Therapists for college students near Boston, MA

I am a Mental Health Counselor, practicing in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and the founder of Self First Counseling, PLLC. I have had the pleasure to work with a range of individuals across my career. I received my Bachelor of Science degree from Boston University in Behavior and Health and later received my Master of Science degree at Salem State University in Mental Health Counseling Psychology. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, alcohol use, stress, and relationship/family issues. I am a certified clinician and supervisor in the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA), an evidence based approach to working with adolescents and young adults who struggle with substance use. My approach to counseling is client centered. I believe it is important to meet my clients where they are at and collaborate around goals of counseling. I have previous experience working in settings such as residential programs, intensive in-home services, and within medical settings. I find it important to build an alliance with my clients where we can work together and I can support my clients in making strides towards completing their identified goals. I believe strongly in highlighting strengths and keeping a strength-based attitude throughout treatment. I believe that we are all unique and, therefore, one technique does not fit all. I feel strongly that counseling can support us when we are in a difficult place, but also when we are doing well. It’s important to have support from others and be able to continue to make progress so we can always be a better version of ourselves than we were the day before. Set-backs and struggles are all a part of life, change, and success. I am here to provide education, support, validation, encouragement, and new ideas in order to help my clients achieve the success and change they are looking for. Your journey of self starts here.

We are a small group of like-minded practitioners. Our clinicians take a trauma-informed approach to all client work, and have significant experience treating sex-related trauma. We share a therapeutic focus on relationship dynamics, identity exploration, and self-growth, and commonly work with those in young adulthood and/or higher education. Clients who seek our services are often looking for help with trauma/PTSD/C-PTSD, grief, depression, anxiety, sexual health, relationships, identity exploration, and/or spirituality; our practitioners are kink and poly-informed, social-justice oriented, and share a special commitment to serving members of the LGBTQ+ community specifically.

At the current time I am not *personally* accepting new clients because of having to only meet via telehealth. Our practice, however, is still accepting new clients. I've been working individually with college students since 2003. I specialize in the treatment of eating disorders/disordered eating, body image issues, and perfectionism, but also treat clients with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma histories/PTSD, relationship issues, family issues, life adjustment/transition issues.

With 12 years of experience in the mental health field, I take a thoughtful, compassionate, and interactive approach to therapy. I specialize in working with individuals and couples facing challenges such as trauma, ADHD, depression, anxiety, feelings of dissatisfaction, childhood trauma, and relationship challenges. My career includes working with adolescents, in-home family therapy, chronic mental health needs, and primary care settings. I have recently graduated with my Master's in Mental Health Counseling from Framingham State University in May 2024. In my work with couples, I recognize that communication can often be a significant barrier to connection. Many couples I work with experience their own mental health needs, which can complicate interactions and lead to misunderstandings. I create a safe and supportive environment where partners can openly express their thoughts and feelings. Together, we explore the underlying issues that may be hindering communication/connection and work on strategies to enhance understanding and empathy. Using techniques from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and psychodynamic approaches, I help couples develop practical skills for healthier communication. This includes learning how to express needs effectively, navigate conflict, and build emotional intimacy. My goal is to empower couples to reconnect and strengthen their relationships, even in the face of individual challenges. I extend my couple’s work to family therapy, in which I work with small family systems around communication and interactional patterns. For individuals, I focus on fostering self-discovery and skill building. I help clients develop coping strategies tailored to their unique experiences and mental health needs. From Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), I pull a blend of coping strategies and reframing to assist individuals in changing what they can change and learning to tolerate/accept what they cannot change. From my experience in primary care, I incorporate wellness both emotionally and physically into sessions. As a recent college graduate, I can relate to the challenges of modern day students. I believe therapy is a collaborative process and as is such, invite clients to share their concerns and feedback throughout the process. My style pulls from a blend of approaches and my approach is interactive. When beneficial, I collaborate with other service providers to enhance our work together. I look forward to walking alongside your journey.

I work from a compassionate, whole person approach where trust and safety allow for awareness and growth. I work with adults at all stages of life, with a particular fondness for emerging young adulthood. My typical client may be experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, interpersonal challenges, grief and trauma. I would like to support you on your therapeutic journey and in my experience, a good relationship and rapport are the most important ingredients for successful therapy.

I am a board-certified psychiatrist serving children, adolescents and adults in Massachusetts. I provide person and family-centered psychiatric and psychotherapeutic care. With a patient-focused approach, I tailor treatment plans for your unique needs to optimize your mental health and wellness. I specialize in ADHD, depression, autism and working with gender-diverse and other LGBTQ+ individuals. I believe in using a flexible and collaborative approach to treatment, helping to guide you through the hard choices of what is right for you and your mental health. I treat a variety of psychiatric disorders. I pull from many therapeutic techniques including CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, Family Therapy, Supportive Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Existential Therapy, all through a psychodynamic lens. Ultimately, I believe the relationship between the clinician and the patient is the most important factor. I completed my medical school and adult psychiatry residency at the University of Colorado. I came to Boston to complete a child and adolescent fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital through Harvard Medical School. Come as you are. I hope to help.

Are you seeking to understand yourself better? Are you looking to make sense of your relationship dynamics? Do you wish things were better, but you don't know how to get there? You CAN feel empowered by an expanding of your understanding, gathering insight, and educating the choices you make in how you decide to live your life. I work with couples, and adults to help make sense of obstacles, understand how relationship histories effect life today, and become more comfortable with themselves. This is done in an atmosphere where you are accepted for who you are. We can discuss your goals. Many people feel uncomfortable considering therapy as an option for themselves. It can be difficult asking for help, believing that asking for help means we are inadequate in some way. In a do-it-yourself culture, reaching out to others can cause us to feel like we are less than, but trying to meet our own needs is actually a strength. My clients often report that they have gained more insight into their lives, that they feel more at home within themselves and more capable of handling life's difficulties as they inevitably arise. Couples leave my office feeling like they understand themselves and their partner more clearly, and report greater relationship satisfaction.

Have you been told “everything looks normal,” yet your body keeps telling you something is not right? Maybe you have tried countless treatments, seen multiple providers, and still feel stuck, frustrated, dismissed, or even questioning yourself. Living with chronic pain, chronic illness, or persistent symptoms can be exhausting, isolating, and confusing, especially when answers feel out of reach. I help teens, young adults, and adults living with chronic pain, chronic illness, and persistent symptoms regain control of their lives, improve functioning, and build a meaningful life that isn't defined by their symptoms alone. As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in health psychology, I work with individuals navigating complex medical conditions, including chronic pain, chronic illness, and related emotional challenges such as anxiety, depression, perfectionism, and life transitions. Therapy with me is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in evidence-based approaches including CBT and ACT. Whether you are newly navigating symptoms or have been dealing with them for years, I strive to help you reconnect with what matters most. I currently provide virtual therapy throughout Massachusetts and would love to connect.

As we grow and develop life throws at us a series of experiences and challenges. We learn to navigate our environment and relationships through these experiences. As a therapist I have the utmost respect for the ways in which people have approached their lives. It is not my goal to tell someone how to live. My role is to provide a relationship and a dedicated time to think openly about your experience. Sometimes we lose sight of the meaning and spend time trying to convince ourselves of something that may no longer fit. Through empathy and playfulness, I hope to create a space in which people feel safe to explore new ways of being and thinking. I am interested in both what you say and how you say it: the lyrics and the music. We will work together to find new ways of making meaning out of what life offers. In our first meeting I will be very curious to learn about your life and the challenges you are experiencing. We will discuss how you approach your life and identify ways in which you may struggle and succeed in facing difficulties. I will share feedback with you towards the end of the session and spend time planning future steps. I have worked in college and university mental health centers for over 10 years and look forward to continuing my work with students in my private practice.

In all my work with clients I provide a warm, safe and respectful environment based on collaboration and curiosity. When people contact me they often feel stuck or at a loss about how to proceed. They may be concerned about issues of self-esteem, satisfaction in relationships, or having difficulty managing stress in their work or school life. I use an active and interactive style in helping clients gain new ways to understand themselves and new tools to address problematic patterns of thinking, feeling, or behaving. I strive to be open-minded and non-judgmental in helping clients gain deeper understanding of the nature and underlying causes of the problems that bring them to me. I wish you the best in your search for a therapist and welcome the opportunity to speak with you.

Whether facing in-the-moment or long term concerns, therapy provides a unique and professional third-party perspective. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and I am a proud queer therapist with a deep commitment to supporting LGBTQIA+ clients through both internal struggles and the very real weight of societal pressures. I have worked across a range of settings, including health promotion, Mass General Brigham, and group practice. I draw from an eclectic blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Humanistic Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Feminist Therapy—tailoring my approach to what fits you. I hold a Master's in Psychology from Boston College, where I have returned as an adjunct professor of the practice. I bring that same teaching orientation into my work with clients—helping you understand the skills, frameworks, and coping strategies behind what we explore together. My priority is to help you find relief as soon as possible, and to understand the deeper roots of what brought you here in order to sustain feeling better. I view sessions less as a clinical appointment, and more like an honest conversation with someone genuinely in your corner. I'd love to connect—feel free to reach out to schedule a consultation together!

I have worked with people of all backgrounds but I generally work with women and the LGBT community. I work with clients on self-esteem, body positivity, anxiety management, trauma symptoms, and relational issues. As a human and a provider, I am feminist, anti-racist, fat positive, sex positive, pro-science, pro-vaccine, and pro-LGBT. My approach is varied depending on the individual's history with treatment. For people new to therapy, it may be helpful to utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT involves looking at thoughts patterns and behaviors that may be creating obstacles in your life and setting up appropriate coping skills to address those issues. For people who come to therapy for the purpose of processing trauma, a trauma-informed, relational approach is necessary. For people who are looking to gain understanding about how their past intersects with their present behaviors, insight oriented therapy would be the best approach. ​I am not a "Listen and Nod" therapist. I will actively listen, provide you with feedback and analysis, and be open with you about your diagnosis, prognosis, and any treatments indicated. With full transparency, I say that I am not a validation-only therapist. Some folks want a therapist who will listen and validate without providing feedback or analysis. That is not my style. I will, however, work with you to figure out exactly how you can benefit from therapy.

You might seem like you’re holding it all together, but inside feel overwhelmed or disconnected. Many high-achieving students carry the weight of expectations from family, culture, and society. That pressure can leave you exhausted, unsure of yourself, and out of touch with your own needs. I create space for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, neurodiverse, and other historically marginalized students to slow down and be known, accepted, and supported as their full selves. I help students work through identity questions, relationship concerns, stress, burnout, imposter feelings, and the impact of trauma. My approach is warm, direct, and collaborative. You’ll have space to explore the deeper roots of what you're carrying while also building real-world tools to feel more grounded, empowered, and connected. You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Working with me means having a steady, supportive space where you can be real, ask hard questions, and grow at your own pace. We’ll focus on what matters most to you while exploring who you are and what you need to feel more whole. I offer virtual sessions for students anywhere in Massachusetts and would be honored to support you as you move through this next chapter. I provide therapy through Intersect Clinical Services, a preferred provider for Boston-area students. We accept UHC StudentResources and Aetna Student Health with minimal or no out-of-pocket costs.

Mental health problems can diminish the quality of your life, but with the necessary support and tools, you can manage your difficulties with greater ease. At Deborah Madison Muench, counseling LLC we strive to help each client to live their best life. In addition, in an effort to make our services accessible to many, we are in network with a variety of insurance planned.

Hi, I’m Kaitlyn, a trauma-informed therapist who helps college students navigate stress, self-doubt, and relationship challenges while trying to get the most out of college and figuring out who they really are. If you’ve ever tried to study for finals while spiraling over a relationship conflict, or pulled an all-nighter because you were rewriting a paper that was already good enough or procrastinated so hard you needed every last minute before hitting submit, I get it. Many of the students I work with struggle to keep up appearances while silently wondering if they’re falling behind. I’ve worked with undergraduate and graduate students at Harvard University and understand the intense pressure to perform, achieve, and never disappoint anyone (especially your parents). Therapy with me is collaborative, honest, and sometimes even a little funny (because laughing about how much you overthink counts as progress). Together, we’ll unpack what’s fueling your stress, explore the patterns that keep you stuck, and build tools to help you feel more secure, confident, and grounded in your own life. Finding a therapist who is the right step is essential to therapeutic success. I encourage you to shop around and also offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to see if we could be a good fit. If interested in a free consult, feel free to email me or fill out an inquiry form on my website. I hope you get the support that you're looking for and more.

I am a mental health counselor and art therapist. Using a person-centered approach, I create a safe space for you to process your experiences and explore their connection to your emotions, behaviors, and overall wellbeing. The therapeutic process provides the opportunity to work through past and present challenges and seek greater understanding, peace, and positive change. My role is to offer support, encouragement, and guidance as we collaborate to increase your capacity to cope, reinforce your resiliency, and build upon your strengths. Moving forward and pursuing counseling is a brave and positive choice. I look forward to walking alongside you as you seek greater understanding of yourself, expand upon your strengths and capabilities, and work to achieve your goals. For new clients, please click on the website tab and follow system prompts in order to book an initial session.

College is often described as the best time of your life—but for many students, it can feel overwhelming. The pressure to succeed academically, navigate social dynamics, and figure out who you are can be a lot to carry on your own. You don’t have to. I offer a supportive, low-pressure space where you can stop performing and start processing. Whether you’re stressed about exams, anxious about the future, feeling lonely in a crowd, or simply burned out, I understand the unique challenges college students face. My approach is designed to help you manage anxiety and burnout without adding more to your already full schedule. Therapy doesn’t have to mean you’re in crisis. It can simply be a place to gain tools, build resilience, and create more balance during this pivotal time in your life. From imposter syndrome to difficult relationships to constant stress, we’ll work together to make college feel more manageable—and more meaningful. Let’s make therapy a supportive, sustainable part of your week.

You are welcome to call me directly for a free 15 min. consultation. From there, you'll learn more about my working style and can ask any questions you may have. My office is conveniently located in Harvard Square near the Harvard T stop and the 77 Bus route. I also provide online therapy, if needed.

I am a licensed psychologist with a diverse practice and over 20 years of experience with students from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. I work compassionately and collaboratively with my clients to develop a thorough understanding of each individual's history and needs. I am committed to offering the most effective treatment available utilizing an integrative therapeutic approach.

I work best with students who are trying to better understand themselves. You may be questioning who you are, navigating different parts of your identity, or feeling pulled in multiple directions by family, culture, relationships, school, or your own expectations. Maybe you’ve spent so much time taking care of others or trying to meet everyone’s expectations that you’ve lost touch with what you want. I enjoy working with students who are curious about the deeper patterns in their lives. Together, we’ll explore how your experiences, relationships, and identities have shaped the way you see yourself and connect with others. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, perfectionism, relationship challenges, life transitions, trauma, or questions about identity and belonging, therapy can be a space to make sense of your experiences and move toward a life that feels more authentic and fulfilling. My goal is to help you develop practical tools for the present while also gaining a deeper understanding of yourself so you can approach your relationships, decisions, and future with greater confidence, self-compassion, and clarity.