Therapists for college students near Boston, MA

Emma Atwood is a licensed certified social worker whose therapeutic approach is grounded in the belief that strong client-therapist relationships are the foundation for meaningful change. Her approach integrates strategies from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic, relational-cultural, and trauma informed approaches. She has specialized training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR) to provide therapy to treat trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Her approach strives to empower clients as active participants in their own healing journey. Emma works with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, attachment-related challenges, relationship issues, and identity exploration. She welcomes clients from all cultural backgrounds and strives to create a safe, affirming space for all aspects of identity, including gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and religion. Clients can expect a collaborative, culturally sensitive, and non-judgmental space where they feel safe to share openly. Emma strives to help clients better understand themselves, recognize their strengths, and develop tools to manage life’s challenges. Together, the client and Emma will explore how past experiences share current patterns, while building new skills for emotional regulation, healthier relationships, and self-compassion. People often ask how they can get rid of their anxiety. Emma says, “The short answer is that you don’t. Our anxiety is telling us something, and only when we learn how to sit with it long enough to listen, will we understand the function it serves and how to manage it. The best therapist for anxiety is one who will help you acquire coping strategies to reduce your anxiety (cognitive-behavioral approach) but also guide insight into the origins of your anxiety and the core beliefs maintaining it (psychodynamic approach). By exploring your anxiety at multiple levels and depths, you can learn to better recognize, understand, and manage your anxiety.” Emma offers in-person therapy in the Boston office, as well as online via a secure video platform for patients located throughout Massachusetts. She has appointments available in the daytime. You can become a patient by completing the New Client Profile form (https://leektherapy.com/form) or calling 508-296-5631.

If you're navigating mental health challenges while trying to keep up with life, you're not alone. You might be exhausted from masking how you feel, wondering why it's so hard to focus, stay motivated, or feel truly connected to others. Maybe your mood feels unpredictable, or it's getting harder to show up for school, work, or relationships the way you want to. I work with people facing ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, psychosis, and substance use. These experiences can shape how you think, how you relate to others, and how you feel in your own body. Therapy offers a safe space to explore what's going on beneath the surface and figure out what helps. My approach is warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental. You don't have to have everything figured out. Whether you're overwhelmed by stress, feeling stuck in patterns that don't make sense, or just trying to get through the day, I'll meet you with curiosity and respect. Together, we can build understanding, practical tools, and a path forward that feels manageable and meaningful. Therapy works best as a collaborative process. Rather than telling you what to do, I'll work alongside you to explore your experiences, identify what's getting in the way, and find tools that actually fit your life. I move at a pace that feels right for you, honoring your strengths while making space for growth and change. I also provide psychiatric care and have worked in both inpatient psychiatry and outpatient addiction medicine. Motivational interviewing has been a key part of how I support people navigating substance use, especially when they feel ready for change. Helping people recover, in whatever form that takes, brings deep meaning to my work. Throughout my career, I've supported people from many walks of life, young adults, older adults, veterans, Native American communities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. I'm passionate about addressing the growing crisis of depression, anxiety, and isolation that affects so many people today. I am easygoing and conversational. I show up as a real person, not a distant expert. Connecting with people and supporting their recovery is a privilege that continues to shape my life in meaningful ways. You don't have to figure everything out on your own. When you're ready, support is here.

I am a Harvard-trained, Harvard-affiliated, board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist. I strongly believe that the best psychiatric care is centered on the whole person, not just on a diagnosis or a specific medication. I provide weekly therapy and work with patients to determine if medications can be of help. I do not believe that everyone needs a medication, but they can be useful in treating particular psychiatric symptoms; I will work with you in order to find the best treatment modality that meets your goals and needs. My training in psychotherapy includes psychodynamic psychotherapy, play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), Exposure/Response Prevention (Ex/RP) and Prolonged Exposure (PE). I provide psychotherapy for children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. In order to offer comprehensive treatment, I do not accept insurance in my private practice. I am currently conducting sessions via telemedicine only. Please feel free to send me an email to set up a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation so I can answer any questions and see if I can be of help.

I am a licensed mental health counselor who is passionate about advocating for mental health and wellbeing. My experiences primarily focus on working with college students and young adults. As a non-binary person and first-gen immigrant, I bring a deep understanding of the complexities of identity exploration and the unique challenges faced by folks through the lens of intersectionality. With a commitment to creating a safe and affirming space, i work with clients to embrace their authentic selves and navigate life's transitions with confidence and resilience.

My approach is client-centered and grounded in active listening, nonjudgment, cultural responsiveness, and genuine allyship. As a Brazilian, bilingual therapist fluent in English and Portuguese, I understand the importance of honoring each person's unique background, identity, and lived experience. Drawing from my work in crisis intervention, outpatient mental health, schools, and community-based settings, I tailor treatment to meet each client's individual needs and goals. During our first sessions, we will focus on building a strong therapeutic relationship, exploring what brings you to therapy, and identifying meaningful goals f Life can feel overwhelming when you're struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, or thoughts of hopelessness. I work with teens (16+) through adults, including individuals from migrant and multicultural communities, to help them navigate challenges, build resilience, and move toward a more fulfilling life. Together, we will identify your goals, build on your strengths, and develop practical tools to help you overcome obstacles and create meaningful change. I believe healing and growth are possible when people feel supported and empowered. My hope is that our work together will help you gain insight, confidence, and coping skills while creating a life that feel fulfilled.

Therapy enables us to heal ourselves and sharpen access to our wisest intuition. As your therapist, I will provide a comfortable space for self-reflection, where you will come to understand yourself at the deepest level. In our work together, you will learn to nurture yourself as you build inner strength and serenity. I’ve worked in community mental health, psychiatric hospitals, outpatient treatment centers, and private practice. Driven by curiosity, empathy, and integrity, my approach is built on the belief that every person is capable of growth. My goal is for you to leave each session feeling seen and understood, and to end therapy as your most authentic self. Though there is always darkness in life, I believe light can be found by those who want to see it. I am not afraid of the dark. Bring me your darkness—your pain, your confusion, your hurt—and we will walk together as you find your guiding lights.

Do you feel stuck or alone? Do you find yourself comparing your life to others? Do you desire a better tomorrow? To acknowledge that you are experiencing something that may benefit from professional support is a powerful first step. You may be noticing changes in your mood, behaviors, or personality as a result of the stressors you currently face or have faced. Too often, we attempt to tackle our greatest insecurities or challenges alone. Together in session, you will never feel alone. You will feel respected, heard and supported as we navigate the issues that bring you into treatment. With my collaboration and support, you can develop the skills you need to cope with life's stressors and ultimately achieve lasting psychological growth. For individuals, I specialize in the management and symptom reduction of depressive and anxiety disorders, as well as effective navigation of life transitions, relationship issues and identity formation (i.e. values identification, development of self-esteem, purpose finding/meaning making). I engage clients through a collaborative, integrative approach to foster learning of necessary skills and development of greater insight. Please note my fee for individual therapy is $200/session. For couples, I specialize in the pursuit of client-identified goals through effective communication, conflict resolution, and applicable skill building. I work with all consensual couples, whether they choose to grow, maintain, or end their relationship, regardless of monogamy status, sexuality, and sexual activity preferences. Please note my fee for couple therapy is $250/session. No question or concern is too great or too small - please don't hesitate to reach out. I look forward to working with you.

I am currently accepting new clients and offer both weekly therapy sessions and EMDR intensives, allowing you to choose the pace and structure that best fits your needs. I strive to create a warm, accepting, and non-judgmental space where clients feel safe to process painful emotions and life experiences. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and tailored to each individual, helping you move toward healing with clarity and support. I specialize in trauma treatment and offer EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), one of the most well-researched and effective therapies for trauma and PTSD. In addition to traditional talk therapy and weekly EMDR sessions, I also provide EMDR intensives and Ketamine-Assisted EMDR for clients seeking deeper, more accelerated healing. While I enjoy working with individuals across the lifespan, I have a particular passion for supporting adolescents and young adults as they navigate the complexities of today. I earned my Master of Social Work with a specialization in behavioral health from the University of Maryland School of Social Work, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Wake Forest University. I am licensed to practice in Massachusetts and Maryland.

As a therapist, I take a collaborative approach with patients to relieve distress, improve well-being, and develop new insights. Together, we will identify patterns in living that you want to change, and discover how prior experiences have shaped your emotional life, relationships, and behavior, perhaps in ways that are outside of your awareness. I treat patients who experience anxiety, depression, difficulties in relationships, challenges related to work and career, and stress that is related to life transitions. My approach to therapy is interactive and open-ended, with a focus on helping you to learn about yourself and to find new, more fulfilling ways of living. With all of my patients, I work to build a relationship that holds the potential for you to discover new possibilities for yourself. I seek to have a practice that is diverse with regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and ability/disability status. The process of therapy includes exploration of all aspects of identity, including how both marginalization and privilege shape experience. This exploration includes processing how identity is experienced in the therapeutic dyad, and understanding how similarities and differences between the patient and therapist shape the therapeutic process. I welcome hearing from you to discuss the possibility of setting up an initial consultation. Together, we can determine if I can meet your needs as a therapist.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in the assessment and treatment of anxiety, panic, phobias, OCD, and related disorders in college students and young adults. I also work with clients looking to effectively navigate and cope with current life stressors (e.g., work challenges, interpersonal relationships, transitions). I use evidenced-based techniques in my work with clients, and primarily from a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) perspective. By emphasizing the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors ​clients will gain greater insight into their concerns and learn techniques for managing their anxiety and other life stressors. To target the behavioral aspects of anxiety, I will frequently incorporate exposure and response prevention (ERP) into my work to help clients to engage in exposures both during sessions and in real-world settings. I use a collaborative, personalized, and warm approach, working with clients to better understand their anxieties or challenges and encouraging them to become their own therapists over time while achieving their goals. I completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology at Bowdoin College, research assistantship at Boston University at the Family and Development Treatment Lab, doctoral studies at Boston University where I trained at their Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders (CARD), clinical internship at the VA Boston Healthcare System, and postdoctoral training at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School. I then was a staff Psychologist at the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program (MAMP), an intensive outpatient program at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School. Most recently, I was a staff Psychologist and Assistant Director at Emerson College’s Counseling and Psychological Services.

Life requires constant adjustment. For many of us, this makes life more challenging. Do you struggle with life adjustments, mood disorders, or anxiety? If so, I am here to help. As your therapist, I will give you a judgment-free environment where I will help you combat your negative thoughts and find a positive way to move in whatever direction life brings. I will empathetically challenge you to come out of your comfort zone and see the world from a new perspective. I will give you the tools to heal, transform, identify, and utilize your strengths to address everyday challenges. Equally, I will provide you with time to make those adjustments, as we all know there can be setbacks along the way, but that doesn’t have to stop us. Together, we will build a stronger community. One of my goals for you is that as I help you become a better version of yourself, you will be equipped to help those around you–creating a ripple effect of world-changing power. If interested, please schedule a Free 15-Minute Consultation with the link below.

It can be hard to know when to call a therapist. Have you found yourself thinking the below thoughts? -There is something wrong with me -I don't understand the way I am feeling -No one understands me -This isn't supposed to be the way my college experience is -I just can't handle these feelings of sadness/stress/anxiety If so, it sounds like you could benefit from talking to a therapist. Life is hard and therapy can be an effective tool to help navigate life's difficulties. As your therapist, I will sit with you and listen as you share your struggles and we will make sense of things. Together, we can figure out how you are unintentionally "getting in your own way" and also recognize the ways you are helping yourself thrive (but perhaps hadn't even realized it!). I'll teach you about your emotions, the mind-body connection and the relationship between thoughts-feelings-behaviors. This information will help you learn new and better ways to help yourself when you are feeling overwhelmed with your emotions and life challenges. Sounds like this could be helpful? Send me an email, we can schedule a 15 min phone call where I can answer your questions and we can get started.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi, I am a licensed mental health counselor and a school psychologist. I have enjoyed working with adolescents in group, outpatient, and school settings. In my practice, I encourage building self-awareness and coping strategies that can support your well-being and a healthy lifestyle.

I believe that just like we train our bodies, we can strengthen our minds—and I’m here to support you in doing just that. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, identity exploration, or the stressors of daily life, therapy offers a space to feel grounded, supported, and seen. As a pre-licensed mental health counselor, I provide both individual and couples therapy for adolescents, teens, college students, and adults. My clinical experience spans college counseling centers, PHP/IOP programs, and private practice, giving me the opportunity to support people through a wide range of mental health challenges and life transitions. My therapeutic approach is compassion-focused, collaborative, and deeply human-first. I believe that while I bring training and clinical knowledge, you bring the wisdom of your lived experience—your values, your identities, and your goals. Together, we work toward meaningful change at a pace that feels right for you. I am trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Person-Centered Therapy. I often integrate these modalities to support clients struggling with anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma and PTSD, panic disorder, identity development (including sexuality, gender, culture, and personal interests), relationship concerns, and performance-related stress. With a background as a professional soccer player, I also have a special passion for working with athletes and performers, helping them build emotional resilience and navigate both mental health and performance pressures. Wherever you are in your process—whether you’re seeking healing, clarity, growth, or grounding—I’d be honored to walk alongside you.

As a psychotherapist, my goal is to help people talk about life challenges. My psychoanalytic training helps clients uncover their true potentials and work on their long-standing behavior patterns that may be holding them back from experiencing a more fulfilling and happier life. A licensed mental health counselor and licensed substance abuse counselor and supervisor, I have extensive experience working with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues. My experience treating people, supervising clinicians as well as being director of outpatient group therapy programs prepared me for specializing in a variety of areas providing services that span from therapy for depression, anxiety,trauma, difficulties with college life to group therapy for people struggling with work and relationship issues. I am currently scheduling Telehealth sessions.

Our practice has immediate availability! Do you feel stuck and constantly doubting yourself and your ability? Are you feeling afraid and unsure of your next steps? Are you in fear of the future an what it may bring? Our team is here for you, and we will support you through this challenging time. Our goal is to empower you to understand yourself better in order for you to achieve the best version of yourself. If you have been thinking about starting therapy or getting back into it, trust your gut and reach out! We are a virtual group practice and our goal is to assist you navigate life transitions, anxiety and depression in order to gain self-awareness, self-compassion, coping strategies, and improving overall wellbeing. We utilize strength -based approaches in my work with you, along with the use of Cognitive Behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. Our practice integrates strengths-based and mindfulness practice into our work, supporting you in paving a path towards living an authentic and full life. Using creativity and curiosity to develop a more positive mindset, you'll begin to quiet outdated beliefs, more confidently face challenges and move closer towards what you desire.

I offer both telehealth and in-person appointments at my Boston location (16 Cohasset St). I hold a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Boston College. I have provided care in hospitals, community mental health programs and outpatient centers, supporting individuals experiencing complex emotional challenges, personality disorders, substance abuse and self-harm. My practice, Venus House, was founded as a consciously safe space that prioritizes inclusivity, cultural humility and compassion.

Sometimes the ways we learned to survive are the very things now keeping us stuck. If you’ve found yourself overthinking, constantly on edge, emotionally shut down, stuck in painful relationship patterns, or feeling like you’re carrying experiences your body never fully got to process, you are not alone! Therapy to me is not about judgment, fixing you, or forcing quick answers. It is about creating a space where you feel genuinely seen, safe, and understood while we begin making sense of what your mind and body have been holding. I offer trauma-informed, relational therapy grounded in evidence-based practice & deep compassion. Integrating ACT, IFS, and somatic approaches, I help adolescents and adults navigate complex trauma, anxiety, mood disorders, women's issues, identity exploration, and family transitions, including divorce and high conflict dynamics. As an MSW clinician with a background in psychology, criminal justice, trauma-informed advocacy, and mental health research, I bring clinical training and genuine humanity to my work. Healing isn't about becoming someone different. It's about understanding yourself with more clarity, compassion, and safety so you can live with greater freedom and connection!

Welcome to Meridian Psychotherapy Associates, we support the unique needs of college students. We understand that the college experience can be an exciting yet challenging time, filled with academic pressures, personal growth, and various transitions. Our goal is to provide a specialized and nurturing environment where college students can find solace, understanding, and guidance as they navigate this critical phase of their lives. Our approach to individual therapy for college students is anchored in a deep understanding of the issues they commonly encounter. We address a wide range of concerns, including stress management, anxiety, depression, academic pressures, time management, relationship challenges, identity exploration, and more. Our trauma-informed therapists are skilled in helping college students cope with the complexities of their academic, social, and emotional worlds. For college students in committed relationships, we offer couple therapy to support them in fostering healthy communication, resolving conflicts, and strengthening their bonds. We recognize that maintaining a healthy relationship while attending college can be demanding, and our couple therapy sessions are tailored to address the unique challenges couples may face during this phase of life. We also offer adult family therapy, recognizing that family dynamics can play a significant role in a college student's well-being. Our family therapy sessions provide a safe space to explore and resolve familial conflicts, improve communication with parents and siblings, and foster a supportive environment for personal growth and development. To enhance accessibility and flexibility, we offer both in-office and telehealth services. We understand that college schedules can be demanding and unpredictable, so our telehealth option allows students to receive therapy conveniently from their dorms, apartments, or any private space. At Meridian Psychotherapy, we prioritize the mental health and well-being of college students. Our licensed therapists are not only skilled clinicians but also empathetic allies who genuinely care about the success and happiness of our student clients. We recognize the importance of providing a confidential and non-judgmental space for students to share their concerns and explore their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. Our commitment goes beyond therapy sessions, as we strive to empower college students with coping skills and resources they can carry forward throughout their academic journey and beyond. We work collaboratively with students, empowering them to overcome challenges, develop resilience, and build a strong foundation for their future. If you are a college student seeking support and growth during this transformative time, we encourage you to take the first step towards better mental health. Reach out to us for a consultation, and let us be a part of your journey towards personal and academic success. Together, we can navigate the college experience with strength, confidence, and resilience.