Following Curiosity
I first encountered therapy as I was entering adulthood. I found myself speaking about what was most important to me, and beginning to explore how to define and work towards a meaningful life. I learned that while the experience of suffering is difficult, it can also spark curiosity. What can I change? What must I accept? What do I want?
I came to realize that I wanted to continue engaging with these questions, and to learn to help others follow their curiosity as well.
This led me to attend Boston College, where I earned my master’s in mental health counseling in 2018. I then worked in community mental health on Martha’s Vineyard before starting my practice in 2021. I have been living and practicing in Cambridge since 2023.
Below are some of the areas of exploration that have proven fruitful in my own life, and contributed to my work with clients. My work takes different forms depending on the needs of the client and the therapeutic relationship that develops, but these themes feature prominently in my approach.
Cultivating Mindfulness
My understanding of therapy is strongly influenced by principles of mindfulness. I encourage all of my clients to learn to observe their own experience, move away from judgement and towards curiosity, and to direct their focus towards developing clarity, compassion, and insight.
I also offer guidance if clients choose to develop or deepen a formal meditation practice, which offers a wide range of benefits and can enrich one’s work in therapy.
Examining Relationship
I encourage clients to reflect on their experience in relationship: how they relate to others and how they relate to themselves. This reflection can lead to a deeper understanding of emotional and relational dynamics, and open up possibility for greater individual and relational well being.
Important relational work also takes place in the here and now between client and therapist. Paying attention to the emotional and relational content in the here and now can contribute to learning, healing, and growth.
Making Meaning
From where do I draw my sense of meaning? What is important?
How do I want to spend my limited time?
How do I make choices when I feel as though I have no choices, or when I feel paralyzed by the seemingly infinite choices I could make?
These existential questions are often present in moments of suffering, and can contribute to anxiety and depression. They can also serve as a clarifying force, and encourage us to examine what is most important and act in accordance with our values. I work with my clients to engage with these questions in a way that improves well being.
I work to develop awareness of my race, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, cultural background, ability, and age, so that I can be mindful how these aspects of identity intersect and interact with the identities of my clients. If you are interested in working together and have questions or concerns about how any aspect of identity might come into play during our work together, I would be happy to discuss with you.
Whether you are looking for services for yourself or for you and your partner, I would welcome the opportunity to talk about your needs and explore what our work together could be.
Get in touch
[Nate Torrence, LMHC, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor practicing in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the founder of Otherwise Psychotherapy, LLC. He earned a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Boston College and has practiced for approximately eight years. His clinical orientation is humanistic, existential, and mindfulness-based, with formal training in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). He sees individual adults and couples, in person at his Central Square office and via telehealth throughout Massachusetts. Common areas of focus include anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, life transitions, self-esteem, stress, and existential questions around meaning, values, and direction. He is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim, and Tufts.]