Discover how starting couples/marriage therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
9 therapists available in Worcester
I believe that healing is possible no matter how hard your life experiences have been, and I’m honored to serve you on that journe...
About
I believe that healing is possible no matter how hard your life experiences have been, and I’m honored to serve you on that journey.
I am a Mental Health Counselor seeking licensure with 8 years of experience providing trauma-informed support to adolescent and adult clients. I have a background in holistic healing modalities that address all aspects of wellness, including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. I feel honored to work with clients who dare to explore themselves and embrace vulnerability as they move toward healing, balance, and emotional well-being.
I earned my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Southern New Hampshire University. I use trauma-informed approaches that honor each client’s unique needs, including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, person-centered talk therapy, psychodynamic techniques, strengths-based parts work, somatic therapy, and mindfulness.
I believe each of us has the inner wisdom and strength to create meaningful change, but sometimes it takes the right guide and tools to get there. My goal is to walk beside you with compassion and understanding as you rediscover your resilience, heal from within, and move toward a life of greater peace and fulfillment.
Education and training
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I'm passionate about creating a safe and judgement-free space where you can explore, heal, and grow into your best self; together,...
I'm passionate about creating a safe and judgement-free space where you can explore, heal, and grow into your best self; together, we'll turn challenges into opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
Christina Zarlengo is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 2 years of experience helping individuals seek clarity, balance, and personal growth. She supports clients through life transitions, relationship challenges, stress, and self-esteem concerns. Using an integrative, evidence-based approach, Christina blends proven therapeutic techniques with a warm, compassionate presence, empowering clients to gain insight, build resilience, and develop tools to create meaningful change and live with greater confidence and purpose.
Christina earned her Master’s in Counseling from Westfield State University. She has experience working with clients of all ages and utilizes a trauma-informed, integrative approach. She helps clients explore early experiences, understand behavior patterns, and build resilience, creating lasting change from the inside out.
Christina understands the challenges you face and how overwhelming the search for support can be. With warmth and care, she encourages you to reach out—your story matters. Together, you’ll explore what healing looks like for you, finding clarity, strength, and hope one step at a time.
The core values that guide our work together will be rooted in empathic understanding, validation, and the creative use of evidenc...
The core values that guide our work together will be rooted in empathic understanding, validation, and the creative use of evidence-based treatments.
Nicolle Rubino is a Licensed Mental Health Clinician who has spent 7 years working in the mental health field providing crisis care to adults and adolescents needing partial hospitalization treatment. Her specialties include safety planning, de-escalation, and stabilization. She has focused on helping people explore and gain insight into mental health struggles and how to cope and grow from those experiences. Nicolle is an art therapist who is trained in the utilization of creative directives for expressive interventions and has experience working with significant depression, anxiety, trauma, and life stressors.
Nicolle received her Master's in Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy from Lesley University, where she was able to develop skills based in clinical psychology and creative expression. Nicolle pulls from a variety of evidence-based approaches such as mindfulness, person-centered, cognitive behavioral, solution-focused, and expressive therapies.
Nicolle would be honored to be a part of your mental health healing and growth. She looks forward to walking with you on that journey and wants you to know how proud you should be of yourself for making the decision to get the support you need and deserve.
As a former member of a special operations military unit, I understand and can empathize with directly- and indirectly-related iss...
As a former member of a special operations military unit, I understand and can empathize with directly- and indirectly-related issues.
Lee Walker is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), and a former member of a military Special Operations unit with 45 years of experience in mental health/addictions treatment. He is very concerned regarding the impact of trauma (frequently underrated) and the disease course of addictions (also frequently underrated). He is optimistic that significant life improvement is possible for his clients, and is committed to working with them to see that potential. Leon’s specialties are PTDS, trauma, and addictions.
Lee earned his Bachelor's in Abnormal Psychology at Clark University and Master's at Assumption University. His military background exposed him to a wide range of life circumstances and difficulties that impact people—many of whom have given up hope. Lee teaches his clients to use rational emotive therapy and reality therapy to manage symptoms on their own.
Lee believes that all clients have the potential to conduct self-therapy so they have clinical tools and interventions at all times.
In consideration of a work-life balance, my work is very meaningful to me. I am culturally competent, evidence-based and think abo...
In consideration of a work-life balance, my work is very meaningful to me. I am culturally competent, evidence-based and think about client needs, which helps create a successful therapeutic alliance.
Irene is a licensed mental health counselor with a combined 8 years of experience in mental health and related fields and 20 years of experience in working with public schools and family systems. She is interpersonally rooted in practice and has on strong focus on creating a successful therapeutic alliance. She believes that the quality of the client-therapist relationship should align with clients’ needs. Irene specializes in several areas that support children and adults who face challenges with school, behavior, family life, ADHD, ODD, self-esteem, bullying, anxiety, depression, abuse, and trauma.
Irene completed her Master of Science in Clinical Psychology degree at Bay Path University and was teacher-nominated as Class Speaker. She has provided counseling services for inner city children in crisis in residential settings as well as for adults.
Irene believes rapport is of utmost importance in the clinical setting and that a strong sense of trust helps build an alliance between the client and therapist. Irene has a sensitive view of client culture, respect, and confidentiality and places high standards on client safety and rights.
As a young woman, I understand the challenges that academic, work, and family stress can present....
As a young woman, I understand the challenges that academic, work, and family stress can present.
Alyson Burchfield is a Resident-in Counseling (RIC) with over two years of internship experience in the mental health field. She provides therapeutic care to adults and couples who are seeking help with depression, anxiety, stress management, difficult life transitions, adjustment disorder, LGBTQ issues, mindfulness, and meditation. Alyson is a strong and empathetic ally who regards individuals as the experts of their own experience.
Alyson completed her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at Franklin Pierce University and received her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University. She utilizes an eclectic and collaborative strengths-based, narrative-based, mindfulness-based, solutions-focused, and person-centered approach to therapeutic care. Alyson is always fostering a therapeutic alliance that allows for individuals and clients to grow at their own pace while providing a safe and welcoming environment.
Alyson seeks to establish a compassionate and warm relationship with you to assist in building upon your strengths, and to collaborate with you on meeting your goals, processing challenges, and developing tools and techniques to help you grow even outside of counseling.
We are all on a journey of moving towards our happiest and best selves - I want to offer a helping hand toward you in this process...
We are all on a journey of moving towards our happiest and best selves - I want to offer a helping hand toward you in this process.
Kaden Trifilio is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with over 7 years of experience in the mental health field. For him, the most satisfying part of being a clinician is witnessing people become their most empowered and authentic selves. Kaden has experience working with adult individuals from a broad range of backgrounds and is trained in helping people manage anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and life changes. Kaden actively works on being a culturally competent clinician and is knowledgeable in working with individuals in the LGBTQA+ community. Kaden completed his Master of Social Work at Springfield College.
Kaden has been trained in multiple modes of therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. Kaden also has over 10 years of personal mindfulness and meditation practice. Kaden will collaborate with you to figure out what combination or approach will work best for you.
Therapy is a beautiful tool that provides us with the space to start healing our inner selves. Kaden is confident he will be able to provide a safe and empathetic space to you, no matter where you are finding yourself in life right now. If you are interested in working with him, schedule an appointment today!
As a dedicated Clinician, I am here to help overwhelming feelings not to detour us from our true authentic selves....
As a dedicated Clinician, I am here to help overwhelming feelings not to detour us from our true authentic selves.
Eileen Garrigan is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). She has been practicing for the past 20 years and works with adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families. Eileen is familiar with working with clients who have experienced or are experiencing trauma, relationship difficulties, anxiety, stress, grief, chronic illness, depression, and life transitions.
Eileen has a post-graduate certificate in Family Systems Solution Focused Therapy. When clients enter the therapeutic process, she is sensitive to their belief systems and current frame of mind. Therapy can provide clients with the tools to change perceptions, increase rational thinking, improve thought and communication patterns, and increase the level of healthy relationships. Her approach is to provide a safe, nonjudgemental space to explore the past, present, and future. Therapy gives clients the opportunity to be seen and heard in a safe, accepting environment. Sincerity, empathy, compassion, and authenticity are all important to the therapeutic relationship.
As a therapist, Eileen takes an active role in listening, empowering, and supporting her clients' subjective experiences. Together, you can examine the patterns that tend to influence dysfunctional belief systems. She combines techniques of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, Creative Arts Therapies, Brief Dynamic Therapy, Psychoanalysis, and Solution Focused Therapy.
Being a black woman, I have a unique perspective as a therapist, and hope to normalize therapy for clients black and people of col...
Being a black woman, I have a unique perspective as a therapist, and hope to normalize therapy for clients black and people of color in order to expand mental health services to these communities.
Jamiere Trifilio is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 5 years of experience in outpatient therapy. Jamiere believes in client-centered therapy where clients are actively involved in their treatment. Jamiere also believes in an empathetic approach to therapy where a client feels safe, heard, and seen. Being a black woman in America gives Jamiere a unique perspective on life and growth. It has helped her grow as a therapist and have compassion toward humanity. Jamiere specializes in women's mental health for depression, anxiety, mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, LGBTQ+ issues, pregnancy, postpartum, and stress.
Jamiere completed her undergraduate degree at Houghton College and her master's degree at Eastern Nazarene College. Jamiere has been trained in multiple modalities such as narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and trauma-based work.
Life can come with many challenges and unexpected changes that affect us all in different ways. Jamiere will create a safe space of hope and compassion to support your journey of life. We all have stories, and Jamiere believes that you can write the story of the future your way and find freedom in your new story.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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My go-to approach for helping people in couples/marriage counseling is using love languages. I prefer getting to know each partner's love language because it helps them be intentional about meeting the other's needs.
Some main tools I teach in couples/marriage counseling are communication and problem-solving skills. Communication skills can help clients take a step back, use an empathetic approach to communicating with their partner, and allow them to see things from a different perspective. The likelihood of each partner being open to hearing the other out is greater when they communicate effectively. Using problem-solving skills to navigate differences of opinion and difficult situations helps to define the problem, brainstorm solutions, eliminate unwanted suggestions, and select the solution to achieve the desired outcome that will benefit them the most.
I know a client is making meaningful progress in couples/marriage counseling when they empathize with one another, are open to hearing each other, communicate their feelings and intentions clearly, have fewer differences, can problem-solve together, and take the time to invest in their relationship between sessions.
Clients can supplement their time in couples/marriage counseling by taking time to invest and be intentional about implementing the skills learned. Examples include going out on dates, being spontaneous, revisiting what attracted them to each other in the first place, and seeking individual counseling to assist with other concerns that can be hindering their relationship and need additional assistance.
To prepare for your first couples/marriage counseling session, you can write out a list of goals and concerns that you want to address and work on. However, the most important is to come with the willingness to put in the work that it takes to try to have and maintain a healthy relationship.
Couples therapy and marriage counseling, also known as relationship counseling, helps couples work through their specific relationship issues. Some examples of common focuses within couples therapy and marriage counseling include:
The types of therapy used in couples and marriage counseling include:
At Thriveworks, Couples/marriage therapy is led by licensed professionals — often licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) — who are experts in their field and best-equipped to help couples.
The Gottman Method of couples therapy is a research-supported approach designed to enhance relationships by bolstering the bond between partners, resolving conflicts, and fostering shared meaning in their relationship through comprehensive assessments and tailored interventions that improve communication, trust, and the overall health of the partnership.
If you’re facing persistent relationship problems, communication breakdowns, or unresolved conflicts that are impacting your emotional well-being and happiness, Couples/marriage therapy may be beneficial for you.
While marriage and couple’s counseling is typically recommended for couples who are experiencing persistent or severe relationship issues, any relationship can benefit from attending these sessions.
Marriage and couples counseling at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you and your partner.
On average, couples attend marriage and couples counseling for 12 weeks. However, couples & marriage counseling may last longer or shorter, dependent on the couples’ needs, the challenges they’d like to work through, and the pace of their progress.
At Thriveworks, we accept most major insurance plans, allowing many clients to pay as little as $0–$50 per session with their co-pay. We also offer self-pay options for those out-of-network or without insurance. Self-pay rates for talk therapy range from $160 to $240 for intake sessions and $135 to $195 for follow-ups, depending on your state. For psychiatry services, self-pay intake sessions are $255–$375, with follow-ups ranging from $175–$300, also varying by state. More information on current self-pay costs is available on our pricing page.
There are so many couples that love each other but are struggling with communicating deeply and effectively. There’s nothing quite as painful as realizing your life partner doesn’t know you as well as you thought they did, or finding you don’t know them well either. Luckily, help is available.
Thriveworks Counseling in Worcester couples therapists and marriage counselors often work with couples experiencing communication problems and many other issues that can arise in a marriage. If you think you could benefit from working with a relationship professional, reach out to Thriveworks Worcester to schedule an appointment.
It might be time to call a therapist if you’re arguing frequently, not talking at all, experiencing a lack of intimacy, or feeling apathy toward the relationship. If you’ve even considered seeing a couples therapist or marriage counselor, it may be time to make that call. Or, if you simply want to set your relationship up for the best success, you might want to reach out to a couples therapist or marriage counselor. It doesn’t matter what phase of marriage you’re in—early, child-rearing years, or much later. If things aren’t quite the way you want them to be, you can improve them.
“Most couples pursue therapy when there are significant difficulties in the relationship. However, just as it is better to manage our healthcare consistently rather than waiting until we experience potentially devastating symptoms, couples counseling can be used as a preventative resource—a way to avoid significant complications before they happen,” explains Shawn Channell, a Licensed Psychologist at our Worcester office.
We see couples experiencing many types of strife, including:
Whatever it is, “couples therapy isn’t meant as a mechanism for one partner to ‘unload’ on the other, nor as a way to force your partner to change, but as a method to find solutions to relationship problems based on the love and dedication the partners have for one another,” says Channell.
Couples therapy isn’t a refereed match, and your therapist won’t take sides. The therapist is a neutral, compassionate third party who will listen to each party and help them find where the communication breakdown is occurring. Once that breakdown is identified, your counselor will help you develop a plan to overcome it and help you learn communication skills to facilitate that plan.
“Marriage counseling and couples therapy involve both partners participating in joint therapy sessions,” says Channell. “The goal is to help the couple gain insight into their relationship, improve their satisfaction in the relationship, and to resolve conflict using a variety of therapeutic interventions.”
This brings us to the personalized approach that our counselors take. While there are effective counseling techniques that might prove effective for many couples, the counselors and therapists will not design your treatment until they get to know you. Then, and only then, will they put together a plan that will best help you and your partner improve your relationship and address the problems at hand. Of course, though, sometimes couples aren’t meant to work these problems out and are better off apart.
“While the goal of couples counseling is always to try and improve the relationship, sometimes couples realize that their disagreements and differences are irreparable and that separation may be the best solution. Even in these circumstances, couples counseling can aid couples in ending a relationship on the best terms,” Channell explains.
Thriveworks in Worcester, MA counselors know how important marriage or a long-term partnership is—it’s the most significant relationship in your life. When that’s out of balance, it’s hard to feel hopeful about anything.
You can have a strong, healthy, happy relationship, and we can help. Thriveworks does not operate with a waiting list, and we can usually see you within the week of your call, so don’t wait any longer. We also have flexible appointment options including evening and weekend sessions. In addition, we have online counseling opportunities as well. We want to make this experience as convenient as possible. Call us to schedule your appointment today.
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