Therapy in Boston and online across MA - Specializing in DBT, Trauma & Anxiety

Betsy Harris, LICSW

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Therapy for those who feel like they’re “too much,” “not enough” or both.

Many of my clients 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.

They’ve learned to suppress their own needs, mask their pain with humor or perfectionism, and wonder if something’s just missing.  Many of my clients come from families where attention was focused elsewhere - on a sibling’s mental health, or simply surviving chaos. So they coped by pushing through, staying quiet, and being “fine.”

Now, those old strategies aren’t working anymore. Big emotions feel overwhelming. Relationships feel confusing. Pretending to be fine isn’t cutting it - and they’re ready for something to change.

Betsy Harris, LICSW, DBT-certified therapist in Boston

Hi, I’m Betsy Harris, LICSW (she/her)

I'm a Boston-based therapist and the founder of Better Balance Counseling, LLC. I provide trauma-informed therapy for adults struggling with anxiety, PTSD, overwhelming emotions, or painful relationship patterns.

I’m a down-to-earth, authentic therapist who blends depth with lightness. My clients describe me as compassionate, real, and direct. I’ll validate the hard stuff, give you honest feedback, and sometimes even bring in humor or a TV reference to help things click.

Most importantly: I believe people can get better - and I’ve seen therapy change lives. With me, 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

DBT and EMDR therapist providing trauma and anxiety therapy.

You might feel stuck in survival mode, deeply self-aware yet repeating the same emotional patterns. I work with people who are:

  • Feeling emotionally overwhelmed or numb (sometimes both)

  • Anxious in relationships - fearing rejection, conflict, or abandonment

  • Struggling with perfectionism, body shame, or people-pleasing

  • Disconnected from their own needs, joy, or self-worth

  • Haunted by past trauma or childhood wounds that continue to show up today

You are not broken. These patterns are responses to pain - not reflections of your worth.

I Believe

  • Healing is always possible, no matter how long you’ve been in survival mode.

  • You’re allowed to take up space (without apologizing!)

  • If you’ve gotten this far - you’re probably a badass

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 may help for a little while, but they don’t create lasting change.

I use evidence-based therapies to help you do just that.

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): practical skills to manage emotions, set boundaries, and navigate stress.

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): helps process and heal the lingering impact of trauma.

  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) supports shifting unhelpful thought patterns and building healthier habits.

You’ll get more than just a place to talk - you’ll gain real tools, insight, and support for lasting growth.

My Background & Training

I am one of fewer than 20 DBT-Linehan Board Certified Clinicians (DBT-LBC) in Massachusetts, bringing advanced expertise in trauma and emotion regulation.

  • I’ve spent over 14 years working in mental health - from residential programs and university counseling to private practice. My experience includes:

    • McLean Hospital’s 3East DBT Program

    • Stanford University Hospital

    • Director of DBT Services at the Mindfulness & Change Group in Watertown, MA

    • Adjunct faculty at Boston College School of Social Work, where I teach DBT

    Education & Credentials

    • Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW #121528), Massachusetts

    • Master of Social Work, Boston University School of Social Work

    • Bachelor of Arts, Wheaton College

    • DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician™

    • DBT Intensive training through BTech

    • Dialectical Behavior Prolonged Exposure Protocol for PTSD

    • Trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

    • Advanced EMDR Training: Attachment wounds and complex trauma

    • EMDR 2.0: Enhancing EMDR Therapy

  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

    The EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)

Real tools. Real Healing. Real Change.

Ready to get started?

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