About Beth O’Dell, LCPC, LCMHC, MLADC, PMH-C, CCTP-I
I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Maine, and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and Master Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (MLADC) in New Hampshire. I’m certified in Perinatal Mental Health and as a Clinical Trauma Professional, and I have advanced training in EMDR. In 2025, I was honored to receive the NAMI NH Mental Health Supporter Award.
Over the years, I’ve come to believe that good care looks at the whole person, not just the symptoms.
How I work
My approach is warm, collaborative, and honest. I’ll support you, and I’ll also tell you what I see, kindly and directly. I show up as myself, because I think authenticity matters in therapy.
The relationship between therapist and client is one of the most useful tools we have. For people whose relationships feel unpredictable, a consistent, trustworthy one can be corrective, and it can show you that you don’t have to carry hard things alone. From there, we work on the patterns and beliefs that have been holding you back. Many clients tell me they feel clearer, set boundaries more easily, and handle stress differently.
My approach
I use a blend of evidence-based therapies, tailored to you. CBT helps you notice and change the thought patterns and habits that keep anxiety going. DBT skills give you practical tools for intense emotions and hard moments. EMDR helps your brain reprocess painful or traumatic experiences so they carry less weight. For substance use, I use motivational interviewing, which supports change at your pace without pressure. Mindfulness and body-based practices help you settle your nervous system.
I also draw on narrative, relational, and psychodynamic therapy to explore attachment patterns, the stories you’ve learned to tell about yourself, and where present-day triggers may have shown up before. Understanding where a pattern came from often makes it easier to change. Most clients benefit from a mix, and we adjust as we go.
What I’m not
I’m not your friend, and that’s on purpose. A friend has a stake in how things turn out for you. I don’t, and that means you can tell me anything without worrying how I’ll take it.
I’m not here to fix you. You’re not broken. You came up with some very smart ways to get through hard things, and we’ll figure out which ones still work for you.
I’m not going to tell you how to live your life. You’re the expert on you. My job is to help you see your options more clearly.
I’m not going to just nod along, either. If I notice a pattern, I’ll tell you, gently and with care.
What I am is an ally. I’m in your corner, I’m paying attention, and I’ll hold the hope for you on the days you can’t find it yourself.
My background
I started out as an advocate for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, then moved into community mental health and later became a clinical director. That path shaped how I work: I care about the person in front of me, and I know how hard it can be to get the right support. I’ve also presented at conferences on addiction, matrescence, and treating tobacco use disorders in addiction treatment.
A bit about me personally
Outside of therapy, I’m a corgi mom to Gertrude, aka Gerty Mae-hem, who will very likely make herself known during some of our sessions. I’m originally from Rhode Island, and I’ve made Maine and New Hampshire home. I value authenticity, integrity, and balance, in my work and in my life, and I believe therapy works best when it’s real and collaborative.
When I’m not at my computer, I’m usually with my family, traveling, curled up with a good book, out in the garden, mushroom hunting and foraging, or watching the birds visit the feeder. Like most humans, I’m imperfect. I swear sometimes, and I, too, often wonder where all the adults with the answers are.