LGBT therapists in Vermont

Melyse Behavioral & Wellness is a small group practice that empowers, supports and helps clients thrive through their journey. We are a small practice designed to meet the support We have a long history working with kids in the foster care system. I work with clients from various walks of life ages 12 years and older a variety of different emotional difficulties find a way to improve the quality of your relationships with family and friends. You’re taking the first step, and I congratulate you for that because it’s not an easy thing to do.

Finding a therapist who truly gets your life can feel like a long search. One who sees more than a diagnosis, who doesn't need you to explain yourself before you can get to work. If you're part of the LGBTQ+ community, that search often comes with an extra layer: the quiet work of figuring out whether this therapist is actually safe, or whether you'll spend your sessions educating them. With me, you won't have to do that work.

I'm a licensed therapist with more than 22 years of experience in mental health and addiction treatment. I've worked in community mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, correctional settings, and private practice. I've sat with people in some of the hardest moments of their lives and know how to meet them there without flinching.

My primary focus is LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. That includes navigating identity, coming out at any stage of life, relationship dynamics unique to queer and same-sex partnerships, internalized stigma, minority stress, and everything that comes with living authentically in a world that doesn't always make that easy. I also work with anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, substance use and dual diagnosis, men's issues, and stress and burnout.

Looking for guidance to work through trauma? Feeling stuck in your relationship? Wondering about your life’s purpose? You’re not alone. We all face challenges at different points in our lives, and sometimes we need support to find self-awareness and compassion—both essential to healing. Using evidence-based approaches like IFS and EMDR, I help support emotional and mental health goals. I believe we all have the innate ability to feel, heal, discover, and live a more uplifting life. All it takes to begin is the willingness to take that first step and trust the process.

I have worked in a variety of settings, from in-patient to community mental health. I have worked with all age ranges. I am enthusiastic about helping people discover their inner strength and create their road map to what success is to them personally!

If you're looking for an out of the ordinary therapist, welcome to my "office"! I was born and raised in Springfield Massachusetts before moving to east Tennessee in 2011 and then northeast Vermont in 2021. So I understand "transplant loneliness" quite well in addition to other city to rural living dilemmas. I have a wide array of lived experience in addition to my education and am able to bring it all to the table to better assist you on your journey. I am only human and I do not know more about you than you, but we can work together to find the solutions to the issues that trouble you. I am here to dig out the answers you seek from within. Side note: I have experience with various types of relationships within the internet/gaming/pop culture/geek/nerd/neurodiverse/LGBTQ/spiritual and alternative communities as well cultural diversity.

Therapy is a collaborative journey of self discovery and integration. Its aim is wholeness. I draw on a variety of therapeutic frameworks (EMDR, DBT, motivational interviewing, strengths based work) to meet individuals where they are at and help them identify strengths and areas of growth in their life.

Together we look at how thoughts, feelings and beliefs intersect with our life transitions and relational patterns and how they contribute to our sense of well being, or misalignment. By uncovering the needs under our feelings, we learn to take personal responsibility for expressing ourselves accurately and authentically, allowing us to feel heard, valued and understood.

My name is Benjamin. With over 25 years of experience, I help individuals and couples build stronger, more fulfilling relationships and improve emotional well-being. I work with adults, couples, and families navigating anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other life challenges.

My approach is personalized, collaborative, and focused on meaningful, lasting growth. I help clients better understand their emotions, strengthen connections, and develop practical tools for everyday life.

Therapy with me is real, down-to-earth, and engaging—I bring honesty, humor, and compassion to create a space where you can grow, heal, and be yourself. Book with me here or at https://evolvetothrive9.com.

My ideal client is someone wrestling with feelings of shame, guilt, and a lack of authenticity. They may be navigating societal pressures or personal challenges that keep them from embracing who they are fully. Often, they feel held back by the weight of living up to others' expectations and yearn for a life where they can be unapologetically themselves. They want a space to explore and validate their lived experiences, uncover their genuine self, and build a life that feels both radically authentic and fulfilling.

I’m a Certified EMDR therapist who’s here to help you feel more like you again. Whether you’re carrying around old stuff that’s hard to shake or just feeling stuck, I offer a calm, supportive space to work through it—at your pace, on your terms.

I bring a steady presence, evidence-based tools, and a deep belief in your capacity to heal. EMDR is powerful, and so are you. I’ll guide you through the process at your pace, with care, clarity, and My approach is grounded in science but delivered with warmth, humor, and a genuine respect for your journey.

I use EMDR because it works—and because it helps people move forward in meaningful ways. But more than that, I show up as a real person. You won’t get a blank stare or therapy speak here. Just real conversation, genuine curiosity, and a steady belief that healing is possible (and that it doesn’t have to be heavy all the time).

I offer weekend and flexible appointments. My specialties include depression/anxiety, people pleasers, weight issues, grief/loss, and trauma (PTSD). I am a compassionate counselor wanting to support your goals. Through our work together, you will learn how to improve your life, heal, and move forward.

Please message me to get started or self-schedule a session today.

Recommended Reading: Somatic Healing by J. Emberly – Johnna recommends this book to anyone seeking tools for emotional and physical self-awareness, whether or not they are her clients. The book and accompanying workbook is available to purchase on Amazon.

I am a clinical mental health counselor licensed in the state of Vermont. I provide tele health services for people of all ages experiencing mental health challenges. I specialize in treating PTSD, ADHD, anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. I have worked in the mental health field for 30 plus years and have acquired a diverse skill set.