Alison Mamatey, MA, LMHC
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You are a unique, beautiful soul.
-Louise Hay |
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Hello and welcome! Do any of these sound familiar?
-Anxiety -Indecisiveness -Tough inner critic -Feeling disconnected from or tired around others -Low self-esteem -Deep, sometimes inexplicable feelings of guilt -Confusion around trusting your "gut" -A heavy focus on wanting to make others like you -Trouble with saying "no" to favors or other requests -A nagging feeling you’re doing something wrong or there may be something wrong with you |
The good news is, these are not inherent traits people are born with and you are not bound to eternally struggle with these things! We all grow up in homes with both spoken and unspoken messages. In fact, sometimes the unspoken messages can be more powerful than the spoken ones! You may have grown up in a home with high expectations for success (whether stated or unstated), with a single parent with limited time or attention, with caregivers who meant well but who were “workaholics,” controlling, highly focused on academic success, emotionally unavailable, or in a home where your authentic voice somehow was not heard. Although we may not be aware of it, our backgrounds have a huge impact on our current behaviors and challenges, even if those backgrounds are 5, 10, 20, etc. years in the past.
Through this therapy, which focuses on what is happening in the here-and-now, you will have the opportunity to discover the root of your current challenges. These discoveries, within the lived experience of the therapy, can lead to profound shifts in how you feel and communicate with others. And although you may have talked about this topic in therapy before, you may not have actually experienced any shifts; the connection with the therapist is a very important factor in this distinction. These experiences will give you the chance to uncover your authentic voice and, possibly for the first time, live life from a place of YOUR choosing. Experiencing life from this place of authenticity is exciting and exhilarating!
Through this therapy, which focuses on what is happening in the here-and-now, you will have the opportunity to discover the root of your current challenges. These discoveries, within the lived experience of the therapy, can lead to profound shifts in how you feel and communicate with others. And although you may have talked about this topic in therapy before, you may not have actually experienced any shifts; the connection with the therapist is a very important factor in this distinction. These experiences will give you the chance to uncover your authentic voice and, possibly for the first time, live life from a place of YOUR choosing. Experiencing life from this place of authenticity is exciting and exhilarating!
What can you expect from this therapy?
Many people wonder what to expect when starting therapy for the first time or with a new therapist. Making that first call can be scary so I always strive to offer an atmosphere where you feel safe and comfortable! Here are some common questions and answers:
- Q: Will I be lying on a couch? A: Only if you feel like it! A couch is available to lie down or to sit on, depending on your preference.
- Q: Am I going to be expected to just talk throughout the session? A: No! My approach is very interactive, so I will be asking a lot of questions to help guide the conversation and to help make connections between your current symptoms/behaviors and their root causes. You will not be alone in this! I also do a lot of checking in to make sure we're on the same page with your expectations of therapy.
- Q: Are we just going to be talking about my past the whole time? A: Definitely not. The most important aspect to life is what is happening right here and right now. The present is the only place where we can make change; but it is the past that informs our present. By including some understanding of your past in our work, we can get a much fuller picture of what is happening now and better move through current "stuck" places for more lasting change.
- Q: What benefits can I expect to see? A: Depending on why you are coming to therapy, some common benefits include: decreased anxiety; greater insight into the past and present; finally being able to connect current feelings and behaviors with their actual causes; increased motivation; greater sense of well-being; feeling more connected with yourself and other people; and a sense of being heard or understood in ways you may never have experienced before.
- Q: When will I start feeling better? A: Because this therapy addresses not only the symptoms (i.e., anxiety, depression, etc.) but also their underlying cause(s), it may not be a quick fix. However, by addressing the root issue of what you are experiencing, the symptoms will be much less likely to return. Even when treating longstanding issues, people sometimes report feeling better after the first session, particularly as it can be such a relief to finally find someone who "gets it!"
About me
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As a licensed therapist with over 10-years experience in the mental health field, I treat a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. My specialty is in difficult family and relationship dynamics (both past and current dynamics), focusing on how those dynamics impact us in the here-and-now. My approach is very open-minded, interactive, and non-judgmental. Through genuine collaboration, my clients describe a sense of feeling truly heard and understood.
I earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology, my master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University, and my license to practice as a mental health counselor here in Massachusetts; I am also licensed to provide therapy to residents in Pennsylvania and Connecticut. My previous clinical work includes in-home therapeutic services for individuals and families, college counseling, and one-on-one work with adults, teenagers, and with children, in both a community mental health agency and in private practice. |
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I am trained in psychodynamic therapy (insight-oriented), trauma therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT or action-oriented therapy), mindfulness-based techniques, relational therapy, multi-cultural therapy, client-centered therapy, and EFIT (Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy). Depending on the person I am working with, I often draw aspects from each of these techniques, essentially tailoring my approach to fit your needs.
I care deeply about the clients I work with and am very grateful for the opportunity to do this work. By choosing to work with only a small number of clients, I am able to offer a more focused, caring approach; this approach allows my clients to feel their needs are highly important. You will not be forgotten between sessions! Although the most important work happens during the sessions, I devote extra time each week just to focus my attention on our sessions. Focusing on our work together between sessions allows me to better understand potential causes for what is going on and to draw insight into the best treatment moving forward.
I care deeply about the clients I work with and am very grateful for the opportunity to do this work. By choosing to work with only a small number of clients, I am able to offer a more focused, caring approach; this approach allows my clients to feel their needs are highly important. You will not be forgotten between sessions! Although the most important work happens during the sessions, I devote extra time each week just to focus my attention on our sessions. Focusing on our work together between sessions allows me to better understand potential causes for what is going on and to draw insight into the best treatment moving forward.
Services & fees
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You get what you pay for! I currently offer individual therapy for adults (ages 18 and above). Depending on your needs, I offer both 45-minute and 60-minute sessions. Each 45 minute session is $185 and each 60 minute session is $200. Longer sessions may be available upon request.
I do not currently accept insurance. However, I can provide a bill for you to submit to your insurance in case they are able to reimburse you for any of the fees. By choosing not to work through insurance, there is much greater freedom in how we work together and much greater privacy. |
Unfortunately, many providers who accept insurance tend to be overworked and underpaid (by the insurance companies). Although it can feel expensive, you are worth the time and money spent on someone who is fully available and attentive to your healing. To find out more about the advantages of not using insurance, please check out the "Frequent Questions" page!
Contact Alison Mamatey
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I invite you to call or email today so that we can determine together if I am the right fit for you!
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