Therapists in Burlington, VT

I value being a warm, safe presence where people can come to feel known and accepted. My style is gentle, empathic, and occasionally humorous! I truly believe that everyone is doing the best they can with what they know and are deserving of grace and compassion. I work with kids, teens, and adults on a variety of issues: life transitions, relationship struggles, meaning of life questions, and more.

Hi, I'm Marissa Manning, a Vermont clinician with a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California. I have worked in the medical field for 13 years, and as a medical social worker for 5 of those years. I have a passion for supporting people throughout the lifespan including new mothers/fathers as they navigate changes that come with parenthood, as well as the geriatric community navigating aging, and at times loss of independence. With this I also enjoy working with caregivers discussing burnout and changes in roles in the family system.

Welcome! It can be very difficult asking for help. Through my engaged and compassionate therapeutic style, I work to lessen the difficulty. I believe that throughout all of our lives we find ourselves navigating transition, relational difficulties, illness, distress, and growth. During these times, there can be a range of experiences from mild dissatisfaction to anxiety and despair. My practice centers on fostering an empathic and authentic therapeutic environment in which there is acceptance and safety in exploring and making meaning out of your experiences and internal world.

With more than two decades of experience, I have worked in various settings, including clinical, medical, and academic milieus, and with a diverse clientele in urban and rural areas. I have extensive expertise in treating those who face a range of challenges, including anxiety, stress, sadness and depressed mood, grief, family and life transitions, relationship difficulties, trauma, adoption, attachment-related concerns, OCD, chronic illness, and interpersonal struggles. Additionally, I work with clients seeking to deepen self-awareness, heal unresolved areas, and expand their capacity for meaningful connection and fulfillment.

In my work with individuals and partners, I bring a warm and grounding presence to each relationship. I trust in the innate capacity of each of us to heal and grow; this belief guides my work in supporting folks navigating complex trauma, grief, chronic illness, and relationship issues. Feeling understood and valued within a supportive, nurturing environment allows us to access deeper exploration and healing, emotional release, & the integration of new mind-body connections. Regardless of how ingrained and automatic your patterns might be, and how stuck you might feel, a more peaceful life is possible.

Looking for a down to earth and relaxed therapist? You're in the right place! While all the individuals I work with are unique, my focus is within the LGBTQ inclusive communities and the foster care community where I have lived experience, and those with chronic illness/caregivers. I address a multitude of concerns including gender identity, transgender health, trauma, grief/loss, stress, anxiety, depression, boundary setting, women's issues, positive self care. I write gender affirming care letters. I am here to provide you with a safe space and affirming care to navigate your concerns and assist you in reaching your goals!

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 have a focus on providing collaborative support within a framework of social justice and a strong belief that each person has everything they need within them and sometimes we all lose touch with these things and could use some outside support to discover our answers. I view my role as a therapist as the bridge to the answers within that may be difficult to see. I believe that the context of our lives is important to understanding our experiences.

Clients typically come to me seeking support and therapy for chronic conditions that involve managing high stress, understanding the mental health impacts of ailments, and treatment for conditions that can be addressed with outpatient therapy.

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 work with individuals ages 17 to 35 who are seeking a space to safely engage in self-exploration. I see therapy as a process of exploring connections between past and present relationships, experiences, and emotional states in order to bring about opportunities for emotional healing and the reshaping of unhelpful stories about ourselves.

I value working collaboratively with my clients in a patient, authentic, and empathic manner to help empower individuals to find ways to more effectively navigate and cope with the challenges and stressors in their lives. I have experience working with children, adolescents, families, adults, and couples from a wide variety of racial, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds. I've worked in crisis intervention with individuals experiencing suicidal ideation, as well as with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, low self-esteem, substance use issues, relationship issues, and LGBTQ concerns.

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've seen the power of human connection and how it can be a catalyst for great change in our lives. When people take the courageous step to seek therapy, they know they want to change something, but they may not know what the thing is, or how to go about changing it. I meet my clients where they are with authenticity, and am adept at shining a light on their competence, capacity for growth, and value they bring to the world.

Psychological distress limits our ability to participate in relationships meaningfully, and to fulfill our various roles in a way that is satisfying. Therapy can help.

Being BIPOC in Vermont has shaped your wellbeing and quality of life. Whether it be generational or cultural trauma, anxiety, microaggressions, medical racism, or the expectations put upon you growing up, you don’t want this to impact you, your partner or your children. But sadly they are. You know the pressures of being raised in an immigrant household, of being invalidated and dismissed in the healthcare system, and of having little to no help along the way. You’ve had to utilize your own resourcefulness and persistence to address these issues head on. And you’ve felt very lonely in the process.

For the time being I am working virtually using a telemedicine portal. So far it as been working out well!! Focusing on self and on family history can provide insights to meaningful change. Knowledge of who you are enables you to redirect anxiety and think differently about others in your family and larger social system. Challenges can become opportunities.

Update: accepting private pay clients only. You can be autonomous within your own mind/body/spirit. You can learn new skills, gain knowledge, resources, and tools to move with more ease in your life. You can allow a smoother and clearer journey, past the struggle, past the pain or past the dark. Hi, my name is Penélope. As an Afro-Latina woman and 2nd generation Dominican I have faced many struggles. Accepting support has aided me in building resilience to move past the fear and worry. I help my clients in finding that kind of transformation and to create and build healthy tools, in order to thrive, reach for the stars, and shine.

If traumatic experiences, anxiety in relationships, and/or professional burnout, are challenges for you, it's time to reach out for help. Regardless of the circumstances in your life. You are deserving of a safe place filled with, reciprocal conversation, clarity, and restoration. My goal is for you to feel connected, seen, and re-energize. If this resonates with you, it’s time to invest in an intensive therapeutic experience that is tailored to reshape your life.