Tricia Gagnon, M.S., Ed.S,
Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor Owner & Clinical Director
Certified EMDR Therapist & Consultant
200 RYT Yoga Teacher
My pronouns are: She, Her, Hers. I am an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist
Client: Adults Ages 18+
Specialties:
- Anxiety recovery
- HSP’s & Empaths
- Healing Professionals
- Trauma recovery
- Boundary setting & assertiveness
- Healthy relationships
- Mindfulness based stress reduction
- Trauma informed yoga
- Mindfulness & meditation
- Equine facilitated therapy
Accepts:
- Self-Pay
MY STORY began after going to counseling at age 13. I was either living in a semi-numb state or very emotional. Past traumas and being told I was “too sensitive” had led me to shut down my feelings. When my feelings would finally bubble up (as they always will), they would come out sideways….I had no idea what was happening or how to handle it.
After only a few sessions with a therapist, I could talk about my feelings calmly. I didn’t shut down and/or cry like before. Something had happened when it seemed like we were only having a conversation. How could that be? Why did I feel better? It seemed like magic had happened and I had to know just how. I began to study psychology on my own from that time forward. I now know that the “magic” is created through the supportive and empathetic collaboration that occurs between a good therapist and their client.
I SEE MY JOB AS guiding you over, under, and around all blocks that prevent you from utilizing your gifts, talents, and abilities. I truly believe clients already have most of the answers they are seeking, within themselves. We all have innate wisdom and capabilities that have gotten us through life’s struggles and traumas. I like to help clients connect to their strengths as we move toward healing their past, and co-creating their future.
I also believe….You can do more than you think you can! Our minds are really good at limiting our reality and keeping us safe. Our minds can also talk us out of our dreams with a single sentence such as, “You can’t do that” “You can’t be yourself” “You can’t trust people”. When we work together, we undo this “old programming” and update it to: Your Best Self 2.0.
Like most chronically anxious clients I see, anxiety and hyper-vigilance were wired into my nervous system. The good news is that with neuroplasticity, we now know how to rewire our brains, and fortify our nervous systems so anxiety, panic & PTSD are reduced. That’s why I have extensive training in the latest research-based methods for trauma recovery and healing: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing), IFS (Internal Family Systems), trauma informed yoga therapy, and mindfulness.
A cool by-product of therapy is that the healthier we become, the healthier our relationship with Self, life, and others becomes. We can learn how to assert our needs in ways that keep us connected and content in our private and professional relationships.
I WORK BEST WITH individuals that are willing to join me on a deep dive into healing. Clients that are ready and willing for growth & change. Not in a drastic way that upsets your life, but in a way that is meaningful and lasting as you stretch and transition into your authentic Self. When you have a breakthrough, I will help you figure out how to integrate this new information into your life in a conscious, fearless way that connects with your values.
Incremental changes, over time, amount to big healing.
The Latin phrase, “cura te ipsum” (physician heal thyself) has informed my own personal therapy journey. I work really well with other therapists, coaches, and other healing professionals on their personal and professional growth, never judging that they don’t have it “all together”. None of us does, and we do very difficult work! The willingness to work on ourselves takes courage and commitment and I admire and respect healers that do their own work. I also do trainings, consultations, workshops, and retreats with other therapists.
What are the three words that clients use to describe you? Calm, Soothing & Encouraging
My clients often comment that I am very mellow and chill. While this is true, (thank you meditation!) people are usually surprised to find out how much I love to seek out novelty & adventure due to being an Enneagram 7- the Enthusiast and a high sensation seeking HSP (Highly Sensitive Person). I love to travel & explore, attend festivals, dance, mountain bike, snorkel, camp & hike.
Gardening, being with animals and nature, are all wonderful therapy for me as an INTJ. Despite having four cats, I am not just a crazy cat lady (not that there’s anything wrong with that) and I also have two wonderfully grown children. I listen to all types of music from bluegrass to house music, classic 70’s to Miles Davis. I am also a Gong Master and do sound journeys in order to deepen meditation.
I founded Mindful Path Counseling & Wellness in order to create a healing space that aligns with my own holistic journey through healing, while also offering treatment with the latest research-based psychotherapy. As a trauma survivor and recovering codependent myself, I know the importance of an emotionally safe space for healing to happen. I consider it a duty and honor to always provide that environment as I guide clients towards living authentically, with empowerment.
Although I am a spiritual person, I am not aligned with any religion and accepting of all faiths, beliefs, and lifestyles. If after reading all this, you feel like we are a good fit, reach out and let’s talk by phone or video chat to see how we can partner for your very best life.
Available for in-person and online counseling.
I have been coming to see Tricia on and off as life presents its issues. She is very professional and attentive. She is a great listener and will objectively evaluate your situation and present ideas and coping strategies to help you along. I have recommended her to many friends and associates and they have been pleased as well. Don’t be afraid to make the call.
-Bob B.
I looked around and visited several therapists and psychologists in the area before deciding on Tricia. The connection was not instant but it grew over a period of time. Allow her that. She is certainly qualified, having the right education, licenses, and being in practice for around 19 years.
I have been seeing her every week for the past 16 months. Over the course of my treatment, she developed a treatment plan that we mutually agreed on to go over the type of therapy I received. She made sure we shared the same vision. Throughout the entire time, I never once felt insecure in her knowledge and expertise in what she was suggesting and why. She showed concern and would check in with me often to see how I felt about the treatment I was receiving. A couple of things that I was not comfortable with, I noticed that she immediately removed from our plan after I expressed my discomfort. To me, that showed her ability to be flexible in her approach and tailoring therapy to my needs based on my characteristics and being intuitive.
I am a practicing Muslim woman, born in Pakistan but raised here in the US, so coming from a very different cultural and religious background, I never once felt judged or offended. She was particularly sensitive towards my cultural background and lifestyle preference, showing respect and being aware of attitudes within my community, religious practices, and appropriate behavior. This was one of my biggest concerns and quite frankly, I never once felt it to be a concern while I was in therapy with her. I could tell she appreciated gaining knowledge.
Counter-transference was never an issue as she was self-aware and able to separate her life and issues (if any) from mine but I wished therapists had the liberty to share some of their personal experiences to relate to their clients to give them the reassurance that they knew what the client is going through. I felt heard and had her attention in every session. Occasionally, she emailed me links as study material for me to read between sessions after a specific topic was discussed and one she thought I needed to read more about. She was extremely professional, helpful, responsive, available via text and email when needed between sessions, warm and empathetic, concerned, understanding, and interested. Although not necessary, for me the fact that she had a sense of humor was a bonus. I appreciated that because it would lighten up some heavy sessions and it was a way for me to build a connection with her.
A couple of times, I felt challenged (in a very good way) as she implemented something that pushed me just a little more out of my comfort zone. She equipped me with suitable skills and tools to help me be more effective and introduced them at relevant times throughout my 16-month journey. And as I leave therapy with her today to move to another city, I am leaving knowing I can handle most situations with confidence because she promoted autonomy and made me feel more independent, competent, and capable individual.
-M.Patel
When we first started seeing Tricia, I felt like I was drowning in a world of my daughter’s obsessions and compulsions. It seemed like life in general just kept adding to that sinking feeling. Tricia helped me regain my sense of self and pull my daughter out from under her fears. I am happy to say our lives are no longer run by OCD. Tricia gave us our lives back.
-Peggy M.
Tricia is amazing! She is – by leaps and bounds – the most effective counselor I’ve ever seen. She has a way of helping you reach new perspectives, healthier ways of thinking, and awareness, as she helps guide you while you work through a problem. And she does it without being judgmental, with an open mind, an earnest interest in you and your well-being, and with great professionalism. She’s the best therapist I’ve ever experienced in my life, and I would recommend her highly to anyone with the sort of issues she specializes in treating. She has always been honest with me, reliable, and on time for appointments.
–A. J.
