Don’t just survive; thrive.

This past summer I attended an IFS conference featuring Richard Schwartz in Cape Cod. The setting was gorgeous (seals, guys), the weather was beautiful, and the information was riveting. In one of the sessions, Schwartz was discussing how traditional therapeutic methods allow for daily functioning, but do not address the deep healing that needs to take place for true thriving to be possible. And then he said, “That’s why CBT doesn’t work.”

You could’ve heard a pin drop in that room. For all my non-therapist readers, please understand: To dismiss CBT is about as controversial as it gets. We’re all trained in it, and it’s “evidence-based” – this was a BOLD statement. I know this comment ruffled many feathers (because I heard people talking about it after the session), but I felt encouraged and excited by the proclamation.

Not because I don’t believe CBT is useful (I think it’s an incredibly effective way to cope day to day, and I implement it in my own work), but because the prospect of true healing, and of moving from surviving to thriving, excites me as a therapist and as a human. Doesn’t it excite you?

When we implement coping skills (like in CBT), we do a great job of getting through stressful situations. But often, we don’t move far beyond that. For instance, we are anxious, and cope with it with deep breathing or Lorazapam or slow exposure to scary things – and that’s fantastic! But is there the possibility for more?  Can our Anxious Part take up a new job within our system, channel itself elsewhere, teach us how to take care of it, so that we actually experience it differently? Can we learn to love our Anxious Part, and all of our Parts, to get to a place of true self-love and acceptance?

I believe we can. I think that there is room for true self-acceptance and self-empowerment beyond day-to-day survival.  When we come to a place where we are coping well (maybe by using CBT techniques), there is still room to grow, and to thrive. Self-work does not (should not) end just because our insurance company deems us acceptably healthy and able to cope. Beyond coping, there is an opportunity for true engagement in our lives. In therapy or not, with whatever treatment modality works best for us, the opportunity for healing and thriving is truly thrilling. Let’s make it happen.

faq's

Useful Information

Some frequently asked questions and useful answers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ready To Get Started?

Get the support you need from anywhere with online therapy.

Enter your email address for special offers, new services, resources and the latest blog posts right to your inbox.