A caring and experienced guide to walk with you
Joel Guarna, PhD
I am a licensed psychologist in the state of Maine. I have been a student of psychology, the mind, and human behavior for over 30 years. My patients and clients have been my primary teachers, sharing with me the wisdom of their lived experiences. Helping them navigate their challenges has enriched my own life and taught me a range of strategies and perspectives that may also help you.
My approach to the work
I do not treat disorders, I treat whole individuals. I help some clients to identify and remove themselves from patterns of anxiety, depression, past trauma, or addiction that keep them stuck and that keep them from living as fully as they would wish. I help other clients learn to carry heavy burdens differently, burdens of loss, chronic pain and chronic illness. While many of us know our struggles by name (e.g., anxiety, depression, chronic pain), just as important is what we are seeking: greater closeness and intimacy, connection with others, a richer and more fulfilling life. Or perhaps we find ourselves on a path that may begin with a nagging sense of emptiness but leads to a clearer sense of who we are and who we would like to be. These ends justify the hard work of therapy and personal growth and lie at the heart of most people’s desire to change.
Need more info?
It is important that you are well-matched with any psychologist or therapist that you see. Much of my current work is teaching. You might get some sense of my interests and approaches by reviewing a recent version of my CV, which includes a long list of presentations (see Addendum toward end).