Therapists for college students near Boston University
John Schatzel, LICSW - President/Clinical Director I approach all clients where they are and look to develop treatment goals around the concept of a life worth living. I have received my training from the Massachusetts Mental Health Center, a Harvard Medical School Training Facility, during the course of my clinical training. There I worked in conjunction with a multidisciplinary team to assess, collaborate, and treat clients needs. During my time spent at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center and, through other professional roles, I have been able to work with the following clinical populations: Major Mental Illness, Substance Abuse, Co-Occurring Disorders, Personality Disorders, Mood Disorders, Phobic Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Trauma, Eating Disorders, Problematic Sexual Behavior, and Disorders of Identity. As a result of my work with these populations I have received specialized training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) which are change oriented, evidence based approaches which are highly effective in regards to the treatment of Trauma and the change of problematic behaviors. These modalities both teach and reinforce coping skills across various domains including: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Interpersonal Effectiveness, and Emotional Regulation. In addition to working with clients directly, I have been involved in research, publications, licensing, and program development. I was a granted researcher for the publication Desistance from Sexual Offending: Narratives of Retirement, Regulation and Recovery (Palgrave Studies in Risk, Crime and Society) in addition to being a chapter editor for All About Anxiety: An Introductory Guide to Neuroscience, Assessment, and Intervention. Ruolin Xie, LICSW - Individual Therapist Ruolin is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with a Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) from Washington University in St. Louis. With years of experience working with culturally diverse populations at both the individual outpatient level and through In-home Therapy, Ruolin has developed expertise in supporting individuals and families to restabilize and recover from various mental and behavioral difficulties. She is currently practicing with Schatzel Counseling Group, PC. These include disorders such as depression and anxiety, PTSD, Developmental Trauma/Complex PTSD, ADHD, Grief, LGBT-related challenges, interpersonal struggles, relationship conflicts, parenting hardship, and Culture Adjustment. Ruolin practices a client-centered, trauma-informed, and integrative clinical philosophy to meet the individual needs of her clients She is proficient in evidence-based clinical models of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Motivational Interviewing, Emotion-focused Therapy (EFT), and Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction. As a multi-lingual practitioner, Ruolin speaks fluent English, Mandarin Chinese, and Cantonese. Ashlee Ludwig, LICSW - Individual Therapist Hi, I’m Ashlee Ludwig, LICSW. I hold a Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and bring a wealth of experience working with diverse populations. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of supporting individuals, families, and groups through various challenges, from mental health issues to life transitions and trauma. My approach is deeply rooted in empathy and respect for each person’s unique story and background. I strive to create a safe, collaborative space where we can work together towards meaningful change. With a combination of evidence-based practices and a genuine understanding of cultural and personal differences, I’m dedicated to helping you find your path to well-being. Populations: Age: 18+ Dx: Depression, Anxiety, Adjustment, SUD, OCD Jacquelyn Heavey, LICSW - Individual Therapist I am a licensed individual clinical social worker and school adjustment counselor with experience in school, medical, residential and community agency settings. I believe in building positive, respectful client-therapist relationships and providing a safe, supportive environment for clients to explore their therapeutic needs and goals. My approach is nonjudgmental, collaborative and gentle. I have over ten years of experience in the human services field, a background in expressive arts, and utilize aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy and Play Therapy in my practice. I am passionate about social-emotional growth and embracing individuality. Some of my areas of interest include Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, Prenatal and Postpartum health and social struggles. Jackie practices at our Topsfield, Ma location. Davida Raftery, LICSW - Individual Therapist My name is Davida Raftery, I am a LICSW therapist. I graduated and received my MSW degree from Columbia University. I have over 20 years of experience working in direct care, treating but not limited to anxiety, depression, obsessive thinking (OCD), stress management, grief, trauma (including parentification trauma) PTSD, life transitions and relationship issues. I have experience in working in both outpatient and inpatient settings. My treatment approach is based on treating symptoms for individual needs. I do in person therapy in our Topsfield office, easily accessible to clients in the North Shore area. Charles Kim, LMHC - Individual Therapist Life is difficult. Unless you are an old soul, choices surrounding identity, self worth and acceptance, relationships/finding connection, and career choice are often painful and confusing. Even in the best of circumstances and family support, we are left with well meaning advice and our own limited self-understanding to guide choices that will affect the next season of life. I have over a decade of experience in residential and college counseling settings helping clients to explore their past to understand the motivations and traumas that led then to where they are and what if anything they want to change going forward. Clinically, I work with clients seeking to treat their depression, anxiety, relationship/career issues, and other areas of distress. I use a client centered, humanist/existential style to explore current distress while integrating behavioral interventions (TF-CBT, DBT) and classic insight oriented exploration. I offer a safe space to look at oneself gently. I believe true spiritual/personal growth is demonstrated in learning how to treat ourselves the way we treat our friends and those we love. If you're looking for a space to grow that part of yourself or to begin treatment for a long ignored pain/injury, please reach out for a free 15 minute consultation. I wish you all the best. Katie Duggan, MS - Individual Therapist As a dedicated mental health clinician with a focus on children and young adults, I am passionate about helping individuals navigate the intricate interplay between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. With a foundation in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) complemented by person-centered and psychoanalytic approaches, I strive to create a safe and supportive space where clients can feel heard and understood. My therapeutic philosophy centers on the belief that therapy should be a collaborative journey, where individuals feel empowered to explore their innermost thoughts and emotions in a non-judgmental environment. I view therapy as an invaluable outlet for self-exploration and growth, guiding clients towards healthier ways of coping and living authentically. I am committed to fostering a therapeutic relationship built on trust, empathy, and respect, as I firmly believe that every individual deserves to feel validated and supported on their path towards healing and self-discovery. Deanna Maher, LCSW - Individual Therapist Deanna earned her MSW from Bridgewater State University and undergraduate degree in psychology from Boston University. Having worked in a variety of settings including partial hospitalization programs, corrections, and crisis response, she has experience in supporting adults with a diverse range of needs including anxiety, trauma, mood disorders, and substance use. Deanna uses a trauma-informed approach with empathy and compassion to assist individuals in deepening understanding of their experiences and learning tools to enact change. Deanna uses a range of interventions best suited for each individual, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and solution-focused treatments to assist clients. Populations: Adults (anyone 18+) and especially enjoy working with young adults. In terms of presenting issues/diagnoses I am most interested in symptoms related to trauma or anxiety. I also have experience with mood disorders and substance use disorders as well. Catelin McCarriston, LCSW - Individual Therapist Catelin McCarriston is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She holds a B.S. in Psychology, B.A. in Philosophy, and a Masters in Social Work from Simmons University. As a school social worker in the Greater Boston area, she provided one-on-one counseling for students and conducted groups around mindfulness and stress reduction as well as intersectionality and belonging with LGBTQ+ youth. Catelin also worked with The Home for Little Wanderers as a child and family therapist. She is currently the Director of Programming and Training at Minding Your Mind, a mental health education and suicide prevention non-profit. Catelin uses a strength-based perspective and trauma-informed lens to meet clients where they are, utilizing models of CBT, DBT, IFS, and Narrative Therapy. She is passionate about working with LGBTQ+ folks and those struggling with identity, life transitions, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Lexi Galuska, LCSW - Individual Therapist Lexi is a licensed certified social worker (LCSW) with a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Boston College. Experienced with youth, adolescent, and young adult populations, Lexi specializes in addressing a range of mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, adjustment concerns, and relationship issues. She has experience treating co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders, honed through practice in intensive outpatient and residential treatment centers. Lexi is deeply committed to offering compassionate, person-centered care, ensuring each client receives tailored treatment aligned with their unique needs and circumstances. Utilizing evidence-based modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and solutions-focused approaches, Lexi empowers her clients to achieve meaningful change and build resilience in their lives. With her warmth, expertise, and unwavering dedication, she guides individuals on their journey towards healing and personal growth.
Granite Pond Counseling and Behavioral Health is a group of clinicians offering assistance to those who wish to address their mental health issues in a supportive and encouraging atmosphere. Our therapists bring many years of experience and professional training to offer treatment based on the most current research and supported techniques. They partner with the clients to explore the challenges around interpersonal relationships, behavioral problems, sexual identity, spirituality, trauma, grief and many other aspects of daily life. Granite Pond also offers on-site counseling for student, faculty and employee groups sharing the same concerns and experiences. Our professionally trained and licensed therapists will meet with them and all will be given the opportunity to discuss their issues and concerns together.
I am a licensed mental health counselor with professional experience supporting adolescents, young adults, and the aging adult population. My clinical specialties are in mood disorders (such as Depression) anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, cultural identity issues, women conflict, and interpersonal conflict. As your counselor, I will support you in identifying your reasons for seeking therapy services through open discussions, reflective listening and clarifying questions. I will help you navigate through the stressors, triggers, or conflicts that impact personal growth and development while assisting you in practicing effective coping techniques/methods. The initial sessions focus on building rapport with me whereas the following session will consist of more in-depth conversation. You are the narrator of your story, therefore, you get to dictate your own path to progress/recovery. So please reach out and be brave enough to start a conversation.
I believe that full recovery from eating disorders is possible. I also believe that everyone deserves to have a relationship with food that feels truly joyful and nourishing. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, or if you feel stuck in a restrictive diet cycle and would like to heal your relationship with food, I am here to help.
My passion is working with people who are beginning to realize they feel exhausted and overwhelmed, and think it may be because of patterns of people-pleasing and perfectionism. They are beginning to realize that their drive to be high-achieving might be fueled by low self-esteem. They are performing well in many aspects of life, but they still don’t feel good enough. I also have a passion for working with adult children of emotionally dysfunctional families, who realize that current relationship stress may stem from the stressful family environment they grew up in.
I graduated from UMass Medical school and was trained in adult psychiatry at Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital. Prior to going to medical school I received a Masters in Teaching from Boston University and worked as a teacher. This unique background affects my approach to psychiatry. I believe that a good psychiatrist should work with you to help you learn about yourself and your mental health. I am trained in a variety of therapeutic styles including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), psychodynamic therapy, supportive therapy, and Gottman style couples/relationship therapy. During my time at CHA I worked extensively with the Gender and Sexuality Clinic to serve patients of diverse sexual and gender identities. I also co-lead a group therapy for individuals in polyamorous and non-monogamous relationships. I have taught at the American Psychiatric Association’s specialized rotation for HIV Psychiatry, including lectures on how to provide effective telepsychiatry, and I have presented at a national meeting on teaching providers how to better work with patients to prescribe medications. I am a licensed physician in Massachusetts, New York, and California. I offer in person appointments in Somerville, MA as well as secure telehealth appointments to those residing in Massachusetts, New York, and California. In addition to medication management I offer individual and relationship/couples therapy.
I believe that your own creative process is the arena for greater self-awareness. I am transparent and authentic in my responses and find this to be the cornerstone of my practice. I currently provide individual and group therapy. My work is rooted in body centered psychotherapy, bridging support networks specifically between clients and families, building skills for greater coping and supporting individuals on their journey towards personal growth. My areas of expertise include: Anxiety and Depression; Substance mis-use; trauma; grief/loss; transition and stage of life changes and Identity formation. Skills I employ to support clients are mindfulness and meditation; resiliency/strengths-based approaches, DBT Skills building, Person Centered Approaches, ACT and Dance/Movement Therapy. I approach my work through a feminist centered lens and support individuals in developing strategies to think critically about their behavior patterns. I will support you in fostering a sense of personal empowerment through our work together. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you.
Located in Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Boston, and Newton, MA, Life Changes Group is Greater Boston’s premier behavioral healthcare practice with a broad range of centralized and personalized therapeutic services. We are a comprehensive counseling and consulting group dedicated to providing the highest standard of psychological care for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. Our friendly and experienced team of doctors offers evidence-based practices for the treatment of psychiatric illness, and group psychotherapy. Our team focuses on the integration of treatment, education, collaboration, and partnership to help individuals, couples, and families reach their goals and improve the quality of their lives. We recognize the importance of developing an approach that works for you and your specific needs.
Often, a significant source of suffering lies in thoughts and feelings that exist outside of our awareness and have not yet been able to find full expression. Psychotherapy offers the unusual opportunity to be listened to deeply and to learn to listen to ourselves in new ways. Exploring and developing insight into your inner life can lead to change—feeling better about yourself, shifting seemingly intractable patterns that have kept you stuck, and developing a greater sense of agency and fulfillment in your life. My practice provides a safe setting in which this exploration can unfold. I'll work collaboratively with you to help you make sense of distressing feelings and thoughts, gain insight into your experiences, and develop a more authentic relationship to yourself and to the world. I have advanced training in psychodynamic psychotherapy, and my work is influenced by psychoanalytic and trauma-informed approaches. I see adults and specialize in a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, complex trauma, and relationship difficulties. You can read more about my practice on Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/795370
I provide individual therapy in a confidential setting, and listen carefully to your concerns without judgement. In therapy, we will collaborate to help you better understand your patterns, and build skills and resilience for navigating the college experience with more ease and confidence. As you explore options for therapy, you are welcome to reach out with any questions, and/or to schedule an initial consultation. I would be happy to talk with you and see if my practice is a fit for your needs.
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.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
I am a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, providing care to patients throughout the life-span, with a concentration and interest in children and adolescents. I received her Bachelor of Science in Human Services at Northeastern University and later received both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing at Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions. As a nurse practitioner, my goals are to provide individualized, multimodal care to each of my patients using a combination of psychopharmacology and therapeutic interventions. I have a special interest and experience in treating mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, trauma related disorders, eating disorders and psychotic disorders.
“I don’t want to feel like this any longer.” Or “I just want to feel better about myself and my life.” Many of my clients will say something like this. They feel stuck. Anxieties, sadness, pain and the fears of not being good enough only grow. They can point to many good things in their lives but somehow feeling fulfilled and happier isn’t happening. Feeling ashamed to admit even to themselves or others about how hard things are while self-doubt is settling in. Perfectionism, self-criticism and imposter syndrome can tear you down inside even if no one else knows it. Work, school and relationships require energy that is harder to find. The need to present well can be exhausting and at times even destructive. You may try to remind yourself to feel grateful or more positive but sometimes even that reinforces a feeling of shame that your life feels so difficult. The idea of showing up for yourself starts to feel impossible; connecting with friends, family or a partner feels difficult or simply out of reach. Sadness can show up as anger or withdrawing from activities you once enjoyed and withdrawing from people who care about you. As the need to numb yourself grows, alcohol or other addictive patterns may increase. Anxiety, sadness, shame, medical or physical trauma, perinatal challenges, perfectionism and self-criticism, bullying or pain from childhood and family issues, relationship patterns you want to change, sports performance injuries or difficulties, negative thoughts and feelings about yourself and low self-esteem can all have origins in trauma. Trauma may not be the word that is used. Sometimes we think traumatic experiences must be extremely dramatic but actually trauma is experienced by all of us at different times in our lives. Trauma is really anything in our past that is difficult to think about or feel, draining us emotionally. Having a stronger sense of yourself will allow you to respond to challenges with more freedom, as well as direct your life with goals and purpose. If you want to let go of stuff from your past but aren’t sure of how to move forward, I can help.
I believe personal growth and healing can come from a strong therapeutic alliance. Change and recovery are possible. I promise to provide a trusting, open environment where you will feel seen, understood, and accepted as you are. My approach is genuine, creative, and curious. I strive to help you recognize beliefs that are holding you back, more effectively face struggles in your life, and learn skills to develop healthier relationships and a more meaningful life. In the end, the larger goal is to make you a better ally to yourself. Over the years, I’ve worked primarily with adults and adolescents with depression, anxiety, and trauma and have extensive experience working with identity issues and major life transitions. My clients have experienced challenges with their friendships and family relationships, gender and sexual identity, schooling and careers, parenting and caregiving, and illness and loss. I draw on diverse therapeutic approaches including mindfulness, family systems theory, Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and DBT. It takes great courage to face what Yeats described as the “dark corners” of one’s soul. I welcome the opportunity to meet you and support your exploration and self-discovery.
Family Counseling Associates’ clinicians provide experienced and compassionate psychological services. We offer a wide range of mental health services. We have offices in Bedford NH, Exeter NH, Andover MA, Beverly MA, Danvers MA and Burlington MA. Reach out today to learn more!
At Transcendence Counseling, we are a team of two trauma-informed clinicians dedicated to serving gender-diverse individuals and women's mental health. One of us identifies as BIPOC, and the other as gender-diverse—bringing lived experience, cultural awareness, and a deep commitment to inclusive, affirming care. Together, we create a safe and empowering space where clients can explore, heal, and thrive.
Looking forward to helping you achieve mental health by maximizing your strengths. I take a holistic approach to care that incorporates therapy with thoughtful medication management. Each individual's journey is unique, as is the way in which we process our environment(internal & external). I look forward to partnering with you. Treatment is a wellness journey, with an aim to enhance motivation and achieve clear goals. I am a firm believer in a multidimensional approach to care in order to achieve sustained wellness. My framework incorporates the understanding that we may all experience periods where life management skills alone are not enough and medication augmentation or intervention may be useful in achieving balance and wellness. I am a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Through direct care experience, my knowledge, motivation and passion for assisting people seeking wellness, has grown exponentially. My experience includes PMHNP Residency training in the VA Boston Healthcare System as well as inpatient Nursing Director at BIDMC.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.