in which the client has both freedom of expression and freedom from judgment. My work is grounded in the principles of mindfulness, and utilizes meditation, cognitive behavioral strategies and biofeedback techniques. My approach to psychotherapy is practical: by addressing our patterns of thought and behavior we impact how we think, react and feel. Even small changes in these daily habits can improve wellness and bring clarity to concerns, goals, and ideas for more creative, sustainable approaches to living.

I specialize in working with adults who have experienced trauma. I currently have openings in my weekly Trauma Recovery Group with an online class format that teaches members Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), an evidence based trauma-focused psychotherapy that helps people recover from trauma. If you have experienced a traumatic event and have noticed that it negatively impacts the way in which you think and feel about yourself, other people, and the world, it is likely that you would benefit from this group. Please click the website link to learn more about this group and schedule a screening appointment with me.

None of this is easy. Maybe you're adjusting to a change, like parenting or job loss, and looking to find your identity. Maybe you're becoming aware of a problematic pattern in your life, like constant anxiety, difficulty with relationships, or intense emotions. You don't have to feel overwhelmed by depression, anxiety, shame, or anger any more. Let's talk about it and find some strategies to soothe it now, and stop it from reoccurring. If you're reluctant about therapy, I can reassure you that I'm not here to judge, and want to make it a safe and fun environment.

Thank you for exploring my page on Psychology Today. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker I provide individual, couples and family therapy with an approach that integrates cognitive-behavioral therapy and family systems models. (I do not treat children or adolescents in my practice.) My role as therapist is to help stimulate change by facilitating conversations that explore and lead to new ways of thinking about your life and relationships, and ways to initiate meaningful change.

The art of therapy is one of listening deeply to what is being communicated. The work in therapy is to make meaning of the information and narrative. The process of therapy is to use the information to guide and effect change.

I am licensed to practice as a mental health counselor as well as an alcohol and drug counselor in the State of Maine. My main areas of expertise are in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of co-occurring disorders (both mental health and substance use issues). I have experience providing individual, family and group therapy to treat problems such as trauma/PTSD, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, identity development, communication and life transitions.

My clinical approach weaves together the science and art of psychotherapy, and rests on two main principles. First, I am committed to doing what works: I draw on the latest clinical research to provide treatments rooted in a range of conceptual frameworks that are well supported by scientific evidence. Second, I recognize and honor individual differences: I use creativity and skill to design treatments that align with each client's unique needs and experiences.

People come to me for all reasons: family discord, relationship issues, trauma history, struggles with depression, anxiety, abuse, concerns for a child/teen to name a few. I work hard at connecting with my clients and helping them on their journey of exploring self, history and patterns of behavior. I believe that through understanding our internal parts originating from the past and specific identifications and working with them it is possible to form a pathway toward self discovery, create change, heal from pain & become a happier, healthier person/family. I work with kids, teens, adults, couples & families

My conceptual skills and strengths from clinical practice are well-suited for highly motivated individuals; open to learning how to advance and stabilize their emotional health, based on sound principles for psychological and philosophic conflict-resolution. My approach reflects the understanding that growth requires critical self-reflection and ample time to actualize meaningful change. My experiences in academic studies, clinical services, and social justice affords me a broad range of insights; relevant to developing timely orientations for supporting composed ways, of handling internal and external, past and present conflicts.

I am shifting my practice to online and home/community-based treatment. I currently accept all insurances. Please call and we may chat!

My personal journey, along with my education and over 15 years of professional experience, have combined to enable me to be an effective counselor who is compassionate, non-judgmental and empathetic. One who believes we are all equal regardless of our race, sexual orientation, or spiritual beliefs. I believe in recovery of the whole person ... body, mind and soul. We will focus on your strengths and build a recovery plan that works for you.

We all experience challenges during our everyday lives. Sometimes these challenges can seem overwhelming and discouraging. I work with people who want to make changes in their lives to help themselves overcome these difficult experiences. These changes can often be difficult to contemplate, yet alone act on. I strive to create a supportive environment for my clients where they can explore their concerns and the emotions that arise.

"Great results can follow if you allow yourself to solve difficult problems". Thank you for visiting my site! I have worked with a wide range of individuals and families in the mental health field for over 25 years. I believe every person and situation is unique and should be treated as such. Working together with a therapist you trust, you can make your life what you want it to be!

Current Pro Bono openings for individuals open to working with a student. Countless young people have reported feeling like their trauma is their fault, that they feel guilty or shameful of having been victimized. If you're experiencing anger, shame, fear, guilt, anxiety, or depression related to an experience out of your control, we can work together to put you back in control of your life. Familial conflict or transitions interfering with your relationship with your teen? Lets work together to figure out how to meet everyone's needs and meet balance.

People often come into therapy during times of change in their lives. We will work together to identify stuck points that may be causing you distress as well as areas of untapped strength and resilience to help guide you through changes. I specialize in the treatment of Eating Disorders and have worked with both families and individuals. I enjoy working with people struggling with body image distress and binge eating. I also work with anxiety, depression and general life stressors

I help clients navigate life’s stresses and difficulties using treatment methods that are collaborative, evidence based and results oriented. I use problem solving therapies such as: CBT, Solution-Oriented and Positive Psychology. Somatic approaches like Polyvagal Therapy and HRV biofeedback. And I have a foundation in Psychodynamic and Systems Therapy. Helping clients develop resilience and skills to navigate transition, crisis or change is a particular area of specialty. I also work with individuals, couples and families affected by head injury and adult ADHD, bipolar disorder, etc.

I specialize in adults and professionals. Life challenges everyone and sometimes we feel stuck. Stuck in sadness, worry, or doubt. Trapped in challenging relationship patterns, old habits or overwhelming stress. I can support you in getting unstuck - overcoming loss, depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship and family challenges, career difficulties, transitions and burnout. We sometimes struggle to find meaning and purpose in our work and personal lives. We sometimes feel broken, different or like we’re not enough. I can help you reconnect to what matters to you, what you love about life, and find a way forward.