Therapists for college students near Boston College
Life has a way of surprising us — a loss, a betrayal, a diagnosis, or a path that no longer feels right. In these moments, it’s easy to feel unsteady or unsure how to move forward. I specialize in working with college students and young adults who are navigating these turning points and trying to find their footing again. With over 15 years of experience in counseling settings at Harvard and MIT, I offer a warm, supportive space where you can slow down, reflect, and feel understood. My approach is both insight-oriented and practical — helping you make sense of your experiences while building tools for meaningful change. Many of my clients are high-achieving individuals — often children of immigrants, or professionals in higher education and STEM — who appear put-together on the outside while quietly carrying stress, grief, or a sense that something isn’t quite working. If that sounds like you, I can help. Let's get started!
CLINICAL CARE AND SUPPORT FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY Out at Home provides outpatient therapeutic support services for LGBTQ+ folks, their families, couples and caregivers. The program is operated in coordination with Waltham House, The Home’s residential group home for LGBTQ+ youth. Out at Home uses Waltham House’s 20+ years of expertise in therapeutic and clinical services to support LGBTQ+ folks and their families in an outpatient setting. Out at Home was created with the goal of providing LGBTQ+ competent clinical care, with a strong emphasis on keeping youth within their home environments and communities by offering comprehensive, specialized services and resources that educate, support, strengthen and empower. Our clinicians offer innovative, ever-evolving programming, whether providing in-person or virtual clinical care, leading confidence and community-building group sessions, or counseling LGBTQ+ students in Greater Boston schools or colleges. SERVICES WE OFFER Individual therapy sessions for LGBTQ+ folks with licensed and master's level clinicians Family therapy, group therapy and couples counseling with licensed and master's level clinicians Life skills support and community resource connections Trauma-informed therapeutic approaches Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Gender Affirming Surgery Letters Professional development, training and consultation services to outside agencies and professionals.
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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.
Trying to hold it together in college can be exhausting. If anxiety is constant, your focus is shot, your mood feels unpredictable, or you’re wondering why everything feels harder than it should — this is where we come in. We’re a small psychiatric practice with two experienced nurse practitioners who specialize in medication management for students. We take the time to understand what’s going on, explain things in plain language, and create a plan that fits your life — not just your symptoms. You deserve support that feels thoughtful, not rushed.
Join me in a collaborative focus on your mental health, designed to build resilience, improve the quality of life, and increase self-acceptance. I work with adults and young adults in individual psychotherapy on a short or long-term basis. I have a background in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance Commitment Therapy. I treat a range of presenting concerns, including relationship stress, life transitions, depression, anxiety, and trauma. I have experience in college mental health, early intervention in mental illness, and family therapy. I have a special interest in issues of diversity and inclusion, and exploring an individual’s unique relationship to a variety of their own personal intersecting identities.
CampusCare Counseling is a group practice exclusively serving college students. Our clinicians have extensive experience in working with undergraduate and graduate students. We provide services that are informed by research on college mental health, developmental characteristics and needs of emerging adulthood (ages 18-29), trauma-informed approach, and sociocultural issues in mental health. We assist our clients by providing individual therapy, group therapy, and career services. We accept Student Health Insurance of Tufts University and Boston College.
I believe that my clients would say that my style of relating is supportive, compassionately challenging and fosters understanding and healing. I strive to create a safe and supportive environment where we focus on process, growth and self-awareness. I work with adults and adolescents on issues related to healing trauma, family dynamics, relational issues, sexual health and wellbeing, stressors due to major life changes and navigating life’s array of challenges and general feelings of, “I’m just not feeling like myself lately.”
Are you looking to find relief from your daily struggles? A nurturing therapeutic relationship can help you uncover the self-love, acceptance, and resilience needed to grow and change. With deep respect for your uniqueness and wisdom, this relationship can inspire and act as the catalyst for progress. My work with clients focuses on cultivating emotional intelligence and fostering a deeper understanding of underlying experiences and core beliefs. I work with young adults and adults who are navigating the complexities of ADHD, anxiety, depression, life transitions, and the unique nuances of women’s health. As a holistic therapist, I draw from expressive arts therapy, somatic experiencing, parts work, and guided meditation. This integrative style allows us to move beyond talk therapy, tapping into your subconscious and creativity as powerful tools for transformation. I offer concrete and easily applicable methods for healing and connection. I am passionate about self-discovery and helping you to be the most authentic and aligned version of yourself. My practice is LGBTQ+ affirming and inclusive of all backgrounds. Together, we’ll create a path forward that honors who you are and where you want to go. I invite you to connect and take the first steps towards a more joyful experience of life.
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 work at CampusCare Counseling. I am trauma-informed in my approach. This means I work with clients to build trust, taking into consideration personal and socio-cultural factors, with the goal of forming a therapeutic relationship that empowers clients and allows their authentic selves to be in the therapy space. I believe growth, as defined by the client, happens from there. When clinically indicated, I pull from my experience and training with trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and EMDR. Additionally, I use psychodynamic, existential, and feminist perspectives to inform my work.
If you've been feeling emotionally overwhelmed and it's affecting your sleep, work, or relationships, today is a good day to prioritize your well-being! I offer telehealth sessions throughout Massachusetts and Virginia, and in person walk-and-talk sessions in Charlottesville, VA. I specialize in helping young adults manage stress, anxiety, feelings of isolation, depression, or of not feeling good enough that can accompany being a college student in an academically rigorous environment. If your previous ways of dealing with challenges are not working, you find yourself drinking more than you used to, not sleeping well, or not feeling able to connect with your friends and family, this is a good time to get additional support. I take an active role in helping you sort out the best way to approach your challenges and teach you the foundations of mental health so you get back on track. Together we will explore the connection between how you live and how you feel, and identify the areas that feel out of balance. I take a comprehensive holistic approach to wellness because, for the people I work with, traditional talk therapy is often not enough. Our mental health is impacted by our environment, sleep, physical activity, what we eat, relationships, beliefs, thoughts, and behaviors–and I believe our mental health care should include these elements as components of the whole system. Evidence-based tools we may incorporate include meditation and somatic mind-body practices, techniques to work with thought patterns, interpersonal skills, and lifestyle interventions. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to discuss if we are a good fit to help you achieve your goals!
Accepting new patients” We have extensive training and experience in treating a wide array of psychiatric disorders. We have double board certified psychiatrist with board certifications in Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatry. The foundation for the right treatment starts with an accurate diagnosis. We are passionate about helping both children and adults who are struggling with life's challenges. We provide a welcoming, empathic and non judgmental environment for treatment. We often combine the psychopharmacology with psychotherapy to optimize treatment and provide symptom relief We offer comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, individual medication consultations, and second opinions about current medications regimes. We are accepting new patients and serve greater Boston area including Lexington, Concord, Burlington, Lincoln, Arlington, Medford, Westford, Lowell, Chelmsford, Billerica, Wilmington and beyond.
If you've spent years pushing yourself to "just try harder"/"finally get it together," yet you’re still feeling overwhelmed, chronically behind, and like it’s never enough — you’re in the right place. You’re familiar with the exhausting cycle of being a perfectionistic people-pleaser, caught in overthinking and self-criticism. Others see you as accomplished; you feel one misstep away from revealing how scattered things actually are. You’re not looking for a passive listener or generic advice. You want someone who will truly see and accept you, compassionately challenge you, and help you stop chasing approval and start finding peace. I'm a doctorally-trained, board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner offering medication management (in Eng/Mandarin) and psychotherapy (in Eng). I specialize in ADHD, insomnia, women's mental health, and Asian American/first-generation experiences. My approach integrates evidence-based medicine with a holistic focus on aligning mind, body, and purpose. If you're seeking someone who takes the time to see the full picture, treats you as a whole person rather than a checklist of symptoms, and has both the clinical expertise and lived experience to truly understand where you're coming from — I warmly welcome you to reach out and see if we'd be a good fit.
I am a licensed psychologist specializing in cognitive-behavioral therapy/exposure and response prevention for OCD and anxiety-related disorders and Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD. I am also experienced in treating commonly co-occurring conditions such as depression and skin-picking/hair-pulling. I am licensed in Massachusetts (PSY5000130), Connecticut (4467), and New Hampshire (7136), and Florida (TPPY2828; https://flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/). I completed my predoctoral internship (CBT Track) and postdoctoral fellowship at the Anxiety Disorders Center at the Institute of Living in Hartford, CT, a renowned site for the treatment of OCD and anxiety-related disorders.
Empowered psychiatry wants to provide a space of inclusivity and comfort where you will receive care in an affirming and empowering approach. In addressing your mental health, we will be addressing what may ail you, but we will also be exploring what optimal functioning and well-being look like for you. Our goal is to help you achieve your defined best.
My approach to therapy is highly warm and collaborative. I tailor evidence-based interventions (CBT, DBT, ACT-informed) that align with my patients expressed personal goals, unique experiences, background/culture, and spiritual beliefs. I have specialty training in behavioral medicine, and hold a philosophy of care grounded in the reciprocal mind/body connection. I have particular specialty in treating physical health conditions through psychological interventions including chronic pain and medically unexplained physical symptoms; however, I support clients with an array of other presenting concerns (Depression, Anxiety, Grief, Stress, Eating. Disorders).
Therapy is about seeking balance and asking questions and looking for answers. Finding a balance between what we feel and what we know and a balance between the quicker emotional side of our mind and the more considered rational side are part of the process. Whether the questions are around school, interpersonal relationships, substance abuse, or career and motivation the answers will come only with this balance. My approach to therapy is about solving problems based on a relational and collaborative approach offering a supportive and sympathetic ear balanced with reality and solutions. With nearly 25 years of experience in the field I bring a diverse background giving me strong clinical skills in the areas of substance abuse, depression, anxiety, career and family issues. Life is a series of experiments, some good some not so good. Therapy is a way to sort out the good from the bad and, giving yourself credit for what you know and can do and putting it to work for a better tomorrow I invite you to give me a call at 617-524-1220 To protect your privacy my phone is a confidential landline which does NOT accept text messages
It's hard to be successful as a college student when you are constantly worried, have that "sinking feeling" in your stomach, have difficulty managing your time and social commitments. These can be signs of anxiety and I can help with treatment that works. I also treat panic disorders, PTSD and other trauma related challenges. I can help you deal with perfectionism, performance anxiety, creativity struggles, environmental anxiety, gender identity, experience of sexual trauma, and attention related struggles. I also help improve male mental health journeys. My clients note they like my present and focused approach that does not leave them "floundering" in therapy. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help you get better faster. I know you already have the capacity and the strength to change, and you are channeling it right now. Even if you don't feel that power we will help you connect to it. I have seen the transformation many times, the freedom and the full engagement in life that can follow after the most distressing anxiety symptoms are under control.
My therapeutic approach is rooted in the belief that creativity is a powerful tool for self-expression and healing. I strive to create a safe and non-judgmental space where individuals can explore their emotions, break through barriers, and tap into their inner strength. Every person is unique, and my goal is to tailor my therapeutic techniques to meet the specific needs and preferences of each client. Expressive art therapy provides an alternative form of communication, particularly beneficial when traditional verbal expression may feel limiting. Artistic expression allows for the articulation of emotions, experiences, and narratives that may be challenging to express through words alone. The focus is on the process of creation rather than the end result, allowing for a more profound and authentic exploration of emotions.