Stress, life changes, family conflict…these factors can all contribute to us feeling overwhelmed at one point or another. Therapy can be beneficial to most anyone, with therapists offering tools and support to heal past trauma, manage stress, and promote mental health and wellness.
When it comes to finding a therapist, Portland, ME may offer more options than many surrounding rural communities, but finding the right therapist can be more complicated than simply reaching out to the nearest therapy practice. One reason for this is that within the wider mental health field, there are a wide variety of therapeutic approaches and specializations. A licensed mental health counselor may provide psychotherapy in inpatient or outpatient settings, utilizing the techniques of anything from gestalt therapy to existential therapy, working alone or using a collaborative approach. What you want or need from a therapist isn’t necessarily going to be located and available near you. This is where online therapy can help.
BetterHelp is an online platform that utilizes talk therapy from local online-based therapists who have expertise in a broad range of specialties from motivational therapy for professional goal setting to cognitive behavioral therapy for people experiencing chronic illness. Simply fill out an online questionnaire and BetterHelp will match you with the therapist that best meets your needs. And because a strong therapeutic alliance can be essential to success, if you need to change therapists you can do so at no additional cost.
BetterHelp also offers a convenient solution for many busy professionals, parents, and students. Online sessions fit easily into any schedule, and with video chat, phone, and text messaging options, you can meet with your therapist from the comfort of your own home or office.
If you live in the Portland area and have been thinking about therapy for any reason, contact BetterHelp or check out the list of local online-based therapists below to get started.

Dave Boldebook
Greetings! and thank you for visiting my bio page. Do you find yourself seeking answers? Are you struggling with a challenging situation? Are you grieving the loss of something or someone? Are life changes creating worry? Not sure which way to turn? Losing hope? Are you thinking it is time for self-exploration? Are you needing to examine the situations or factors in your life that hold you back? I am a licensed clinical social worker, counselor/therapist and received a master’s degree in social work in 1998 from the University of New England in Maine. I have worked in both community based and residential settings with clients ranging in ages from 5 to 95. My practice embraces an integrative holistic approach bridging the connection of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health and the impact on overall health and wellbeing. My style is informed from a wide range of practice modalities including humanistic therapy, person-centered approaches; cognitive behavioral therapy; psychodynamic; and strengths based/solution focused therapies. Here are some of my learning takeaways from 20 years of counseling and therapy practice. • It’s about relationship • Be authentic • Listen and hear • Be empathic • Be gentle • Lean into fear and resistance, not away • Challenge with care • Encourage • Instill hope My goal is to provide a safe space for you to explore a greater understanding of yourself and the issues and challenges you may be facing. To offer a trusting, counseling connection. A relationship that supports you in gaining new tools and strategies, finding solutions and setting new goals to enhance your life. The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. With gratitude, caring and unconditional positive regard. Dave

Paula Steele
Hello! Welcome to BetterHelp! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have been in the social work field for over 20 years. I have a variety of experiences from working with children and families through day treatment and in-home support, to individual counseling for adults facing mental health symptoms, domestic violence, homelessness, chronic illness and criminal history. I have extensive experience in the areas of ADHD, autism, trauma, depression, relationships, anxiety and parenting. I practice strengths based, client centered therapy. I believe that building a trusting, strong therapeutic relationship is key to your successful engagement in therapy and I provide a safe, empathetic, non-judgmental space for this to occur. I also believe that skill building, self-care, mindfulness and building natural supports is important in your journey to meeting your goals. I am a parent to two children, one of which has special needs. I genuinely understand the stress of parenting, navigating relationships, juggling responsibilities, accessing services, schools and resources. I look forward to supporting you in reaching your therapeutic goals.

Savannah Harness
Hello- I have been a licensed LPC counselor in Missouri for the past five years and was recently licensed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, District of Columbia, Maine, and Virginia. Working with individuals, families, and couples has provided me with the ability to assist individuals throughout many aspects of their lives. I have had training in DBT, CBT, EMD-R and continue to grow my therapeutic knowledge through self-training and through clinical training. I have had the pleasure of working in many different fields throughout my life time and feel this has provided me with the ability to look at situations from a variety of different perspectives. I firmly believe that when a person makes the choice to make changes in their life then they are on the path to becoming who they want to be. I look forward to hearing from you and assisting you with determining who you want to be. Thank you, Savannah Harness, LPC

Carol LeBlanc
I am licensed in Maine with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, depression, substance use and addiction. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion and will tailor our dialog/ treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Dr. Tangela Isely
I am licensed in Texas, Maine, and Oregon with 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence, & bipolar disorder. I am a holistic therapist and work on helping you by finding ways to recover using skills of improving your Mind, Body, and Spirit. I also am very interested in hearing your story and finding the origins of the problems you are having. I have been a specialized trauma therapist and this helps me have insight into how the past can be healed in the present without pain or re-traumatization. I use DBT, CBT, and a person-centered approach to help you learn ways to recover. I believe that you are the expert on your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Amanda Evans Powell
I am licensed in Maine with 16 years of professional work experience, 23 if you count pre-masters experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & coping with life changes. I also have experience working with concentration, memory and focus (adhd). I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Joshua Dyer
I am licensed in Maine since 2015, with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, & coping with life changes. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. I am here to support you in that process of becoming the person you want to become.

Barbara Frank
I am licensed in Maine with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & parenting issues. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Dr. Virginia Pond
I am licensed in Maine with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & coping with grief and loss. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Sarah Bent
After 27 years of working in the mental health field, in 3 different countries, I have an appreciation for the fact that life rarely goes according to plan. Perhaps you’re struggling with feeling anxious, depressed, misunderstood, or unfulfilled with some part of your life, or you find yourself longing for deeper, more meaningful relationships. Maybe you’ve lived through traumatic events, whether recent or long past, that have changed you in ways you don’t understand, caused you to react unpredictably, or even made you feel like a stranger to yourself and you’re struggling to cope. Although the idea of making changes can seem overwhelming and scary, sometimes the best way out is through, and you don’t have to face the journey alone. As a therapist, I believe in meeting you where you’re at without judgment; I will walk alongside you with compassion and empathy, and I will help you figure out your own unique way forward. I am trained in a variety of therapeutic models and practices, and I am willing to use whatever tools and methods work best to help you. I practice primarily from a Gestalt model, where you are the expert on yourself, and I am here to help guide you on your journey of self-exploration and healing. Gestalt work often incorporates evidence-based approaches, such as mindfulness and movement, Polyvagal work, guided imagery, co-regulation – all to bring about a sense of safety and build trust together, so you can tell your truth without feeling shamed, judged or revictimized. As we work together, I hope to help relieve feelings of discomfort and identify patterns that aren’t working for you. It is important to me that my clients feel safe and respected as whole people with unique perspectives and diverse backgrounds. I am honored every time a client trusts me with the truth of their lived experience. I am open to looking at things through your eyes and I strive to be respectful and welcoming of whatever makes you uniquely yourself (incl. gender, LGBTQIA+, family/country of origin, race, religion, neurodivergence, intergenerational trauma, etc.). My clinical personality is warm, thoughtful, empathetic, careful, and I value going at your own pace. I think it’s important not to make assumptions about my clients - I like taking the time to listen your unique themes and imagery, and I enjoy learning your patterns and hearing your stories, all of which helps me to better understand who you are, where you’ve been, and what you’re hoping to accomplish. I also believe there is no “one true way” – there are as many pathways to healing and wholeness as there are people walking them. My hope is that after working together, you will feel like you are able to be more comfortable in your own skin and you will be better able to make genuine connections with the environment that you are in, and with the people who matter most to you. The first step is often the most difficult, and the process of beginning therapy with a new person can seem daunting. The fact that you’re here, reading this, means you’ve already found the courage to take that first step. I would be honored to walk with you on the next part of your journey, and regardless of what you choose to do next, remember that you are already Unbroken. Please feel free to contact me for an initial 15-minute phone or telehealth session (at no charge) to discuss whether we might be a good fit/next steps. I look forward to hearing from you and wish you the best!
Find a therapist serving clients in Maine
What types of therapists are available to clients in Portland?
Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist. Be sure to narrow your search for therapists in Portland that can offer psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), therapeutic talk therapy, group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy depending on your needs.
Licensed therapists & mental health professionals available through BetterHelp's online platform
Mental health therapists in Portland available through BetterHelp are accredited as psychologists to help individuals and couples. Portland therapists' credentials can include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinician or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, Portland therapists are trained in any type of therapy in the Portland region and in the state of Maine.
How can a therapist help you destress, manage your emotions, and guide you towards the life you want?
Therapists in Portland can help clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, couples challenges, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, self help tips, offer life coaching, family life, or change in negative thinking patterns. A therapist in Portland may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment.
Is it better to find a mental health counselor or therapist in Portland offering online therapy or in person?
Studies show online therapy can be just as effective as in-person counseling. Online therapy with licensed counselors is often more affordable, with BetterHelp pricing ranging from $65-$100 weekly, while in person therapy can cost up to $200 per session.