Therapists for college students near Cambridge, MA
Welcome! As a therapist, I strive to provide a safe space for clients to feel empowered, valued and respected while they engage in therapeutic exploration and reflection. I approach therapy with a person-centered and strengths-based lens, meaning regardless of age, I meet you where you are at in your therapy journey with compassion, authenticity and humor. I am dedicated to supporting you in your most vulnerable and challenging times while celebrating your inherent resiliency as well.
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.
Therapy is a healing tool that can bring us closer to understanding our cognitive and behavioral reactions to the world around us. Addressing issues in a safe, therapeutic relationship can help us to understand, change and adapt to new thoughts and behavior patterns, confront past issues with compassion and kindness toward ourselves and others. Please feel free to call or email me with any questions. I have over 20 years of experience helping people manage crises, navigate life transitions, and finding a deeper connection to themselves and those they care about. I provide individual and couples therapy to adults. My areas of specialty include concerns related to relationships, attachment, trauma/PTSD, dissociation, mood & anxiety disorders, self-esteem, eating issues, parenting and college counseling. I also work with clients who would like to use psychotherapy to improve their general quality of life. My clients describe me as genuine, active, flexible and attentive to their needs. I enjoy my work tremendously and consider it an honor to support and assist my clients via psychotherapy.
As a somatic trauma therapist, I specialize in supporting individuals affected by complex childhood and developmental trauma. My approach focuses on helping you tune into the mind-body connection as a pathway to healing and building a stronger connection with yourself. Our work together will be a collaborative effort. We will focus on addressing areas of pain while nurturing your inner strength and resilience. My commitment is to be fully present, creating a supportive environment that allows for personal growth and healing.
I use psychotherapy and medications to help people with stress-related conditions. I am interested in not only alleviating symptoms but helping my clients understand the underlying causes that bring them into treatment. If we are able to connect in a way that you feel understood and I can see the world as if in your shoes, then progress has begun. As a prescriber, I try to consider all the concerns expressed by my clients and come up with a plan that feels safe and right. I provide a detailed assessment and really try to include my clients in the decision-making process. As a therapist, I try to create a safe place for my clients to explore their thoughts and express their feelings. I am interested in seeing and understanding the world and especially relationships from my client's point of view. As a relational therapist, I try to help my client communicate more effectively and participate more deeply in relationships. I am trained in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapies and work relationally with clients. I am also trained in mentalization-based (MBT), transference-focused (TFP), accelerated dynamic experiential psychotherapy (AEDP), and intensive short term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTP). Patients must be in therapy to be seen by me, either with an outside therapist or internally. Any new patient requests must use "scheduling@thoughtfulpsychiatry.com" for outreach.
I specialize in working with adults, children, and families who have been impacted by trauma. I have experience in helping clients who struggle with depression, anxiety, dissociation, relationship difficulties, emotional and behavioral dysregulation, and other issues that often result from adverse experiences and traumatic stress. I practice a collaborative approach which honors my clients’ lived experience and allows their needs and our understanding of the challenges they face to shape the specific approaches we use in our work together. I use an integrative style which blends skills-based, relational, and trauma-focused interventions. I see goodness-of-fit as central to the treatment process, and I believe an authentic and trusting relationship is essential to effective therapy. I strive to bring cultural humility to my work, and offer honesty, warmth, humor and compassion to foster the safe environment needed to allow my clients to achieve true growth, healing and transformation. I am fluent in English and Haitian Creole.
I hold an enduring belief in the innate capacity of individuals to grow, heal, and transform. At times, we all lose sight of our core selves and may need help returning back to our true, unburdened nature. In our sessions, I work to create a safe environment where you will develop insight, strengthen inner resources, and increase self-compassion. My work is deeply relational and grounded in the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model. Through collaboration, we will design a therapy that best suits your needs - bringing warmth, curiosity, and respect into the therapeutic space. My practice centers on helping individuals and couples, with a focus on complex trauma, anxiety, and depression. I also work well with those experiencing challenges with relationships, gender and sexuality, body image, creative blocks and addictions. No matter where you are starting from, our work together will always deepen your connection to yourself. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is the largest factor in facilitating change, so I understand the importance of finding the right fit. I look forward to meeting you and exploring how we can work together to help you lead a more satisfying and meaningful life. Email is preferred for initial contact
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.
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.
I work with teens, college students, and young adults hoping to better manage life's difficulties and troubles with emotion regulation, unhelpful thoughts, and problematic relationships. Ultimately, I believe that people in treatment want to change and feel more fulfilled at school or work, in relationships, and with their sense of personal growth. Psychodynamic psychotherapy emphasizes that we will work on these issues together within a safe and supportive relationship. We can collaborate on your goals as we explore new perspectives, new meanings, and new ways of thinking about and coping with your overwhelming life stress. As a psychiatrist, I also prescribe medication when appropriate. I invite you to reach out and see if we would be a good fit for starting this work.
With a warm, down-to-earth, supportive, and engaged style, I offer treatment for a wide range of issues such as: Depression Anxiety OCD Relationship difficulties Life transitions Grief and loss Academic and career concerns Creative blocks As an integrative therapist, my approach is customized to what works best for you. While I draw from a wide variety of treatment approaches, principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), humanistic therapy, and psychodynamic therapy will frequently inform the work we do together. We will always prioritize your needs over adherence to any specific treatment approach or theory.
Thank you for considering working with me. I do both therapy and/or medication management. My approach is a team approach where I work collaboratively with you. Even if you have a therapist and need someone for just medication management, I like to get to know you as a whole. I try to avoid making students feel labeled and pressured to start a medication. I strive to make a welcoming environment for all students with diverse backgrounds, including LGBTQ students. My private practice is mainly undergraduate and graduate students along with young adults recently in the workforce.
I am located right in Harvard Square in an old Victorian house on Mt. Auburn st. I have daytime hours, early evening hours and I am in the office on Saturdays. My approach is psychodynamic. This basically means I will be an active participant in the healing relationship. We will look at all areas of life and how things from the past may be interfering with the present. I will always call you within 24 hours or less. I have traveled extensively in my life and so I welcome students from the international community as well as local students. I am a native Bostonian! I welcome undergraduates as well as graduate students.
**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.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Focus on anxiety, self-esteem, multicultural/diversity concerns, adjusting to college, life transitions, depression, sexual orientation/questioning, emotional well-being, men's issues, communication, interpersonal relationships, stress management, trauma informed, interactive and collaborative therapeutic approach.
“If we decide to build a therapeutic relationship together - I view my role as your therapist as someone who is there to support you and empower you along your healing journey. I am happy to offer up what I have learned through my education, specialized clinical training, and professional experience over the years in whatever way feels most helpful for you.” Fari has experience with working with people who are dealing with depression, anxiety (generalized or social), heightened trauma symptoms, or those who just need some support with dealing with tough life transitions. Fari is in the process of being trained as a trauma sensitive yoga (TC-TSY) facilitator, as well as becoming an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) trained therapist. If these are modalities you are interested in, he is happy to discuss how these evidence-based treatments could be used in your therapy sessions. Fari Shakur (he/him) identifies as a queer, South Asian, transgender man. He received his Master’s of Social Work from Salem State University with a focus on integrated health and behavioral health. Fari highly values providing trauma-informed, sex-positive, gender affirming care that centers his clients as the experts of their own experiences. Clinical Specialties: Complex Trauma, PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Life transitions, LGBTQ+, Intimate Partner Abuse, Gender Affirming Surgery Letters Fari can work with United Healthcare Student Resources and Blue Cross Blue Shield insurances, as well as accept private pay clients. Send him an email at: Fari@deepdivecounseling.net
As a therapist, I aim to be as authentic, supportive, and direct as possible; helping you to work on the obstacles standing in the way of reaching your goals. Sometimes this simply means experiencing an accepting and validating environment otherwise unavailable. Alternatively, this may consist of having an emotionally safe space to communicate with your partner or family. My approach depends on your goals for our work together and what degree of challenge you feel ready for. Conflict or connection, I am here to support you. Feedback I've received from clients typically includes comments along the lines of, "You aren't the type of therapist who just sits back and listens for an hour, but who gets me to consider things I hadn't thought of, helped me to figure myself out- what I really want, need, and how to deal". I truly enjoy helping my clients to gain a better understanding of themselves, identifying and building their strengths, and supporting them through difficult times. You may perceive an upsetting event as a minute issue or a monstrous crisis based on how others view it. My perspective however, rests on the impact and significance an experience holds for you. Life is challenging, especially when you are attempting to juggle school, work, relationships and unexpected life events. Reach out. A simple talk will help you determine if I can be of support.
Therapy can be a wonderful way to deepen your understanding of the ways in which you view yourself and your experiences. Having a meaningful life with purpose and promise is something we all strive for. As your therapist I will support you in developing goals and strategies that help you attain the things you want and form a more compassionate, loving view of yourself. I utilize a collaborative approach that is individually tailored to honor the complexity that each person brings to the counseling relationship. We will work to examine core beliefs you have about yourself and how these affect your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Additionally I have seen the benefits in utilizing mindfulness based therapeutic approaches to help develop awareness and acceptance of our life circumstances. Setbacks happen. When they do, how do you use this information? We choose to view adverse experience as a way to help us move forward more positively or as confirmation that things never seem to work out for us. This is an example of a perceptual shift we might work on. Everything that happens within the counseling relationship is on your terms as the Client. I will always honor your wisdom and help you tap into a decision making process that aligns with your core values. Please contact me for a free consultation to discuss your mental health needs and to determine if we are a good fit. During these stressful and uncertain times, therapy can be a much needed support. I treat individuals 18 and up.