Therapy in Boston and online across Massachusetts
Better Balance Counseling
Heal Trauma, Anxiety, and Stress with DBT & EMDR: Build Resilience, Manage Emotions, and Create Lasting Change
Discover life beyond survival mode
You don’t want to just manage anymore—you want real, lasting change. You want to feel in control, balanced, and free from the weight of the past. Maybe you’ve even tried therapy before, but while talking felt good, it didn’t create the change you were looking for. You may feel like you have zero coping skills, or maybe you know all of them—you could practically teach a mindfulness class—but when emotions hit, it’s like your brain short-circuits. One minute, you’re overwhelmed - and then saying or doing something that you later regret. The next, you’re completely numb and checked out from life, friends, and family.
Messy breakups, challenging family dynamics, or painful memories still affect you, even though you try to pretend they don’t. Or maybe you’re unsure if your experiences “count” as traumatic. You keep telling yourself you “should” be able to get over this - but as much as you’ve tried little has changed.
Maybe you…
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Sometimes feelings are overwhelming and you find yourself in fight, flight or freeze. Other times you may feel numb and disconnected, as if emotions have shut down entirely. In the past you may have tried alcohol, drugs or even self harm to cope with it. Or you’ve learned to push things down and say “I’m fine!”
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You’ve been through a lot—and you’re still standing. But beneath all the strength and survival, there’s pain that hasn’t healed yet, and you’re ready to face it.
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Not good enough, not lovable enough, not healthy enough, etc. The constant narrative weighs on you and is hard to shake
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You crave closeness. You want to have authentic, meaningful connections with people, but you’re cautious about opening up for fear of being hurt.
If this sounds familiar, you’re in the right place
Hi! I’m Betsy Harris, LICSW
I’m here to give you the skills you need to finally find peace and balance
I’m passionate about working with people who have been through the wringer and are ready to take back control of their lives. I specialize in helping adults who feel overwhelmed by life’s demands—whether it’s managing emotions, navigating tough relationships, or healing from the past.
My approach is non-judgmental, compassionate, and real (meaning I’m not just a nodding head - I use humor, and yes, I occasionally curse). I’m a DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician™, meaning I’ve been rigorously trained to provide gold-standard, evidence-based DBT. I help clients build emotional resilience, manage intense emotions, and create lasting change using DBT’s proven strategies. With my expertise in DBT and extensive experience with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), plus experience at McLean Hospital and teaching at Boston College, I’ll help you do more than just cope. Together, we’ll work to heal from the past, break free from old patterns, and build a more balanced, fulfilling life.
Let’s work together to:
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I can help you explore how patterns and themes from your past shape your present experiences and responses. Together, we’ll uncover these influences, understand their impact, and create a clear path forward to help you move with greater awareness, resilience, and purpose.
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We'll work together to identify and transform the negative patterns or beliefs that have been keeping you stuck, opening up space for new growth and positive change.
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I can equip you with practical tools and techniques to manage stressful situations, build resilience, and replace harmful or ineffective behaviors with healthier ones. I can guide you how to reduce anxiety, shame, anger and how get through tough situations in a way that makes you feel good about yourself.
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Together, we'll work on understanding your emotions, easing anxiety, and finding ways to stay balanced and in control. As we build your inner strength and resilience, we’ll focus on boosting your self-esteem and self-worth, helping you take control of your thoughts and actions.
My Specialties
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT is the gold standard for managing emotions, building healthier relationships, and developing practical coping skills. Together, we’ll break unhelpful patterns, create real change, and help you feel more balanced, in control, and confident in your daily life.
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
I’ll help you process painful memories, reduce triggers, and heal from past experiences. Together, we’ll rewire how your brain responds to trauma, so you can feel safer, more grounded, and truly move forward. The best part? You don’t have to rehash all the painful details of what you’ve been through.
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Anxiety and Trauma
Using evidence-based treatments like Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), DBT, and mindfulness, we’ll challenge negative thoughts, cope with stressful situations, and develop practical coping strategies for lasting relief. I’ll help you develop resilience, so you can bounce back from life’s challenges with confidence.