Therapists for college students near Cambridge, MA
I do my best work with LGBTQ folks who are in the midst of a big change or transition in their life, and who are looking for a safe and supportive place to both explore, and be challenged to initiate change. My expertise is in helping individuals and couples navigate a range of life experiences including: the coming out process, the transition to college, young adult identity exploration, difficulties in long-term relationships, and difficulties with family dynamics. As a queer-identifying person myself, I understand the unique complexities you may face at each of these phases and I have spent my career learning to effectively guide you through these important and challenging times. My clients describe me as warm, compassionate, and supportive. I try to incorporate humor wherever we can. My style is a blend of both working to address current challenges as well as the roots of those challenges in order to have the most effective and lasting impact. If you’re ready to take the first step towards more self-understanding and more fulfillment in your life, please get in touch! It would be my honor to help.
**Currently accepting clients for Summer 2024 as of May 2024!** I work with students on all major non-emergent concerns, but I am particularly passionate about concerns around identity development. This is a broad area and includes working through gender or sexuality, what you want to "do" with your life in terms of career or relationships, how you might change patterns you see in your life to be more in alignment with the person you'd like to be, and more. I work with neurodivergent students to better set up their lives to meet their needs. Students might come in to discuss depression, anxiety, drug or alcohol use, or relationships with friends, family, or intimate partners. My goal is always to create a creative and safe environment for you to come closer to achieving what you have set out for yourself. My approach is collaborative and client-centered. I aim to be affirming of all races, sexes and genders, body sizes, religions, and more, with the understanding that I cannot be an expert in lived experiences that are not my own. I offer a free 15 minute consultation call to see if we are a good match for each other. Reach out and we can talk to see if we will be a good fit.
Central to the therapy process is connecting with someone with whom you can openly explore your past and present; thoughts, feelings, and wishes. As a therapist I am committed to helping you understand the important experiences and patterns that have influenced your life and begin to find openings for new insights and greater meaning. This can allow for personal growth, more fulfilling relationships, and improved coping with difficulties. My style is collaborative, supportive and interactive. My approach involves both facilitating personal exploration and helping you find new strategies for managing difficulty. People who come to see me are often struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, eating/body image concerns, or struggling with transitions in young adulthood
I specialize in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapy; these approaches are particularly suited for such issues as coping with losses, reducing self-criticism, increasing relationship fulfillment and bolstering creativity. Often, I work with people whose prior therapy experience(s) was symptom-oriented or brief but who found themselves wondering if there is something more. I also often work with people in academia, such as graduate students and post-docs. I am particularly passionate about graduate student mental health and am aware of the unique stressors often faced by doctoral students, as well as the factors that make it more challenging to reach out for support. I am aware of the ways that concerns pertaining to identity, belonging and family of origin often begin to come to the fore when one finds themselves in a new environment and/or a new academic/professional endeavor.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
My goal is to guide you in understanding what interferes with living a fulfilling life. I believe change is possible, no matter the circumstance, and I will support you through your journey of growth and self-discovery. As a therapist with extensive background working with trauma survivors and individuals of all ages, couples and families in crisis, I respect and understand both the challenges and lifelong benefits of having therapeutic alliance. My experience with the healing process has solidified the importance of consistent, genuine care, creating a space to pursue what it is you desire and find to be meaningful. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Life Coach, my approach is primarily relational, focused on the cultural considerations of an individual. Although we cannot avoid suffering, learning to cope with it is possible. As we become curious and explore beliefs, experiences and relationships, we will discover meaning to move forward with renewed purpose. I use theoretical practices such as behavioral, cognitive behavioral, mindfulness, psychodynamic, strengths-based with a trauma and attachment lens. Additionally, I am specialized in sexual trauma and utilize techniques to help alleviate symptoms of PTSD, anxiety and depression, build skills to regulate emotions and transform unhealthy behaviors. I am a Psychodynamic Couple and Family Institute of New England trainee.
I am a Harvard-trained physician who practiced Neurology for 25 years before completing a post-graduate psychotherapy fellowship to allow me to help others in a different way. This major life change informs my work as a psychotherapist. No matter where along our life’s path we find ourselves, and no matter how distressed, stuck or trapped we feel, we can always come to know ourselves more fully and to make changes in the service of a more satisfying, meaningful and fulfilling life. I practice a flexible style of psychotherapy tailored to each unique person or couple. Some prefer a shorter-term, more active therapy that focuses on making changes in the here and now. Others benefit from a longer-term, more self-directed exploration in a safe and supportive environment. Although my focus is on helping people meet their goals through therapy, I offer the option to prescribe adjunctive medication when needed. My aim is always to understand each person’s unique life experiences, beliefs, values and goals and to work with each person to promote enhanced self-understanding and freedom of choice in the service of a life that feels satisfying and meaningful. When working with a couple, my aim is to help the couple work through current relationship difficulties and, if both partners are invested in maintaining the relationship, to help them create a partnership where each feels safe, secure, valued and cared for.
Therapy provides a safe environment to work on the issues and situations that might be hindering your ability to function as you want to. Every client is different, and my goal is to help you feel more able to identify your specific challenges and develop the skills and strategies to manage them. I rely on a strengths perspective and draw predominately from CBT, ACT, and psychodynamic modalities. I help clients with anxiety, depression, problems related to sexual and gender identity, relationship conflicts, illness, grief, and stage of life issues. I am strongly aligned with the LGBTQIA+ community and enjoy working with individuals and couples from all walks of life.
I am a clinical psychologist licensed in the state of Massachusetts. I received my master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from William James College (formerly the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology). I have extensive experience working with college and university students at the undergraduate and graduate levels, who struggle with a wide variety of challenges and questions. I have worked as a staff clinician at the counseling centers of both Tufts and Brandeis universities, and completed my post-doctoral training at Roger Williams University. During my doctoral training, I completed Internships at New England Conservatory of Music and Rhode Island College. In addition, I trained on the psychiatric inpatient unit at Faulkner Hospital and worked with school children at a public middle school in Wayland, MA. I love working with people on a range of issues related to depression, anxiety, and substance use, in addition to examining questions of identity and relationships with others. My belief is that our difficulties in life often arise from complicated thoughts and feelings that may contradict one another and leave a person feeling confused and overwhelmed. My job as a psychotherapist is to work with individuals to sort through this mix, like a puzzle, in order to gain a greater understanding of the dynamics at play, both internally and externally. It is through this growth in self-understanding that one gains greater agency over how they can respond to the world around and within them. Prior to becoming a psychologist, I grew up outside of Boston and then moved to New York City to study and pursue a career in acting. I attended New York University and received a BFA in theater arts. I spent many years working as an actor, but eventually grew weary of some of the demands and experienced a crisis of sorts in regard to my professional and personal identity. Through a process of self-examination, assisted by my own experience in therapy, I found a new direction that enabled me to hold onto some of the aspects of theater that I liked, while gaining a sense of purpose and service to others that had been lacking for me. For these reasons, I love working with artists and creative types, in addition to those who find themselves at a crossroads or unsure of where to take their next step in life.
Life is like a box of mahjong—you never know what you will draw next, but it is always better to have someone by your side to navigate life's possibilities and challenges. I enjoy working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and take a humanistic approach to my practice, honoring each person's unique story and strengths. If you are facing life transitions, anxiety, or stress, I am here to support you with care and understanding. Whether you are navigating the complexities of aging, caregiving, cultural identity, or adjusting to life as an immigrant, I offer culturally sensitive support tailored to your experiences. Fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin, I strive to create a safe and welcoming space for you to share your journey. You might feel overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure of what lies ahead, but I believe in your resilience and potential for growth. Together, we can explore ways to manage challenges, foster meaningful connections, and create a more balanced, fulfilling life. You do not have to face these transitions alone—I am here to walk with you every step of the way.
I offer expertise in long-term individual therapy, meeting with most of my patients weekly or more. I enjoy working with difficult issues including depression, anxiety, and trauma. These issues often have many manifestations like panic, procrastination and avoidance, low energy, low confidence, eating and sleep disturbances to name only a few. I work hard to offer a space where we can listen very carefully to what is contributing to these problems. My belief is that our problems point to something more than disorder and dysfunction; they point to something that is profoundly unique in each of us. I look forward to hearing from you to talk about how I can help.
My practice is dedicated to helping people develop their capacities for self-awareness, in order to overcome difficulties in their lives and to find greater fulfillment in relationships, work, and creative pursuits. My approach focuses on helping individuals gain insight into ways of relating to themselves and to others that lie outside of conscious awareness. Speaking with a uniquely attentive listener in a consistent, confidential setting helps to bring these aspects of experience into conscious awareness. With time, this process facilitates significant and meaningful change. I work with adults, adolescents, and children with a wide range of difficulties. I have expertise in working with talented individuals who find themselves stuck in unsatisfying patterns, and I have particular experience and interest in issues around creative inhibition and expression. I have experience working in outpatient, hospital, residential, school, community mental health, and day program settings, and have completed advanced clinical training in psychodynamic psychotherapy at Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School.
As a Harvard-trained adult psychiatrist, I am trained and experienced in various medication and therapy modalities, enabling me to tailor your care to suit your unique needs and aspirations. My approach revolves around embracing an ecological perspective, acknowledging the intricate interconnections we share within our communities and the natural world, recognizing their profound influence they have on mental health and well-being. Therapy expertise includes working with those navigating experiences as gender or sexual minorities, life transitions, interpersonal difficulties, and low self-esteem. In our work together, I am committed to fostering a nurturing environment that encourages you to freely explore and uncover your inner potential for growth. Taking this brave step towards personal development is significant, and I am here to provide a safe and supportive presence as your path unfolds.
Do you feel overwhelmed when facing life's obstacles? Have you tried to find ways to help yourself, but things have not improved, no matter what you do? Therapy can help you find new ways of dealing with life's challenges that have become too much to handle alone. Every person has a reservoir of strength inside. Through compassionate, supportive therapy, you can connect to your strengths to develop new ways of dealing with problems and complicated feelings, relationships, and transitions. I work with clients to understand the causes of their pain and difficulties. I offer different approaches to developing an effective strategy for internal and external struggles. I combine concrete skills for managing daily stressors with a process of self-understanding to achieve more profound long-term change. I am a licensed clinical social worker with extensive training in trauma-focused therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and internal family systems (IFS). I also use EMDR modality for some specific processing work. I have experience in providing therapy to people from diverse backgrounds - race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and more.
As a psychologist, writer and consultant, my favorite population to work with are college students and graduate students, often managing mental health issues, while navigating independence, relationships and larger life choices all at once. In fact, I recently finished writing a book, "College Mental Health 101" based on hundred of interviews and thousands of students I've worked with over the years whose voices are in the pages. Whether its adjustment to school and making career decisions, to identity or family of origin concerns, to depression, anxiety and other mental health issues, I love working with students to find ways to improve their life circumstance. I have an academic interest in mindfulness, neuroscience and communication, and teach on the faculty of Harvard Medical School and globally.
I specialize in substance use disorders and addiction but can help anyone looking to address their relationship with substances, even if you don't think your problem is serious. I also can help with other impulse or compulsive issues such as gaming or internet addiction disorders. I use a Harm Reduction approach, meaning I don't think abstinence from use is the right answer for everyone, and can help identify what skills you need to make the changes you'd like to make. I'm also a trained trauma therapist and have worked with a wide range of clients on addressing numerous types of trauma including combat-related and sexual traumas. My office is located in Harvard Square but I can also provide virtual session (over FaceTime or VSee) for appropriate clients.