Profile image of Cecile  Gunn Desmond
Vetted

Cecile Gunn Desmond(She/Her/Hers)

(She/Her/Hers)
Psychologist, PhDMasters in Divinity, MDiv
MassachusettsNew Hampshire
Eating disorders & disordered eating-Spirituality & religion-Women's issues-Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)-Emotion regulation-Life purpose & meaning-

See Cecile's Details for:

Many health insurance plans reimburse 50-80% of session fees with out-of-network therapists. Learn if your plan qualifies.

AboutSpecialtiesLocationsInsurance & Fees

Professional statement

Dr. Cecile Gunn is a psychologist in downtown Portsmouth and provides telehealth therapy for clients across MA and NH. She works with adults of all ages, providing primarily individual therapy. Many of Cecile’s clients come in to address unresolved trauma, attachment issues, anxiety, disordered eating, and spiritual/religious struggles. Cecile is particularly passionate about serving women with trauma histories, working mothers, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and older adults. She has advanced training in treating Complex PTSD, various forms of anxiety, disordered eating, and somatic issues.

Cecile is trained in psychodynamic, trauma-informed, somatic-based psychotherapy, and includes elements of CBT, ACT and IFS in her intervention repertoire. She will help you examine how you adapted to difficult circumstances in your life, and how those adaptations are no longer working for you. The therapeutic relationship is where these adaptations are identified and changes start to occur. In session, Cecile focuses on emotional regulation, imagery exercises, and somatic experiences that reconnect you with your body. This approach supports clients to feel more at home with themselves, more capable in their relationships, and more hopeful about the future.

Cecile's style is warm, humorous, and interactive. When clients first start therapy, Cecile ensures that clients feel safe and understood, and empowered to collaborate in their own treatment.

Cecile received her PhD and MDiv from Boston University. She has worked at The Trauma Center, completing a two-year postdoctoral fellowship working with individuals and families engaged in the foster care system. She has also worked at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders where she specialized in treating clients in the Eating Disorders Program. Outside of private practice, she is passionate about racial and immigrant justice, and is interested in research about "othering." Cecile offers remote therapy on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and in-person sessions on Fridays.


Message to clients

Making the choice to come to therapy is hard, for anyone (and for most everyone). You have a choice to stay where you are or to try something that could -- and will likely -- help you feel better and give you some freedom. It takes courage to try therapy for the first time, or to try it again, or even again. I hope to convey that it is worth it. I have accompanied many clients from being fearful and anxious, depressed and angry, on a journey toward self-understanding and self-compassion. In the process, they create a life they choose, finding hope, joy, and freedom. Therapy can be hard, and it takes courage, but the change that is available to you is so worth the journey. Contact me when you are ready, or just if you have questions. I welcome your doubt and fears, as well as your curiosity. I look forward to hearing from you.


Work and Education

Years of Experience: 12 years

University of New Hampshire, Clinical Assistant Professor
LifeStance Health, Psychologist
Commonwealth Psychology Associates, Psychologist

The Trauma Center, Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2013
Boston University, PhD, 2012
Boston University, MDiv, 1998

Licensure

Massachusetts: 9762 - New Hampshire: 1388

Languages

English

Specialties

Eating disorders & disordered eating - Reducing unhealthy eating patterns, beliefs, and behaviors, such as restricting, purging, and binging; healing the emotional pain surrounding disordered eating

Spirituality & religion - Exploring beliefs and practices related to meaning, existence, and spiritual health and healing; enjoying a deeper felt connection with the spiritual dimension of one's life

Women's issues - Therapy tailored to common concerns among women; providing a safe and understanding space to address life challenges, stressors, and questions around identity as a woman

Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) - Recovering from the impact of long-term, repeated traumatic events, such as emotional abuse and neglect

Emotion regulation - Learning how to effectively manage the ups and downs of intense emotions; developing coping skills to use in a variety of settings to calm oneself and to give an appropriate amount of space to emotions

Life purpose & meaning - Exploring one’s beliefs and values around life purpose, meaning, and spirituality; addressing the barriers to living a life that feels fulfilling, including instigating change or developing new habits




Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Parents
  • Seniors (65+)
  • Young adults (18-24)

Locations & Hours


Insurance

Cecile Gunn Desmond is not in-network with any insurances.

Read about the benefits of seeing an out-of-network provider here.


Out-of-pocket fees

Get reimbursed for sessions with Cecile Gunn Desmond

Many health insurance plans reimburse 50-80% of session fees with out-of-network therapists. Learn if your health insurance plan qualifies.

  • Individual sessions:$225 (53min)
  • Sliding scale:$100 - $225

Additional session information

Out-of-network billing options

This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:

  • Super billing
Payment options
  • Check
  • Credit Card
  • Debit Card
Session frequency

Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.

  • Weekly
  • Monthly
  • Every other week
  • Multiple times a week