With an extensive background in sleep medicine research and mental health counseling, Kevin Moore, LMHC is here to help clients struggling with a variety of mental health concerns, as well as sleep disorders. 

Kevin takes a person-centered approach to therapy by actively listening and paying careful attention to the client’s thoughts and feelings. 

He believes that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy, and strives to understand the client as a whole person and meet them where they’re at. He utilizes a variety of therapeutic interventions and techniques to help the client meet their unique needs and goals. 

We sat down with Kevin to learn more about his background in the field and approach to counseling individuals online. 

What inspired you to work in the mental health field?

I went into my first year of college as an undeclared major. The psych courses I took inspired my curiosity and passion for psychology. I knew that I wanted to be in the helping profession, and several years after graduating from college, I decided to enroll in graduate school for mental health counseling.

What experiences have you had in the field before joining HBH?

For several years, I worked in sleep medicine research, studying sleep apnea, shift work sleep disorder (SWD), and insomnia. 

I worked as a research coordinator at Lahey Clinic overseeing clinical research for the neurology department (MS, ALS trials). I also worked as a research sleep technician at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, involved in a 4-5 year research study called APPLES for Apnea Positive Pressure Long Term Efficacy Study. After completing my training, I worked with patients diagnosed with a sleep-related breathing disorder, using a sleep apnea treatment called continuous positive airway pressure (CAPA). 

What is a CAPA machine and how does it work?

A CAPA machine is a bedside device that delivers positive airway pressure and is used to treat obstructive sleep apnea and other breathing problems. Abnormal nighttime breathing can involve snoring, daytime sleepiness, nighttime awakening, and other health problems. A CAPA machine pushes pressured air into your airways so that your lungs receive plenty of oxygen while you sleep. Without anything obstructing the flow of oxygen, your breathing doesn’t pause and you don’t repeatedly wake up to resume breathing. 

When I left the research field, I transitioned to mental health counseling and worked in both community health and private practice settings. I’ve helped adults, children, adolescents, and families work through a variety of mental health challenges.

Most recently I worked with a mental health practice specializing in treatment for OCD. I’m looking forward to treating a wider range of mental health challenges and life situations in my work with HBH.

How does your work in sleep medicine research impact your work as a therapist?

Insomnia, one of the most common sleep disorders worldwide, not only impacts your sleep, but can affect your mental health by increasing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and mental distress. 

For clients struggling with insomnia, I’ll utilize CBT to explore the client’s connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that might be contributing to symptoms of insomnia. The client’s thoughts and feelings about sleep are talked about to see if they’re accurate, while their behaviors are looked at to determine if they promote sleep. We’ll then work on reframing the clients misconceptions or challenges in a way that promotes restful sleep. 

At a basic level, I’ll suggest the client keep a sleep diary and we’ll review their sleep hygiene and daily habits to determine if and how they might impact their sleep. We’ll work to come up with an appropriate sleep schedule, and build sleep pressures, which help the brain signal to the body when it’s time to go to bed each night.

How would you describe your approach to therapy?

My approach to therapy is person-centered with an emphasis on understanding the client as a whole person and meeting them where they’re at. I believe that every client is unique and there’s no one size fits all approach to therapy. 

I’ll utilize a variety of different modalities, depending on what serves the client’s unique needs, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), solutions-focused therapy, and psychodynamic therapy.

What mental health conditions and life challenges do you offer treatment for?

I’ll help clients develop the tools and strengths they need to work through the following mental health challenges: 

• Anxiety/Panic/Phobias
• Depression
• Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD/ADD)
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Academic/Occupational/Work Issues/Career

What’s your favorite part of being a therapist?

It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of someone’s healing process and build trust with clients that they may not get from other people in their life. It’s fulfilling to know that the client depends on our time together, even if it’s an hour every week, or every other week.

Start working with Kevin Moore, LMHC today:

If you’re looking to find treatment for insomnia in Massachusetts, or if you’re feeling anxious or depressed but don’t know how to get unstuck, Kevin Moore, LMHC is here for you. 

To schedule an appointment with Kevin, please contact us today at (413) 343-4357.

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