Therapists in Belmont, MA

Dr. Joyce Maguire Pavao-Founder and CEO of Center For Family Connections, Inc. (CFFC - est. 1995-2012), Adoption Resource Center, est.1978, and PACT (Pre/Post Adoption Consulting and Training),est.1982. Dr. Pavao has built comprehensive post adoption services and has done training, both nationally and internationally. She is a Lecturer in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and has written The Family of Adoption (1998/2005). Dr. Pavao has received many awards and honors, including the Adoption Excellence Award for Family Contribution (2003), and the Angels in Adoption award (2000).

I am a therapist who primarily works with adults struggling with symptoms associated with C-PTSD, depression, and anxiety. My work with individuals consists of discussing self-esteem and body image, suicidality, challenging family dynamics, life transitions, and interpersonal issues. I am based out of McLean Hospital in their trauma continuum and also work at their Trauma and Dissociation Partial Hospitalization Program. I have worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings at McLean and other facilities such as Boston Children's Hospital. As a therapist, I am often described as warm, validating, energetic, and easy to talk to.

I work mostly with people who suffer from anxiety, depression and general stuckness. I use a mix of approaches, with cognitive-behavioral ones as the biggest component of the mix. I have special interest and expertise in helping people on the autistic spectrum; people who are extremely gifted; people who suffer from anxiety (panic attacks, OCD, phobias, shyness); and people who have trouble buckling down, getting organized, and completing the tasks they want and need to do. I like my clients and enjoy my work.

Dr. Santagati's areas of special training and expertise include several clinical issues: working with individuals, couples and families who have depression, anxiety, personality disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse, interpersonal difficulties and conflict. Her approach to therapy is influenced by several theoretical backgrounds such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Adlerian Psychodynamic Therapy, Family Systems, Humanistic Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. You will decide in collaboration with Dr. Santagati which therapeutic approach is the right one for you!

My ideal client is someone who is willing to work with me and engage with me effectively. This includes open lines of communication and utilizing therapy times efficiently. I don't believe that progress can be rushed and have no interest in "fixing" anyone. However, I am always honest in my assessments, thoughts, and opinions with clients, and my hope is that my client will do the same. My ideal client is a client who is eager to talk and is open to feedback. My ideal client is also someone who is willing to work through set backs or challenges, together as a team.

Accepting new patients. I trained and hold faculty appointments at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School. I am passionate about my work with clients. I enjoy helping others make meaningful changes that make their lives more satisfying and less overwhelming. I specialize and have extensive experience in the treatment of OCD, and anxiety disorders (panic disorder, social anxiety, and PTSD), as well as borderline personality disorder. I use dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) skills. My therapy method is supportive, skills-focused and goal-oriented.

I have experience treating adults with grief and loss issues, coparenting and family issues, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, substance use, relationship difficulties, and parenting and life transitions including divorce, loss and employment. My ideal client wishes to improve their overall quality of life personally and/or professionally.

I believe that an effective therapeutic relationship is built upon trust and an authentic connection between client and therapist. Many individuals are apprehensive about starting therapy as change can feel daunting. I strive to provide a comfortable and supportive environment that promotes positive change at your own pace.

Restructure your inner thoughts and feelings to create more satisfying relationships, emotional balance, and positive outcomes within family, life, and work. Clients are helped to overcome anxiety, depression, stress, grief and loss. Through precise, creative and illuminating feedback, emotional clarity and self-insight are promoted in a secure therapeutic setting. I have extensive experience with individuals and families within the national and international communities and appreciate the many nuances that can arise, be it religious, cultural, varied professional backgrounds, commitments, and family structures.

I have over 20 years of experience working with individuals and families with co-occurring disorders. I know how difficult it is living with addiction and mental health issues, or living with a loved one who is struggling with these issues. If you are looking for help for yourself or you are a family member needing help to support your loved one, I am here to help. I have extensive training in evidence-based practices including ACT, Motivational Interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapies, CRA Family Therapy, and integrated dual disorders treatment and I have supervised and taught others these skills.

For the past 10+ years I have been in private practice serving kids, adolescents, and adults. I provide neuropsychological and psychodiagnostic assessment and consultation as well as individual and group therapy using a strengths-based approach. Much of my practice focuses on helping Middle School and High School students who are struggling with learning, social, and emotional adjustment through collaboratively identifying the obstacles and challenges they may be facing and helping them to recognize and embrace their qualities and strengths. Evaluation also involves working closely with parents and helping to identify the most appropriate schools, supports, and home strategies.

The ideal client would finally be open to change and hope to have better interpersonal relationships. This can be a client who struggles with their anxiety, possibly has poor attachment styles, and struggles with holding meaningful relationships (romantic, platonic, familial). Their goals would be identifying healthy boundaries and healthy responses, increasing effective communication skills, and identifying past relationships/present relationships in order to identify patterns/habits.

I believe personal growth and healing can come from a strong therapeutic alliance. Change and recovery are possible. I promise to provide a safe, trusting environment where you will feel seen, understood, and accepted as you are. My approach is genuine, creative, and curious. I strive to help you recognize beliefs that are holding you back, more effectively face struggles in your life, and learn skills to develop healthier relationships and a more meaningful life. In the end, the larger goal is to make you a better ally to yourself.

Greater ease and well-being. Less anxiety. Getting along better with your partner/spouse, your family or your other close relationships. These are key reasons that people seek counseling. I would like to help you uncover greater joy and harmony in your life and in your relationships. Life is too short to settle for anything less.

As a psychotherapist, I create a safe space for clients to feel heard and responded to in a compassionate, nonjudgmental way. Through this trusting relationship, we collaborate, build upon inherent strengths, and work toward healing and growth. I bring warmth, authenticity and direct feedback to my clients (adults college age and up), who may be experiencing depression, anxiety, relationship/family conflicts, stress around life events and transitions, and others issues that can arise following trauma.

I help couples develop skills to restore trust, communicate and express feelings effectively, understand and resolve differences, and enhance intimacy. It is my passion to help couples repair their connections and create secure and lasting bonds with those who matter the most. I also offer supervision to advanced practitioners interested in learning more about working with couples. I am a Principal Staff member of NECCF and Psych Garden. I received my MSW from Columbia University in 1993 and went on to complete 5 years of specialist training in couples and family therapy at the Ackerman Institute for the Family, in New York City.

Providing Massachusetts statewide services. Mental health issues are at an all time high. It's ok to ask for help. Please don't struggle alone. Dr. Chelmow has > 30 years in the mental health field - focusing on work, family, education, financial & social problems to quickly help reduce anxiety, depression, family issues & substance abuse. He has worked as a business executive & in governance. He has taught at Harvard Medical School, the University of Massachusetts, Cambridge College & Springfield College & written many articles on health care. He provides training to business on difficult work situations, stigma & multiculturalism.

I am a clinical psychologist with faculty/staff appointments at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School. I believe that therapy should be collaborative, supportive, and warm, while also facilitating real change in clients' lives. You may benefit from working with me if you're feeling overwhelmed, stressed, angry, or lonely; or struggling with low self-esteem or lack of confidence. I can assist you in better managing relationship or family conflict, work- or school-related stress, parenting or caregiver stress, grief/loss, and major transitions.

I am a licensed psychologist with over 15 years of experience providing psychotherapy to adults, couples, families and adolescents struggling with a range of interpersonal and emotional issues. My approach is gentle and compassionate and focuses on active listening, problem solving, coping skills training and gaining insight into how past experiences influence the present.