Therapists for college students near Northeastern University

Health Psychology Associates, a distinctive female-owned boutique private group practice, is nestled in the heart of Boston's historic Back Bay. Our mission is clear: We help ambitious individuals realize their full potential, lead fulfilling lives, and improve their work, love, and play through the transformative power of therapy. With a focus on high-stress careers, we cater to a diverse clientele, ranging from students to seasoned executives across various fields and disciplines. Our dedication is unparalleled—we view therapy as a catalyst for profound transformation. We're not just therapists but committed partners in your well-being, guiding you toward growth, change, and resilience. Because fundamentally, we believe that peace of mind is the cornerstone of good health.

Intercultural Psychological Services is a group practice of multicultural, multilingual, therapists led by clinical psychologist Elizabeth A. Willems, PsyD. We are highly-trained and offer psychological services including therapy, consulting, assessment, as well as training opportunities for psychology graduate students. We hail from Mexico and the USA. We virtually serve clients located across the globe.

Currently offering in-person and virtual sessions for clients in Massachusetts and virtual-only sessions for clients in New York. As a dedicated therapist specializing in complex trauma and identity development, I am committed to creating a culturally sensitive, collaborative, non-judgmental, and engaging therapeutic space for my clients. Utilizing IFS and other trauma-focused modalities, I believe every individual possesses the innate potential to heal from their deepest wounds. Whether you face issues with boundaries, repeat behavior patterns, or have experienced complex PTSD or relational trauma, I am here to support your journey toward healing. In our work together, I will create a compassionate space to explore parts of yourself that carry shame or may have been dismissed or invalidated. I am attuned to your emotional needs and skilled in asking thoughtful questions that deepen your self-understanding. My goal is to help you lead an integrated life with courage, confidence, and clarity. Clients describe therapy with me as “deeply impactful,” with lasting benefits. I believe in everyone’s capacity to heal, even when the path seems unclear. Embarking on this journey of self-discovery can bring profound changes in how you connect with yourself, in relationships, and with the world around you. Take the first step and embrace the growth ahead.

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.

My name is Erin Peterson and I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Massachusetts and owner of Sand Dollar Counseling. I specialize in: -Providing evidence-based, effective, and compassionate therapy to individuals navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, gender identity, stress and life transitions. -Supporting people in managing emotions more effectively or in understanding themselves and their identity more fully. -Helping people make changes in thought patterns and behaviors. -Offering a supportive environment for individuals to discover their identity. -Focusing on work with adolescents and young adults in their 20’s and 30’s. -Perinatal Mental Health I believe that in order for therapy to be effective, there has to be a match between therapist and client, plus a readiness to change on the client’s part. I work to develop a warm and supportive environment for all individuals meeting with me. I work from a gender affirming space. I know the decision to start therapy can be a big step. I look forward to meeting with you soon.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

We don’t like uncertainty. It is tempting to grasp for the certainty of “everything is doomed” or “everything will be ok.” But a part of us remains unconvinced. It is hard to face the truth: I don’t know what is coming, only that my experience will keep changing and eventually end. There are many aspects of our experience that are hard to face. We aren’t meant to do this alone. I partner with my clients to walk together into this wilderness. I offer a kind, curious, nonjudgmental attention, with the intent of helping my clients to sort through thoughts, judgements, reactions, behaviors, and felt experience, so they can learn to care more skillfully for the parts of their experience that are outside of their control and to take decisive action in the areas of their life where they have agency. Over time, this relational practice builds solidity. It loosens the tight grip on “everything is doomed” or “everything will be ok,” and opens up “it will keep changing, and eventually end, and I trust in my capacity to feel and care for my experience, no matter what comes.”

Each of us has the potential to connect with and live from a creative, energized and compassionate center. Once established, we can perpetually draw upon this connection to understand and accept our past, to guide our present, and to embrace our future. With warmth, commitment and respect, and with attention to body, mind, and spirit, I work to help people access the inner resources they need to live with happiness, safety and ease. As a therapist, I meet people where they are. I collaborate with them to create a treatment that is flexible and responsive to their needs and experience, and help guide them toward their stated goals.

Over the past more than 10 years of practice in psychotherapy, I am always amazed by people’s resilience, their longing and efforts for something better. I feel privileged to be part of their journey. While I have worked in a variety of clinical settings, including 5 university counseling centers, I have deeply enjoyed working with college students and young adults during an important transitional period in their lives. I approach therapy from a strength-based, humanistic perspective which integrate Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), interpersonal process, Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Emotional focused Therapy and mindfulness. I was born and grew up in China. Living in two different cultures has its own challenges and rewards. I learned to appreciate the richness of human experiences and cultures, also practice therapy through a multicultural lens. I am bilingual, provide psychotherapy both in English and Mandarin.

Students today face a lot of pressure—academically, socially, and emotionally. You may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, burned out, or struggling to stay focused and motivated. Sometimes past experiences or trauma can make everyday stress feel even harder to manage. I offer a supportive space to talk openly, understand what you’re going through, and learn practical tools to cope with stress, anxiety, and difficult emotions. Together, we can work toward helping you feel more balanced, confident, and supported.

I'm a psychologist with 20+ years helping college students with eating disorders and body image problems. I like to work collaboratively. I bring the expertise on how to help students recover from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and emotional eating ( as well as the anxiety and depression that often accompany these issues) but students are the experts on their lives. Together, we form a partnership to help you move forward in both your eating disorder recovery and in building a life with more balance and joy! I utilize a mix of empirically-supported therapeutic approaches including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

Our experiences in this world, often based on identities or trauma, can leave us feeling stressed and uncertain. It's confusing to have your worries get in the way of making the connections with people that you long for; or to be so convinced you will fail that it's hard to take the first step in doing the next thing you want to do; or to be suddenly totally overwhelmed in the middle of this exciting new experience you'd been waiting for. Sometimes people need some help slowing down, reconnecting with themselves, and finding new ways to respond so that they can move forward with hope, self-compassion, and empowerment. I have spent many years working in college mental health, helping students from all identities and backgrounds navigate the growth and challenge of the college experience. My approach is collaborative. Together we figure out what's getting in the way for you. I'll be with you in the hard moments, naming and exploring your thoughts, feelings, and experiences so that you can find ways to respond to them that are helpful. Increased connection with your body is key. Let's also celebrate the wins, big and small, along the way. Finding a therapist that is a good fit is so important—if you're not comfortable enough to tell your therapist what's really going on, therapy won't work. Let's find a time to connect to see if I would be a good fit for you in your next step.

I am a Harvard-trained psychiatrist providing psychotherapy and medication management for college students and young adults. I help individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, perfectionism, test anxiety, social anxiety, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. I have particular experience working with LGBTQ+ students and young adults, as well as those navigating identity development, college adjustment, academic stress, and uncertainty about the future. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by coursework, struggling socially, questioning your direction, or finding it difficult to meet the expectations you've set for yourself, treatment can provide a space to better understand what's getting in the way and develop a healthier path forward. My approach is collaborative, thoughtful, and individualized. I integrate psychodynamic psychotherapy with evidence-based medication management when appropriate, taking the time to understand your unique experiences, goals, and values rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. My goal is to help you not only reduce symptoms, but also develop greater self-understanding, confidence, and resilience.

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.

Many of the clients we work with are navigating significant transitions in life—whether it’s stepping into adulthood, healing from past trauma, managing anxiety or OCD, or exploring their identity. They often feel overwhelmed, self-critical, or like they have to “do it all” perfectly. They want space to feel heard, understood, and supported without judgment. In our practice, clients value real connection, honesty, and a therapist who feels present and engaged. They’re not looking for someone with all the answers—they’re looking for someone who will walk alongside them, help them understand themselves better, and offer tools that work in real life. Our clinicians care about people's stories and want to support clients in self-development by showing up authentically, building strong relationships, and exploring various clinical approaches, such as EMDR, IFS, ACT, and more. We look forward to supporting you.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive training in, and experience providing, evidence-based treatment for adolescents, adults, and couples. I strive to create a warm, safe environment in which clients are encouraged to explore the connections between their internal experiences (thoughts, feelings, urges), external events, and behaviors. My approach is collaborative and aims to empower individuals to make mindful choices in service of their goals and values. I take an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approach, and I integrate other evidence-based treatments, such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I specialize in treating anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), perfectionism, and depression. I am grateful for the privilege of working so intimately with individuals and families. I look forward to meeting with you.

Psychotherapy can help individuals identify the cause of pain, gain insight, expand coping skills, and remove barriers that get in the way of meaningful relationships. Looking inward and exploring your thoughts and feelings can be a daunting and scary process. I hope I can join you in your journey towards healing and positive change. I am a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in working with college students, particularly with students with marginalized identities. I have 15+ years of experience working at college counseling centers as a clinician, supervisor, director of training, and director of diversity and inclusion. My approach to therapy is centered on social justice, developmental, and relational psychodynamic principals. This lens allows me to pay attention to the impact of early childhood and family experiences, social-cultural factors, relational patterns, systematic oppression, and self awareness when working with individuals. I believe that a truly healing therapeutic relationship explores and fosters all intersecting identities of a person.

Many people come to therapy when they find themselves stuck repeating old patterns in relationships, work/school, or how they treat themselves. I'm a clinical psychologist with over 17 years of experience in helping people understand themselves more deeply so that change becomes possible. I approach people with a warm, collaborative, and exploratory style. If you're wanting to make sense of what's holding you back and move toward a more authentic, connected life, I can help. I welcome people of all identities and practice gender-affirming care. I use a psychodynamic approach that focuses on thoughts, feelings, and reactions that come up in your life and in our sessions. These moments often connect to deeper issues that we can then explore. I add cognitive-behavioral tools when helpful. Reaching out for therapy can feel vulnerable, and it's important to find a therapist you feel comfortable with. In our first sessions I offer an open space in which you can speak freely and we can get to know each other. If you're unsure whether we're a good fit, I'm happy to talk over phone or email about what you're looking for. I specialize in: • Anxiety and mood disorders • Relationship and interpersonal difficulties • Identity development and LGBTQ+ concerns • Life transitions • Young adults/adults seeking ongoing psychotherapy

Have you noticed yourself feeling anxious, distracted, irritable, unable to finish certain tasks, and overall having a hard time managing overwhelming emotions? Would you like more peace, clarity, focus, and calm in your life? Do any of these apply to you: short-term adjustment concerns, life transitions, women’s issues, or even long-term mental health challenges such as anxiety, trauma, PTSD, and dementia and Alzheimer’s? Are you looking for short-term coaching or consultation, whether it be parenting, relationship, or corporate? If so, let’s schedule a phone consultation and make a plan to meet your needs and achieve your goals!