Photo of David A. Perna - David A. Perna, PhD, Psychologist, PhD
David A. Perna, PhD
Psychologist, PhD
Email Us
or
Email Us

David A. Perna, PhD

Psychologist, PhD (he, him)

Verified by Psychology Today Verified by Psychology Today
Call Us
Let's Connect (617) 762-5419
Photo of David A. Perna - David A. Perna, PhD, Psychologist, PhD
Available both in-person and online
44 Thornton Street Newton, MA 02458
I work with children, adolescents, and adults who have often had unsuccessful prior treatment experiences. They feel that my knowledge and holistic approach to treatment will provide them with a healthier pathway forward in their life. Although I have a depth of experience to share with my patients I value learning from them on a daily basis. To facilitate change I employ a range of focused DBT and CBT strategies that I also teach to younger clinicians who train with my practice. I have maintained a professional home for 30 years at Harvard Medical School where I serve as a Part-Time Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry.
I treat a range of diagnostic presentations and specialize in working with anger challenges, self-harming issues, learning/executive function challenges, and college transition issues. I offer a unique, Multi-Modal Treatment (MMT) approach that is holistic, learning focused, and fully integrated with my fellow co-treaters.
I have worked with a range of patients from diverse ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds who have struggled with their mental health. I have found that cooking with my clients in my outpatient groups allows everyone to appreciate and celebrate their ethnic diversity and unique contributions to the group process. It promotes a diversity-curious vibe.
Call or David A. Perna, PhD now for a free 15 minute consultation - (617) 762-5419

Practice at a Glance

Available both in-person and online

David A. Perna, PhD, DaVinci Behavioral Health

44 Thornton Street

Newton, MA 02458 map

(617) 762-5419

DaVinci Behavioral Health

35 Bedford Street

First Floor Courtyard Entrance: Suite 8

Lexington, MA 02420 map

Website
I see patients in-person in a relaxed office environment and on-line. I am available 5-days a week and offer a range of outpatient groups.
I specialize in Family Conflict, Education and Learning Disabilities and Anger Management 
I accept insurance 
I see individuals, families and groups  
Let's Connect (617) 762-5419
Photo of David A. Perna - David A. Perna, PhD, Psychologist, PhD

Practice at a Glance

Available both in-person and online

David A. Perna, PhD, DaVinci Behavioral Health

44 Thornton Street

Newton, MA 02458 map

(617) 762-5419

DaVinci Behavioral Health

35 Bedford Street

First Floor Courtyard Entrance: Suite 8

Lexington, MA 02420 map

Website
I see patients in-person in a relaxed office environment and on-line. I am available 5-days a week and offer a range of outpatient groups.
I specialize in Family Conflict, Education and Learning Disabilities and Anger Management 
I accept insurance 
I see individuals, families and groups  

Finances

Fees

  • Sliding scale: apply if you may be eligible

Payment Methods

American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, Health Savings Account, Mastercard, Visa

Insurance

  • Many Insurances Covered
  • Sets up Single Case Agreements
  • Will directly bill Insurance
  • Out of Network
"
I help patients access their insurance as part of their treatment and have my staff support and facilitate the billing process.
Photo of David A. Perna - David A. Perna, PhD, Psychologist, PhD
David A. Perna, PhD
Psychologist, PhD
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (617) 762-5419
"
I help patients access their insurance as part of their treatment and have my staff support and facilitate the billing process.
Photo of David A. Perna - David A. Perna, PhD, Psychologist, PhD
David A. Perna, PhD
Psychologist, PhD
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (617) 762-5419

Qualifications

    Psychologist: David A. Perna

  • Verified by Psychology Today Licensed by State of Massachusetts / 7172 David A. Perna
  • Education and Years In Practice

  • In Practice for 33 years
  • Attended California School of Professional Psychology, Graduated 1995
  • Additional Credentials

  • Certificate from Commonwealth of Massachusetts 7172 / 1997
  • Certificate from Harvard Medical School Lecturer in Psychology / 1991
"
I am a trained DBT clinician who has completed the DBT Foundational Training Program (35 hours). I offer a DBT group therapy treatment experience that includes coordinated family therapy, after-hours coaching, and integration of the entire treatment team using a learning sensitive approach to DBT.
Photo of David A. Perna - David A. Perna, PhD, Psychologist, PhD
David A. Perna, PhD
Psychologist, PhD
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (617) 762-5419
"
I am a trained DBT clinician who has completed the DBT Foundational Training Program (35 hours). I offer a DBT group therapy treatment experience that includes coordinated family therapy, after-hours coaching, and integration of the entire treatment team using a learning sensitive approach to DBT.
Photo of David A. Perna - David A. Perna, PhD, Psychologist, PhD
David A. Perna, PhD
Psychologist, PhD
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (617) 762-5419

Specialties and Expertise

Top Specialties

  • Family Conflict
  • Education and Learning Disabilities
  • Anger Management

Expertise

  • ADHD
  • Adoption
  • Anxiety
  • Asperger's Syndrome
  • Autism
  • Behavioral Issues
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Child
  • College Transition
  • Depression
  • Emotional Disturbance
  • Failure to Launch
  • Impulse Control Disorders
  • Mood Disorders
  • Oppositional Defiance (ODD)
  • Parenting
  • Peer Relationships
  • School Issues
  • Self-Harming
  • Substance Use
  • Suicidal Ideation
  • Testing and Evaluation
Photo of David A. Perna - David A. Perna, PhD, Psychologist, PhD
David A. Perna, PhD
Psychologist, PhD
Do these issues align with your needs? or (617) 762-5419
Photo of David A. Perna - David A. Perna, PhD, Psychologist, PhD
David A. Perna, PhD
Psychologist, PhD
Do these issues align with your needs? or (617) 762-5419

Client Focus

Age

Children (6 to 10)
Preteen
Teen
Adults

Participants

Individuals
Family
Group

Communities

Bisexual Allied
Gay Allied
Lesbian Allied
Queer Allied
Racial Justice Allied
Transgender Allied

Ethnicity

Asian
Hispanic and Latino

Age

Children (6 to 10)
Preteen
Teen
Adults

Participants

Individuals
Family
Group

Communities

Bisexual Allied
Gay Allied
Lesbian Allied
Queer Allied
Racial Justice Allied
Transgender Allied

Ethnicity

Asian
Hispanic and Latino

Treatment Approach

Types of Therapy

  • Anger Management
  • Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
  • Culturally Sensitive
  • Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
  • Family / Marital
  • Family Systems
  • Holistic
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Multicultural
  • Parent-Child Interaction (PCIT)
  • Play Therapy
  • Psychodynamic
  • Psychological Testing and Evaluation
  • Strength-Based
"
I use a combination of individual, group, and family therapy interventions that are synergistically combined to help facilitate a change process that is resilient over the long term. These interventions are combined with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques that are customized to take into account the patient's unique learning profile, an approach where art meets science.
Photo of David A. Perna - David A. Perna, PhD, Psychologist, PhD
David A. Perna, PhD
Psychologist, PhD
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (617) 762-5419
"
I use a combination of individual, group, and family therapy interventions that are synergistically combined to help facilitate a change process that is resilient over the long term. These interventions are combined with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques that are customized to take into account the patient's unique learning profile, an approach where art meets science.
Photo of David A. Perna - David A. Perna, PhD, Psychologist, PhD
David A. Perna, PhD
Psychologist, PhD
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (617) 762-5419

Groups


Location

Primary Location

David A. Perna, PhD, DaVinci Behavioral Health

44 Thornton Street

Newton, MA 02458

(617) 762-5419

Additional Location

DaVinci Behavioral Health

35 Bedford Street

First Floor Courtyard Entrance: Suite 8

Lexington, MA 02420

(617) 762-5419
"
I see patients in-person in a relaxed office environment and on-line. I am available 5-days a week and offer a range of outpatient groups.
Photo of David A. Perna - David A. Perna, PhD, Psychologist, PhD
David A. Perna, PhD
Psychologist, PhD
Call for a free consultation now - (617) 762-5419
"
I see patients in-person in a relaxed office environment and on-line. I am available 5-days a week and offer a range of outpatient groups.
Photo of David A. Perna - David A. Perna, PhD, Psychologist, PhD
David A. Perna, PhD
Psychologist, PhD
Call for a free consultation now - (617) 762-5419