I am a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Whether it is anxiety, depression, or any other mental health obstacles in your way, I am here for you! In many ways, the role of a therapist is like that of a guide. We will embark on this journey of self improvement together. I specialize in OCD, phobias, panic disorders, and other anxiety issues but I work with depression, gender issues, life transitions, chronic pain issues, trauma, and other issues.
Why the name “Learning to Bend?”
Throughout history there have been many examples of the metaphor of ‘bending like a tree.’ From Aesop’s fable of the Oak and the Reed to Lao Tsu’s Tao Te Ching, there are many variations on the saying (and they all essentially mean the same thing). My favorite is from Tao Te Ching which is, “The tree that is unbending is easily broken.” So what does this have to do with counseling? Well, we humans can be quite rigid. ‘Things need to be this way. I cannot have this anxiety/pain/sadness. This terrible thing happened and I can’t move on with my life!’ A massive part of my work with clients is aimed at teaching the art of learning to “bend” with the winds life can throw at us.
Services Offered:
Individual counseling:
53 minute individual sessions for teenagers and adults conveniently done via telehealth (video sessions) through a HIPAA compliant video platform.
Diagnostic Assessment:
I am open with my clients about diagnoses and provide thorough assessments for clients who are unsure of what their “diagnosis” is or are curious if they have a certain diagnosis (e.g. OCD), etc.
Short Term Option:
For interested clients who are looking for short term therapy (5-7 sessions), I also offer a lecture-heavy “condensed” therapy focusing on psychoeducation, skills building, and increasing your psychological flexibility (i.e. learning to bend!)
“The feeling of confusion is an indication that we are trying to understand something. So, welcoming confusion is actually an expression of wisdom.”
– Les Kaye, Zen at Work
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I go for appointments?
My practice is 100% telehealth. We will be doing sessions over a HIPAA compliant private video platform. You can do counseling from the comfort of your own home.
How much do appointments cost?
I accept several insurances and the cost to you depends on your insurance plan (some people have copays, some do not, some have deductibles). Please see the “insurance and costs” tab for more info. The insurance companies I have listed in that page all cover video sessions.
How do I pay for appointments?
When I add you as a client, part of the intake forms you complete in the client portal will include credit card information. The card on file will be charged at time of or after your appointment. I provide invoices per request.
How long will I be in therapy?
Sessions are 53 minutes. The length of the the therapy journey differs for everyone. Unless you are specifically seeking the short term option above, I do not predetermine how many sessions a client will have–life happens and sometimes there are bumps in the road and we need to be flexible rather than rigid.
What areas are your specialties?
I specialize in OCD, phobias, and other anxiety disorders (although I work with a wide range of issues besides anxiety too). I have done multiple trainings in ERP which is the gold standard treatment for OCD and aspects of exposure are also used in my treatment of anxiety.
What does “LMHC” mean and why does that matter?
It means I am a licensed mental health counselor which is important to look for in a therapist as this shows the therapist has been professionally trained to be a therapist and to get this license the therapist must pass an exam and the required supervision.
You are trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), does this mean I have to do ERP if I have OCD?
No! ERP is an incredibly helpful treatment for OCD and phobias but my clients are always steering the wheel. If someone is not feeling ready for ERP, we will work at your pace to build up the willingness to take that step.
How often will I be seen for appointments?
My schedule contains weekly, biweekly, and monthly appointments (monthly is not available for new clients). Periodically I will check in with my clients to adjust frequency of visits based on my assessments but I also invite clients to request more or less frequent visits as well.
Who can benefit from mental health therapy?
Everyone and anyone. We are all human and part of being human means that we suffer from time to time. If you are hesitant, this is a very common feeling. Reach out to me and feel free to ask questions if you are on the fence about things.
Mat Barbosa LMHC 