Middle Name
T
Eric Astleford
Supervised Therapist
About
My work is grounded in the belief that faith is not passive comfort but an active force that calls men and women to responsibility, courage, and disciplined growth. I am a Roman Catholic therapist who integrates evidence-based therapy with a Christian worldview rooted in personal accountability, truth telling, and purposeful action.
I hold that certain moral truths exist independent of personal belief or religious affiliation. Responsibility, honesty, restraint, and respect for others are not negotiable values. They are foundational to healthy individuals and functioning communities.
One passage that guides my work is 1 Samuel 17:49, where David confronts overwhelming adversity without hesitation. He does not retreat, negotiate with fear, or outsource responsibility. He steps forward and prevails. That account reflects how I approach counseling. Avoidance is not treatment. Growth comes from facing problems directly and taking disciplined action.
In sessions, Biblical principles are incorporated when clinically appropriate and aligned with the client’s beliefs. This may include examining identity through a faith lens, addressing moral injury, strengthening discipline and stewardship, or aligning values with behavior. Scripture is not used to override reason, invalidate emotion, or replace accountability. Faith supports action, not avoidance.
Clients who work with me often value a direct, respectful approach that honors both psychological science and the Catholic intellectual tradition. My goal is not to replace faith with therapy or therapy with faith, but to integrate both in a way that leads to meaningful, lasting change.
Provider details
Website
https://www.commonmantherapyllc.com/
Clinician's Sex/Gender
Male
Handicap Accessible
No
Cities
- Burlington
- Saint Albans
- Montpelier
- Rutland
- Brattleboro
Counties
- Franklin
- Chittenden County
- Washington
- Rutland
- Bennington
ZIPs
- 05478
- 05401
- 05701
- 05602
- 05201
Teleheath
Yes
Individual Sessions
- 50-60 min
Other Sessions
- Telehealth
Psychological Testing
No
Ages
- Adult (18-70)
Special Populations
- First Responders
- Vets
- Healthcare Workers
- Ministry Leaders
Talk Therapies
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT),
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Agree with the AACC Doctrinal Statement
Yes
Do you agree with the AACC Ethical Position
Yes
Biblical Integration – Verbally integrating Biblical principles, passages, doctrines, stories, and information into your treatment session
Yes
Do you utilize homework’s assignments for patients to do in between sessions?
No
What type of treatment approach do you utilize most frequently?
- Clinician led approach
How direct is your approach with patients?
- I share my insights, opinions, views and expertise with the patient even though they might be contrary to what the patient is thinking
Payment Methods Accepted
- Credit Card
- Zelle
- Venmo
Do you accept payment plans
No
Do you provide or work with an organization that provides loans for treatment
No
Educational History
- School:Saint Michael's College
- Degree:Masters Degree
Years In Practice
8
License Numbers
- Name:State License
- Number:097.0118754
- State:
- VT
Professional Associations
- Other
Professional Associations Other
International Honor Society in Psychology
Do you agree that counseling is not fully Christian if a counselor’s faith shapes their posture but not their methods?
No
Do you agree that the deepest personal help a person needs cannot be fully received apart from faith in Christ, even through counseling?
No
Do you agree that Scripture speaks authoritatively to the deepest roots of human problems?
No
Do you agree that it is not appropriate to support or affirm a client’s chosen course of action when it conflicts with Scripture, even in the name of autonomy?
No
Do you agree that people do not possess all the internal resources needed for truth and healing apart from God, regardless of insight, support, or time?
No
Which state(s) do you offer Telehealth
- VT
Why?
My Christian faith deeply shapes my understanding of the human person, suffering, responsibility, and hope. At the same time, I believe evidence-based psychological methods are compatible with and can be integrated with Christian care. Throughout history, the Church has affirmed the value of reason, science, and the helping professions. In my work, faith informs my posture, values, and the meaning-making process in therapy, while clinically validated methods provide effective tools for helping clients grow and heal.
Why?
As a Roman Catholic clinician, I believe Christ is the ultimate source of healing and truth. At the same time, I recognize that people can receive meaningful help through counseling regardless of their current level of faith or spiritual commitment. My role as a therapist is to meet clients where they are and integrate Christian faith when it is desired and clinically appropriate. I view counseling as a place where grace, human reason, and evidence-based care can work together in service of healing.
Why?
Yes. As a Roman Catholic, I believe Sacred Scripture speaks authoritatively to the deepest questions of human meaning, suffering, morality, and hope. At the same time, I understand counseling as a professional discipline that draws on psychology and the behavioral sciences to address mental health and relational concerns. In my work, Scripture informs the larger framework of meaning and values, while evidence-based clinical methods provide practical tools for healing and growth.
Why?
As a Roman Catholic clinician, my faith informs my moral framework and understanding of human flourishing. At the same time, my role as a therapist is not to coerce, control, or withdraw care when a client’s choices differ from my beliefs. Therapy involves respecting a client’s dignity, free will, and personal responsibility while helping them reflect, grow, and make thoughtful decisions. When faith is part of a client’s goals, we can explore how their values and beliefs inform their choices, but I do not withhold support or care based on disagreement.
Why?
Yes. As a Roman Catholic, I believe God is the ultimate source of truth, healing, and human flourishing. At the same time, I understand counseling as one of the ways people receive help, grow in self-understanding, and develop the skills needed to navigate life’s challenges. In my work, I see psychological care and faith as complementary, with evidence-based counseling serving as a practical means through which growth and healing can occur.
