Natalie
Natalie Zimmer, LCMHC, is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Vermont with 12 years of experience serving individuals across a variety of mental health settings. Throughout her career, she has worked in a partial hospitalization program for adolescents, a therapeutic K–12 alternative school, and a college counseling center, supporting individuals with a wide range of needs including developmental trauma, chronic stress, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), depression, anxiety, and emotion dysregulation.
In private practice, Natalie's work has become focused on supporting the people who support our communities. She is passionate about fostering healthier, more resilient communities by caring for first responders and frontline personnel who uphold them. She recognizes that these individuals often carry the invisible burden of high-stress, high-responsibility roles and considers it a privilege to support them in navigating the unique challenges that accompany essential service work.
Natalie's clinical approach is grounded in Polyvagal Theory and integrates Trauma-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). As an EMDR-trained clinician, she utilizes EMDR as a primary treatment modality to help individuals process trauma, chronic stress, and adverse experiences that may arise from both personal history and the demands of frontline work.
At the heart of Natalie's work is the belief that every person possesses an innate capacity for healing and growth. Her role is to provide guidance, support, and evidence-based tools as individuals explore the roots of suffering, reconnect with their values, strengthen resilience, and cultivate lives of greater meaning and authenticity.
Joining First Responder Resilience Initiative (FRRI) as Clinical Director has been both an honor and the realization of a long-held professional goal. The opportunity to expand access to specialized mental health and wellness services for the frontline community is deeply meaningful to her. Beyond providing direct clinical care, Natalie is inspired by the opportunity to collaborate with dedicated organizations and passionate professionals who are advancing wellness initiatives within their agencies and communities. She considers it a true privilege to serve alongside others who are committed to strengthening the health and resilience of the frontline community.
Outside of her professional role, Natalie enjoys spending time outdoors with her energetic four-year-old son, exploring nature and talking trucks. She also values physical activity, community volunteerism, good food, great coffee, and meaningful time with family and friends.