It’s time for things to be different. Reaching out to a new therapist is a brave step and we’re here to help. Use this page to view our partners and learn about how they approach the work. Use the secure contact form to get started.
We can’t wait to hear from you…
Maxwell Duquette, LICSW
I am currently accepting individual clients for outdoor sessions in Waterbury, VT.
My practice is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I work with adults in the areas of parenthood, career transitions, AD(H)D, anxiety and depression.
I prioritize in person walk-and-talk sessions centered on exploring values, goals, fulfillment, and choice. Together, we focus on letting go of unhelpful thoughts and behaviors while practicing mindfulness skills and taking meaningful actions that foster greater satisfaction.
I believe the real work of therapy happens in-between sessions when we turn the insights developed in therapy into action. I tend to match well with folks seeking an empathetic, pragmatic, plain-spoken approach to talk therapy.
Colleen Dykstra, MSW
Hi, I'm Colleen. I'm currently accepting clients, ages 15 & up, for nature-based outdoor sessions in the Burlington area. I also offer telehealth sessions for those who need accommodations.
As a therapist, my practice is grounded in the belief that each person is the expert of their own life and what healing looks like for them. I believe my role is to help you voice and identify your own inner wisdom and move through healing with a holistic, systems-aware approach. I have extensive experience in community care, working with those in cycles of poverty and homelessness. The experiences of working with this population inform my systems based orientation. Sessions may involve walking-and-talking on a trail, sitting in nature, or a combination of both. We can get creative!
Our work together will blend aspects of IFS, Somatics, and CBT with a person-centered lens to help equip you to adjust to the difficulties of life. The natural environment will provide wisdom on its own and together we will learn to listen to that wisdom that our bodies know and our minds may have forgotten.
My areas of focus include neurodiversity, trauma, anxiety, and relationship issues. I have experience supporting individuals struggling with gender identity, trans/nonbinary, and 2SLGBTQIA+ issues.
If this sounds like a good fit, please reach out to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.
Maggie Cooley, LICSW
Hi, I’m Maggie. I am currently accepting clients 14 and up for in-person nature based sessions in the Essex, Williston, and Burlington area. I also offer Telehealth sessions for Vermont residents.
I have 7 years of experience working with children and families in community mental health. Being in nature has always helped to center and ground me, and I’m passionate about bringing this approach into my therapy practice as well. Outdoor sessions can be walking, sitting, or even throwing a ball around. I want outdoor therapy to be accessible for all people and am open to other ideas of what it means for you to be comfortable outside.
In general, my approach is to be flexible and laid back and realize that every person needs something different in their therapy sessions. I look to my clients for feedback on how I can best help them get what they want out of therapy. I am well-versed in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavior Therapy (DBT), and person-centered therapy. I often combine elements of various types of therapy techniques based on what people identify as their goals, personality, and learning style.
My areas of strength include working with complex family dynamics, grief, anxiety, identity, parenting, communication, relational stress, and those identifying as LGBTQIA+.
Teresa D’Marz, MSW
I work with adolescents (12+) and adults for in-person, nature-based counseling in Chittenden County, as well as telehealth sessions across Vermont. I welcome individuals from all identities and backgrounds and support clients navigating life transitions, trauma, anxiety, depression, and identity exploration.
I believe healing is something we remember, and my role is to walk beside you (sometimes literally) as that remembering unfolds. Working together in nature can create space for deeper self-connection, grounding, and a renewed sense of belonging in the world.
My therapeutic approach is integrative, collaborative, and person-centered, and my relational style is warm, curious, and often infused with humor. I draw from somatic and mindfulness-based practices, as well as parts-oriented frameworks inspired by Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). My background in both clinical practice and community-based equity work grounds my approach in systems theory and an anti-oppressive lens.
Please reach out to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation to see if we are a good fit.
Patrick McManus, M.Ed
Hi, I’m Patrick. I am currently accepting adolescents, adults, and couples for primarily outdoor, nature-based therapy sessions in the Waterbury area. I also offer Telehealth for folks living in Vermont. I am enrolled with Medicaid and offer out of network sessions at a discounted rate of $65/session.
I believe healing can grow through genuine relationships rooted in trust, honesty, curiosity, and compassion. My role is to listen deeply, meet you where you are, and create a space where reflection, truth-telling, and at times even a little humor to support the work we do together. Sessions take place primarily outside, integrating nature and movement in ways that feel accessible and comfortable whether that means hiking, walking, sitting, or finding another way to be present outdoors.
My approach is relational, values-driven, and grounded in compassion and curiosity. Together, we may explore emotional experiences, recurring thoughts, relationship patterns, and protective strategies that may affect your sense of ease or fulfillment. I aim to help clients develop deeper self-understanding and identify practical, meaningful ways to live more fully in alignment with their values.
I draw from my many years as a teacher, community service director, university instructor/advisor, and meditation practitioner to support the whole person. I work with folks navigating anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, life and career transitions, chronic illness or pain, relationship concerns, identity exploration, stress, self-esteem concerns, men’s issues, dissociation, coping challenges, and suicidal thoughts.
Ashley Piccirillo, MS
Now accepting new adult clients for nature-based sessions in Chittenden County or telehealth for Vermont residents; there is a waitlist for teen clients. In November and December, sessions will be telehealth only, with availability on Tuesday afternoons, Thursdays, and Friday mornings.
As a clinician, my role is to provide compassionate, nonjudgmental support on your healing journey. I draw upon various therapeutic tools, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, parts based/inner child work, and person-centered modalities, integrating mindfulness and somatic healing techniques. Together, we can find a personalized rhythm, pace, and style of therapy that helps you achieve your goals.
I believe you already possess the inner wisdom to create the life you desire, and I am here to help you identify and navigate any barriers that might be hindering your inner peace.
My areas of strength include working with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, relational stress, identity concerns, trauma, and family conflicts. I also have experience supporting individuals with women's health issues and those identifying as LGBTQ+.
Please email me to schedule a free 15-minute consultation call, or check the availability and reserve a time on my calendar using Simple Practice. I look forward to hearing from you!
Zander Goodwin, MS, CMHC
I am currently accepting adolescent and adult clients aged 12 and up for in-person, nature-based counseling in the Essex and Williston areas, as well as telehealth for Vermont residents.
I enjoy working with clients who are experiencing life transitions, interpersonal conflict, exploring identity, or looking for tangible strategies for navigating anxiety and depression. As a queer and trans person myself, I have a particular passion for working with LGBTQ+ individuals.
I hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelor's degree in Outdoor Education. I believe that nature-based counseling offers a unique space to explore the connection between our inner environments and the environments around us. My practice is grounded in a person-centered and trauma-informed approach that draws upon various modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Based Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. A guiding principle of my practice is that each client already possesses the inner drive and ability to create the life that they want. As a therapist, my job is to help guide and support you along that path and tackle any obstacles that arise. Every client is unique - together we can work to find an approach that works for you.
I bring a sense of curiosity, acceptance, and humor to my sessions with a relaxed and patient energy. I tend to match well with clients who appreciate a more conversational and straightforward approach to therapy.
Will Shinn, MA Candidate
I am currently accepting adult clients (18+) for in person sessions in the Jeffersonville area.
As a graduate student enrolled in VTSU’s MS counseling program, I am focused on developing a personalized approach to Nature-Centered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. My goal is to help others pursue meaning and life satisfaction through reflection and value-based action.
I tend to match well with Adult and Young Adult clients who are looking to relieve symptoms related to Anxiety and Depression. Use the contact form below to reach out and schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
Maddie Clark, MSW
Hi, I’m Maddie. I am a counselor who offers nature-based walk-and-talk therapy, as well as telehealth, in Montpelier and Hardwick, Vermont. I combine my master’s degree in social work with experiences from my own life’s winding path to create a unique toolkit that helps clients move forward in meaningful ways. I work with individuals ages 16 and older, as well as couples.
Something about the way you are thinking, feeling, or behaving has gotten your attention. Stress can show up in many ways in the world we live in. You may be feeling stuck, navigating a difficult life transition, exploring aspects of your identity, or wanting to align your choices more closely with the values that matter most to you. I am here to support you in that process. Our work together can also be a way to intentionally create space for yourself in the midst of life’s many demands.
I am a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, a veteran, a musician, and an avid outdoorsperson. I have extensive experience practicing and teaching mindfulness and meditation and have spent ten years working in the substance use recovery community. Stepping outside into nature can be incredibly healing on its own. Through walk-and-talk therapy, we can use the natural environment as a supportive space to reflect, gain clarity, and move toward the life you want to build.
My work is informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness practices, and values-based exploration. Many of the people I work with are thoughtful individuals who are navigating life transitions, identity questions, or the tension between meeting others’ expectations and caring for their own needs.