Cynthia Hrdlichka, M.Ed. M.S. LPC, RMT

Meaningful therapy happens when the client knows they are respected and received without judgement, listened to with deep compassion, and offered responses that speak directly to their most difficult and painful struggles. I work from the premise that the client is the expert on their experience, and it is my job to help clients find and utilize the strengths they already possess. I use my empathic nature, curiosity, openness, and playfulness to provide a safe space for this powerful and beautiful work my clients are brave enough to embark on.

I place special emphasis on inclusion and respect for the diversity of human experience. My practice is culturally sensitive, celebrating and affirming of those who identify as LGBTQ+, and wholly invested in social justice and community building. I seek to support and empower each of my clients in the context of the larger communities in which they exist.

My Background

I came to this work after 14 years of teaching English as a second language abroad and here in the United States, and I hold a Master of Education from Framingham University. As I began my own therapeutic work and found the capacity to connect with others on a deeper level, my teaching became more focused on connection and building community than advancing the curriculum. It became clear to me that I needed more training to find a way to engage in this deeper work, and to that end I obtained a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Arkansas.

My Focus

My areas of focus as a therapist include complex trauma stemming from the adverse childhood experiences of abuse and neglect, anxiety, depression, and sexual abuse. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with specialized training in treating complex PTSD. I use the modalities of Somatic Experiencing, brainspotting, and Usui Holy Fire® III Reiki to facilitate this healing. I have completed 2 years of the 3 year training program for Somatic Experiencing, have trained in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy and psychedelic integration, and am a Usui Holy Fire III Reiki® Master Teacher.

My Approach

My therapeutic approach is holistic, with an emphasis on healing trauma stored in the body. As Peter Levine, trauma expert and originator of somatic experiencing, puts it, “Trauma is not in the event itself; rather, trauma resides in the nervous system.” Arguably, every one of us has experienced trauma of one kind or another and are living with consequences, such as depression or anxiety, whether or not we know the root cause. I help clients understand what’s happening in their bodies by building somatic awareness to facilitate the healing process and celebrating their inherent wholeness -- their inner brilliance!

In our sessions, I bring psychodynamic training together with mindful body awareness, along with an understanding of the impact of overwhelming/damaging experiences, to offer a therapeutic relationship specifically shaped for the needs of each client. I honor each client’s unique background and challenges as we discover together where our work needs to go. 

I look forward to working with you to help you find the insights you need and develop a strong and energetic sense of self in a safe and spiritually nourishing environment.