About My Approach
My Approach
My approach is warm, genuine, trauma-informed, and tailored to the needs of each individual rather than based on a one-size-fits-all formula. I draw from EMDR, Brainspotting, cognitive behavioral therapy, somatic and nervous-system regulation techniques, Internal Family Systems concepts, and person-centered therapy to help clients understand both what happened to them and how it continues to affect their lives. I often use humor, metaphors, storytelling, and practical examples to make difficult concepts easier to understand and apply. I provide compassion and emotional safety while also offering honest feedback and gentle challenges that help clients move toward lasting change.
First Session
Your first session will be conversational and focused on helping you feel comfortable, understood, and confident that we are a good fit. It will not feel like an intimidating checklist of questions. We will talk about what brings you to therapy, what you hope to change, and any important experiences that may be affecting your life today. You will not be expected to share every detail or explore painful trauma before you are ready—we will move at a pace that feels safe and manageable. I often describe therapy as building a house together: during our first session, we begin creating the foundation and developing a plan that reflects your unique needs and goals.
You'll have the opportunity to see my style. I am not the listen and nod sort of therapist. I am quite engaged. Along the way, you'll probably notice that I use humor, metaphors, and everyday examples to help make difficult concepts feel more approachable. My hope is that you'll leave our first session feeling heard, understood, and confident that you don't have to navigate this journey alone.
Qualifications and Experience
Polly Charette, LCSW
Polly Charette is a licensed clinical social worker with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Maine at Orono. During her time at the university, she served as the President of Psi Chi, a National Honor Society for Psychology Students, and graduated Cum Laude. She went on to pursue her Masters of Art degree in Clinical Social Work at Boston College and completed advanced clinical training at Butler Hospital, a psychiatric teaching hospital affiliated with Brown University..
During several years following the tragic events surrounding September 11th, Ms. Charette worked as a psychotherapist for the United States Naval Service at the San Diego Naval Base. Her specialization was working with military families, focusing on issues related to trauma, violence, unresolved anger, grief, loss, readjustment stress, separation, and the impact of military deployments and trainings on relationships. Following these years she has been among a small team opening a Vet Center specific to Military Trauma and PTSD, supporting numerous veterans heal symptoms and regain quality of life. She now has a private practice and continues her work with ongoing passion to help people find happiness again. She works with diverse populations of people who have suffered trauma from military, childhood, accident and crime victims. She is also an Adult Children of Alcoholics ACoA informed therapist.
Ms. Charette has knowledge and specialized training in a spectrum of Anxiety Disorders, including Combat Stress Reaction, PTSD, Acute Stress Reaction, Panic Disorder, and effects of Traumatic Brain Injury. She specifically tailors her treatment approach to address the concerns and symptoms of each individual. She emphasizes the importance of psycho-education, as it is crucial for clients to understand the biological processes, development, patterns, and rituals behind their symptoms. Her therapeutic techniques include a combination of education, Brainspotting, EMDR, Somatic Therapy, exposure therapy, biofeedback, desensitization, cognitive distortion challenging, and anxiety reduction techniques. Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy and Integration is a highly specialized and available approach if appropriate for the issues being treated