Therapists for college students near Boston, MA

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I am passionate about supporting individuals, children, and families who are ready to create healthier dynamics but aren’t sure where to start. I have worked with clients through various mental health concerns, such as trauma, grief, anxiety, ADHD, ASD, or identity exploration. I strive to create a safe, warm, and mutually respectful environment for my clients to engage in self-exploration and break painful cycles. Using attachment-based, culturally informed strategies based on your own unique strengths, we will work together to develop healthier communication patterns, feel deeply supported, and confidently move forward. I integrate Humanistic, Relational, and Psychodynamic perspectives to offer treatment that is deeply informed by your unique experiences. Specializing in family conflict, trauma, anxiety, and neurodiversity, I use attachment-based strategies to help you feel empowered. We will work collaboratively so you and your family feel truly heard. Beginning therapy is often a challenging process to go through, let alone begin, and it takes real courage. You don't have to carry stress, grief, or trauma alone. I am dedicated to building a safe, collaborative space where you feel genuinely empowered to achieve your self-identified goals. Whenever you are ready, please reach out.

Therapy is intensely personal but with the the right match you can begin to feel better. It takes courage to make that first call to start. Our work begins by focusing on your reasons for coming to therapy, whether it's a relationship problem, you're struggling with work-life balance, or you're experiencing significant anxiety or depression. I work with people from a whole person perspective/holistic approach focusing on your strengths and the things that might be getting in the way of your moving forward.

The clients I work best with are those who are open to self-discovery and committed to enhancing their mental well-being. They’re ready to take actionable steps toward their goals and value a safe, supportive space where they can freely explore their thoughts and feelings without judgment.

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.

My approach to therapy is guided by the belief that healing and change occur in relation with others. I am committed to meeting people where they are, taking time to learn their unique needs and life experiences, and honoring their own self-knowledge. I strive to create a safe and contained space that fosters exploration and self-actualization. I draw from psychodynamic and relational therapies, while also integrating narrative therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). My style is warm, genuine, and collaborative, and I practice with a queer, feminist, and anti-oppressive lens. I work with adults of all ages to navigate a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, identity issues, life transitions, interpersonal struggles, grief, and loss. I specialize in working with complex and developmental trauma, relationships and attachment, and first-generation challenges and experiences. I have experience working in schools, colleges, and community mental health. My personal and professional experiences have informed my passion for working with individuals impacted by the carceral system. I also find joy in expanding and enriching the therapeutic experience through the use of music, theater, and other art forms.

I am a psychotherapist and psychiatrist with decades of experience helping people overcome depression, anxiety, relationship issues and other life problems. I see patients weekly in my office for insight-oriented and cognitive behavioral therapy. Please contact me if you are interested in doing deep work to improve your life. Please be aware that the following are outside my practice area: ADD, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, acute suicidality, addiction problems, sexual trauma, and patients who have been psychiatrically hospitalized. I prescribe medication as needed for patients who are in therapy with me, but I don't do medication management alone. In general, I see women ages 20-40. I have many years' experience working with students. I graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, and I am Board Certified in Psychiatry and Neurology. Looking forward to hearing from you!

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.

About Me / Specialties I am a licensed psychologist specializing in treating adolescents and young adults with OCD, anxiety (including social anxiety, panic, phobias, and generalized anxiety), and related conditions such as body dysmorphic disorder, trichotillomania, tics, and excoriation disorder. I provide evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I see clients in-person in Cambridge, MA and virtually throughout Massachusetts and Texas. I also work with parents, offering coaching to help support their teen or young adult while reducing family accommodations. My goal is to create a compassionate, collaborative space where we take mental health seriously—but not ourselves too seriously. A little humor can go a long way in therapy! Treatment Approach I tailor treatment to each individual, often addressing co-occurring concerns like depression, eating issues, or trauma alongside anxiety or OCD. Using ERP, CBT, ACT, and DBT strategies, I help students manage symptoms, regulate emotions, and make meaningful, lasting changes—all in a supportive and approachable way. Training & Experience I earned my PhD from the University of Virginia, completed my clinical internship at Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Health Alliance, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for OCD and Related Disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, where I currently see therapy patients and conduct research on OCD spectrum disorders.

It’s far from easy, being in your late teens or early 20s. All eyes are on you, it would seem, as you feel like you’re expected to choose a career, form essential relationships and launch an “adult life”. You are leaving the original support of childhood, and your primary task is to gain life experience in order to know who you are and where you want to go. Yet college students feel burdened with the expectation to choose majors, excel academically and socially, and then to seamlessly emerge into the world of work with confidence and clarity. It’s no wonder young adults feel so much internal confusion around identity and their best path forward. In order to know who we are, we first have to have permission not to know. Social media and the accompanying social comparison, intense competition around college acceptance and then the job market all create an atmosphere that fosters self-critical perfectionism as opposed to self-acceptance and discovery. We help college students address common struggles during this life stage such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, body image issues, family of origin issues, identity development, sexuality and relationships, trauma, and spirituality. Every person is different. That's why our clinicians are trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, EMDR, Emotion Focused Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. 1A Wellness is an integrative practice, whereby clinicians have multiple specialties to choose from when working with clients. At 1A Wellness, we are driven to provide exceptional therapy so that clients can transform their lives. Our clinicians understand how to heal pain and how to help clients move forward so that they can make enduring changes and live fuller lives. We cannot change the past. But by investing in therapy, clients can reclaim their lives and change the future. This is our mission.

As an experienced and compassionate psychologist, I am committed to helping individuals on their journey towards self-discovery and personal growth. It is a privilege to work with clients who are motivated to gain insight into their thoughts, emotions, and relationships, and who aspire to evolve and improve. My therapeutic approach is collaborative, empathic, and tailored to each individual's needs. I draw from a range of evidence-based interventions, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), relational, interpersonal, and insight-oriented therapies.

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.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Depth. Strategy. Lasting Change. I provide therapy and coaching for deep thinkers navigating executive function, overwhelm, or relational patterns that no longer serve them.

I received my bachelor’s degree with honors from Brown University and my master’s degree from Boston College. I acquired my clinical training at McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School’s largest psychiatric affiliate, on an inpatient unit in the division of Anxiety & Mood Disorders. I also trained at the OCD Institute, the nation’s first and foremost treatment center for obsessive-compulsive disorder. I specialize in treating OCD, anxiety, and self-doubt. I have a particular focus on “Pure O,” which are obsessions without visible compulsions. Often these include obsessional doubts about taboo topics such as sexuality, violence, morality, identity, and health. When my clients first come to see me, they are stuck in a swamp of anxiety and endless fears of “what if.” They are exhausted from trying to escape the discomfort of their thoughts and keep their emotions at bay. For so long, avoiding and withdrawing has seemed like the easiest path to take, but it has also meant missing out on parts of life. They wish things could be different—that they could get out of their heads, stop worrying, and be more fully connected to themselves and others—but facing fears and making changes feels so daunting. I am one of the few clinicians in the country trained by the creator of Inference-based Therapy (IBT or I-CBT), an evidence-based therapy for OCD that addresses self-doubt and learning to trust yourself instead of having to resort to researching, reassurance-seeking, ruminating, or avoiding. You can be free of the exhaustion that comes from all the obsessing and avoiding. In our work together, you will develop new ways of thinking, feeling, and being in relationships so that you are no longer at the mercy of self-doubt and intrusive thoughts. You will learn how to trust yourself and step into your strength so you can show up fully to your own life.

Accepting New clients for tele-health sessions only Born and raised in Boston the owner has intimate knowledge of the city and the challenges people living in the city can face. Beyond that the owner recognized the benefit of working with a therapist that looks and has shared experiences with the client. Boston offers a unique population of families, working professionals, immigrants, and college students from both in and out of state. Each therapist on this team fits in one or more of those categories ensuring their ability to understand where you are coming from and where you want to go. It is out of that philosophy that Through The Forest Counseling was created. We know that for clients to get the most out of each session, they should first feel comfortable not just with the therapist, but also with the surroundings. This plays a significant role in their overall improvement. Let us guide you to your destination of a healthier, happier life.

Calling all stressed-out, anxious Jewish college students! You’re figuring out who you are—while juggling exams, dating apps, and the gnawing feeling that the world is falling apart. Add in questions about your Jewish identity, complicated family dynamics, and maybe a roommate who thinks antisemitism ended in 1945—and it’s a lot. You don’t have to process it alone. Therapy can be a place to bring your spiraling thoughts, perfectionism, existential dread, and hope for the future. You deserve a life free from the constant grip of anxiety. My clients finish their sessions feeling more at peace, more centered, and less tense in their bodies. Through our work, they become less critical of themselves. They learn how to manage difficult emotions. They also feel a sense of belonging. You’ll learn how to set healthy boundaries and ask for what you need more easily. You can rediscover pleasure in intimacy with your partner and grow more confident in expressing your needs. Weekends will bring laughter again, and work will start to feel rewarding instead of draining. You’ll be able to focus on your goals and tackle that To-Do list without spiraling into panic or curling up on the couch. You can step into the present moment with calm, clarity, and confidence.

I believe therapy is a creative process. I encourage free association in sessions to promote new ways of thinking and a wider range of feelings. I have experience treating mild to severe mental health diagnoses and can adapt my approach to the needs of each individual. As a practicing psychotherapist and a doctoral intern in psychoanalysis, I have a special interest in the unconscious life of my patients. I am available in-person or via Telehealth.

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

Starting therapy can feel like a nerve-wracking process. To ease this, I prioritize developing a genuine connection so that you can feel seen, heard, and valued in session. I believe that therapy is not a "one size fits all" practice. We all have different personalities, different histories, and different needs. My eclectic style as a therapist draws upon multiple therapeutic approaches and theories to better tailor treatment to you and your individuality. If you are interested in therapy centered on compassion, connection, humor, and authenticity- I am here to help!