A few weeks ago I went on a whale watch off the coast of Portland, Maine. The experience was lovely and there were indeed a couple of whales to be watched, as well as seals and sharks and a variety of birds. All of them were beautiful and awe-inspiring. Surprisingly, though, it wasn’t the whales that stole the show.

It was the butterflies.

Over and over throughout the 4-hour ride, gorgeous little Monarch butterflies danced over our heads far out on the water. The guides shared that the Monarchs were migrating to Mexico, making a more than 3,000 mile journey, much of it over the water along the coast.

There was something spectacularly moving about seeing tiny butterflies against the backdrop of a massive and endless body of water. There was nowhere to land, nothing to rest on, no flowers- nothing solid or reliable in sight. It seemed preposterous that a butterfly would make its migration flight over water – what a ballsy and maybe slightly stupid move, am I right?

But there you have it.

In the therapy room, we frequently examine the little “landing spots” that we put in place to help us feel safe navigating the world. As both a therapist and a human I am a big proponent of this idea – having preparedness, safety nets, contingency plans, and emergency supplies on our side so we can go out into the Scary world with some sense of peace. Some of us need many more “landing spots” than others, and I think that’s perfectly okay – we do what we need to do to take care of all of the Parts of ourselves. Sometimes just going out the front door in the morning is a very bold move. Because let’s face it…for lots of us, the world can be/is a dark place.

And.

We are sometimes gently forced to move through our fear when the landing spots inevitably become spaced out or less available. In those moments we have no choice but to take a deep breath and just keep going, taking the best care of ourselves that we can until respite becomes available to us again. Sometimes, we just have to fly over the ocean for awhile, with no safety nets in sight. This requires us to be Very Brave humans, indeed.

These moments are scary, to be sure. They can also be exhilarating and invaluable, showing us all the Lionhearted Parts of ourselves that maybe we didn’t know we had in us. I had such a moment occur recently, and it reminded me not to undersell myself and my own capabilities – that I perhaps possess far more strength than I’d thought.

The moments we need to fly without safety nets: What lovely opportunities, when they come up, to reveal the very best of ourselves.

faq's

Useful Information

Some frequently asked questions and useful answers.

What is online therapy?

Online therapy works in the same way as in-office therapy, but is done online, similar to a Skype or FaceTime conversation. Clients are able to have sessions from home, work, or any other convenient location. We meet with clients using a HIPAA-compliant secure platform.

What are the advantages of online therapy?

Online therapy allows you to work with us from the comfort of home, or any private location of your choosing. For some, the screen provides an added layer of comfort that makes the challenging work of being vulnerable in therapy a little easier.

Online therapy also creates the unique opportunity for you to work with us without the constraints of proximity! The practice was born in Keene, New Hampshire, but has since grown to service clients anywhere in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, Florida, and New Hampshire.

Who benefits from online therapy?

Online therapy is a great option for clients that travel for work, for college students that go home during the summertime and do not want a break in their sessions, and for anyone with a challenging or inconsistent day-to-day schedule. It is an excellent choice for clients seeking a therapist with a particular specialty that they are unable to find support for locally. Some of our clients report that online therapy makes the vulnerability element of therapy a bit less intimidating.

Is online therapy for everybody?

No. For some clients with more complex symptoms or safety concerns, having a local therapist that is readily available is important in case of crisis or the need for a higher level of care. Online therapy is also a challenge for clients that do not have access to a private, quiet space to be “in session” for the hour, or for those that do not have adequate internet connectivity.

Why don’t you accept insurance?

There are several reasons why we don’t accept insurance. The most important are:

Confidentiality. Insurance companies require that your information be shared with them in order to pay for services. We prefer that clients’ information is kept as confidential as possible.

The pressure to diagnose. Insurance companies require that clients are given a mental health diagnosis in order to pay for therapy. We have found that many clients benefit from therapy, but do not meet criteria for a diagnosis. Not using insurance allows clients to access therapy without being given a mental health diagnosis.

Flexibility and freedom. Insurance companies dictate the length and number of sessions they will authorize, as well as when a client is no longer eligible for the benefits of therapy. Because we do not work with insurance panels, you and we can collaborate to determine your individual needs regarding session length, frequency of sessions, and when to terminate therapy.

While we do not accept insurance, many clients choose to submit receipts to their insurance companies to receive reimbursement via out-of-network benefits. We are happy to provide these receipts for you! Please check with your insurance company for details on your benefits.

testimonials

Feedback

Read some of our latest testimonials to see why others put their trust in us.

"Dana’s warm, empathetic approach allows people to break down walls. She has a way of creating a safe space that gives people permission to share openly. Her clients have often searched long and hard for a therapist to connect with, and are grateful to have found her."

"Kasey was compassionate, empathetic and supportive of the clients we served in our work together. She demonstrated excellent professional boundaries, and was a natural in making her clients feel comfortable and safe to open up and express themselves.”

“Kasey has been there for me through hardships that I could not have trusted with anyone else. Kasey is warm and empathetic, she has been a cheerleader for my successes, has listened to me when I needed an ear, and has given me sage advice when I needed it most. I would refer my clients to Kasey without hesitation.”

"Sky approaches every client with respect and openness. She takes an integrated approach to the therapeutic interventions she applies. When you work with Skyler you invest in your emotional health."

“Dana is a highly skilled and compassionate therapist. Her curiosity and dedication to continual growth and learning make her stand out. I couldn’t endorse her more as a clinician.”

Sky exudes professionalism in every aspect of her job from working with patients, staff and advocating on behalf of her clients. She develops strong rapport with her clients and their families which allows for most effective client care while maintaining professional boundaries.

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