Care without the wait

4 licensed therapists & providers in Maine—4 in Portland. Available as soon as today, in person and online

Therapy for every life stage

Our providers work with individuals, couples, families, & teens for anxiety, depression, grief, & more

#1 for in-network coverage

We accept UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, BCBS Plans, Humana, Aetna, & many more. Self-pay options available, no membership fees

Patients who get better

94% of patients feel truly understood by their provider. 3 out of 4 see improvement in depression & anxiety symptoms within 3 months

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686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting Trauma/PTSD therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a trauma therapist as soon as this week

I specialize in meeting my clients where they're at in life....

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Justin Michaud is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LCPC) with over 7 years of professional experience working with clie...

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I believe that our close collaboration is the key to helping you adjust to difficult experiences and achieve a greater sense of ba...

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Monique Nickie Murray

Hear from Monique Nickie Murray, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)

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What is your go-to approach for PTSD/trauma therapy?

My go-to approach for helping individuals in PTSD/trauma therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing. These allow me to understand where the individual is in their journey, whether they talk around the trauma, or if they are able to articulate what their goals are for treatment.

What tools do you teach in PTSD/trauma therapy?

Some of the tools I teach in PTSD/trauma therapy include mindfulness, grounding, and breathing techniques. I will teach the individual self-affirming statements if appropriate and may utilize roleplay or the empty chair technique if needed.

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in PTSD/trauma therapy?

I know a client is making progress in PTSD/trauma therapy when they are reporting fewer symptoms associated with PTSD/trauma, by observing their body language, and possibly how they talk about the trauma.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement PTSD/trauma therapy?

Clients can supplement their PTSD/trauma counseling during their personal time by practicing the skills they learned during the sessions, reading self-help books or listening to podcasts, and processing them during the sessions, if needed.

What should someone do to prepare for starting PTSD/trauma therapy?

To prepare for their first PTSD/trauma therapy session, an individual can remind themself they are in a safe place. They can be prepared to talk about as much or as little as they are comfortable with during that first session.

Trauma/PTSD therapy FAQs

What is PTSD/trauma therapy?

At Thriveworks, Trauma/PTSD therapy involves dedicated efforts to address and navigate through past and/or recent traumatic events. Therapists specializing in trauma create a secure environment to process and heal from these experiences, aiming to reduce trauma-related symptoms and enhance overall quality of life.

How does PTSD/trauma therapy work?

Our Thriveworks providers use Trauma/PTSD therapy treatments like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing EMDR, CBT, and exposure therapy with the goal of helping clients process the traumatic events they have experienced so that they can to start feeling safe and secure again.

Symptoms of PTSD

The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can vary but often include:

  • Flashbacks and distressing memories of the traumatic event
  • Nightmares and sleep disturbances
  • Intense anxiety and irritability
  • Avoidance of reminders of the trauma
  • Negative changes in mood and thought patterns
  • Increased arousal, like difficulty concentrating or exaggerated startle response

How do you overcome PTSD triggers?

The best way to overcome PTSD triggers is to seek the assistance of a professional therapist, such as those at Thriveworks, who can help you to understand and treat your PTSD triggers.

What type of therapist is best for PTSD?

In most cases, a therapist who specializes in Trauma/PTSD therapy is the best type of mental health professional to address the symptoms of PTSD.

Is PTSD/trauma therapy conducted in person or online?

PTSD/trauma therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long should you go to therapy for PTSD?

If a client is working through a single traumatic event that occurred as an adult, trauma or PTSD therapy may only take a few months, but in general, it can take a year or more to effectively treat trauma symptoms and PTSD. The duration of treatment is highly dependent on the client and the severity of their symptoms.

How successful is therapy for PTSD?

The success rate of therapy for PTSD depends entirely on the individual’s symptoms, commitment to attending sessions, and personal abilities.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurance and we offer self-pay options too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling at Thriveworks.

Our therapists and counselors in Portland accept 26 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Maine | BCBS Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Maine | BCBS (PPO | HMO | POS)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Community Health Options

  • Compsych

  • Firefly Health Plan | Cigna PPO Network

  • First Health Network

  • Harvard Pilgrim

  • Humana Medicare Advantage

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Self-pay costs at Portland
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.8 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
Everything great. Nothing to improve.
Malik Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
It’s very nice to be able to speak with Tyler. Very relaxed atmosphere, great communication skills. He puts you at ease
Hayley Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I felt very listened to and understood
Briannah Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Justin is a great listener and guidance provider if asked for. Highly recommend!
Kamille Jan 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My therapist Justin is a lifesaver - truly. Ive been through some tough times while seeing him and he always knows exactly what to say to reframe my perspective and get me through my hardest moments. He gives me tools I can use when he's not around to help me navigate life, and its so obvious the moment you meet him that he truly cares about about his patients, and it shows through his work. I would take a bullet for that man because he has saved my life, probably on multiple occasions, so returning the favor would be the least I could do. You've got one of those really special employees that don't come around very often - i hope you do everything in your power to keep him as happy as he keeps his patience. Thank you for everything, Justin and Thriveworks.
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Julianna Jan 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I adore Doreen. She has helped me so much in the past and is so empathetic and understanding yet gives me information I may not necessarily want to hear, but need to hear. She is a Godsend to me.
India Dec 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Justin is amazing! He is insightful and extremely educated in many aspects and has been an amazing support and guide in my therapy journey.
Aryana Dec 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I've been with Doreen a few years now and I've enjoyed each session very much. She's a wonderful therapist and I can't imagine working through life's journey with anyone else but her. She's direct and to the point, which is something I was looking for.
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Rowann Dec 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
8 of 29 reviews

Where to find us

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Address

550 Forest Ave Suite 201
Portland, ME 04101

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Portland is located in the Sanborn Building near the intersection of Forest Avenue and Ashmont St, off Interstate 295. It is near Longfellow Park and just west of Back Cove. The office is in a multi-story brick commercial building. Enter through the doors to access Suite 201 on the second floor.

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Phone number

(207) 994-7555
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Languages spoken by ME providers

  • English
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Hours

Wednesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

Wednesday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 11:00pm

Shown in ET

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