Dr. Nicholas Brisbon
I am a research psychologist and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, with over two decades of experience working with adults in a range of clinical settings. My main clinical specialties are in addiction, men’s issues, anxiety, depression, stress, anger management, life transitions, and spiritual concerns. I earned a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Springfield College in 2008 and a PhD in Social/Cognitive Psychology at Brandeis University in 2016. My academic research has focused on the concept of mindfulness and how meditation and prayer can affect stress, sleep quality, and problems with memory.
First session
In the initial session, I introduce myself to clients by discussing my background, experience, and training. This introduction ensures that clients are well-informed about the professional they are entrusting with their care. During this session, I also collect comprehensive information about the issues prompting them to seek counseling, as well as details about their broader life context, recognizing that all aspects of a person's life influence their well-being and are crucial to effective treatment. Finally, I explore the clients' goals or expected outcomes, and we discuss potential strategies to achieve these objectives.
Strengths
First and foremost, I offer my clients an open and non-judgmental space, which is fundamental in establishing an effective therapeutic relationship. This is crucial because the prospect of therapy can be intimidating. By taking the time to foster a robust therapeutic relationship, clients are provided with the support necessary to confront the issues that led them to seek therapy, thus empowering them to grow and to achieve their potential.
Ideal clients
My clients have a strong desire to learn and grow, but may not yet have the awareness and tools necessary to make this goal a reality. They often feel stuck, overwhelmed and anxious about their careers, education, and relationships and they may feel confused as to how to navigate these feelings.
Treatment methods
Eclectic
I use a practical, evidence-based, and structured approach grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is a logical and collaborative counseling approach that helps us understand how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influence one another. At times, we can respond to life in ways that are unhelpful or overly rigid, and counseling can help us recognize those patterns and replace them with more balanced, effective ways of thinking and acting. The goal is not simply to “think positive,” but to develop a clearer and more flexible way of responding to challenges. In addition to CBT, I may also draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), mindfulness, and selected principles from Stoic philosophy, depending on your needs and goals. This approach can help identify thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress and behaviors that get in the way of the life you want. My style is direct but collaborative: I focus on what helps you function better in daily life, build resilience, and move toward meaningful change.
Location
Virtual sessions