Therapists for college students near Cambridge, MA
Life can feel like a roller coaster full of twists and turns. You may lose track of your goals and rely on unhealthy coping skills to help you, including over/under eating, excessive exercise, self-deprecation, doubt, isolation, irritability, over-thinking, increased impulsivity...the list goes on. During these times you may experience tough transitions ranging from the loss of a loved one, sudden change in career and/or relocation, acculturation challenges and/or traumatic experiences that result in confusion, pain and other emotions you may feel flooded with. I am here to help you process and make sense of your ride. For the last 12+ years I have helped my clients feel confident and self-assured. I use various talk and expressive therapy modalities, to assist others in unmasking the complex layers of their experiences and emotions to embrace their inner strength, leadership and uniqueness. I confidently feel that you deserve to be the best version of you at all times. Whether this be your first time in therapy or not I encourage you to take the leap and allow me to help you achieve your goals. I will be open to your needs and finding a flow that elicits the change you seek.
I work with college students who are navigating life’s challenges—whether it’s anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, identity questions, trauma, cultural adjustment, or substance use concerns. I provide therapy in English and Mandarin and bring a multicultural perspective and psychodynamic approach to create a warm, supportive space for exploration and growth. My goal is to help my clients feel seen, understood, and empowered to reconnect with themselves and others. With years of post-graduate training at the Massachusetts Institute for Psychoanalysis (MIP) and the Psychodynamic Institute of New England (PINE), I blend thoughtful insight with compassionate guidance. I see clients in person at my Watertown Square office and via telehealth. I am in-network with BCBS, will soon accept Harvard Pilgrim, and also welcome self-pay clients.
I believe therapy is a creative process. I encourage free association in sessions to promote new ways of thinking and a wider range of feelings. I have experience treating mild to severe mental health diagnoses and can adapt my approach to the needs of each individual. As a practicing psychotherapist and a doctoral intern in psychoanalysis, I have a special interest in the unconscious life of my patients. I am available in-person or via Telehealth.
Hi, I'm Brianna (she/hers)! I specialize in working with college students experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, chronic pain, and/or managing life transitions and relationship issues. Typical concerns can include adjusting to college, managing academic or athletic stress (including injuries), health anxiety including complex or chronic illnesses, and relationship stress, as examples. I work with individuals seeking to better understand themselves, develop healthier coping strategies and discover ways to improve their overall well-being, feel less anxious or stressed, and feel better in their day to day life. My approach is warm and collaborative to foster a trusting relationship. Using a blend of relational, attachment-based perspectives and skill building as needed, I help clients explore new ideas, challenge negative patterns or ways of thinking, and build resilience. You can expect me to share feedback, gently challenge ideas, and use humor in sessions. I'm also trained in Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), an evidence-based treatment for chronic pain, and provide this therapy as well. If you’re interested in exploring new ways to manage life's challenges, improve your well-being, and feel more resilient please feel free to reach out to set up a free consult call. I look forward to speaking with you!
Welcome, First of all, be sure to take a deep breath and know that whether you choose to work with me or someone else you will get through this process! Choosing a therapist is not an easy task. I look forward to setting up a time to speak with you after you review my clinical background and training. Most college students appreciate the sense of humor and warmth that I bring to our discussions. They feel connected and engaged with a real person who cares about them in a personal way. They also appreciate my ability to help them identify practical solutions to the academic and emotional issues that they voice in our meetings. My wide range of clinical experiences allow me to help my patients move through treatment with a sense of energy and a feeling that their strengths are both appreciated and enhanced throughout the treatment process. This close relationship allows them to open-up and identify a pathway forward in their life that is meaningful, clear, and solid. To provide you with some background I would note that I am a licensed psychologist who has worked with college students for years. I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, college transition stress, social skill challenges and anger management. I also help students who need specialized support in managing the organizational, writing, or academic demands of a college environment. I meet with students in individual, group, and family therapy sessions depending on the need. I also support students and their families in situations where they are stepping down from a stay in an in-patient hospital or are trying to avoid a hospitalization. My approach to treatment is holistic in that I use a range of time-tested treatment interventions to identify and address your needs in a personalized manner. I would be happy to answer any questions you have about my approach to treatment in our first phone contact. I maintain an academic appointment at Harvard Medical School and serve as a Clinical Associate at McLean Hospital, the medical school's largest teaching psychiatric hospital. I have supervised numerous psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists over the course of my career and as such I am the Director of Training in my group practice, and I am currently training five psychology graduate students. Please feel free to email me at Perna@hms.harvard.edu or call me at 617-431-1441 in order to answer your questions. Good luck with your journey! https://www.copernican.solutions/david-a-perna-phd.html
I respond to everyone who makes an inquiry. College and grad school can be incredibly stressful in the best of circumstances, and there is always something... extra. :) I see lots of students and have helped them find peace with social or academic pressure, present or past family problems and new or re-surfacing mental health issues. I am low-key and easy to talk to, with a dry sense of humor. I will quickly understand and help with the issue you want to address, not tell you what I think you should change. I want you to be able to talk about what really matters, feel understood and seen, and become the person you want to be. Over my 25 years in the field I have worked with a wide diversity of people. Not much surprises me, and I’m very nonjudgmental. I have worked to understand racism and oppression, and poverty, and violence, and am also aware I still have a lot to learn. My clinical social work education was in traditional psychodynamic therapy with a strong social justice awareness. I have worked in multicultural and multilingual settings most of my career. I have certificates in the treatment of trauma and also in psychoanalytic studies. I am now training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and like how non-judgmental it is. My approach is eclectic, and has evolved over the years to be flexible and practical, tuning in to what will be helpful and effective for you. I like to work with young adults, parents, and students, and here are some areas in which I’ve helped people: -Childhood experiences that bother people or create difficulties -Anxiety -Young adulthood/ leaving home adjustment -Immigrant/ first generation acculturation, and adjustment to college -Substance use questions or problems, including historical family issues -Relationships and sexuality, including non-traditional situations -Grief, even about secrets -LGBTQIA+ concerns and family issues -Workplace challenges -Parenting, adjustment to becoming a parent -Depression Our first couple meetings would focus on whether what I have to offer is a good fit for you. I can work in a solution-focused way for just a few meetings, or longer-term. I wish you the best!
Currently accepting new clients! Reach out to check availability for sessions. College and grad school are filled with growth, discovery, and new experiences—but they can also bring stress, uncertainty, and emotional challenges. If you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply not like yourself, know that you're not alone. You need a safe and compassionate space where you can bring your whole self. While honoring your strengths, needs, and values, our work might include understanding how stress and past experiences show up in your body and relationships, exploring healthier boundaries, or learning how to navigate difficult emotions without judgment. My approach is collaborative, practical, and tailored to you. We can identify the tools and skills you need to cope, grow, and heal—so you can reclaim your life. I believe you are capable of thriving in school and beyond, and I’d like to help.
My practice focuses on helping people get to know themselves better and learn to cope with difficult thoughts and feelings that get in their way of moving forward with what they want. Helping clients clarify what they value and learn new behaviors that help them build a meaningful life is a main goal of my approach . I have over twenty years of experience and love working with college students who are feeling depressed, anxious, have trouble fitting in, managing stress and transitions. Cross-cultural issues, grief, and parenting are also areas of particular focus in my practice. I am a native Spanish-speaker and provide services in Spanish as well as English.
I provide a safe, non-judgemental space for students to discuss and explore their college experience. I teach mindfulness, breathing and relaxation skills to decrease anxiety and depression and increase feelings of confidence, self worth and self esteem. As a registered yoga teacher, I also incorporate yoga skills/philosophy into my sessions. My therapy dog Yogi is also often a big hit, especially during the stressful period of finals and exams.
Contending with life's daily pressures can often make it difficult to feel confident in your ability to thrive - and not just barely survive. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship issues, or other concerns, therapy is a safe space where you can engage your existing coping skills and support systems while also discovering and implementing additional strategies and resources. I genuinely believe we have the resilience necessary to make meaningful, lasting changes in our lives. I employ an integrated, systemic approach to therapy and bring humility and cultural sensitivity to every interaction. I have specific experience and interest in working with pregnant and postpartum clients, and I incorporate important concepts such as coping with life transitions, communication, and boundary-setting in my work with every client. I offer supportive, affirming therapy empowering clients to achieve satisfaction in making the changes they seek. I also bring respect and compassion to the therapeutic alliance; my active and empathic listening helps clients feel validated/understood. My goal is to be your ally as we explore your innate strengths and foster your sense of self-affirmation.
I am a board certified psychiatrist, who specializes in working with young adults. I offer both online and in-person visits (in Brookline) to help accommodate busy college and graduate school schedules. I offer both psychotherapy and medication services. I strongly believe that almost everyone would benefit from spending one hour (of the 168 in a week!) focused on the big picture. There may be no situation where our decisions are more impactful than in our college and graduate school years. Through assessment and therapy, we can identity where we are, where we want to be, and what is standing in between. I dive deep with patients, helping to identify and address their obstacles and goals. This can range from wanting to improve relationships, to getting through a challenging semester, to coping with mental illness. I provide my undivided attention and care, as well as years of training and expertise, to help you utilize all the tools available to you. I am originally from South Florida and majored in English and Spanish at the University of Florida. I then completed my medical degree at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, followed by residency at Harvard Longwood (Brigham and Women's Hospital/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center). In addition to full time private practice I am also an instructor to resident physicians at Harvard Medical School. I am an out of network provider. I provide patients invoices which may be submitted to their insurance company for potential reimbursement. I am also a subscriber to Reimbursify, an app that can help patients manage reimbursements more easily.
Life pulls us in a lot of different directions, and it can be exhausting. Yet beneath this is a quiet invitation. An invitation to slow down. To reconnect. To breathe deeply and remember who you are. To let your feet find the ground again. And your heart find rest. It's not about fixing everything all at once. It’s about turning gently toward yourself, with curiosity and compassion, and asking: What do I need right now? What is my body telling me? What is my heart longing for? I'd love to help. I'm a licensed therapist specializing in working with young and early adults (18-39). I started my practice because I care deeply about helping people connect with who they are and what they want for their life. Together, we’ll help you nurture a healthy relationship with yourself, make sense of how the past has shaped you, and build a meaningful future. I offer individual therapy to clients across Massachusetts via Telehealth, with in-person sessions coming soon. If you’d like to learn more or schedule a free 30-minute consultation, just click the button—I’d love to connect with you!
Welcome! Working with a diverse population for many years widen my appreciation toward everyone I encounter in the therapy room. My new clients often ask me, “What is your approach or therapy model?” Learning from years valuable experience, I do not take a blueprint or “one-size-fits-all” approach for clients. Every client has an individualized curriculum. You may be feeling distressed, facing difficulties in your personal or professional relationships, contemplating a major life transition, or navigating a health crisis. No matter what challenge brings, I will help you in resolving conflicts and strengthening your relationships. I will explore your options in a collaborative way while taking into consideration the hopes, expectations, values, and preferences that are significant to you. Using clinical sophistication and expertise I incorporate humility, kindness, and passion to create a caring environment. My life experience encompasses living in the Eastern hemisphere and Western hemisphere; also working in East coast and West coast of the U.S. It enriches me to carefully examine things in different angles and not “boxing people in” with narrowly defined categories. I also provide supervision for all learning stages. I look forward to meeting you!
I love what I do after 29 years and have worked in a wide range of settings with a wide range of people. Building a strong rapport with clients is essential and I focus on putting you at ease by being attentive, warm, and validating. I practice as a therapist and a life coach. I have a great deal of experience working with young adults. They are my favorite people. I commonly treat depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, AD/HD and with those in early recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. I help people to manage trauma, loss, divorce of parents, difficulty with parents/siblings, boundary violations and more. I've also worked with athletes to improve athletic performance, with students to improve academic performance and with musicians, artists and actors to manage anxiety, stage fright and a range od phobias. Feel free to be in touch for a 15 minute consultation.
Whether this is your first time in therapy or you are returning to therapy, I'm so glad that you are considering making this choice. My approach to therapy focuses a large part on the relationship. It is important for me to get to know what is important to you, what your values are, and what might be causing you stress. Every person deserves an approach that is tailored to their unique set of strengths and challenges. I pull from a variety of therapy approaches and I find that my role in this process is most effective when we work collaboratively to explore the factors that are bringing you to therapy together.
I specialize in working with patients who struggle with mood disorders, safety concerns, college transition, learning challenges, social skill challenges, grief/separation, and anger challenges. I provide integrated, wrap-around MMT care for my clients, and their parents/caregivers, helping facilitate an understanding of their behavioral/learning challenges. As a social worker, my focus extends beyond individual therapy sessions—I actively facilitate communication and collaboration between multiple parties involved, ensuring the best support for my clients. My goal is to empower young individuals to overcome challenges, foster personal growth, and thrive academically and personally.
Please visit my website for practice information or give me a call/email
I am a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive training in, and experience providing, evidence-based treatment for adolescents, adults, and couples. I strive to create a warm, safe environment in which clients are encouraged to explore the connections between their internal experiences (thoughts, feelings, urges), external events, and behaviors. My approach is collaborative and aims to empower individuals to make mindful choices in service of their goals and values. I take an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approach, and I integrate other evidence-based treatments, such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I specialize in treating anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), perfectionism, and depression. I am grateful for the privilege of working so intimately with individuals and families. I look forward to meeting with you.
I support individuals of all genders and sexual orientations to feel more connected to themselves, partners, friends and community. I provide an open space to talk about issues related to gender identity and sexuality such as: Increasing self-acceptance, coming out/safety, LGBTQ family building and referral letters for gender affirming medical care.
Currently prioritizing new clients who are BIPOC-identified, ages 20+, and interested in in-person therapy (office on Mass Ave., in E. Arlington near Cambridge).