Associates in Psychotherapy & Family Counseling
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John P. Sheppard, MD, LADC, ICADC

Matthew S. Zilboorg
(802) 658-4208 x106
E-mail John
John is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor with over 50 years of clinical experience providing counseling to people from a broad diversity of ages, backgrounds and circumstances. He works with adults offering individual, couple and family counseling primarialy in the area of alcoholism and substance abuse which he has specialized for the past 23 years. Additionally, John provides psycho-education, diagnostic information, collaboration with other care providers and community referrals.

"I am a substance abuse therapist in private practice. One of my beliefs is that: It is only on the darkest night that you can look up and see the stars the best.  Substance abuse can rob you of hope, but there is a solution to your pain and I would love to help you.  I have five decades of experience in the medical field and nearly 25 years specializing in alcohol and drug abuse. My office is in an easily accessible area of South Burlington with good parking and public transportation. The goal of my practice is to help individuals; couples and families navigate the difficulties associated with substance abuse, and the associated issues of grief, anger management, anxiety, PTSD, depression and other emotional pains. Although my practice orientation is toward the use of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Twelve Step Recovery and Family/Marital Therapy, my practice doesn’t believe in a “one size fits all counseling technique”, but rather, I am guided by each client’s individual needs and goals.  I stress empowerment recognizing that you know what is best in your life. I find a relaxed empathetic collaborative approach to problem solution is most successful. The goal is recovery not compliance. I am a Licensed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (LADC) in the State of Vermont.  My undergraduate education was at Fordham University in New York City and my graduate education was at Georgetown University Medical School in Washington, D.C.

I believe there is no single psychotherapeutic approach that can address everyone's needs successfully or in the same way. Through many years of experience, I have developed an integrated approach that borrows from the best practices in the field of psychotherapy. Such an approach easily adapts to the uniqueness of each individual and their own personal story, beliefs and interests. Whether pulling from cognitive behavioral or psychodynamic models of treatment, the foundation of all my work is the development of a meaningful, trusting relationship with my clients.

People come to therapy for a wide range of important reasons. Some come when they are feeling overwhelmed, struggling through significant losses or working through difficult relationships with friends, family members or co-workers. Some seek therapy when they are contemplating spiritual or existential questions. Others choose to work with a therapist to help resolve depression or anxiety or other emotional factors that are interfering with their happiness or productivity. Many people come to therapy because they simply want to move their lives in a more positive direction.

Psychotherapy promotes relief from symptoms or stressors and strengthens a person's knowledge, insight, skills and resilience in order to create lasting personal change.

Your own goals for therapy will guide the direction of our work together. Starting with the first session, I will collaborate with you to fully identify and understand your concerns and then together we will determine an approach, or combination of approaches, that seems most appropriate to your needs and goals.

Contact me for a free telephone consultation to determine if my services and approach to therapy are a good fit for you. If they are not, I am happy to help you find another therapist or resource that can provide you with the specific kinds of support you need.

Payment Options

I accept most major insurance plans. For those people without insurance or who choose not to use insurance I am willing to discuss affordable services on a sliding scale basis.

Intakes

After we have scheduled our first appointment, please complete the following [links below]:
  1. Print out and bring the completed intake
  2. Read the HIPAA information, AND
  3. Bring a copy of the front and back of your insurance card
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