(he/him)
The best pitch for therapy is simple, “do you have bad feelings or uncomfortable thoughts that you want to talk to someone about?” 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, advanced education in mental and public health, and evidenced based treatments for specific issues like depression, interpersonal conflict and trauma. 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 and define their own versions of success and happiness.
In our first session we will briefly get to know each other and, unlike usual sessions, I will probably ask you a lot of questions trying to get a sense of your background, history, concerns, relationships, behaviors, etc., Very broadly, I will want to get a sense of why you are coming to therapy now. We will wrap things up by talking about how I think therapy works, any questions and concerns you may have, and sketching an outline of what we will be talking about and working towards together in sessions.
Clients dealing with chronic illness or severe mental illness in their family. Clients experiencing caretaker burden. Autistic adults or clients who suspect they may be autistic. Clients with complex trauma and enduring depression/anxiety. Clients with abusive/dysfunctional family who want a chance to process the effects.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cash - $150 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth
Amerihealth Administrators
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
Evernorth
Geisinger - Commercial
Golden Rule
GTEB
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Highmark
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Surest (formerly Bind)
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
UPMC Health Plan
Psychodynamic
I am a trauma-informed psychodynamic psychotherapist in that I work chiefly to help clients understand how their past experiences inform and affect the present.
Eclectic
I draw on ideas from methods and theories like trauma-informed care, attachment, humanistic, existential, and client centered therapy. Some of the more specific techniques I use include Motivational Interviewing (MI), Acceptance and Commitments Therapy (ACT), and Narrative Therapy.
3 ratings with written reviews
April 24, 2026
I originally came to him from another therapist on this platform. He asked me questions and wanted me to talk about topics that were completely off from what brought me to therapy. I do not recommend him.
July 9, 2025
Ed has helped me more than words can describe. I have made SO much progress with his style of therapy. He clearly loves to help others and he is truly gifted in what he does.
July 3, 2025
Ed has a way of shedding light on the deep recesses of my psyche to reveal things to me that have caused me to be who I am. He stands out as an authentic, kind individual who is able to give a perspective that may not be obvious but he is able to help me to understand. He has helped me out of some hard times in my life in a way that is warm and genuine. He is very good at what he does and I highly recommend him...just please don't take my time slot haha