I specialize in trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, severe and persistent mental health problems, just like thousands of other therapists out there. I think my true specialty is providing an unfiltered assessment and validation--often using swear words, sarcasm, and laughter. I allow swear words (not directed toward me and not of female body parts and not sexually inappropriate) and I encourage blatant, brash honesty because I like to keep things genuine. This is not everyone's cup of tea, but I can only be me and I want you to be YOU. I am very direct and not afraid to say that a situation makes me nervous/sad/angry for you. Sometimes a tear will fall from my eye when a client tells a story and I don't feel any shame about that, no matter what they told us in school about having a poker face. All I can really give you is Maureen.
One thing you can expect from me in a session is the question "What is that like for you?" This is because, as similar as we may or may not be, and as much experience I may have with similar situations, it is important to talk about YOUR unique experience of life in your own words. Once the feeling has been identified, I like to stay there and be with you as you process it. Sometimes this is a client's first experience of being present in the moment and in their life.
Some clients have told me that, in the past with other therapists, they have left the session feeling worse than when they arrived. One way in which I avoid this is by making sure there is ample time to fully process feelings/trauma/experiences and ample time to build you up before the session ends. This may mean that I will look at the time and ask you if it is okay to "bookmark" that for next time. It is very important to end a session on a high note.
There may be things you would like to do (or stop doing) and I want you to know that it is not my job to judge or tell you what you "should" do. On this journey, there will be successes and near-misses and sometimes things may seem pointless and hopeless. I want to be the person in your life during those times who points out when you are courageous. Courage is really the greatest tool in our toolbox.
I primarily use Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and this means that I zero in on the relationship between an event in your life (large or small) and your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which is a combination of Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotional Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness skills being taught with worksheets, diary cards, and something called a Chain Analysis where we look at events leading up to a problematic behavior.
No matter what any therapist tells you their specialties and degrees are, the most important thing is your relationship with that therapist.
I hope I can help you find your courage and help you create a life that is meaningful to you, possibly laughing (or shedding a tear) along the way.
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Relationship issues, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Adoption and foster care, Aging and geriatric issues, Attachment issues, Avoidant personality, Blended family issues, Body image, Cancer, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Dependent personality, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Emptiness, Expats, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Fertility issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hoarding, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Impulsivity, Intellectual disability, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders, Narcissism, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Personality disorders, Postpartum depression, Post-traumatic stress, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-harm, Self-love, Sexual assault and abuse, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
NY LCSW 091212
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Maureen Bradley. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Maureen is great!!! She listens and does a great job with digging deeper and helping me make correlations :)
Written on Oct 24, 2024 after therapy with Maureen for 2 months on issues concerning relationship issues, grief, and coping with life changes
Maureen does great work!
Written on Sep 23, 2024 after therapy with Maureen for 5 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, sleeping disorders, anger management, and career difficulties
Wonderful therapist
Written on Jul 27, 2024 after therapy with Maureen for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem
Maureen is so sweet and genuine! I always feel comfortable saying exactly what’s on my mind she is the best!!
Written on Jul 08, 2024 after therapy with Maureen for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, and adhd
Maureen is the best! Honestly she makes it easy to talk through things that are hard to express. Would recommend her to everyone!!
Written on May 29, 2024 after therapy with Maureen for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, coping with
Talking to her feels like I’m talking to a friend I’ve longed for. She listens, she understands, and she likes my jokes. She asks a lot of questions that I never thought to stop and ask myself. It also feels really good talking to someone who listens and tries to help me make sense of my emotions. I would recommend Maureen to anyone.
Written on May 24, 2024 after therapy with Maureen for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, and adhd