Therapists for college students near Cambridge, MA

My work is relationally based, and I additionally integrate the approaches of Somatic Experiencing (SE) and Internal Family Systems (IFS), which are both mind/body modalities. These approaches have been transformational for myself and many clients I have witnessed because they offer an orientation of radical openness and compassionate inquiry about all parts of your experience.

When people come to treatment with problems, it is important to remember that they are trying to cope with them in the best way they can. With that in mind, I offer a reflective and engaging partnership with my clients, working toward the goal of helping them to be autonomous, authentic and compassionate in a world that can be extremely stressful. Although my work is solidly grounded in psychodynamic, cognitive/learning, and systems theories, my approach is client-centered, practical and strengths-based. I bring honesty, warmth, and humor to the therapy relationship. I am LGBTQ affirmative and invested in doing cross-cultural therapy which is culturally sensitive. I have a dog, Bracket, who works with me, and I have been doing AAT since 2002. There is a growing body of research which suggests that AAT (Animal-Assisted Therapy) can be helpful with a range of diagnoses, including Depression, PTSD, and Autistic Spectrum. Many therapists know little about online games such as World of Warcraft and Second Life. They may dismiss it as unimportant, or assume it is a problem. I am a gamer-affirmative therapist, meaning I’m more interested in understanding your in-world experience and activity than pathologizing it.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

My approach to therapy is guided by the belief that healing and change occur in relation with others. I am committed to meeting people where they are, taking time to learn their unique needs and life experiences, and honoring their own self-knowledge. I strive to create a safe and contained space that fosters exploration and self-actualization. I draw from psychodynamic and relational therapies, while also integrating narrative therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). My style is warm, genuine, and collaborative, and I practice with a queer, feminist, and anti-oppressive lens. I work with adults of all ages to navigate a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, identity issues, life transitions, interpersonal struggles, grief, and loss. I specialize in working with complex and developmental trauma, relationships and attachment, and first-generation challenges and experiences. I have experience working in schools, colleges, and community mental health. My personal and professional experiences have informed my passion for working with individuals impacted by the carceral system. I also find joy in expanding and enriching the therapeutic experience through the use of music, theater, and other art forms.

I believe therapy is most meaningful when it feels deeply human, collaborative, and emotionally honest. Many of the people I work with are thoughtful, capable, and deeply insightful, yet still find themselves caught in recurring patterns of anxiety, self-criticism, overwhelm, or disconnection from themselves. My approach is grounded in relational, psychodynamic, and somatic perspectives, with attention to the ways past experiences continue to shape our emotions, relationships, and sense of self. Together, we explore not only what you are feeling, but the patterns and protections that may once have helped you cope. I view therapy as an active relationship — one where we can slow down, stay curious, and make space for parts of your experience that may feel difficult to name or understand. My style is warm, engaged, and collaborative, while also helping clients deepen insight and reconnect with themselves more fully. I often work with concerns related to anxiety, trauma, perfectionism, identity development, life transitions, and relationship difficulties. Above all, I strive to create a space where you feel genuinely seen — not rushed, judged, or dismissed. I believe meaningful and lasting change emerges through the safety of a real therapeutic relationship.

If you’ve been finding yourself stuck in old patterns that you cannot change, perhaps struggling with feelings of inadequacy or fear of failure, you’ve come to the right place.  The constant doubting and shaming of a strong inner critic can prevent us from entering new relationships, pursuing our interests and goals, and convince us that it’s not safe to allow anyone to get to know our true selves. Choosing to confront these themes in therapy takes courage and vulnerability, and represents the first step in a decision to prioritize your mental health. I will work with you to explore the themes that brought you to therapy, and develop the self-compassion to show up more authentically in your life.  My therapeutic style is compassionate, sometimes humorous, and client-led. I center my work around Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and the Internal Family Systems (IFS) approach, and I often pull from relational or psychodynamic modalities as well. I work with adolescents and adults of all backgrounds, and I specialize in working with those who identify as athletes or performers (musicians, actors, dancers, etc.) If you’re interested in starting therapy to address some of those old patterns or painful feelings, I hope you’ll take the time to consider if we would work well together.

Hello, I’m Ruolin Xie, an outpatient therapist at Orange Door Collaborative. Since earning my Master’s degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis in 2016, I have provided psychotherapy and clinical support to individuals and families of diverse ages and cultural backgrounds. My clinical specialties include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex trauma, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), grief and loss, LGBTQ+ concerns, interpersonal and relational challenges, parenting stress, and cultural adjustment issues. In my practice, I strive to create an affirming, empowering, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, strength-based, and client-centered therapeutic space. I dedicate myself to bringing both compassionate presence and active collaboration, offering skill-building where appropriate, while actively listening to each person’s unique experiences. My approach integrates neuroscience-informed methods with a holistic mind-body philosophy, allowing for tailored treatment plans that support both effective symptom relief and meaningful, long-term healing. I offer both short-term therapy for immediate needs and longer-term therapy for trauma recovery and self-exploration. I am trained in a range of evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). As a multilingual clinician, I offer therapy in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. A quote that continues to resonate with me is from Leonard Cohen: “There is a crack, a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in.” While I don’t seek to romanticize suffering — pain can be disorienting and deeply isolating—I believe that with skilled support, it is possible to uncover the human resilience, self-authenticity, and fierce self-compassion that emerge through healing. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to help you explore whether working together feels like the right fit. Please feel free to reach out by phone or email—I'd be honored to support you on your path.

About Me / Specialties I am a licensed psychologist specializing in treating adolescents and young adults with OCD, anxiety (including social anxiety, panic, phobias, and generalized anxiety), and related conditions such as body dysmorphic disorder, trichotillomania, tics, and excoriation disorder. I provide evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I see clients in-person in Cambridge, MA and virtually throughout Massachusetts and Texas. I also work with parents, offering coaching to help support their teen or young adult while reducing family accommodations. My goal is to create a compassionate, collaborative space where we take mental health seriously—but not ourselves too seriously. A little humor can go a long way in therapy! Treatment Approach I tailor treatment to each individual, often addressing co-occurring concerns like depression, eating issues, or trauma alongside anxiety or OCD. Using ERP, CBT, ACT, and DBT strategies, I help students manage symptoms, regulate emotions, and make meaningful, lasting changes—all in a supportive and approachable way. Training & Experience I earned my PhD from the University of Virginia, completed my clinical internship at Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Health Alliance, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for OCD and Related Disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, where I currently see therapy patients and conduct research on OCD spectrum disorders.

We go through life trying to figure out who we are and whether we can be accepted by family, co-workers, and friends. You learned strategies to show or hide certain parts of yourself to survive after experiencing hurt or rejection, pretending to be "okay" when others ask you how you are feeling to not burden them, but numb on the inside with anxiety or loneliness. Despite the desire to break out of the shell and be happy, life continues to be hard, especially when you look to others and seeing them being happy. And that is why you come to therapy: Because you want life to be meaningful and fulfilling! Therapy will not be simply talking, but a space where we will explore and mend parts of yourself that you love and parts that you avoid. The process may be challenging as I help you rediscover the things you have "swept under the rug" through questions and emotions, but also rewarding as you hopefully come to see yourself in a new light. I will provide a space for you to be you, whoever that may be so that you can look in the mirror and see yourself as deserving of love and happiness. Gamer? Great! Kinks? Awesome! Anime? That's my jam, too! If you are ready to take that courageous step again, please contact me for a 15-minute consultation on what you want in therapy and next steps.

I specialize in providing therapy to students who are experiencing life transitions and/or have been impacted by serious illness and/or chronic illness in their lives. Therapy is focused on helping you as you adjust, cope and navigate your unique situation by providing support and guidance. I utilize a variety of modalities including, Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfullness, Grief Therapy and others to tailor each session to your needs.

Hello, I specialize in supporting high achievers in academia, sport, and medicine. As a bi-cultural neuropsychologist, I can help navigating questions of identity / cultural adjustment for international and multicultural clients. I see clients in most States: CA, IA, MA, NH & all PsyPact States (see list here: https://psypact.org/mpage/psypactmap). Do you struggle with perfectionism? Are you at a transition point in your career and in search of guidance for your next steps? Despite your achievements, you can never fully relax and you feel like you just have to keep going? We will work together to help you find a sense of direction, so you can appreciate what you have accomplished, and enjoy building the life you truly want! For more information, I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation at 603-585-5047. -- Ph.D. #1 from the Sorbonne University, Paris, France Ph.D. #2 from Harvard University UCLA Clinical Faculty & Dartmouth Researcher All services provided in English & in French

Marisa Anderson is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has recently started work at Crooked Tree after many years of experience working with adolescents and adults in outpatient agencies within the Boston area. In her work with clients, Marisa incorporates both strength-based and cognitive behavioral therapies to help facilitate and support a better sense of self, healthy relationships, and stress management skills. Currently, Marisa also works as a school clinician at Beacon High School in Watertown. Marisa received her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University.

Calling all stressed-out, anxious Jewish college students! You’re figuring out who you are—while juggling exams, dating apps, and the gnawing feeling that the world is falling apart. Add in questions about your Jewish identity, complicated family dynamics, and maybe a roommate who thinks antisemitism ended in 1945—and it’s a lot. You don’t have to process it alone. Therapy can be a place to bring your spiraling thoughts, perfectionism, existential dread, and hope for the future. You deserve a life free from the constant grip of anxiety. My clients finish their sessions feeling more at peace, more centered, and less tense in their bodies. Through our work, they become less critical of themselves. They learn how to manage difficult emotions. They also feel a sense of belonging. You’ll learn how to set healthy boundaries and ask for what you need more easily. You can rediscover pleasure in intimacy with your partner and grow more confident in expressing your needs. Weekends will bring laughter again, and work will start to feel rewarding instead of draining. You’ll be able to focus on your goals and tackle that To-Do list without spiraling into panic or curling up on the couch. You can step into the present moment with calm, clarity, and confidence.

Current Daytime Openings for New Clients- Telehealth Have you been feeling stressed, overwhelmed, overall stuck, or experiencing difficulties with a transition? I would look forward to the opportunity to help. I am here to listen, support, and offer you tools. As a licensed clinical psychologist, I am committed to helping you improve your quality of life. My approach is compassionate, warm, and collaborative. I specialize in anxiety, phobias, panic, acute/chronic health conditions, adjustment to college difficulties, relationship difficulties, depression, tobacco cessation, and parent guidance. I specialize in working with adults of all ages (ages 18+). Sessions are tailored to each client's treatment goals. I utilize cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness, positive psychology, strength-based and acceptance and commitment techniques. Our sessions may include understanding the relationship between your thoughts, physical symptoms, coping responses, and emotions and implementation of tools that help you to feel better both in the short-term and long-term. Viewing clinician profiles can be overwhelming. I offer a free 15 minute phone consultation to answer any initial questions you may have and to assess if we feel I am a good fit. I offer therapy in English or Spanish, whichever is your preferred language. All clients representing a variety of sexual orientations, racial, or cultural backgrounds are welcome.

I have been a practicing psychologist, psychoanalyst, and teacher for many years, and I offer psychotherapy tailored to address the unique needs and goals of my individual clients. Many want to work on specific problems relating to anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or childhood trauma. Many are successful people, but find they struggle with one specific area, for example intimate relationships. Some are not sure what, exactly, is wrong, but know that they feel stuck in their lives and are looking for help identifying a path forward. My style is interactive, and I believe that successful psychotherapy depends upon a trusting and respectful relationship between the therapist and client. Psychodynamic understanding is fundamental to my thinking, but I incorporate CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and other skill building strategies when helpful. My practice is geared for individuals and couples who are graduate students or staff. For more detail: www.margaretsablove.com. I have developed a specialty in the treatment of eating disorders and collaborate with treatment programs and medical professionals. In addition I offer individual and group clinical supervision for mental health professionals. I have flexible office hours and use video conferencing when in-person meetings are difficult to schedule.

I am a culturally sensitive mental health counselor with long years of college teaching experience. I have been working with international students and immigrant families for 12 years in culturally diverse communities. My clients and colleagues describe me as a warm, intuitive, creative and culturally sensitive professional with a good sense of humor. I have been approaching my students and clients as storytellers and feeling fortunate to be part of their narratives. I love helping young adults to cope with social, emotional, psychological and academic issues and supporting them to gain control and feel happy within their lives.

We don’t like uncertainty. It is tempting to grasp for the certainty of “everything is doomed” or “everything will be ok.” But a part of us remains unconvinced. It is hard to face the truth: I don’t know what is coming, only that my experience will keep changing and eventually end. There are many aspects of our experience that are hard to face. We aren’t meant to do this alone. I partner with my clients to walk together into this wilderness. I offer a kind, curious, nonjudgmental attention, with the intent of helping my clients to sort through thoughts, judgements, reactions, behaviors, and felt experience, so they can learn to care more skillfully for the parts of their experience that are outside of their control and to take decisive action in the areas of their life where they have agency. Over time, this relational practice builds solidity. It loosens the tight grip on “everything is doomed” or “everything will be ok,” and opens up “it will keep changing, and eventually end, and I trust in my capacity to feel and care for my experience, no matter what comes.”

My approach to therapy is collaborative, positive and solution-focused, resilience approach, with a focus on overcoming negative experiences and beliefs through a combination of insight into your issues and practical strategies that will help dealing more effectively with issues in your life. I work with individuals who are experiencing anxiety, depression, dealing with life stressors. I specialize in working with people who have experienced various forms of trauma. Currently, I am a senior clinical staff at the University Counseling and Mental Health Service. I particularly enjoy working on issues related to social and cultural adjustment, diversity, intersectionality, and inclusion.

** Telehealth and In-Person appointments.** We all long for our experiences, feelings, and needs to be seen, recognized, and honored. I bring to our work deep respect for your concerns and suffering. I place the therapeutic relationship at the heart of our work together which I approach with curiosity and empathy. I am most interested in what your unique experience is, and I aim to listen deeply on our road toward understanding. A safe-enough space will help us to transform your patterns of experience that interfere with your ability to be compassionate with yourself, to build meaningful relationships, and to work and play creatively, in other words, to live a fulfilling life. I am humbled by the complexity of human existence and feel honored to work with individuals from different racial and cultural backgrounds, sexual and gender identities, as well as spiritual and religious affiliations. In addition to my private practice, I am an Instructor in Psychology at Harvard Medical School (part-time) and supervise psychology interns and psychiatrist fellows. I served as the co-chair of the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Society for Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychology Graduate Student Committee helping young clinicians explore and develop their professional identities.

Welcome! I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and psychotherapist. One of my areas of emphasis is counseling undergraduate and graduate students who are navigating the complexities of college life and balancing the demands that often accompany this time. It is common for these years to bring discovery and connection as well as stress, pressure and anxiety. In collaboration, we can work through what is challenging or making you feel stuck or avoidant. We can address mental health concerns that may be disrupting your path. We will look at your day-to-day functioning as well as the bigger picture of your life. I will support you in taking meaningful steps towards your goals. I have extensive specialized experience treating OCD, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and BFRBs. While in training, I also completed an internship at a college counseling center where I had the wonderful opportunity to counsel students entering healthcare professions. It can be helpful for potential clients to know ahead of time that I am "in- network" with Boston University Aetna Student Health specifically. If you have this insurance, your visits are covered and you are only responsible for your copay. In all other cases, I am "out-of network." I am happy to offer a superbill invoice you can submit to your insurance for partial or full reimbursement, if you have out-of-network benefits and are eligible for reimbursement. If you aren't sure whether you do, you can call the phone number on your insurance card to ask. I am licensed in MA and CT. I look forward to getting to know you!