Therapists for college students near Cambridge, MA
I do my best work with LGBTQ folks who are in the midst of a big change or transition in their life, and who are looking for a safe and supportive place to both explore, and be challenged to initiate change. My expertise is in helping individuals and couples navigate a range of life experiences including: the coming out process, the transition to college, young adult identity exploration, difficulties in long-term relationships, and difficulties with family dynamics. As a queer-identifying person myself, I understand the unique complexities you may face at each of these phases and I have spent my career learning to effectively guide you through these important and challenging times. My clients describe me as warm, compassionate, and supportive. I try to incorporate humor wherever we can. My style is a blend of both working to address current challenges as well as the roots of those challenges in order to have the most effective and lasting impact. If you’re ready to take the first step towards more self-understanding and more fulfillment in your life, please get in touch! It would be my honor to help.
Psychological suffering exists on different levels and manifests in different ways, in psyche, body, interpersonally, socially, both consciously and unconsciously. Thankfully, there are many ways to address psychological struggle, ranging from working with symptoms that are consciously experienced to the exploration of underlying non-conscious dynamics, many of which originate during the early years of one's life and impact one's relationship with self and others. My work is social justice-informed and incorporates an understanding of how larger socio-political systems impact our lives. Facilitating empowerment is key in my work. I provide a safe space and relationship in which to listen deeply, to your thoughts, feelings, emotions, memories, fantasies, and bodily experience. By learning to listen in new ways, we expand our capacity to hold more, respond with greater flexibility, clarity and ease, develop presence and compassion, and become empowered to make positive changes. I have advanced training in psychodynamic psychotherapy, somatic psychotherapy, mindfulness and Internal Family Systems. I work with adolescents, adults, and couples, and I specialize in a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, complex trauma, issues around individuation, existential questioning, embodiment difficulties, and relationship challenges.
College comes with a lot of change: career decisions, perfectionism, major life transitions, and the pressure to have it all figured out. If you're dealing with stress, anxiety, self-doubt, or just trying to navigate this chapter of life, I'm here to help. I create a collaborative, judgment-free space where we can work together on the things that matter to you. Whether you're struggling with perfectionism, facing big life changes, exploring career paths, or dealing with that critical voice in your head, my approach focuses on building self-compassion and changing the internal dialogues that fuel anxiety and shame. With experience in college mental health, outpatient therapy, and career counseling in higher education, I understand the unique challenges college students face. I work with students on career development, managing academic and personal stressors, navigating life transitions, and developing healthier ways of relating to themselves. Let's connect and see if we're a good fit!
Do you feel overwhelmed when facing life's obstacles? Have you tried to find ways to help yourself, but things have not improved, no matter what you do? Therapy can help you find new ways of dealing with life's challenges that have become too much to handle alone. Every person has a reservoir of strength inside. Through compassionate, supportive therapy, you can connect to your strengths to develop new ways of dealing with problems and complicated feelings, relationships, and transitions. I work with clients to understand the causes of their pain and difficulties. I offer different approaches to developing an effective strategy for internal and external struggles. I combine concrete skills for managing daily stressors with a process of self-understanding to achieve more profound long-term change. I am a licensed clinical social worker with extensive training in trauma-focused therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and internal family systems (IFS). I also use EMDR modality for some specific processing work. I have experience in providing therapy to people from diverse backgrounds - race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and more.
I offer collaborative, compassionate, culturally-informed care tailored to you. Whether you're navigating life transitions, feeling held back by your emotions, or seeking self-understanding to move forward, I will help you build on your strengths to achieve your therapy goals. Schedule a free 15-min phone consultation to see if we’re a good fit.
For people of all ages, difficulties in life may result from a lost connection with one’s internal experience. Psychotherapy offers the opportunity to attend closely to one’s thoughts and feelings in a safe, supportive environment. In child therapy, play is the primary mode of communication. Through play, children explore their internal world, rehearse for life, process past events, practice creativity, and learn to moderate themselves. As children begin to feel understood and understand themselves, their internal experience can become their guide to being in the world. In talk therapy with adolescents and adults, I offer a collaborative, exploratory space where together we will work to understand your personal experience and the roots of your distress. This process can lead to a deeper connection with oneself and to others. I have advanced training in psychodynamic psychotherapy with children, adolescents, and adults. I work with individuals struggling with a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, life transitions, identity issues, attentional problems, trauma, and relationship difficulties.
Are you an anxious over thinker navigating relationships or a new career? Are you a people pleaser or highly self critical? I'm Aisling, a licensed therapist specializing in supporting women and adolescents dealing with anxiety, navigating life transitions, and healing from trauma. I hope to provide a space to explore all of those challenges with compassion, sensitivity, and sometimes humor. I view this work as the most important thing I could possibly be doing and I hope each client leaves this space feeling hopeful about themselves and the world around them. I work with adolescents and women to navigate a spectrum of anxiety disorders. In particular, I know how debilitating high functioning anxiety and perfectionism can be. I offer a place to explore the root of the anxiety, people pleasing behaviors, and develop healthy coping skills. I want to empower clients and help them see their own strengths.
I am an experienced clinician with extensive background working with undergraduate and graduate students. I have an empathic, nonjudgmental style and use my experience to clearly and carefully understand the feelings and experiences of the people I work with. My goal is to assist in developing emotional growth and greater stability in life.
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.
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!
Focus on anxiety, self-esteem, multicultural/diversity concerns, adjusting to college, life transitions, depression, sexual orientation/questioning, emotional well-being, men's issues, communication, interpersonal relationships, stress management, trauma informed, interactive and collaborative therapeutic approach.
Starting treatment with a new mental health provider can be daunting: it involves opening up with the hope that you'll learn and grow from the experience. I have tremendous respect and admiration for my patients, as they work through challenging emotions, histories, and conflicts. At times, certain thought patterns, self-perceptions, traumatic experiences, or communication struggles can keep people from thriving and building the kind of career, relationship, or personal well-being they crave. It takes courage to work on these issues, and it is a real privilege to get to help people on their journey. I am a Harvard-trained, board-certified psychiatrist providing psychotherapy and medication management to adults in Massachusetts through telehealth. Growing up in an immigrant family and having worked in multiple clinics internationally, I highly value providing culturally competent care. It is very important to me that my patients feel seen and heard. I use a collaborative, holistic approach to care, in which I work alongside clients to define and set goals. I am transparent about the extent of what is and isn't well-known in psychiatry with the goal of helping people make informed decisions that they feel comfortable implementing. If this approach sounds like a good fit for you, please reach out!
I am a clinical psychologist licensed in the state of Massachusetts. I received my master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from William James College (formerly the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology). I have extensive experience working with college and university students at the undergraduate and graduate levels, who struggle with a wide variety of challenges and questions. I have worked as a staff clinician at the counseling centers of both Tufts and Brandeis universities, and completed my post-doctoral training at Roger Williams University. During my doctoral training, I completed Internships at New England Conservatory of Music and Rhode Island College. In addition, I trained on the psychiatric inpatient unit at Faulkner Hospital and worked with school children at a public middle school in Wayland, MA. I love working with people on a range of issues related to depression, anxiety, and substance use, in addition to examining questions of identity and relationships with others. My belief is that our difficulties in life often arise from complicated thoughts and feelings that may contradict one another and leave a person feeling confused and overwhelmed. My job as a psychotherapist is to work with individuals to sort through this mix, like a puzzle, in order to gain a greater understanding of the dynamics at play, both internally and externally. It is through this growth in self-understanding that one gains greater agency over how they can respond to the world around and within them. Prior to becoming a psychologist, I grew up outside of Boston and then moved to New York City to study and pursue a career in acting. I attended New York University and received a BFA in theater arts. I spent many years working as an actor, but eventually grew weary of some of the demands and experienced a crisis of sorts in regard to my professional and personal identity. Through a process of self-examination, assisted by my own experience in therapy, I found a new direction that enabled me to hold onto some of the aspects of theater that I liked, while gaining a sense of purpose and service to others that had been lacking for me. For these reasons, I love working with artists and creative types, in addition to those who find themselves at a crossroads or unsure of where to take their next step in life.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
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.
As a therapist, I aim to be as authentic, supportive, and direct as possible; helping you to work on the obstacles standing in the way of reaching your goals. Sometimes this simply means experiencing an accepting and validating environment otherwise unavailable. Alternatively, this may consist of having an emotionally safe space to communicate with your partner or family. My approach depends on your goals for our work together and what degree of challenge you feel ready for. Conflict or connection, I am here to support you. Feedback I've received from clients typically includes comments along the lines of, "You aren't the type of therapist who just sits back and listens for an hour, but who gets me to consider things I hadn't thought of, helped me to figure myself out- what I really want, need, and how to deal". I truly enjoy helping my clients to gain a better understanding of themselves, identifying and building their strengths, and supporting them through difficult times. You may perceive an upsetting event as a minute issue or a monstrous crisis based on how others view it. My perspective however, rests on the impact and significance an experience holds for you. Life is challenging, especially when you are attempting to juggle school, work, relationships and unexpected life events. Reach out. A simple talk will help you determine if I can be of support.
I offer expertise in long-term individual therapy, meeting with most of my patients weekly or more. I enjoy working with difficult issues including depression, anxiety, and trauma. These issues often have many manifestations like panic, procrastination and avoidance, low energy, low confidence, eating and sleep disturbances to name only a few. I work hard to offer a space where we can listen very carefully to what is contributing to these problems. My belief is that our problems point to something more than disorder and dysfunction; they point to something that is profoundly unique in each of us. I look forward to hearing from you to talk about how I can help.
These days, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — anxious, angry, stuck, or just plain exhausted. If that’s where you are, you’re not alone. And your experience matters. Just because others are struggling too doesn’t make your pain any less real. Maybe your mind won’t stop racing. Maybe you feel out of control, trapped in old patterns, or unsure how to move forward. I’ve worked with many people navigating these same waters — helping them find steadier ground, soften anxiety and anger, and reconnect with their creativity, clarity, and relationships. In therapy, you don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to perform. You just have to show up as you are. I offer a grounded, compassionate space where we move at your pace. You bring what’s real — and together, we explore it with honesty and care. Whether you’re looking for support, growth, or space to breathe, our work is about learning to relate to yourself differently — with more freedom, more awareness, and more trust in your own way forward.
Hello! I offer in-person appointments at my office in Portland, Maine. I also provide video sessions to clients in Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and participating PSYPACT states. I have 14 years of experience working with undergraduate and graduate students in college counseling center and outpatient settings. I love working with this population! My integrative approach to psychotherapy utilizes evidence-based skills-focused therapies (such as CBT) combined with a strong Psychodynamic (insight-oriented) framework. Treatment interventions are thoughtfully chosen to fit the particular needs of each individual client. Clients who tend to be a great fit are seeking help for: anxiety, depressed mood, feeling "stuck", adjusting to college, relationship concerns, improving communication, navigating dating and marriage, coping with stress, job dissatisfaction, grief from loss, chronic illness, health goals, substance use concerns, sleep issues, EMDR for past/recent traumas. I welcome you to reach out to me to discuss if we might be a good therapist-client fit. I offer a free 15-minute telephone consultation to answer your questions and hear a bit about your personal therapy goals.