Kimberly Schildbach Therapy
It's time to feel confident in your life, your relationships, and yourself.
Kimberly Schildbach, M.Ed. - trained Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Emotionally Focused Couples and Individual Therapist, trained in Attachment Injury Repair and Reproductive Trauma.
she/her/hers
You used to be best friends but now you live like strangers. When you try to bring it up another fight ensues and you both retreat to your corners to tend to your wounds. You remember a time when a fight brought a tender apology or a make up session. Now it just leaves you both alone and confused.
You know there's still good stuff in your relationship, if you could just stop fighting or retreating into silence.
As a women entrepreneur or CEO you're juggling so much. You're wondering if it's just you that struggles with feelings of guilt, worries about funding, struggling with loving what you do but also wanting to start or expand your family. You didn't think your success would make it all so hard.
If you come from a traumatic background and sometimes it all feels like too much.
You've come to the right place.
Are you ready to let go of shame, uncertainty, and overwhelm?
My Approach To Therapy
My style of therapy is collaborative and client centered. Right from the start I want to know what it feels like to be you - in your life, in your relationships, when you're struggling. I'll ask for your feedback in all issues even down to the words I use. I want to know how YOU see what is happening in your relationship. Relationships come in all forms and styles and I'm not here to lead you to another way of being. I'm here to help you sort out why it hurts so much and how to lay down your swords and really connect again.
I help high achieving, successful, and high profile individuals like yourself put themselves and their relationships first.
I help partners learn to turn towards each other again.
My therapy sessions have no homework, no extra reading. For couples, you'll be learning new ways of being together in session.
I'll help slow the both of you down so you can really hear each other.
We'll work to get you back to the place when you fell in love, when you felt close and connected. You can get there again, no matter what the both of you have been through, you can revive your relationship.
For individuals, we'll work together to root out the shame and uncertainty that keeps you stuck.
I'll be your support, so you can go back into your life and be amazing.
And that is the best feeling in the world.
Q & A
How do I know I can open up and trust you?
It's absolutely normal to feel hesitant to talk to a therapist. Please know that I'm committed to your comfort, safety, and security. As an ally in your healing, I'm constantly reevaluating what is best for you. I'm not all ego and techniques, I don't get offended easily. You'll find me checking in with your to see how the process is for you. We don't grow if we feel under pressure or unsure. And I want you to have the best experience possible. I do that by being trust worthy, non judgmental, and kind.
How do I know that you won't judge me or side with my partner? I've made some big mistakes.
When we make mistakes, especially the ones that hurt the ones we love, we can feel great shame and regret. We want to bury that secret deep down and not let the light touch it. I'm here to tell you that hiding your mistakes is no way to live.
Allowing that secret, that regret, that betrayal to get some light is what allows it to lose it's hold over us.
I will always support while you tell your partner your secrets. Sharing them can hurt at first, but ultimately being open and honest will help your bond as a couple.
We are all doing the best we can and I acknowledge that although you might have made mistakes, you are not a mistake. You can fix your life and relationships and I'm committed to helping you get there.
Clinical Experience
Education and Licensure
M.Ed. in Multicultural Education from UMass Amherst
M.Ed. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Springfield College
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Massachusetts #6755)
I am committed to providing you the best level of care. To that end, I participate in ongoing trainings and certifications. I am always working to expand my skills and expertise.
Trainings
ICEEFT - Approved Externship and Core Skills in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) -
If you are seeking therapy to heal a relationship, heal from depression, trauma or anxiety, EFT and EFIT (individuals) both have empirical evidence showing their effectiveness. Couples strengthen their connection, heal emotional disconnection and injuries, and learn to create a safe and secure bond. Individuals report post therapy having grown in self understanding and awareness. Even 5 years post therapy, couples who participated in EFT therapy are still going strong and report a sense of ease in their relationship. That's why EFT is known as the gold standard in mental health care.
AIRM - Attachment Injury Repair Model - Healing for infidelity or other attachment injuries and betrayals. Endorsed by Dr. Sue Johnson and the International Centre for Excellence in EFT.
Reproductive Trauma and Attachment Training: EFT for Individuals and Couples Facing Infertility and Pregnancy Loss
Substance Abuse Training from The Recovery Centers of America
Are we a good fit?
We are a good fit if....
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You really want to heal the relationship with your partner, know more about what makes you tick, and keep those changes for the long haul.
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You want a therapist that gently challenges you and is committed to your growth.
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You want understanding and compassion as you learn to change.
We might not be a good fit if.....
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You just want tips and techniques but no lasting change.
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One of you has already left the relationship.
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You don't really want to get to the root of the issues you struggle with.
I help clients navigate relationship challenges, whether that be with self or others. Motivation and willpower won't cut it. I'll help you go to the heart of the matter.
Guiding Principles
Confidentiality
Many of my clients are successful, high profile individuals. Your confidentiality is of high importance to me. I conduct my online sessions on my HIPAA compliant platform - Simple Practice. Emails are sent from my HIPAA compliant Google Workspace.
Connection
We know that connection and the therapeutic alliance is key to the success of therapy. You will find me spending the last moments of sessions checking in to see how we're doing. If at any point, you believe you would be better served by another therapist, I will help you find him/her/them.
Effective Treatment
I use evidence based treatment such as Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy. I'm committed to ongoing training and certification to give you the highest level of care.
Collaboration
I work in a collaborative manner. You are welcome to ask questions about the course of therapy or inquire as to where and why I'm leading you where I'm leading you. I am honored you've chosen to partner with me for your mental health care.
Specializing in....
Couples Counseling
Online in all of Massachusetts
We are wired for connection and attachment but things can get in our way. Therapy can help you move from defensiveness and distrust too openness and emotional attunement.
Individual Trauma Focused Therapy
Online in all of Massachusetts
Anxiety, depression, trauma.
I use an Emotionally Focused Therapy lens to help you gain a secure and confident sense of self again.
Also Individual Therapy Intensives for accelerated healing.
Couples Therapy Intensives
Online in all of Massachusetts
Intensives allow you to jump start the therapy process. Choose a morning or afternoon 3 hour afternoon intensive. Intensives can be a one-off or a limited series. Couples say that their intensive turned their relationship around and started them on the road to healing.