Therapy in Boston and online across MA - Specializing in DBT, Trauma & Anxiety
Betsy Harris, LICSW
Therapy for those who feel like they’re “too much,” “not enough” or both.
My clients are often people who feel like they’re never enough—no matter how hard they try. They're the kind, funny, deeply compassionate ones. The people-pleasers and caretakers. The ones who suppress their own needs, mask their pain with humor or perfectionism, and wonder if something’s just missing. Many come from families where attention was focused elsewhere—on a sibling’s mental health, or on surviving chaos—and they learned to cope by pushing through, staying quiet, and being “fine.”
Now, those survival strategies aren’t working anymore. Big emotions feel too big. Relationships feel confusing. They’re tired of pretending and ready to be real—even if it’s scary. They want to learn how to actually cope with emotions, set boundaries, feel self-worth, and not be consumed by their past. They want to stop reacting from trauma and start living with intention.
My clients are looking for more than talk. They want a therapist who’s real and knows their stuff—someone who can offer practical tools, deep insight, and a safe space to do the hard work. I bring advanced training in DBT, EMDR, and trauma recovery, and I show up as a full human: warm, grounded, honest, and deeply committed to helping people build a life that feels worth living.
Hi, I’m Betsy (she/her)
If you’re ready for change, I’m here to help you make it happen.
I specialize in coping skills for adults who are emotionally overwhelmed. I'm a therapist who brings both strong clinical skills and a very real, human approach. My style is authentic, down-to-earth, and a little irreverent at times. I’m not just here to nod and listen—I’ll validate the hard stuff, offer honest feedback, and sometimes bring in humor or TV show references to help things click. I’ve worked in many different settings and know how to show up when things feel really hard, including in moments of crisis or deep pain.
Most importantly, I believe people can get better—and I’ve seen it happen. Therapy with me is a space where you don’t have to pretend to be fine. You get to be real, and I’ll be right there with you.
Common Topics I Help With
You might feel stuck in survival mode, constantly overthinking or shutting down. Many of my clients are deeply self-aware but still find themselves repeating the same emotional patterns. You may be:
Emotionally overwhelmed or numbed out—sometimes both
Struggling with perfectionism, body shame, or people-pleasing
Anxious in relationships, afraid of rejection or conflict
Feeling disconnected from your needs, joy, or self-worth
Haunted by past trauma or childhood wounds that still show up today
Want to change but are unsure what to do
Real tools. Real Healing. Real Change.
My Approach
When it comes to healing, I think of it like the difference between mowing weeds and pulling them out at the root—surface fixes don’t create lasting change. Real growth means digging deeper, addressing the patterns and pain that keep showing up. I use evidence-based approaches like DBT, which builds practical tools to manage emotions, strengthen relationships, and navigate stress, and EMDR, a powerful method for healing the lingering impact of trauma. I’ve seen these therapies change lives.
In our work together, you’ll get more than just a place to talk—you’ll gain skills, insight, and support for lasting change. Whether you’re navigating intense emotions, relationship struggles, boundary issues, or trauma recovery, I’m here to help you make sense of your past and build a grounded, balanced future that truly feels like yours.
My Background & Training
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I have over 14 years working in mental health, including residential and outpatient settings at McLean Hospital 3East DBT Program and Stanford University Hospital. I served as the Director of DBT Services at the Mindfulness & Change Group in Watertown, MA. I am adjunct faculty member of Boston College where I teach Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, LICSW License #121528 (MA)
Master of Social Work, Boston University School of Social Work
Bachelor of Arts, Wheaton College
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DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician™
DBT Intensive training through BTech
Dialectical Behavior Prolonged Exposure Protocol for PTSD
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) trained
Advanced EMDR Training: Attachment wounds and complex trauma
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National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
The EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)