• Because money and emotions are deeply connected, I work at the crossroads of the practicalities of money and the ocean of human feelings to help clients move through impasse into agency, productivity, and ease.

  • Short-term coaching that supplements – not supplants - clients’ existing professional and clinical supports.

  • Workshops that help participants across the socio-economic spectrum to get comfortable talking about money and develop an awareness of the familial and societal influences on their money narrative.

Betsy Witten

People find me when they are having trouble taking on money-related tasks, whether complex or simple, or when they are struggling to talk about money with the people close to them. These difficulties are common across the socio-economic spectrum among people from all kinds of communities.

They are dreading writing a Will. Their adult son is financially dependent. They want to start a private therapy practice after years at a non-profit. Some people have less than they need, some have way more. No matter where on the socio-economic spectrum they stand, people often start a session by saying “I don’t talk to anyone about money”, and “my family is really crazy about money – you have no idea”. But I do have an idea. Because so many families have a strong and often secret culture of how they handle money.

Find Out What I Do

Testimonials

“Betsy helped facilitate life-changing conversations for me and my partner.” Read more... We had just gotten engaged when we first started seeking her guidance and were facing many difficult financial conversations. With Betsy’s tools, we are well-equipped to discuss everything from trust funds to inheritance, as well as every day basic money-related decisions.  She helped us realize that we are free to break from the financial patterns and rules set by our parents, and are capable of creating a new dynamic for our new family.”
— Meg Z.   Read less

“Betsy helped me to recognize that I had largely disassociated myself with my inheritance.” Read more... It was as if that money was kept in a gold box, kept somewhere far from my reality and day to day life. I really didn't see it as my money. She helped me to peel back the layers, and see that my inheritance felt tainted to me, because money had essentially torn apart one side of my family. Coming to terms with this helped me accept and reconnect with my inheritance. For the first time, I was able to start thinking about how to integrate it into my life in a way that reflected my values -- a new, forward-looking chapter that was distinct from my family's history.

Betsy's guidance was gentle but direct. Betsy is one of the most intuitive and insightful people I know, and she has a knack for making talking about money so much more accessible, and even sometimes fun!”
— Karina M.   Read less

“Working with Betsy on my prenup was one of the most meaningful experiences my partner and I have had as a couple.” Read more... In 3 sessions we received a depth of insight that genuinely continues to shape the way we understand our relationship.

My partner and I come from very different backgrounds in terms of resources. We also grew up in different countries, shaped by family stories and caregivers who related to money in very distinct ways. These differences were always part of our relationship, but we had not fully realized how much they influenced the values behind our financial decisions. Some of those values we were aware of and others we had been applying without noticing.  I called them "ghost thoughts".

Betsy helped us understand those values with much more clarity. She and the therapist she partners with when working with couples guided us through conversations that revealed what each of us prioritizes, what we want to carry forward, and what we want to redefine together. They helped us reach a shared understanding of the values we want to anchor our relationship in, and how money can support those values.

Their framework allowed us to bring our different backgrounds together in a way that felt honest, respectful, and intentional. We walked away with practical tools, but also with a deeper understanding of ourselves and each other. The experience strengthened our communication and brought a new sense of alignment to the life we want to build together.

We are truly grateful for the insight, care, and expertise they brought to this process. Their guidance made a lasting difference in our relationship.”
— Alfredo R.   Read less

“I went to see Betsy because I wanted to leave my position as a social worker at a homeless shelter and start a private practice, but, as the first person in my family to go to college or get a graduate degree, I felt intimidated by the process.” Read more... My family came here from the Dominican Republic, and I grew up in a house focused on surviving not dreaming. I loved my work at the shelter, it felt really important. But I also started to want more. Betsy and I identified so many things getting in my way, I was scared to tell my parents and worried they would think I was trying to leave them behind. I was worried about putting myself out there as someone who could help people solve their problems when – in a private practice – those problems were going to be so different from my life’s problems. I also just didn’t think I would know how to find an office and set my rates. Even though Betsy and I have very different backgrounds, she instantly got where I was coming from. She understood that how to find an office and what rate to set wasn’t really the hard work. The hard work was making what she calls a “class jump”. She really helped me do that.”
— Carmen I.   Read less