Robert Descoteaux

I’m a licensed therapist with more than 20 years of experience in behavioral health. I trained at Goddard College, earned my doctorate in public health from Tulane University, and am licensed to practice in both Maine and Vermont.

I work with individuals navigating a wide range of emotional, relational, and life challenges. My approach is grounded in an existential perspective, which means I help clients explore questions of meaning, identity, connection, and how their environments shape their wellbeing. I believe that even healthy people can become symptomatic in unhealthy environments, and I work collaboratively with clients to better understand their experiences, build insight, and move toward lives that feel more authentic and sustainable.

My goal is to offer a thoughtful, supportive space where clients can reflect, heal, and make meaningful change.

I believe therapy works best when you feel truly seen, heard, and respected. My style is collaborative, which means we work together to understand both what you’re going through and the deeper patterns behind it.

I draw from a range of approaches, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), and ISTDP (Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy). In simple terms, that means I have different tools to help you process painful experiences, understand unhelpful patterns, manage intense emotions, and make meaningful changes. I tailor therapy to your needs rather than using a one-size-fits-all method, with the goal of finding an approach that feels supportive, engaging, and aligned with what you want from therapy.

Our first session is really about getting to know each other. I'll ask about what brings you in, what's been getting in the way, and what you're hoping things might look like on the other side. There's no pressure to have it all figured out. My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable enough to start talking, and we'll go from there together.