Therapists for college students near Boston, MA

Hello, I’m Ruolin Xie, an outpatient therapist at Orange Door Collaborative. Since earning my Master’s degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis in 2016, I have provided psychotherapy and clinical support to individuals and families of diverse ages and cultural backgrounds. My clinical specialties include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex trauma, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), grief and loss, LGBTQ+ concerns, interpersonal and relational challenges, parenting stress, and cultural adjustment issues. In my practice, I strive to create an affirming, empowering, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, strength-based, and client-centered therapeutic space. I dedicate myself to bringing both compassionate presence and active collaboration, offering skill-building where appropriate, while actively listening to each person’s unique experiences. My approach integrates neuroscience-informed methods with a holistic mind-body philosophy, allowing for tailored treatment plans that support both effective symptom relief and meaningful, long-term healing. I offer both short-term therapy for immediate needs and longer-term therapy for trauma recovery and self-exploration. I am trained in a range of evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). As a multilingual clinician, I offer therapy in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. A quote that continues to resonate with me is from Leonard Cohen: “There is a crack, a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in.” While I don’t seek to romanticize suffering — pain can be disorienting and deeply isolating—I believe that with skilled support, it is possible to uncover the human resilience, self-authenticity, and fierce self-compassion that emerge through healing. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to help you explore whether working together feels like the right fit. Please feel free to reach out by phone or email—I'd be honored to support you on your path.

I am a culturally sensitive mental health counselor with long years of college teaching experience. I have been working with international students and immigrant families for 12 years in culturally diverse communities. My clients and colleagues describe me as a warm, intuitive, creative and culturally sensitive professional with a good sense of humor. I have been approaching my students and clients as storytellers and feeling fortunate to be part of their narratives. I love helping young adults to cope with social, emotional, psychological and academic issues and supporting them to gain control and feel happy within their lives.

Hello! I am a compassionate, non- judgmental, solution focused therapist. Together we will explore your goals and develop a plan to work towards success! We will identify patterns of behavior that may be obstacles to goal achievement and create new helpful patterns. I will teach you the skills you need to help yourself at a pace that creates the best outcome. We work as a team and I often suggest skills to practice in between sessions. My treatment can focus around concerns with OCD, Anxiety, Grief, Loss, Relationships, Adjustment to sudden changes, Autism, ADHD, Spirituality, Trauma, Relaxation skills, Transitions, Neurodivergent affirming LGBTQQI+ affirming, cultural affirming. Neurodiverse couples , coaching , OCD family education, I have an eclectic approach, and use many treatment strategies specifically chosen for your treatment needs. I have advanced training in treating OCD and related anxiety disorders thru the International OCD Foundation. Treatment approach is CBT, ERP, ACT, executive function skills, I am also trained in EMDR, Flash and TIST (a parts model) Please view my website for more information on OCD-EMDR-TIST

As an associate psychotherapist at Soultality Center for Psychotherapy, I primarily work with adolescents and adults struggling with OCD, anxiety, and complex trauma. I also have experience supporting clients with depression, relationship issues, identity exploration, and chronic suicidality.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi! I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with 8 years of experience working in various clinical settings with children, adolescents, young adults and adults. I am invested in the power of connection and community, especially for those who have been historically marginalized. Many have been pushed away from connection and community by systems that weren’t built for them. My hope is to empower those whose voices and identities have been stifled, to reclaim space through community, resistance, and activism. My lived experiences as a queer, South Asian, cisgender woman deeply inform my approach to therapy. I believe in holding space for the multiple, intersecting identities and experiences each person carries and honoring the wisdom you already bring into the room. Through a liberation-focused, relational, and trauma-informed approach, I support individuals who are looking to process traumatic experiences, explore gender and sexuality, or navigate their cultural identity and intergenerational trauma. Therapy should be a space where you don’t have to justify who you are and where all aspects of your identity are welcome. This work is hard, and it can be exhausting to be vulnerable. I’m here to walk alongside you and support your process of unlearning, stretching beyond comfort zones, and cultivating new ways of being. I am here to offer curiosity, care, and a space to hold multiple truths. Growth isn’t linear—it’s a daily practice of reflection, connection, and self-compassion. We all deserve spaces that nurture us in this process, and I am honored to co-create that space with you. My integrative approach draws from trauma-informed and relational-cultural modalities, rooted in the understanding that we are shaped by our experiences, culture, ancestors, and the larger social and political systems we inhabit. If you’re looking for a supportive space to explore your identity and experiences, I invite you to reach out. Call or email to schedule a consultation—I look forward to meeting you. *Note: I am currently seeking individuals interested in participating in EMDR sessions as I work towards the completion of EMDR Basic Training. If interested please let me know!

I'm available to support students who may feel overwhelmed, stressed, or uncertain about the path ahead. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, adjusting to college life, struggling with self-doubt, or navigating relationships, I offer a safe, non-judgmental space to explore your thoughts and feelings. The students I work best with are those who feel like they’re juggling a lot—academic pressure, personal expectations, and social challenges—but who also want to grow, find balance, and build confidence. Many of my clients are learning to manage stress, cope with feelings of isolation, or figure out how to communicate better in their relationships. My approach is collaborative, and I focus on helping you find practical tools that fit into your life. Therapy doesn’t have to be intimidating; together, we’ll work at your pace to help you feel more grounded and in control. I’m here to listen, offer guidance, and support you as you navigate this chapter of your life.

My therapeutic approach is warm, gentle, collaborative, and compassionate. I use psychodynamic and person-centered approaches, along with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), motivational interviewing and mindfulness. I work from a systems and relational lens, recognizing that our lives are shaped by developmental experiences, relationships, culture, lived experiences and the broader contexts in which we live and learn. I work collaboratively with clients to explore how these influences shape their sense of self and relationships. I work with adults of all ages, backgrounds, and identities. I support clients with mood disorders, anxiety, stress, trauma, grief, identity exploration, and relationship challenges. I especially enjoy working with young adults, immigrants/international clients, and people navigating family conflict, acculturation, and career or academic pressure. Growing up in a community-oriented culture in India, I learned the value of mutual support and interdependence, which continues to shape my therapeutic style. Together, we would explore both your inner self and the systems around you, identifying sources of strength and support within yourself, as well as within your relationships and communities.

My clients often need support in multiple life areas and have complex needs. I offer a compassionate, honest and gentle approach to people looking for individual therapy and support. My experience is primarily related to working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma and other emotional issues. I use a contemplative style to help you utilize your own strengths and resilience.

Bret is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor working in the Harvard Square section of Cambridge, MA. Bret brings a history of working in diverse clinical settings to bear on the work he does with his clients. His range of experiences include in-patient psychiatric settings, partial hospitalization programs, college counseling centers, and the Massachusetts correctional system. He has worked with those seeking therapy for the first time, as well as folks who have experienced a lifetime of navigating the mental health system. Through each of those settings, one constant has remained in the work he has done, which is the conviction that healing only happens through the establishment of a meaningful and authentic therapeutic relationship. Bret’s eclectic history has enabled him to develop a rich and integrated approach to collaborating with the people he forms connections with in his work. In his private practice, Bret works with adults college-age and older. His abiding belief is that in his work he is not working with a diagnosis or a set of symptoms, but with a person with a unique set of complex challenges that have encouraged them to seek assistance from a caring professional. As such, he feels comfortable working with a broad spectrum of therapeutic concerns. However, given his work in corrections, Bret has developed a unique capacity to connect with those who may be skeptical of the therapeutic process or struggled to find success in other therapies. Additionally, Bret specializes in working with young men who have difficulty forming meaningful connections, finding effective ways to express their emotions, and managing impulsivity and aggression towards themself and others. Bret is currently available for in-person and online sessions

Marisa Anderson is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has recently started work at Crooked Tree after many years of experience working with adolescents and adults in outpatient agencies within the Boston area. In her work with clients, Marisa incorporates both strength-based and cognitive behavioral therapies to help facilitate and support a better sense of self, healthy relationships, and stress management skills. Currently, Marisa also works as a school clinician at Beacon High School in Watertown. Marisa received her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University.

Bernice Ruiz has over 18 years of dedicated service to children, youth, and families as an educator then mental health therapist. Her treatment approach is tailored to each clients' unique needs with a focus on depression, anxiety, relationship issues and school related-issues. She’s collaborated in delivering national suicide-prevention programming and has supported incarcerated mothers after release. As a first generation Haitian-American, she has a particular interest in supporting international students and other first/second-generation students address the stressors of navigating the education system.

I offer psychodynamic therapy, which can alleviate psychological symptoms while creating a space to understand ourselves in new ways. This approach pays close attention to the smallest details of our lives, exploring our histories to better understand our struggles and desires. Symptoms are examined in the context of our lives and the forces that shape them. I view therapy as a conversation in which you can say anything. This may include speaking about your past, but it can also include dreams, fears, wishes, fantasies, or whatever else comes to mind. Together, we can be curious about what patterns emerge and what they may reveal. I provide individual therapy to individuals experiencing a range of issues, including trauma/PTSD, depression, anxiety, life transitions, college adjustment and relationship struggles. I have worked extensively with young adults who have experienced childhood trauma and serious mental illness. I also have expertise in the treatment of personality disorders. I enjoy working with clients of diverse identities and backgrounds and have worked in a variety of settings, including community mental health and inpatient settings. Much of my work has been with members of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as with individuals underrepresented in therapy.

Welcome to Meridian Psychotherapy Associates — where we specialize in supporting the mental health needs of college students. We understand that college is a time of excitement and growth, but also one of stress, change, and uncertainty. Our goal is to provide a safe, understanding, and personalized space for students navigating this unique life stage. Our individual therapy addresses common student concerns such as anxiety, depression, academic stress, time management, identity exploration, and relationship challenges. Our trauma-informed therapists are attuned to the emotional, social, and academic pressures of campus life. We also offer couples therapy for college students in relationships, focusing on communication, conflict resolution, and maintaining connection amid busy schedules. For students navigating family dynamics, we help students improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen support systems. To fit student lifestyles, we provide flexible in-person and telehealth options, allowing therapy access nearby campus or home. At Meridian, our therapists are compassionate, skilled, and committed to empowering students with tools for resilience, growth, and lasting well-being—during college and beyond. Ready to take the next step? Contact us for a consultation and start building a stronger foundation for your personal and academic success.

I specialize in working with adults, children, and families who have been impacted by trauma. I have experience in helping clients who struggle with depression, anxiety, dissociation, relationship difficulties, emotional and behavioral dysregulation, and other issues that often result from adverse experiences and traumatic stress. I practice a collaborative approach which honors my clients’ lived experience and allows their needs and our understanding of the challenges they face to shape the specific approaches we use in our work together. I use an integrative style which blends skills-based, relational, and trauma-focused interventions. I see goodness-of-fit as central to the treatment process, and I believe an authentic and trusting relationship is essential to effective therapy. I strive to bring cultural humility to my work, and offer honesty, warmth, humor and compassion to foster the safe environment needed to allow my clients to achieve true growth, healing and transformation. I am fluent in English and Haitian Creole.

Accepting new patients.....It is through therapy that we come to understand how our experiences make our lives meaningful. Choosing a therapist isn't an easy task; I hope sharing my perspective helps. Over the last decade I have worked at universities, elementary schools, rehabilitation centers and group homes with children and adults from 7-70. These experiences have shown me that the right environment activates our innate capacity to mature and thrive. Therapy is not about "fixing" someone, it's about creating a space that supports growth. My approach embraces the power of personality to facilitate change. Through active listening, I acknowledge the impact of personal experiences and encourage exploration. Like exercising - regular, creative dialogue yields new strengths and abilities. In this way, individuals find their own solutions that are often more personalized than CBT. As you search for a therapist, consider me - I think you'll find me accessible, pragmatic, and insightful.

I am a licensed psychologist in private practice in Brookline, Massachusetts. I work with adults navigating life transitions, cultural transitions, relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, trauma, and questions related to identity, belonging, and self-understanding. My work is informed by multiculturally informed contemporary psychoanalytic thinking and a commitment to creating a thoughtful, collaborative, and emotionally attuned therapeutic relationship. I approach therapy with patience, curiosity, and a strong commitment to the therapeutic relationship. I understand that trust develops over time, and I aim to offer a space where thoughts, emotions, and relational patterns can be explored openly and at a comfortable pace.

My style is warm, empowering, and deeply collaborative. I work from the understanding that the therapeutic relationship itself is a powerful vehicle for healing, built on fostering genuine compassion and unconditional positive regard. I use an integrative approach tailored to clients’ unique needs, drawing from psychodynamic, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). My work is trauma-informed, integrating mindfulness, Liberation Health, and anti-oppressive frameworks, while emphasizing awareness and somatic experience. I work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, identity concerns, relationship and family dynamics, and college adjustment. I specialize in supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, and individuals navigating chronic illness. I offer an affirming space for diverse identities and relationship dynamics. In addition to a Master of Social Work, I have a Master of Education in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies and a background as a health and wellness/biology teacher, which provides me with a unique understanding of the challenges students encounter in educational environments.

CLINICAL CARE AND SUPPORT FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY Out at Home provides outpatient therapeutic support services for LGBTQ+ folks, their families, couples and caregivers. The program is operated in coordination with Waltham House, The Home’s residential group home for LGBTQ+ youth. Out at Home uses Waltham House’s 20+ years of expertise in therapeutic and clinical services to support LGBTQ+ folks and their families in an outpatient setting. Out at Home was created with the goal of providing LGBTQ+ competent clinical care, with a strong emphasis on keeping youth within their home environments and communities by offering comprehensive, specialized services and resources that educate, support, strengthen and empower. Our clinicians offer innovative, ever-evolving programming, whether providing in-person or virtual clinical care, leading confidence and community-building group sessions, or counseling LGBTQ+ students in Greater Boston schools or colleges. SERVICES WE OFFER Individual therapy sessions for LGBTQ+ folks with licensed and master's level clinicians Family therapy, group therapy and couples counseling with licensed and master's level clinicians Life skills support and community resource connections Trauma-informed therapeutic approaches Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Gender Affirming Surgery Letters Professional development, training and consultation services to outside agencies and professionals.

Therapy is a deeply personal and vulnerable process that requires trust to flourish. I strive to create a safe, accepting, and collaborative space for you to come as you are, using the therapeutic relationship and attunement to foster trust. I tailor treatment to your unique needs and treatment goals using a compassionate, trauma-informed lens, drawing from a psychodynamic orientation, integrated with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and mindfulness-based approaches. I support adults navigating anxiety disorders, mood disorders, loneliness, grief, loss, complex trauma, identity development, relational / attachment-based issues, and life transitions. I also have extensive experience working with individuals of diverse backgrounds, including non-citizen and LGBTQ populations. My experience growing up as a Latina between the U.S and abroad has strengthened my curiosity for those whose lived experiences differ from my own. It has cultivated a deep empathy and desire to honor the richness of their stories in therapy. I prioritize creating a space for all parts of the self to be seen and understood.