Maria Swanson, LMHC (they/them)

We are emotional creatures, whether or not we feel connected to or positively about our emotions. Through recognizing this and building more compassionate relationships with our emotions, bodies, minds, and communities, we can process grief & pain and allow our emotions to guide us in creating a more intentional, meaningful existence. To do this deeply, we must recognize how mental health is impacted by our whole health, the multiple cultures that have shaped us, and the systems within which we exist. The goal of the services I offer is to help clients consider their locus of control so they can accept what is not their responsibility and take action on what is (plus grieve and maybe protest what should be). This gives us access to both a realistic and aspirational sense of agency. The wisdom that we gain from this process also guides us through the inevitable moments when we grieve change and loss as our environments, communities, and selves evolve. I am a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Massachusetts and the creator of ECMH. I use relational, collaborative, queer, and narrative approaches to build a supportive and unique connection with each of my clients, as I believe this connection is critical to help us both feel safe enough to share deeper wisdoms about life and health. I emphasize with clients the importance of building intentional and genuine connections through what feels safe, fun, and meaningful. My approach reinforces building a non-judgmental mindset and using language as a tool to understand and shape reality as we see it. This also extends to how we process and own our emotions.