Therapy & support for families experiencing medical trauma, grief, & serious illness.
Hi, I’m Ali, a clinical psychologist, and I help youth, parents, and caregivers navigate the emotional impact of medical stressors and loss, building resilience and connection through compassionate, evidence-based care.
LOCATED IN SHELBURNE, VERMONT AND ONLINE
HAVE YOU LOST YOUR FOOTING?
Navigating illness, grief, or medical stress can leave anyone feeling unsteady. Together, we can create space to process, rebuild, and begin to HEAL as a family.
Meet Ali Waltien |Clinical Psychologist, M.A.
I’M HERE TO HELP
When a medical diagnosis, unexpected hospitalization, or loss reshapes your family’s life, it can leave everyone feeling unsteady and emotionally drained. Children may struggle to make sense of what’s happened, while parents and caregivers do their best to stay strong through uncertainty and grief.
I help families navigate these moments with compassion and clarity. As a Clinical Psychologist and former Child Life Specialist, I specialize in supporting children, parents, and caregivers facing medical trauma, grief, and serious illness. My work blends evidence-based therapy with warmth, creativity, and deep respect for each family’s story, helping you move from survival mode toward connection, understanding, and healing.
CHANGE IS NEEDED.
If medical stress, anxiety, or grief has taken hold in your family, it’s okay to ask for support. Healing doesn’t happen overnight, but it can begin here.
When a child or loved one confronts a serious illness or loss, the emotional toll can ripple through the entire family. Parents may feel a sense of overwhelm, while siblings might respond by acting out or withdrawing, leading to the breakdown of routines that once provided stability. Therapy offers a vital space to pause, reflect, and rebuild. It equips your family to navigate the challenges ahead by processing the impact of what has happened, enhancing communication, and discovering more resilient pathways to move forward together. Embracing this journey can transform your family's experience and strengthen your bonds during difficult times.
My Specialities
Play Therapy for Kids
Helping kids heal after illness, loss, or medical stress
Children often show their feelings through play, behavior, or questions they can’t yet put into words. I use play-based and creative approaches to help them process difficult experiences, reduce anxiety, and feel safe again.
Individual Therapy for Adults
Support for parents and individuals navigating illness, grief, or anxiety
When you’ve been holding everything together for everyone else, it’s easy to feel depleted and alone. Therapy offers space to explore your emotions, manage health-related anxiety, and regain balance as you care for yourself and your loved ones.
Family Therapy
Helping families reconnect and find steadier ground
Illness, hospitalization, or loss can strain even the strongest relationships. Family therapy provides a safe space for open communication, emotional repair, and rebuilding connection after medical or emotional stress.
Grief Support Groups
Healing together through shared experience
Group therapy can be a powerful way to feel understood and supported by others who have been through similar experiences. I currently facilitate the Family-Centered Grief Support Group at the University of Vermont Medical Center for families navigating loss.
Next Steps
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Start with a brief phone or virtual consultation to see if we’re a good fit. This is a chance to share what’s bringing you or your family to therapy, ask questions, and get a sense of how I work.
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After scheduling, you’ll receive secure online forms to share background information, goals, and the support you’re looking for. This helps us make the most of our first session together.
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In our first session, we’ll talk about your goals, current challenges, and what a supportive path forward might look like. Sessions may be individual, with your child, or as a family, depending on your needs.
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Together, we’ll create a plan that fits your family’s pace and priorities. Whether you’re processing medical trauma, adjusting after loss, or seeking tools for coping with stress, therapy offers a consistent space to heal, connect, and grow.
