Therapists in Portland, ME

I specialize in helping young men and women struggling with alcohol and substance use. I use evidence-based practices while creating a safe, non-judgmental space, for people to be seen. Almost everyone has some degree of ambivalence. I help explore and resolve the ambivalence concerning a person's present behavior and their desired behavior.

Are you struggling to lead a bigger life? Is self-doubt, anxiety or depression getting in your way? I offer compassionate, non-judgmental treatment for adults struggling with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, substance use and other issues. Using an integrated approach, I help clients create a toolbox of skills to use in times of distress, and provide a warm and supportive environment for self-exploration, growth and transformation.

I have extensive experience working with people experiencing substance use disorders and mental illness. I specialize in the collaborative treatment of anxiety and depression, the promotion of overall health, happiness and self-worth. I utilize motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic approaches.

My passion is helping people to excel and to find their inner potential. I provide services for people of all ages and stages of life. Children and adolescents, adults and the elderly. I use an eclectic approach, because I believe in the uniqueness of each person. My approach to clients with addiction problems is non-judgmental. We work in a cooperative manner to identify roads to success. I am currently accepting MaineCare clients for counseling, community integration, case management for children and their families, and case management for adults with mental health disorder, experiencing homelessness, and substance abuse disorder

You've taken the first step towards your personal healing. Whether you struggle with feeling sad, anxious, "stuck" or generally dissatisfied with life, there is hope. You can learn to cope and connect with your sense of purpose, self-worth, and fulfillment. With supportive, effective psychotherapy, you can discover your inner strengths and resources, and learn to channel them to make improvements in daily living. You will discover ways to make your work life and relationships more satisfying. With compassion and acceptance, you can approach life with new skills to achieve a life of courage, authenticity, and contentment.

As a therapist, I believe in autonomy and a client-centered approach. I am here to primarily remind you, or tell you for the first time, that you are not alone. There are tools to relieve those feelings of restlessness, irritability, anxiety, depression, and impulsivity. Finding that solution begins with making a personal decision to address what is holding you back and taking steps to evolve into the best version of yourself. If you were to wake up tomorrow and your current circumstances were no longer impacting your life, what would your world look like?

I believe in compassion and will meet you where you are. I understand addiction on a personal level and I know that trauma can separate you from people you love without your permission your heart is broken ; nothing seems to work and you are trying so hard. I hear you . Let me help you unravel the confusion I am a recognized trauma professional and have studied motivational interviewing with Stephen Andrews at the Health and Education Institute where I now practice. We do not have to suffer alone. I can take you into your unique avenue to peace with positive self regard and safety.

Welcome. You’ve come to the right place. Entering recovery from addiction can feel like you've landed on a strange new planet. It's normal to feel alone, confused and vulnerable, not having a clue where to start. Forging your unique path to wellness is the journey that lies ahead. You have the ability to heal yourself, but you are not meant to do it alone. As a professional counselor with lived experience in long-term recovery, I can help to guide you forward.

I have been in private practice since 1989 as a psychotherapist/LCPC. Psychotherapy is a respectful interaction between client and therapist. We arrive at answers together, answers that are specific to the individual client. Both short-term therapy and long-term therapy are provided. I work with adolescents, adults and couples.

**My practice is currently full** I invite you to sit with me and have a conversation about who you are and what you hope for. I believe in treating the whole person, and specialize in supporting people with anxiety, major change, loss, and in regards to relationships in their life. I find that offering space and peace within can be beneficial to the overall health of a person. I hope to share with you my compassion, creativity, and openness in caring about and listening to your experience.

Is your life turning out the way you planned? Are your personal relationships succeeding? Are you finding the right career for you? Do people know the real you? Too often we lose track of how we exist each day. Depression over past mistakes or anxiety about what might happen in the future prevent us from being who we really want to be in the present. The goal of counseling is to help you develop a better relationship with your 'self' in order to improve your relationships with others. Check out my video on YouTube to learn more about my approach.

Is your life turning out the way you planned? Are your personal relationships fulfilling? Are you finding the right job for you? Do people get who you really are? Too often we lose track of the way we exist each day. Depression over past mistakes or anxiety about what might happen in the future prevent us from being who we want to be in the present. The goal of existential counseling is to help you develop a better relationship with your "self" first, and then to improve your relationships with others. To help you gain more confidence in the decisions you make daily and to worry less about how others will judge you in the future.

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.

Opening up to another individual about your mental health concerns and the pain you’ve experienced throughout your life is never easy. Stepping forward and admitting that you’re struggling is such a difficult step, so kudos to you for considering counseling. I work from a person centered perspective to meet you where you are in life, while keeping your mental health goals in mind. I’m a strong believer that our wellness is rooted not only in our experiences, but in our physical, spiritual, and emotional health as well.I approach every therapeutic relationship with an open mind and tailor my therapeutic approach to each client.

My clients often seek relief from anxiety, depression, ADHD, substance misuse, grief, or struggles adapting to major life changes. The therapeutic space we create together becomes a safe—if not always comfortable—place to explore what's worked before, what you'd like to change, and what that change can look like or mean for you. Through the Counseling and Trauma Therapy Associates agency, I am honored to work with you, and learn about your personal journey and goals. I have experience with a wide range of clients including military veterans and first responders, creative professionals, students, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Tired of having the same arguments over and over? Wondering why you seem to be stuck in cycles with your partner, friends, colleagues or yourself? How often do you find yourself wondering, "what happened to that sweet loving person I fell in love with? How did Godzilla end up in my bed? Or worse yet, is that Medusa staring back at me in the mirror"? OK then.....welcome. I'm Joni Altshuler and after 30yrs in practice, I continue to be inspired and often awe struck by the people who walk thru my door.

I believe within each of us is a powerful energy we can use to expand our lives. In moving beyond our limiting beliefs and the places where we get stuck, we open to our potential. Learning to manage our thoughts and emotions consciously, from a place of alignment with our values, allows us to identify and express the best version of us more consistently. It is just a matter of time before our external world begins reflecting these internal changes.

There are times in our lives when we end up feeling sad, angry, anxious, or lost. Sometimes, we find ourselves in unwanted patterns that lead to self-doubt, damaged relationships, failure to reach our potential and an inability to see our worth. Therapy can help people recognize these patterns and learn new ways to cope.

February 16, 2024 - I currently have coaching and private pay openings. Most people I work with start sessions sharing some version of what's wrong with them: "I can't seem to get out of my own way." "I'm good at starting things but cant finish them." This includes a constant internal dialogue that includes, "I hate myself." "I don't understand why people don't like me." "I don't like people." "I just don't fit." "I can't do this any more." "I worry about myself." "I'm afraid." "People tell me I'm smart (or attractive, or funny, etc.) but I don't believe them."