Ali Pierce MSW, LICSW,
Founder and Psychotherapist,
Healing Matters Counseling Center

LICSW & PSYCHOTHERAPIST
VERMONT
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TRAUMA-INFORMED & AFFIRMING
EXPERTISE WITH LGBTQIA+ & COGNITIVELY DIVERSE ADULTS
​SPECIALIZING IN
SURIVAL MODE, TRAUMA, BURNOUT, & CHRONIC STRESS
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APPROACH
MINDFULNESS | SOMATIC AWARENESS | ACCEPTANCE | CREATIVE EXPLORATION
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EXPERIENCE
12+ YEARS IN HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY & RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS
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PHILOSOPHY
HEALING HAPPENS WHEN YOU FEEL SEEN, HEARD, AND SAFE WITHIN RELATIONSHIPS
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INTERESTS
HIKING | CRAFTING | COOKING | READING | TRAVEL | DOGS
ABOUT ME​
I'm a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) and psychotherapist living and practicing in Vermont. I work with adults who have been invalidated, misunderstood, and stuck in survival mode. ​I bring over 12 years of experience working in diverse settings — from community centers and hospitals to schools and residential programs — and now provide virtual therapy for clients across Vermont.
Outside of work, you'll often find me outdoors hiking, snowshoeing, experimenting with a green thumb, or exploring new corners of Vermont (and beyond!), cooking, baking, reading, crafting, or enjoying a little guilty pleasure reality TV. Most of all, I cherish time with my loved ones.​​
WHY I DO THIS WORK​​
I've always been drawn to building community with those who feel unseen or othered. This is deeply personal because as a queer person, I know what it's like to navigate a world that doesn't always align with who you are.
After surviving a chaotic childhood, my adult life remained overwhelming. Simple decisions, like deciding what to eat for dinner, felt impossible. My senses were often on high alert and necessary tasks like showering felt like running a marathon in the most extreme conditions. I struggled to meet my own needs while constantly prioritizing other, and I eventually reached a point where I knew something had to change. Seeking therapy became the first step toward reclaiming my life.​ My journey demonstrated how transformative therapy can be and inspired me to train formally as a clinical social worker.
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MY BACKGROUND
​​I earned my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Maryland School of Social Work in Baltimore, completing internships at Kennedy Krieger Institute's medical clinics and their Center for Child and Family Traumatic Stress. I also completed the LEND Fellowship (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities), focusing on disability justice and interdisciplinary care.
​After graduate school, I began working as an outpatient therapist for a Vermont-based federally qualified health center (FQHC), supporting clients of all ages in schools and rural clinics. In 2022, I opened Healing Matters Counseling Center, a virtual therapy practice serving adults across Vermont.
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MY APPROACH
​​I believe that healing emerges from relationships in which we can feel truly seen, heard, and safe. Therapy with me is collaborative journey, guided by your your pace and priories, because growth can't be forced or rushed. Together, we explore what matters most to you, uncover your strengths, insights, and resilience that already exists within you.
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I bring a calm, warm, and often humorous presence to our work, because I believe that transformation doesn't have to feel heavy. I often tell people who I work with that life will have its ups and downs, but it’s how we cope with challenges and seek support that makes all the difference in our ability to face adversity...and don't forget to fully celebrate the joys when they come! Healing is about cultivating connection to yourself, your experiences, and the life you want to live. By doing so, you can find ways to navigate the world that honor your needs, your body and your mind.
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My therapy style is grounded in:
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Mindful and somatic awareness: being present with your body and senses to feel more grounded in everyday life
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Parts-based and acceptance-focused perspectives: recognizing the complexity of who you are and valuing all aspects of yourself
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Creative exploration rooted in curiosity and choice: honoring imagination, reflection, and new ways of understanding yourself and your experiences
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In therapy, we explore themes that are meaningful to you: moving beyond survival mode, unmasking and living authentically, understanding your sensory and emotional needs, reclaiming energy, and cultivating resilience in daily life.
You're Welcome Here​
You're welcome here - at your pace, on your terms, and with all parts of yourself. Together, we can create a space to navigate challenges, celebrate strengths, and build a life that feels authentic and sustainable.
Master of Social Work, Clinical Behavioral Health | University of Maryland School of Social Work | Baltimore, Maryland
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology | Goucher College | Towson, Maryland
Coursework, Buddhist Studies | Antioch University | Bodh Gaya, India



