Therapists for college students near Harvard University

Family Counseling Associates is a leading provider of mental health and counseling services in Massachusetts. With treatments that range from individual and group counseling to therapy designed for children and teens to family and couples' therapy, we can help you or your loved one overcome life's struggles and live a life free of depression and anxiety. Whether you've encountered a recent life challenge or have been suffering for a longer period of time, we are here for you and want to help you feel your best. At Family Counseling Associates, we believe mental health is not one-size-fits-all. Our dynamic team of licensed professionals is here to meet you where you are- with evidence based care, deep empathy, and a commitment to helping you grow through life's challenges. Whether you're navigating stress, anxiety, relationships, trauma, or simply seeking a space to explore your emotions, we're here to support you. We serve individuals across the lifespan with in person and telehealth therapy tailored to your needs. We are not just a mental health practice. We're a partner in your journey to emotional wellness, resilience, and self-discovery.

College is a stressful time full of academic demands and social obligations, and everyone needs a space where they can focus on themselves. Clients that work with me are often experiencing big life changes, may be showing signs of stress and burnout, or might be noticing challenges popping up in their relationships. I work to form a strong therapeutic relationship with clients in which they can feel comfortable openly expressing their emotions, work through challenges, or just learn more about who they are. I welcome any client who is looking for a therapeutic space of their own, whether they have years of therapy under their belt or are reaching out for the first time!

We offer both Telehealth and in-person services targeted towards clients who are interested in improving their lives and making and sustaining positive change. We typically utilize both cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in our practice. In our work together, you can expect direct, skills-focused work and an emphasis on behavioral change combined with a warm, strengths-based, and individualized approach to treatment.

We grow in relationships when we feel seen, responded to, and appreciated. My goal is to build a therapeutic connection together that enables you to work on challenges you are facing while also empowering you to feel more connected to yourself and others. I provide a curious, caring, collaborative presence in the hopes that our sessions offer a space to take a breath, experience your feelings, and explore. My therapeutic approach is grounded in relational cultural therapy and psychodynamic therapy. I also incorporate narrative, cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing in my work. I support clients experiencing mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, family and relationship issues, ADHD, grief, and identity exploration. I have experience working with college students, including first generation and international students, and educators. I welcome all clients including BIPOC, queer, trans, and gender-expansive individuals. I am a former educator and work from a strengths-based and trauma-informed perspective. I draw on attachment theory and systems theory to understand clients’ experiences in the full context of their lives, including how our identities, needs, and experiences are connected to our communities, cultures, and the broader forces that shape our well-being.

My therapeutic perspective is based on growing your strengths and building new skills that you haven’t yet recognized to address life stressors and challenges. I tailor my approach to the individual needs of each client and welcome feedback. As the expert on your own life, it’s important to know what’s working for you and what needs improvement so that we can effectively address issues important to you and meet goals together. I operate from a non-judgmental perspective and encourage clients to share the good, the bad, and the messy without fear of not meeting expectations.

The clients I work best with are those who are open to self-discovery and committed to enhancing their mental well-being. They’re ready to take actionable steps toward their goals and value a safe, supportive space where they can freely explore their thoughts and feelings without judgment.

Hi! I’m a warm, person-centered therapist who tailors each session to your unique needs. I primarily draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and interpersonal therapy — but more importantly, I meet you where you are. Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. You’re the expert in your story, and we’ll work together to develop tools, process challenges, and celebrate growth, big or small. I specialize in supporting adolescents and young adults managing academic pressure, identity concerns, anxiety, and trauma. I also offer comprehensive psychological assessments to help students access accommodations in college — like extended time or alternative testing settings.

Seeking therapy and finding the right therapist can be difficult and daunting. My initial goal when meeting with new clients is to create a comfortable and safe environment. Wherever you are in your pursuit of receiving help is where I accept you and begin our work together. Wherever you are is a good place to start. The practice I opened with close colleagues is called Elysium Counseling LLC. “Elysium” by definition is a place of ideal happiness or a peaceful state of mind. While that may feel unrealistic to obtain by some, we help our clients grow to believe they can achieve just that. I want my clients to know that change is possible, that they have unique skills and abilities, and are worthy and capable of creating a life they want to live. Part of that process invites clients to be challenged in new ways, even if it’s hard. I value and prioritize relationships with my clients, as I believe a strong therapeutic alliance is the main contributor to successful treatment outcomes. Life is complicated. It’s my job to help clients navigate all that comes with it as best they can.

In my counseling work I provide psychotherapy for children, adolescents, adults, couples, families and groups. My clients include people struggling with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. My relational and existential approach helps me understand and connect with my clients. I believe that the intent of therapy is exchanging "symptoms" for "coping skills." To accomplish this transformation, we need to understand our past to shed light on who we are in the present, where we have the power to focus on present issues and make changes that will influence our future. I see psychotherapy as a learning process. I bring my knowledge and understanding of psychological phenomena to bear on my client's life experiences. Psychotherapy is not an easy process, but I work to meet you, the client, where you are and to create safe space to explore and grow. In addition to psychotherapy work, I'm an adjunct faculty at Lesley University, where I teach Introduction to Psychology and Child Psychology. I have completed my psychoanalysis fellowship with the IPE, which is affiliated with the New York University School of Medicine. I'm also a certified Cognitive Behavioral group therapist.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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.

Finding a good therapy match is crucial to bringing about the change that you desire in your life. Working with someone where you feel seen, understood and challenged in a non-threatening way creates the safety to explore the unknown and grow into your full potential. I trained and worked at Tufts University Counseling Center for 4 years, and have been in private practice for 15 years. In the wise words of author Sharon Salzberg, "If I opened my heart and mind big enough to take in the suffering, then there would be healing- not because the suffering itself is redemptive or healing, but because of the opening I was cultivating in the face of it."

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.

I actively engage with my clients to help them identify and articulate their distress. We work together to discover the counter-productive behaviors and thought patterns leading to this distress. We then work together again on challenging and changing those thoughts and actions. You can expect a therapy experience that is engaged, solution focused, and interactive.

Accepting new patients.....It is through therapy that we come to understand how our experiences make our lives meaningful. Choosing a therapist isn't an easy task; I hope sharing my perspective helps. Over the last decade I have worked at universities, elementary schools, rehabilitation centers and group homes with children and adults from 7-70. These experiences have shown me that the right environment activates our innate capacity to mature and thrive. Therapy is not about "fixing" someone, it's about creating a space that supports growth. My approach embraces the power of personality to facilitate change. Through active listening, I acknowledge the impact of personal experiences and encourage exploration. Like exercising - regular, creative dialogue yields new strengths and abilities. In this way, individuals find their own solutions that are often more personalized than CBT. As you search for a therapist, consider me - I think you'll find me accessible, pragmatic, and insightful.

My aim as a therapist is to help clients resolve the problem they are experiencing in their lives. I offer a safe environment for clients to express themselves, gain a sense mastery and autonomy through talking and increasing strategies and skills to better cope and thrive in life. My clinical approach is to tailor care to clients’ individual needs- integrating an array of approaches and training experience such as insight-oriented methods, cognitive behavioral techniques, trauma informed treatment, mindfulness-based care, and addiction and substance use disorders treatment. My education includes a Master’s in social work (MSW) from Rutgers University( with Minor in Alcohol Studies) and a Bachelor of Liberal Arts (BA) from the University of New Hampshire( English Literature/Minor in Psychology.) My professional experience includes university counseling, NIAAA/NIDA research studies, community mental health, hospital based social work, clinical director of inpatient /outpatient program, employee assistance. Clients describe me as a good listener, empathetic, compassionate, a good sense of humor and a firm believer in change. Please note II do not take referrals from students who are currently enrolled at Harvard University as I am also working in CAMHS.

see my website https://www.danielpjohnsonphd.com/ and my profile on Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/daniel-p-johnson-brookline-ma/983235

Alison B. Newman is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Lexington, Massachusetts. Her practice focuses on academic issues, college mental health, life transitions, personal and professional growth, and relationships. She enjoys working with students as they navigate forming new relationships and the many challenges of being away from home (sometimes for the first time). She also sees many adults through formative life transitions, including graduation, marriage, pregnancy & parenting, and career changes. Alison provides skill-based support to help young adults manage anxiety around finding their social niche and discover an inner sense of belonging and self-worth. She has deep expertise in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, an evidence-based treatment approach that equips clients with the behavioral skills to cope with uncertainty, regulate mood, and engage more effectively with others in the present moment. Alison received her Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) from Princeton University and her Masters in Social Work from Boston College in Clinical Mental Health. Her extensive experience includes work at McLean Hospital as well as college counseling services at Wellesley College and Boston College. In addition to her clinical work, Alison has received training in yoga for emotional health. She utilizes a team-based approach, providing referrals for nutritional support and medication management as necessary. Alison works closely with clients to reduce stress in meaningful ways, tailoring the course of treatment to help each client find a renewed sense of peace and joy. Alison is also a part-time faculty member and lecturer at Boston College.

As a clinician, I seek to develop a strong rapport with my clients to promote a collaborative treatment process. I help my clients learn more about themselves and better identify their emotional and therapeutic needs. I believe the opportunity for my clients to develop a sense of agency, and identify how to take action when faced with difficult situations, is key to self-empowerment and growth. I work with my clients to gather information about themselves and their situations, to learn to reflect on their emotions and behaviors in a nonjudgmental way, and to build their confidence to make positive decisions in their life.

Facing challenges can be difficult for all of us. Some seek therapy in moments of crisis; others are motivated by alleviating uncomfortable feelings and thoughts that can include anxiety, depression, sadness, anger, and so on. Still others seek treatment as part of self-discovery. It’s a privilege to support my clients through their courageous journeys of self-understanding that leads to an improved sense of wellbeing, regardless of the challenges they face. In my opinion, strength is not the absence of problems, but rather having the resilience to face them. I am looking to work with young adults who want to be their best selves. With over a decade of experience treating adolescents and families, I have helped numerous individuals and families experiencing symptoms related to depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, social struggles, addictive behaviors, LGBTQ+ concerns, and more. I mindfully adapt my therapeutic approach to the needs of each client. In talking with me, you will find a therapist who is eager to lead with his ear in order to meet you where you are. My style is compassionate, empathic, welcoming, relational, empowering, and probing. I bring a sense of humor and creativity to our sessions. Your unique challenges require a flexible, evidenced-based, and individualized method of support.