About
The best pitch for therapy is simple. “Do you have bad feelings or scary thoughts and want to talk to
someone about them?” My name is Ed Lessard, and that’s what I am best at. I talk to people about their
most distressing and uncomfortable thoughts and feelings, listen actively, without judgment, and respond
with empathy for the nuances of human experience, advanced education in mental and public health,
and evidence-based treatments for specific issues like depression, interpersonal conflict and trauma. I
value insight and behavioral change equally. Like many therapists, I started as a patient, no better or
worse than the people who come to see me for help. I work collaboratively with my clients to help them
identify, understand and cope with the problems they are facing. Therapy with me is not a confrontation
with an unquestionable authority, more like meeting with an experienced guide who uses their personal
experience, training and knowledge to relate to, support and inform their clients as they do the work of
healing for themselves. I value diversity and self-determination strongly, understanding that everyone’s
version of “happy,” “normal” or even just “better” is, and should be, different. In sessions, I integrate ideas
from narrative, person-in-environment, humanistic, trauma-informed, psychodynamic and existential
approaches to therapy and have experience and training in evidence based practices like Motivational
Interviewing (MI), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). That’s a long way of saying, I listen
to you tell me how it feels to be you and help you learn to understand and care for yourself better. I am
sorry to say that despite all of those acronyms, I cannot “fix” you – the therapeutic process rarely follows
a medical model of diagnosis and then cure. Therapy, instead, is a collaboration. It takes work on both
our parts. I am truly sorry to say that I believe that living well takes constant care, attention and effort. It is
exhausting. To make that bitter pill go down a little easier I like to provide empathy in the forms of
authentic commiseration, sarcasm and (when it suits the client) strong language. Many therapists will tell
you, and it has been scientifically shown, that the most important elements of successful psychotherapy
aren’t how or where your therapist was educated or what model they employ, but the quality of the
relationship between the client and therapist - if it feels genuine, trustworthy and secure. If my attitude
towards therapy appeals to you, please feel free to reach out and schedule your free 15 minute
consultation. I have enjoyed working with clients from all ages, gender-identities, sexual orientations, and
races and strive to provide informed, culturally humble and authentic care to all regardless. I am
particularly interested in working with younger adults struggling with personal and professional transitions
(ages 18-38), children of dysfunctional homes and those whose families are affected by chronic illness,
severe mental illness and/or other causes of caretaker burden.
someone about them?” My name is Ed Lessard, and that’s what I am best at. I talk to people about their
most distressing and uncomfortable thoughts and feelings, listen actively, without judgment, and respond
with empathy for the nuances of human experience, advanced education in mental and public health,
and evidence-based treatments for specific issues like depression, interpersonal conflict and trauma. I
value insight and behavioral change equally. Like many therapists, I started as a patient, no better or
worse than the people who come to see me for help. I work collaboratively with my clients to help them
identify, understand and cope with the problems they are facing. Therapy with me is not a confrontation
with an unquestionable authority, more like meeting with an experienced guide who uses their personal
experience, training and knowledge to relate to, support and inform their clients as they do the work of
healing for themselves. I value diversity and self-determination strongly, understanding that everyone’s
version of “happy,” “normal” or even just “better” is, and should be, different. In sessions, I integrate ideas
from narrative, person-in-environment, humanistic, trauma-informed, psychodynamic and existential
approaches to therapy and have experience and training in evidence based practices like Motivational
Interviewing (MI), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). That’s a long way of saying, I listen
to you tell me how it feels to be you and help you learn to understand and care for yourself better. I am
sorry to say that despite all of those acronyms, I cannot “fix” you – the therapeutic process rarely follows
a medical model of diagnosis and then cure. Therapy, instead, is a collaboration. It takes work on both
our parts. I am truly sorry to say that I believe that living well takes constant care, attention and effort. It is
exhausting. To make that bitter pill go down a little easier I like to provide empathy in the forms of
authentic commiseration, sarcasm and (when it suits the client) strong language. Many therapists will tell
you, and it has been scientifically shown, that the most important elements of successful psychotherapy
aren’t how or where your therapist was educated or what model they employ, but the quality of the
relationship between the client and therapist - if it feels genuine, trustworthy and secure. If my attitude
towards therapy appeals to you, please feel free to reach out and schedule your free 15 minute
consultation. I have enjoyed working with clients from all ages, gender-identities, sexual orientations, and
races and strive to provide informed, culturally humble and authentic care to all regardless. I am
particularly interested in working with younger adults struggling with personal and professional transitions
(ages 18-38), children of dysfunctional homes and those whose families are affected by chronic illness,
severe mental illness and/or other causes of caretaker burden.
