Have you been having nightmares or flashbacks of something that you were subjected to such as abuse, a natural disaster, or terror attack? Sometimes, people who have been affected by a devastating situation are unable to get over it no matter how long ago it happened. This is called post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD and needs to be treated by a South Portland therapist. 

In 1944, South Portland was the site of a tragedy where 19 people were killed and 20 injured when an Army pilot lost control of his jet and crashed into a trailer park. Some of the victims and witnesses suffered from PTSD. In South Portland, there are many devoted therapists who are trained to treat PTSD and other mental conditions.

Psychologist Jennifer  Reeder providing different types of therapy in South Portland

Jennifer Reeder

Clinician
License Type(s): LCSW
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteemCoping with life changes
3 years offering treatment

Welcome! Something in your life has initiated this search for support and you’ve come to the right place. It takes courage and a desire for change to seek out counseling support in getting the life you want. I want to help you get there. Here is a little about me and how I plan to support you: I have a master’s degree in Social Work from Syracuse University (2006) and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Maine. Over the past 14 years I have worked in a variety of clinical settings and with a variety of clients who have had a wide range of concerns including stress, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, medical conditions/chronic diseases, end of life care, and caregiver fatigue. I am a humanistic counselor who tries to hear what is going on and at the same time help you learn to think differently and help you move past the difficult issues. My therapeutic style involves a holistic approach to help you improve your overall wellbeing and to arrive at insight, strategies, and tools that you can begin using immediately to make positive change in your life. 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. I offer the opportunity to view things in a new light and to walk a different path if you are ready to do so. I very much look forward to meeting with you and taking the first steps on your journey to becoming an even better you!

Psychologist Christina McGuire providing different types of therapy in South Portland

Christina McGuire

Clinician
License Type(s): LCSW,CCS,CADC
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
15 years offering treatment

My name is Christina McGuire and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Maine with 15 years of experience providing mental health therapy to young adults, individual and families. I am a graduate of the University of Southern Maine where I earned my Master's in Social Work and I am also a graduate of the University of New Hampshire where I studied the practice and administration of Outdoor Education and Experiential Learning. Within the past 5 years I have become licensed to provide support to people struggling with Substance Use issues. Much of my training has come from working and teaching in both the outdoors and within traditional settings like schools, health centers and people's homes where I have therapeutically supported people to "learn from their experience". I believe that our lives provide us with a wide variety of experiences that impact us. Depending on our relationships, resources, personal health /wellness and resiliency, the stressors that we face can become thought provoking to overwhelming and life changing situations that can require a great deal of support to work through and learn from. I became a mental health therapist because I believe that being with others through life changing experiences and helping them to learn the skills to improve their ability to cope is a privilege. My therapeutic style is laid back, person centered, strengths based, relational and goal oriented. I believe that through working together, individuals can make great changes in the quality of their lives and the lives of others.

Psychologist Bobbie-Jo Rand providing different types of therapy in South Portland

Bobbie-Jo Rand

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsSelf esteemDepressionADHD
14 years offering treatment

Hello! My name is Bobbie Jo Rand and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADC) in the State of Maine. I have been practicing in the clinical social work field for over 14 years in a school setting, emergency room setting and crisis counseling capacity. I graduated from University of New England with a Master in Social Work. I have worked with different populations including children, teenagers, and adults. My experience includes working with individuals with anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, relationship issues, family conflict, self-esteem, and substance use issues. Many of the clients I have previously worked with experienced anxiety, depression, addiction and other negative emotions that you could be experiencing yourself. I use a number of techniques depending on what works for the patient. I utilize cognitive behavioral therapy, strength-based approaches, solution focused techniques, motivational interviewing and mindfulness practices. You are the most important part of the counseling relationship. We start where you are and work towards the goals you want to achieve. I look forward to working with you. Please do not hesitate to request a time outside of my available times, I have some flexibility to provide time at other times not listed.

Psychologist Raymond Butts providing different types of therapy in South Portland

Raymond Butts

Clinician
License Type(s): M.Ed, Counselor Ed.,LPC
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseSelf esteemCareer difficulties
30 years offering treatment

I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and a National Certified Counselor, ( NCC) with other 30 years experience in both counseling and education. I started my professional career as an elementary special education teacher in the early 80's. I obtained my M.Ed in counselor Education in 1989 from the University of Arkansas and in 1989 I went to Alaska for the first time as along term substitute teacher. I worked in the Bering Strait School District, in Unalakleet, Alaska. I would return a year later, and work a total of 11 years as a teacher, itinerant school counselor, and village school principal in the district. I would go on to work in two other school districts before retiring from Alaska in 2004. After returning to Arkansas, and home, I worked as a kindergarten counselor in a center with 180 kids and 18 teachers. I fully retired in 2007. In 2009, I became a military and family life counselor and have been doing this for 10 years. My treatment approach is based on my training and my personality. I was trained in CCT and it fite my style, even though I so specialize in crisis counseling. I have found helping the client, and not necessarily directing the client is more effective for me. As I stated I specialize in crisis and PTSD counseling right now with the military, and their families.

Psychologist Wendi Makus providing different types of therapy in South Portland

Wendi Makus

Clinician
License Type(s): LPC,SDP,AADC
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseDepressionCompassion fatigue
13 years offering treatment

Hello! I'm so glad you are here! If you are ready to make some changes in life that are likely to result in improved mental health, improved quality of life, and general well being; you came to the right place! My approach in counseling is in general to look at the person as a whole; not as their symptoms of problems. I use holistic, solution focused, and trauma informed models to engage client's in the counseling process and achieve their goals. I have been trained in trauma informed approaches such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR); which uses several tools to help client's negative past events have less emotional impact on their lives. I am also certified in a counseling approach called seed digging therapy (SD), which is developed off the therapy developed in the 90's called theophostic therapy. The premise of seed digging therapy (SD) is that each individual is generally mostly good, has a desire to be good to others, and wants to have a happy and productive life. The model states that a person's heart is a "garden" which in analogy has "weeds" and "flowers". Traumatic/Sad events tend to produce weeds and Happy events tend to produce flowers. Weeds in a persons heart can cause many negative reactions in life ranging from interpersonal relationships, self esteem, negative view of the world. Weeds occur when a lie is believed about that sad/bad event. Examples of weeds: not feeling adequate, feeling unloved, feeling a lack of importance. Flowers are developed when something happens that is positive/ good, and the individual believes something good about themselves. Examples of flowers: I do matter, I am important, I am loved, I belong in this group, family, friendship etc. The process of seed digging therapy is to find where the root of the negative thoughts started, and create an alternate belief opposite of the negative. Using narrative techniques, the person has the opportunity to recreate meaning if they want to. I am very excited to meet you, get to know you and help see you to the other side of where you want to be. If you would like to work more with me, we can talk more about your goals and what steps to take to get there.

Psychologist Willow Whitehouse-Briggs providing different types of therapy in South Portland

Willow Whitehouse-Briggs

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseAnger managementSelf esteem
35 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Maine with more than 35 years of professional work experience. At my age I have experienced and worked through many of the challenges that life has to offer us humans as we journey through our lives, in addition to helping clients engage with those same issues. I have worked with teens and adults and have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & anger management. In addition to my traditional clinical training, I have worked for many years as a school psychologist and have studied and worked with Dance Movement Therapy and Authentic Movement, so am very aware of the reality that much of what we have experienced has been stored in our bodies. As a result the body/mind/spirit connection profoundly influences my work with clients. 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. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change and it is often helpful to have an extra set of eyes and ears focused on the challenges that we face. I am here to support & empower you where ever you are in your life story and I believe in cultivating self love and compassion as a foundation for growth and change. I look forward to meeting you and sharing your journey.

Psychologist Patricia Major providing different types of therapy in South Portland

Patricia Major

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsParenting issuesDepression
10 years offering treatment

Licensed in Oklahoma with over 10 years of professional experience, I specialize in helping clients navigate stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and parenting challenges. I believe you are the expert of your own story and that you possess strengths that can guide you through life’s challenges. Seeking a more fulfilling and happier life requires courage, and taking the first steps toward change is empowering. I am here to support you on this journey, providing guidance and encouragement as you work toward the life you envision.

Psychologist Erik Buskard providing different types of therapy in South Portland

Erik Buskard

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsDepression
9 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Ohio and Maine with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, & family conflicts. I also have experience working with depression. 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.

Psychologist Amanda Elliott providing different types of therapy in South Portland

Amanda Elliott

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
4 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Maine with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence, & depression. 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. 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.

Psychologist Kimberly Finnie providing different types of therapy in South Portland

Kimberly Finnie

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseDepressionCoping with life changes
22 years offering treatment

With 22 years of counseling experience, I hold licenses in Maine and New Jersey. My expertise lies in assisting individuals with stress, anxiety, relationship conflicts, trauma, abuse, and depression, as well as helping them navigate life transitions. I strive to establish a secure and welcoming space for clients to express their thoughts and emotions freely, devoid of any apprehension of criticism. Initiating a journey towards a more satisfying and joyful life requires bravery, and I am dedicated to providing the necessary support and encouragement throughout this process.

Find a therapist serving clients in Maine

Types of therapists available to clients in South 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 South Portland that can offer psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), 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 South Portland available through BetterHelp are accredited to help individuals and couples. South 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, South Portland therapists are trained in any type of therapy in the South Portland region and in the state of Maine.

How a therapist can help you destress, manage your emotions, and guide you towards the life you want 

Therapists in South 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 South Portland may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment. 

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