Therapists in Cambridge, MA

Is your life starting to become unmanageable? Do you feel like you need to make a change, but don't know where to even start? Are you struggling with substance abuse, addiction, anxiety, depression, domestic violence, or relationship issues. If you or a loved one can relate to any of these issues and could benefit from additional support and assistance in setting personal goals then please reach out to me to schedule an appointment. ***If you are a family member seeking help for a loved one, please contact me so we can discuss how I might be helpful.

I'm a licensed psychologist with over 30 years of clinical experience. I understand that seeking a therapist is an act of profound courage and wellness, and I offer a safe, non-judgmental space to explore your concerns. I work with you at your own pace to recognize, validate, and support your natural strengths while gently challenging you to identify, understand, and alleviate symptoms, suffering, and barriers to fulfillment.

My ideal client would be new to therapy, though motivated to change. I am aware of the challenges that come with seeking therapy and want to be a support to those who are hesitant with the process. Ideally, I would like a client who is self-aware, receptive to feedback, and willing to hold themselves accountable.

I am a "generalist" and clinically serve individuals, couples and families across all phases of development (from pre-teens and adolescents through to older adults). Psychotherapy is a process designed to increase general mental health and well-being by clarifying goals and values, strengthening psychological weaknesses, and learning more effective and sophisticated strategies to better manage emotional, social and internal (e.g. thoughts) life. Through a gentle but focused conversational style, I utilize the latest clinical research and theory to construct a collaborative and personally-tailored treatment plan that aims for symptom relief and performance enhancement.

Welcome! With over 25 years of experience working with people of all ages as a trauma and grief therapist, I have helped individuals and families learn to cope with a wide range of issues including partner loss, anxiety, depression, family conflict, complex trauma and sexual assault. I provide parent guidance and coaching for caregivers who have children with challenging behaviors and special needs. I have expertise with foster, kinship and adoptive families. I offer therapy to tweens, teens and young adults who may need support with life transitions and relationships. My work with clients is always collaborative and strength-based.

I specialize in working with children, adolescents, and adults with matters relating to law and mental health. I help clients resolve challenges regarding anxiety, depression, relationships, divorce, child custody, school/work adjustment and transitioning homes adjustment. Additionally, I help clients of all ages face day to day life challenges.

In my 30+ years of experience as a therapist, clinical supervisor, researcher, educator and writer on complex trauma, I have come to believe that we are shaped as much by the good things that went missing from our lives as the bad things that happened to us. My clients have often endured severe abuse, neglect, oppression, and other forms of life adversity. They have learned to cope and survive in ways that get misunderstood and misdiagnosed, and that can cause profound stigma, shame and social rejection. Their courage and resilience inspires awe. Finding a therapist who can see and accept all parts of them is one key to recovery.

I work with individuals, couples, and families to address concerns with relationships, identity, intimacy and sexuality, and spirituality, in addition to general psychological problems. My approach to therapy is active, relational, and result-oriented, encouraging clients take hold of their life and find the meaning that life holds for them. I have served as an instructor at Harvard Medical School and Psychologist at the Cambridge Health Alliance for more than 25 years. And have been serving on the Advisory Board of the Dr. Phil Show, since its inception. (See drchirban.com and swampscottpsychologicalassociates.com)