Dr. Nancy Kenyon Richardson , LCMHC

Dr. Nancy Kenyon Richardson, who commonly goes by Dr. Nancy, is a Vermont-based mental health professional with a decade of clinical experience helping people navigate trauma, substance use disorders, relationship concerns, and a wide range of mood and behavioral challenges. She holds a Ph.D. in psychology with a concentration in addiction and a master's degree in psychology with a concentration in counseling, and she brings both clinical training and research experience to her practice. As a licensed clinical mental health counselor - LCMHC - she combines evidence-informed techniques with a strong focus on client strengths and recovery.

Her doctoral research examined recovery after medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and contributed to an emerging theory about how MAT can support long-term opioid recovery beyond continued medication. In practice she blends psychoeducation about brain and trauma with targeted interventions to help people identify the past "hooks" that keep them from moving forward. She has also worked extensively with intimate partner violence and was recognized in 2012 with a Victim Activist of the Year Award for that work.

Raised in a predominantly Portuguese community in Rhode Island, Dr. Nancy has lived in Vermont for nearly 30 years. She and her family enjoy travel - she has visited 49 of the 50 states - and are beginning to explore the next chapter as their youngest children enter the teen years. Dr. Nancy approaches therapy as a collaborative journey and considers it a privilege to support people as they heal and build more fulfilling lives.

Approaches and Online Care with Dr. Nancy

Dr. Nancy uses client-centered therapy to create a supportive, empathic environment where a person’s goals and values guide the work; this approach helps people build insight, strengthen self-direction, and address relationship or identity concerns. She also uses cognitive behavioral therapy - CBT - which focuses on identifying patterns of thinking and behavior and developing practical skills to manage anxiety, depression, stress, and problematic habits. In addition, she incorporates EMDR - eye movement desensitization and reprocessing - when appropriate to process traumatic memories and reduce their ongoing emotional impact.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process rather than a one-time decision. Dr. Nancy collaborates with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts the plan as progress and priorities evolve.

Online therapy offers flexibility for people balancing work, family, and mobility needs. Video sessions allow for face-to-face connection when needed, while phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging provide alternatives that can be easier to schedule or more comfortable for some clients. These options make it possible to maintain continuity of care and access therapeutic support from where a person lives or works.