Therapy in Boston and online across Massachusetts
Better Balance Counseling
Heal Trauma and Anxiety with DBT & EMDR
Discover life beyond survival mode
I hear you - you’re ready for something to change. You want to feel better, be more present in your life-not let past experiences or intense emotions run the show. You might feel overwhelmed by your emotions, feel trapped in cycles of self-doubt, or weighed down by stress and anxiety.
Messy breakups, challenging family dynamics, or painful memories still affect you, even though you may try to pretend they don’t. You often say “I’m fine!,” minimize your emotions, or avoid being a burden. Maybe you’re unsure if your experiences even “count” as trauma. You keep telling yourself you “should” be able to get over this - but as much as you’ve tried little has changed. You’re balancing so much and still feeling exhausted. This way of living isn’t sustainable, and you’re ready for something different—something that truly works.
Maybe you…
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Some days, everything hits at once — anxiety, sadness, frustration, or overwhelm. Other days, you feel numb, checked out, or like you're just going through the motions.
Maybe you've been told you're "too sensitive," or you’ve learned to hide what you're feeling just to get by. Whether your emotions feel unpredictable or completely out of reach, you're exhausted from holding it all in. In the past you may have tried alcohol, drugs or even self harm to cope with it.
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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.
You're used to minimizing your pain. Saying “I’m fine!” while struggling inside. You avoid the hard stuff — distracting yourself with work, your phone, or caretaking everyone else.
You’ve learned to suppress your needs, stay composed, and survive by disconnecting. But part of you is wondering: What would it be like to actually feel okay?
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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.
There’s a part of you that believes you’re inherently flawed — broken, too much, or never quite measuring up. Maybe you battle body image shame, a constant sense of inadequacy, or a voice that tells you to “just get over it.” Even when life looks fine on the outside, you're carrying a weight of not-enoughness that won’t go away.
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You crave closeness and real connection — but it’s hard to let your guard down. Maybe you're constantly second-guessing what you said, worrying you’ve upset someone, or feeling like you’re ‘too much’ for others. Asking for help feels vulnerable — like you’re a burden. Even in your closest relationships, fear of rejection, abandonment, or judgment keeps you stuck in your head.
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re in the right place
Hi! I’m Betsy Harris, LICSW (she/her)
Let’s get you out of survival mode and into a life that feels more grounded, connected, and authentic.
I offer trauma-informed therapy for adults ready to heal from anxiety, shame, and relationship patterns that no longer serve them. If you’re looking for a therapist who blends compassion with real strategies, I’d be honored to walk alongside you.
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), exposure therapy, 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.