Therapists for college students near Cambridge, MA
I use psychotherapy and medications to help people with stress-related conditions. I am interested in not only alleviating symptoms but helping my clients understand the underlying causes that bring them into treatment. If we are able to connect in a way that you feel understood and I can see the world as if in your shoes, then progress has begun. As a prescriber, I try to consider all the concerns expressed by my clients and come up with a plan that feels safe and right. I provide a detailed assessment and really try to include my clients in the decision-making process. As a therapist, I try to create a safe place for my clients to explore their thoughts and express their feelings. I am interested in seeing and understanding the world and especially relationships from my client's point of view. As a relational therapist, I try to help my client communicate more effectively and participate more deeply in relationships. I am trained in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapies and work relationally with clients. I am also trained in mentalization-based (MBT), transference-focused (TFP), accelerated dynamic experiential psychotherapy (AEDP), and intensive short term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTP). Patients must be in therapy to be seen by me, either with an outside therapist or internally. Any new patient requests must use "scheduling@thoughtfulpsychiatry.com" for outreach.
College and graduate school can be times of great personal growth, but also times of great challenge. It can be overwhelming to adjust to new living situations, to figure out what you want to do and who you want to be, and build and maintain relationships, all while trying to get your work done. Carrying the weight of it all can feel heavy…and I would love to help you feel less alone. Together we can examine the tough questions and situations. You can have a place to put everything down, rest, and feel okay with not having it all figured out yet.
Hi, I'm Dr. Vlahakes and I'm happy to offer both individual and group counseling/therapy sessions! At this time I do have availability for new clients. Please use the contact information on this page to get started. FYI I'm part of a group practice called Brighter Life Therapy.
We specializing in the mental health care of women, BIPoC, queer, and trans communities. You shouldn’t have to explain everything to your therapist! And at And Still We Rise we get that. We are a group of mental healthcare providers dedicated to providing folks from marginalized communities services from therapists who get it. Our providers are culturally diverse and bring real-life experience to the work. We value community, critical consciousness, and decolonizing mental healthcare. Simply put, we want to revolutionize the delivery of mental healthcare services to our communities.
Accepting new clients! At the center of my work is the belief that healing happens through connection—therapy begins with a space that feels safe, compassionate, and authentically supportive. I work with adults and young adults who are navigating life changes, anxiety, depression, identity questions, relationship challenges, and the ongoing work of self-discovery. I am affirming of LGBTQ+ identities, supportive of neurodiverse experiences, and committed to practicing in ways that are inclusive, culturally attuned, and trauma-informed. My style is person-centered and strengths-focused, rooted in humanistic values. I support clients in making sense of their experiences, discovering meaning, and reconnecting with what matters most to them. In addition to my general practice, I also support caregivers, siblings, and parents of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, offering space for emotional processing and deeper understanding. I see therapy as a collaborative journey, an opportunity to explore meaning, reclaim personal narratives, and cultivate resilience. Each person brings their own wisdom, and I’m honored to walk alongside you as you move toward greater clarity. Please reach out with any questions you may have about the therapeutic process or working with me!
I work from a psychodynamic, relational perspective - I believe change happens through genuine connection. I bring deep listening, genuine curiosity about your experience, and a collaborative approach that helps you discover strengths you might not know you have. I've also worked in college counseling and specialize in working with college-aged adults. In addition to my therapeutic training, I also have a background in the arts, and enjoy working with creative people who are facing the struggles and pressures of living life as an artist. I also have training and certification in treating trauma.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
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.
Life as a young person can be a complex journey, often filled with challenges that leave folks feeling adrift and overwhelmed. If you are someone who is struggling to navigate the intricate web of school/work, family, and relationships, I am here to help. Many college students find themselves feeling stuck, dwelling on the past, or consumed by worries about the future, making it difficult to remain present and truly engage with and take control of their lives and their futures. I meet clients exactly where they are at, offering empathy and understanding, and working collaboratively to promote integration, well-being, and positive change. My approach starts with building a strong relationship, and I draw from a diverse toolkit, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, and psychodynamic therapy, tailoring our sessions to the client's specific needs. Moreover, I have extensive experience working with adolescents and college students.
Life is a journey and it presents us with struggles. Our minds are resilient and plastic, yet when we are blocked we may not appreciate this. I give my clients tools to help themselves adjust and adapt to their individual struggles, such as death of a love one, stress, relational breakups and a spectrum of traumas. I am a guide to help my clients resolve their temporary block.
Thank you for considering working with me. I do both therapy and/or medication management. My approach is a team approach where I work collaboratively with you. Even if you have a therapist and need someone for just medication management, I like to get to know you as a whole. I try to avoid making students feel labeled and pressured to start a medication. I strive to make a welcoming environment for all students with diverse backgrounds, including LGBTQ students. My private practice is mainly undergraduate and graduate students along with young adults recently in the workforce.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
My goal is to guide you in understanding what interferes with living a fulfilling life. I believe change is possible, no matter the circumstance, and I will support you through your journey of growth and self-discovery. As a therapist with extensive background working with trauma survivors and individuals of all ages, couples and families in crisis, I respect and understand both the challenges and lifelong benefits of having therapeutic alliance. My experience with the healing process has solidified the importance of consistent, genuine care, creating a space to pursue what it is you desire and find to be meaningful. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Life Coach, my approach is primarily relational, focused on the cultural considerations of an individual. Although we cannot avoid suffering, learning to cope with it is possible. As we become curious and explore beliefs, experiences and relationships, we will discover meaning to move forward with renewed purpose. I use theoretical practices such as behavioral, cognitive behavioral, mindfulness, psychodynamic, strengths-based with a trauma and attachment lens. Additionally, I am specialized in sexual trauma and utilize techniques to help alleviate symptoms of PTSD, anxiety and depression, build skills to regulate emotions and transform unhealthy behaviors. I am a Psychodynamic Couple and Family Institute of New England trainee.
Often, a significant source of suffering lies in thoughts and feelings that exist outside of our awareness and have not yet been able to find full expression. Psychotherapy offers the unusual opportunity to be listened to deeply and to learn to listen to ourselves in new ways. Exploring and developing insight into your inner life can lead to change—feeling better about yourself, shifting seemingly intractable patterns that have kept you stuck, and developing a greater sense of agency and fulfillment in your life. My practice provides a safe setting in which this exploration can unfold. I'll work collaboratively with you to help you make sense of distressing feelings and thoughts, gain insight into your experiences, and develop a more authentic relationship to yourself and to the world. I have advanced training in psychodynamic psychotherapy, and my work is influenced by psychoanalytic and trauma-informed approaches. I see adults and specialize in a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, complex trauma, and relationship difficulties. You can read more about my practice on Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/795370
Fit is essential to good therapy. When the fit is right, therapy can become a practice space for navigating the complexity of relationships in everyday life. I value an open and collaborative approach so that together we can understand the challenges you face; those that are both in and outside of your conscious awareness. Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety, questions of identity, work difficulties, relationship conflict, going through a life change, or dealing with family-related stress, I believe that together we can understand and address that which holds you back. The following clinicians work in my practice and are also listed with Thriving Campus: Joel Stanley, Mental Health Counselor, and Dr. Shirley Poyau. I specialize in the treatment of complex trauma, a condition resulting from early and repeated exposure to neglect and abuse on the part of caregivers. I strive to create a space with clients where safety, in the context of a therapeutic relationship, can be experienced in order to promote recovery. I bring an awareness of the body and its various forms of communication into treatment, while also listening for layered meanings contained in the spoken word. I integrate psychodynamic principles and body-based approaches into my work. Social justice, equity, and cultural issues also significantly guide my clinical approach.
Transitioning to a new setting can be a stressful time in your life. There are many new challenges that at time feel overwhelming. If you are struggling with motivation, time management, depression , anxiety and overall stress related to your current situation please call me. We can work together to discuss your goals and come up with a plan to meet those.
I have been in private practice in the Boston/Cambridge area for 30 years working with adults and adolescents, couples and families. I work with clients utilizing a trauma informed lens as well as elements of liberation psychology and relational cultural theory. I feel all clinical work must begin with a thorough understanding of a client's multiple identities and how those identities interact within their communities and the larger culture. My work and my passion are embedded in a deep committment to social justice. I specialize in multicultural treatment, identity development, trauma, depression, anxiety, work issues, life transitions, parenting issues, adoption, fertility issues, gender issues and sexuality. I serve as the Director of the Brandeis Counseling Center at Brandeis University and in that role help students and faculty navigate academia. I see clients in my office at 1105 Mass Ave in Cambridge which is a 5-10 min walk from the Harvard T stop. I also offer off street parking on Remington Street across from 1105 Mass Ave. My hours are 6am-8am Mon-Fri, Thurs 5pm-10pm and Sat 7am-3pm.
I believe that the client is the expert of their lived experience. I will partner with you to explore a variety of issues that may be holding you back from wellbeing and peace. This may include difficult beliefs, patterns and behaviors that you want to change, relationship issues, family issues academic stress, and anxiety. I am happy to have a free 15 minute consult to see if we could be a good fit. I am happy to meet for walks or sit outside on a bench in the Cambridgeport area for sessions!