There are many ways to improve yourself and your relationships, and many more reasons people may seek it. We typically advise to try 1-2 session with a counselor to make sure you like them and what they can offer, and after that you can make a longer term decision. That nagging feeling or thought that says something if “off” is typically a good reason to give it a try and see how it goes.

There is a wide spectrum of reasons ranging from everyday stressors that need some improvement to being totally overwhelmed and unable to meet our daily goals. You may just want someone to talk to, and that is perfectly fine by itself. Perhaps you are able to do anything that’s required of you, but you are overwhelmed and barely getting by the entire time. Issues related to your personal and physical well-being, as well as relational issues surrounding you could also be strained. Fundamentally, something feels "off" and it there is a curiosity to see if therapy could work for you.

You should typically notice benefits within the first few weeks of counseling. If it has been 1 - 3 months and you haven’t noticed any benefit, bring it up with your counselor. Some treatments can be 5-10 sessions long, others can go on much longer and it always depends on your goals and level of interest to go further. Sometimes you get enough of what you came for and you can decide to take a break or move on, but discussing that with your counselor is recommended.

Although this has been around for a long time, this method of online therapy is a practical and beneficial way to fit therapy into your life without the practical challenge of taking extra time off, finding accommodations for children or other responsibilities, and driving for in-person therapy. It will be conducted using a device with a camera and access to internet, or perhaps over the phone if that works better for you. You get to choose the environment (provided it is somewhere in Vermont) where you can find some privacy and calmness.

Here are a few ideas to help you make an informed decision:

1. Many people concern themselves with types of therapy and things that people 'do'. This is an important thing to consider. According to many studies on reasons why therapy works for people, about 70% of the outcome depends on you liking your therapist! Although they must also be competent which makes up the other 20-30%, it is also essential that you like them and feel comfortable.

2. What are your goals? What have you found helpful in the past? What do you need support with? Answering these questions will guide you to find someone who can specifically help with these issues.

3. If you like them, that is a great start- but a little more reflection can be helpful! It can be good to speak to a few different therapists during a free consultation to get some ideas about how each feels in conversation and if their ideas for you sound motivating.

4. Now that you have narrowed down your choices, or maybe you found a great one straight away, we would recommend that you try 1-2 sessions to confirm your opinion and make sure they are a good fit. You are welcome to tell them "no thank you" at anytime, we are here to make sure that you meet you goals, and sometimes that means finding a better fitting therapist somewhere else.

5. Talking with your choices of therapists about what you typically like, want, and what you are struggling with will be helpful, but remember to ask them questions about what they do and think to get an idea for them as a person. You should interview them, too!

6. Lastly, if you already have a therapist, or have tried 1-2 sessions and you have some doubts, bring it up in session and talk about it. Your therapist is here to help you find your way and honest criticism will ensure that you can get the support you want.

At Maybeck Counseling, we offer a supportive and comforting approach to help clients navigate their mental health challenges with compassion and understanding. We tailor our strategies to each individual's unique needs, drawing from mindfulness techniques and evidence-based methods like EMDR to promote healing and growth. Our goal is to create a safe and nurturing space where clients feel heard, validated, and empowered to explore their experience. By fostering a collaborative and non-judgmental environment, we aim to guide clients towards developing resilience and self-awareness as they journey towards greater mental well-being.

We are in-network for Medicaid clients only at this time.

Our private pay rates are $175 for the initial session, and $130 for on-going sessions.

Some treatments can be shorter term, others can be longer. This is something to discuss with your counselor.

A sliding scale is available for those clients in need.

There are different educational pathways that lead to therapists having different backgrounds and earning different titles. Although looking at different levels and types of education can be helpful, the best thing to do is read up about them, have a chat, and see if they would be a good fit. Although their education background may be different, they may all be doing 'psychotherapy' and be 'therapists' or 'psychotherapists'.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy approach that helps people heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. During EMDR therapy, bilateral stimulation such as side-to-side eye movements, sounds, or taps are used to process traumatic memories and reduce their impact. This helps individuals reprocess the traumatic memories, changing the way they are stored in the brain and ultimately reducing the distress associated with the memories.

Four Blinks version of Flash Treatment for trauma processing is a therapeutic approach developed by Thomas Zimmerman aimed at addressing trauma in a swift and effective manner. This method involves guiding individuals to revisit traumatic memories briefly and then quickly shifting their focus to positive and grounding experiences. By alternating between the distressing memory and a positive present experience, individuals can reprocess the trauma in a more manageable way. This technique helps to prevent individuals from becoming overwhelmed by the traumatic memory and allows them to integrate the experience into their overall narrative in a healthier manner. It is helpful for complex trauma that EMDR may struggle to support, but can be used as a stand alone therapy for all forms of distress and stressors.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic approach that views the mind as a collection of different parts, each with its own unique characteristics and role. These parts often develop in response to life experiences and aim to protect the individual from harm. The goal of IFS therapy is to help individuals understand and cultivate harmony among their parts, enabling them to achieve a sense of self-leadership and balance. By exploring and working with these internal dynamics, individuals can address emotional wounds, improve relationships, and foster personal growth.

Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment without judgment. It involves focusing your attention on the present experience, whether it's your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, or the world around you. By cultivating mindfulness, you can increase your self-awareness, regulate your emotions better, reduce stress and anxiety, improve your concentration, and enhance your overall well-being. Mindfulness can help you develop a different relationship with your thoughts and feelings, enabling you to respond to situations more skillfully rather than reacting impulsively. It empowers you to be more compassionate towards yourself and others, leading to healthier relationships and a greater sense of peace and contentment in your life.