Therapists for college students near Cambridge, MA

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

Are you struggling with adjusting to college, managing anxiety and stress? Do you feel it is challenging to make meaningful social connections? If your anxiety and stress are getting in the way of your daily life, it might be a good time to connect with a therapist who can help. Let’s work together to create a plan so you feel confident in managing your emotions and gain a sense of control in this life stage filled with new experiences and transitions. Continue reading to learn how booking a therapy session is the one of the best decisions you can make. I specialize in helping college and grad school students develop strategies to reduce stress, anxiety and build strong connections. We'll work together to identify ways to manage your emotions, work on changing your anxious thoughts to more realistic ones and find healthy ways to connect with others and manage daily stressors. Send me an email or give me a call to get started and we'll schedule a free 15 minute consultation. We can work together to make being a college or grad school student less scary! Please note, I only provide telehealth services to those who are physically in Massachusetts or Maine. My availability is Monday through Thursday from 10am - 7pm.

If you’re trying to navigate stress, identity, relationships, or just the pressure of figuring life out, you don’t have to do it alone. I have nearly 15 years of experience working specifically with young adults, and I aim to create a space where you can show up exactly as you are. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected, or just unsure of what you need, we can take the time to sort through it together. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in genuine curiosity about you. I believe therapy works best when you feel safe, respected, and understood, so I prioritize building a relationship where you can speak openly. I am LGBTQIA+ affirming and deeply committed to creating a space that is welcoming and inclusive of BIPOC clients. Your identities, experiences, and cultural context matter. If you’re looking for a therapist who will meet you with openness, respect, and care, I’d be glad to connect.

Hi! Welcome and thank you for starting your journey. I am an empathetic, compassionate and thoughtful therapist. I seek to establish a warm and caring relationship with clients in order to empower them and help them grow from the experiences they face. I will partner with you in building on your strengths in order to meet your goals and live the meaningful life you value and desire. I love working with young adults (ages 20-35) addressing life stressors, relationship issues, family tensions and the ongoing stress of life transitions during this time period of life.

My expertise is working with college students as I've worked at MIT for 22 and a half years at the MIT MH Counseling Service. Have worked with students from the US and all over the worlds on a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, academic challenges, sexual identity, cultural adjustment and relationships issues.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Dr. Shelby Ortega is a clinical psychologist serving the North Shore and Metro Boston areas via Cambridge and Salem office locations. My approach is one characterized by warmth, humor, and the welcoming of diverse experiences, identities, and perspectives. I believe in tailoring the treatment to the unique needs of my clients and providing a safe space that is equally supportive and challenging. I offer individual psychotherapy for adolescents and adults, as well as couples therapy, clinical supervision, and consultation services. I enjoy working with people from all walks of life, and make every effort to help those I work with feel welcomed, engaged, supported, and respected. I work to provide a safe therapeutic frame that is inclusive of social and cultural context, and therefore, welcome discussions of issues related to oppression, privilege, and of course, intersectionality of complex identity statuses. My private practice work is enriched by my academic scholarship and teaching experiences. I believe this work is an asset to my role as a practitioner and I work to extend this benefit to the patients I serve. My specific interests and areas of expertise include the following: Anxiety, Depression and Mood Disorders Relationship and Intimacy Difficulties Identity Exploration Recovery from Trauma and Loss I have extensive training in multicultural mental health, identity development, adult attachment relationships and intimacy, and have also completed two fellowships in psychodynamic psychotherapy at Harvard Medical School. Presently, I serve as a Teaching Associate in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, a Psychological and Educational Consultant with Jernigan & Associates, LLC, and as an Advisory Board Member for the Psychology Department at Regis College.

I specialize in providing therapy to students who are experiencing life transitions and/or have been impacted by serious illness and/or chronic illness in their lives. Therapy is focused on helping you as you adjust, cope and navigate your unique situation by providing support and guidance. I utilize a variety of modalities including, Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfullness, Grief Therapy and others to tailor each session to your needs.

College and graduate school can bring both exciting opportunities and overwhelming challenges. Whether you’re starting a new program and adjusting to multiple life transitions, navigating a new or ongoing ADHD diagnosis, managing stress, or working through relationship struggles, I aim to help provide a safe and supportive space to cultivate more clarity and resilience. As a therapist, I believe you are the expert of your own experience. My role is to collaborate with you, honoring your strengths while offering curiosity, compassion, and evidence-based tools. I provide a reflective space where you can explore challenges and gain insight, balanced with practical, solution-focused strategies you can use between sessions. My approach is strengths-based and growth-oriented—I aim to highlight what’s already working for you while supporting the changes you want to make. I know reaching out for therapy can feel like a lot, especially when you’re already juggling so much! I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to help see if we could be a good fit. You don’t have to figure this all out alone. I’d be honored to be a partner in your journey as you move toward a more balanced, intentional, and fulfilling future.

I’m Colleen Madden, PMHNP, specializing in medication management for college students. Whether it’s ADHD, anxiety, or mood concerns, I’ll help you find the right support—without judgment and with your busy schedule in mind. Virtual visits. Afternoon and evening hours available. A safe, understanding space to help you feel like yourself again.

Whatever it is that has brought you here, welcome! I work with folks facing a range of issues, with a specialty in trauma, anxiety, family conflict, LGBTQIA+ identity, and relationship issues. If you experience stress from caring for/about others and our environment, I am ready to support you. I am a climate-aware therapist, meaning I recognize climate grief and eco-anxiety as legitimate responses to a global crisis and important areas of attention in therapy to help you better navigate our changing world. In therapy, I attend to ways in which the ideas, actions and policies in our communities, cultures and families can be sources of both pain and resilience. I am committed to providing queer- and LGBTQIA+ affirming care, and I believe in the collaborative exploration of all intersections of identity that feel important to you. My experience informs my work. My career in international humanitarian aid and gender-based violence lends a unique perspective to trauma-informed care. Trained in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, I bring neuroscience and the mind-body connection into therapy. Our work will explore how the body holds past experiences and how it can help you heal. I also support people in therapeutically integrating psychedelic experiences. I look forward to getting started!

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.

Hi! I’m Gabrielle (you can also call me Gabbe). Whether you’re new to therapy or returning for another go, here’s what you can expect from our sessions: a conversation where clinical insight, honesty, and compassion intersect. I specialize in supporting individuals through major life transitions by helping them cultivate a healthier, more fulfilling relationship with food, themselves, and the people in their lives. My approach centers around making meaningful change by moving forward with imperfections and recognizing when it’s time to cut ourselves some slack. Together, we’ll collaborate to create a space where you can feel understood while also being gently challenged toward the life and relationships you strive for. Outside of the therapy office, I’m often spending my time with my loved ones, enjoying fresh air, and window shopping at various vintage thrift markets. I also enjoy playing video games (especially the Sims or Elden Ring), or trying new, crafty activities when I feel a more introverted! You deserve a space where you feel genuinely seen and safe to show up as yourself. If you're curious whether you'd find that space here, please reach out and we can schedule a free consult call!

We grow in relationships when we feel seen, responded to, and appreciated. My goal is to build a therapeutic connection together that enables you to work on challenges you are facing while also empowering you to feel more connected to yourself and others. I provide a curious, caring, collaborative presence in the hopes that our sessions offer a space to take a breath, experience your feelings, and explore. My therapeutic approach is grounded in relational cultural therapy and psychodynamic therapy. I also incorporate narrative, cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing in my work. I support clients experiencing mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, family and relationship issues, ADHD, grief, and identity exploration. I have experience working with college students, including first generation and international students, and educators. I welcome all clients including BIPOC, queer, trans, and gender-expansive individuals. I am a former educator and work from a strengths-based and trauma-informed perspective. I draw on attachment theory and systems theory to understand clients’ experiences in the full context of their lives, including how our identities, needs, and experiences are connected to our communities, cultures, and the broader forces that shape our well-being.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

My name is Jeff Kerner and I practice outpatient psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, where I serve on the faculty of Harvard Medical School. I recently opened a private outpatient practice to expand my availability outside the MGH system. I believe strongly in a patient-centered approach to developing a comprehensive and individualized mental health treatment plan that often includes medication management, therapy, and lifestyle modifications. Please reach out if you have concerns about your mental health.

Life hurts. It just does. We all go through tough times at some point. Tragedy and hardship hit unannounced. These events have a lasting impact - even subtle ones - especially if they took place during our formative years. They can leave us on high alert, isolated, stressed out, hating ourselves, experiencing nightmares, not being able to feel joy, or to concentrate. If you have experienced any kind of trauma, be it a massive event that you didn't recover from, the repeated attrition of abuse, or the subtle and insidious wounding of emotional neglect, there is hope. I'm a trauma-informed mental health counselor and energy psychology practitioner. I specialize in trauma treatment and have gathered an eclectic collection of tools. Not everything works for everyone, so I pride myself in always widening my knowledge of counseling interventions and incorporating holistic, somatic, and mindbody methodologies as well. As a human being I have had many opportunities to use my healing tools. I know what it's like to be deeply hurt, defeated, anxious beyond belief, trapped in my own skin, struggling to even function, going through life numb and on autopilot because everything feels so bad. But most importantly, I know how to overcome and transcend the pain. Let me show you.

People seek psychotherapy for different reasons. You may want to address symptoms of depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem, feelings of distress, vulnerability, or isolation. You may be searching for greater meaning, connection, authenticity, and empowerment in your daily interactions. Therapy can help reveal and change patterns that inhibit or undermine living the life you desire. In a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship, we can create conditions for growth, challenge ways of seeing, process painful experiences, and increase your awareness and acceptance of different parts of yourself. I take a relational therapeutic approach and integrate methods that promote insight, emotional awareness, and motivation for behavioral change. Through my training and education at Harvard and Boston Universities, I developed expertise in treating anxiety disorders, trauma and loss, and in helping people identify and strengthen their sources of resilience. It can be an uncomfortable endeavor to start therapy for the first time or again. Building comfort and trust in relationship is one of the first things you and I would work on together. I welcome your questions and input from the start and throughout the process. Please feel free to get in touch.

I have immediate availability in my schedule! I love to help my clients gain insight into their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, build new skills, and use that enhanced self-awareness and skill to make meaningful changes in their lives. I take a strengths-based and collaborative approach that draws from a range of therapeutic modalities and is responsive to your needs and desires. I aim to bring warmth, humor, and authenticity to the therapeutic relationship. I love to work with college students and am a former counselor for the non-profit Bottom Line, where I supported first generation college students through any and all challenges that arose on their journey towards graduation and career readiness. I also enjoy working with people who are anywhere on their journey towards becoming parents or who are searching for greater wellness as parents.

We all encounter difficult stressors, setbacks and experiences that sometimes cause us pain. We may be challenged by difficult transitions, our relationships, previous trauma, depression or anxiety. We can make the choice to work through these events and grow even when things are hard and confusing. My goal as a therapist is to provide a safe place for you to explore your struggles, and give you objective feedback and guidance to help you improve your life. Whether you'd like to improve your mood, strengthen relationships or need support coping with a difficult circumstance I can help. I work with young adults who have difficulty managing their emotions and who struggle with depression, anxiety, impulsive behavior, thoughts of suicide and self-harm, interpersonal problems, or problems functioning at work or school. I provide in-person and virtual evidence-based treatments including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help my clients change ineffective behavioral patterns, develop more helpful ways of thinking, and accept difficult realities in order to build the lives they want. I see therapy as a collaboration between client and therapist to work towards their goals in treatment and in life. Through my validating and nonjudgmental style, I am committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based treatment to help you reach your most desired goals and build a life worth living.