Josh Masterson, LCSW
Somatic Therapy Portland
Maine & Online
You may be the person others lean on. You keep going even when your own body and mind feel worn out. Maybe you are a healer, someone in recovery, or a teen or adult facing changes that feel bigger than your current tools can handle.
I offer CBT, ACT, IFS-informed, and somatic therapy in Portland, Maine, and online sessions. Our work brings together body awareness, grounded talk therapy, and time in nature. Together, we slow down enough for you to notice what is actually happening inside, so that change feels possible instead of overwhelming.
Who I Work With: Somatic Therapy Portland Maine for Healers, People in Recovery & Folks in Transition
My practice is for people who carry a lot and want one grounded place to set things down. I’ll happily work with just about anyone, but I am a particularly strong fit for three broad categories of therapy-seekers.
Healers & Helpers Feeling Worn Thin
If you are a massage therapist, yoga teacher, acupuncturist or spiritual practitioner, you likely hold space for others all day. Therapy for healers gives you time where you do not have to perform, fix or stay “on.” We explore compassion fatigue, boundary strain and how your body stores what you hear and feel. Then we practice small shifts that leave you less drained and more yourself.
Addiction Recovery, Sobriety & Going Deeper
You might be sober, newly sober, or unsure how you feel about your relationship with alcohol or other substances. Somatic therapy in Portland, Maine, can help you notice the situations and sensations that pull you toward old habits. Together, we build steadier coping strategies. Our conversations can include recovery, relapse risk, spirituality, and what it means to live by your values now. When you need support outside therapy, it can help to explore support resources for addiction and mental health.
Teens (12+), Adults & Elders in Big Life Transitions
I see teens 12 and older, adults, and elders who are moving through change: divorce, grief, moves, work shifts, caregiving, and other stress that builds over time. Together, we make room for the pain and access the wisdom within you that already knows the right next step. You do not have to carry it alone.
A Healer For Healers: Therapy for Healers, Practitioners & Space Holders
When you are the person others trust with their deepest fears and hopes, it can be hard to say that you are tired or struggling. Therapy for healers gives you a private place where you do not have to perform, fix things or hold everything together.
In our sessions we slow down and notice how your work shows up in your body and emotions. We look at where overgiving appears, what drains you most and what kinds of boundaries would feel kind for both you and your clients. We also explore how you come down after a long day, how you relate to money and business choices and how you stay in touch with the parts of your work that still feel meaningful.
Whether you identify as a bodyworker, yoga teacher, spiritual practitioner, reader or guide, my goal is to offer therapy for healers that respects your path. Together we work toward you feeling more whole and resourced in your life, not less.
Eco Therapy & Wilderness Therapy In Maine: Healing With Nature
Walk-and-Talk Eco Therapy Around Portland
When weather allows, we can meet outdoors in parks or natural areas. Moving while we talk can help your nervous system settle. Nature offers rhythm and perspective. We choose routes that match your comfort, access, and energy.
Individual Wilderness Therapy & Small Group Days
For deeper work, we can plan individual wilderness therapy with flexible time billed hourly. In spring, I also host small group nature sessions about once a month. These days include simple practices for presence, reflection, and safe sharing. We prepare well and go at your pace.
Note: Living and working in Maine, this isn’t something I can offer year-round at this time. Pelase call to learn more.
How I Work: Somatic, Focusing, CBT, ACT & Parts-Informed Care
Somatic Focusing & Mindfulness
We practice noticing sensations and the felt sense of a situation. As Eugene Gendlin, the founder of Focusing, said, “your body knows the direction of healing and life. If you take the time to listen to it through focusing, it will give you the steps in the right direction.” Through this work, you learn how your body says yes or no, where pressure builds, and what release feels like. Curiosity replaces self-judgment.
CBT & ACT Skills
We work with thoughts, behaviors, and values. You learn to notice automatic thoughts, test them against evidence, and practice kinder alternatives. We build routines that lift mood through small tasks and movement. We clarify your values and use them to choose next steps when motivation is low. Acceptance and defusion help you relate to difficult feelings and thoughts without letting them run the day. Where applicable, we try graded exposure to feared situations, one manageable step at a time.
Gentle Parts Work
Many people feel inner conflict. Some parts push to perform, others shut down, and an inner critic keeps watch. We slow down and name who is present, why they showed up, and what they need to feel safer. With compassion and clear boundaries, we invite cooperation so protective parts can soften and new choices can emerge. Over time you build a steadier center that can listen to each part and decide what happens next.
Services, Sessions & Secure Telehealth
Teens, Adults, Couples & Families
I offer individual therapy for teens 12 and older and for adults of all ages. When helpful, I include partners or family members for focused sessions that support your goals.
In-Person In Portland & Telehealth On Doxy
Sessions are available in person in Portland or online through Doxy, a secure HIPAA-compliant video platform. Choose the format that helps you feel safe and consistent.
Wilderness Offerings
Ask about individual wilderness therapy and small group nature days. We plan together, consider conditions and needs, and set clear expectations for pacing and support.
Meet Josh Masterson: Mud Huts, Meditation & Fantasy Novels
A Life Close To The Ground
Training & Values
FAQ: Somatic Therapy, Eco Therapy & Fit
What is somatic therapy?
Therapy that includes your body. We notice breath, posture and sensation while talking. This helps you see patterns and build new responses to stress and pain.
Do you offer online therapy, and how does Doxy work?
Yes. We can meet by secure video on Doxy, a HIPAA-compliant platform. It works on most devices and does not add cost.
What happens after the phone consultation?
In the first session, we set goals, pace, and early focus. We choose small steps that feel possible between sessions.
Are there cases where you are not the right fit?
I do not treat active eating disorders or acute crises that need higher care. I can share referrals and crisis options, including 988.
Do you work with teens and families?
Yes, with teens 12 and older. I also include partners or family when they support your goals and safety.
Begin Therapy: Schedule A 15–20 Minute Phone Consultation
This brief call helps us decide together. Can I help with what you want to change, and do you feel comfortable with me? We discuss fees, boundaries and next steps before you decide.