Welcome to
ARCHIPELAGO COUNSELING
Bria Servoss, LPC, CSTIP, MHC
“I tore myself away from the safe comfort of certainties through my love for truth - and truth rewarded me.”
― Simone de Beauvoir
Perhaps you’re dealing with one (or more) of the following experiences:
•Are you and your partner considering opening your marriage to new partners, or already practicing polyamory or ethical nonmonogamy (ENM)? I am an ENM-affirming therapist, and with trust & intention I whole-heartedly believe you can negotiate your relationship to look and work the way which makes the most sense for you and your partner/s.
•Who are you? How do you find your authentic, fearless, empowered self again? If you’re struggling with individuating yourself within a marriage or partnership, from a controlling parent or even a friendship which leaves you feeling overly-dependent, disempowered, and/or trauma-bonded - let’s talk. We can collaborate on ways to find your meaning, freedom, and authentic, true self.
•Have you received a recent adult ADHD diagnosis and you’re feeling a sense of loss and lack of empowerment? As someone who was diagnosed with ADHD at 44, I understand implicitly how it feels to “fly under the radar” - misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and dismissed. This leads to feelings of anxiety and overfunctioning in a world not built for us. Let’s connect the dots in order to understand your life through a new lens, learn coping skills, and maybe even discover strengths which come from having ADHD.
•You might have the nagging question of "Is this really abuse?” When you’re with your partner, you may feel unsteady, constantly criticized or examined, and even like you’re losing your mind. Feeling guilty for some reason you can’t pinpoint isn’t uncommon in this scenario, and it is an isolating, dark experience. Processing psychological or emotional abuse is a brave practice in accepting a new, uncomfortable narrative. (Here’s a link to the US Department of Human Services on how to identify emotional and verbal abuse.)
•Divorces and break-ups can feel isolating and up-ending, and these experiences can have you questioning everything you thought you knew, including yourself. I have experience helping individuals and couples navigate through this turbulent time. I can help you discover your own boundaries and needs as you work through the pain and loss which comes with severing a partnership. I believe boundary-work is vital in order to uncover the next chapter of one’s life.
Maybe it’s something else - let’s figure it out together.
ar•chi•pel•a•go
noun
a group of islands.
This word resonates for me as an existential human & therapist, as I view each of us as an island with unique characteristics. Funnily enough, I recognize that this is also a commonality we share with one another. While it can be lonely at times, this human experience is also profound and connective. If we look for authentic kinship with the other “islands” around us, we find community, love, freedom, and agency. In that connection, we also find ourselves.