Therapists in Brookline, MA

Deciding to seek any form of support isn't always the easiest decision. Recognizing that you want to connect with a professional about anxiety, depression, previous trauma or just someone to talk to with an impartial view, is a tremendous step in your growth as an individual. I pride myself on my ability to meet with my clients where they are at. To genuinely listen to them without judgement. Ensuring that they know I am on their team and want to help them achieve their goals. My primary goal is for the clients I work with to feel as comfortable and rewarded as possible through this process.

I treat an array of ages and psychological issues from anxiety disorder to behavioral challenges with children, adolescents and adults. I am processed oriented and offer skill building strategies to enhance self-awareness and foster positive change.

I am currently accepting new clients! Do you often find yourself feeling sad or anxious? Do you worry about yourself or your child? Do you wish you could be your best self? With over fifteen years of clinical experience, my style is fluid and catered to best suit the concerns and experience of my clients. I have worked with clients of all ages in the context of individual, couples, and family therapy. I offer a goal-oriented and strength-based approach and incorporate CBT, ACT, art/narrative therapy, interpersonal therapy, solution-focused therapy, and play therapy depending on needs and preferences of each client.

Welcome to my profile! To better get to know me, here’s a little about me and my practice. My approach is client centered, so making sure that the space is supportive, collaborative, and holistic is important when building a trusting therapeutic relationship. I like to use strength-based approaches which include learning problem solving skills, understanding current unhealthy coping while replacing them with healthy manageable skills, and using grounding techniques to help center us when we are under stress. I work with individuals with various identities and backgrounds who are having interpersonal, and intrapersonal issues;

We go through life trying to figure out who we are and whether we can be accepted by family, co-workers, and friends. You learned strategies to show or hide certain parts of yourself to survive after experiencing hurt or rejection, pretending to be "okay" when others ask you how you are feeling to not burden them, but numb on the inside with anxiety or loneliness. Despite the desire to break out of the shell and be happy, life continues to be hard, especially when you look to others and seeing them being happy. And that is why you come to therapy: Because you want life to be meaningful and fulfilling!

ACCEPTING NEW REFERRALS. 20 Years experience at Harvard Medical School/ synthesis of psychodynamic, DBT, CBT, behavioral therapy. See www.drheidithermenos.com I have synthesized into a coherent therapy style what I feel are the most effective elements of psychodynamic, humanistic and behavioral therapies. My work in cognitive neuroscience (studying the effects of cognitive remediation on the brain) also influences the work. I tailor my approach based on your goals, symptoms, cognitive style and phase of the therapy.

I believe that peace of mind is possible—for individuals, couples, and their loved ones—even after every other option has failed. I’ve been in practice for more than 30 years and have worked with countless individuals, couples, and families to assess and address a wide range of issues, including relationship and career concerns, major life transitions, chronic health challenges, and problems related to mental health and substance use.

 In my work, I help young adults and adults who are experiencing various difficulties in their lives, including stress, depression, anxiety, family conflicts, and grief.

If you are reading this, it is because you believe that you or someone you care about would benefit from therapy. I know that the search can seem overwhelming and the process daunting, so I make it a priority to create a safe, comfortable, and professional therapeutic space, no matter your difficulties, background or needs. I strive to create a trusting relationship to navigate with you whatever it is that brings you into therapy. My areas of expertise include life transitions, adjustments (acculturation, parenting, etc), learning disabilities (ADHD, Dyslexia, etc.), chronic illness, depression, anxiety, and trauma.

I approach each client with the assumption that you are coming to me with an intention to alleviate discontentment or suffering. I see my job as helping you articulate your reasons for seeking therapy, to understand the source of your issues, and to find strategies that bring relief. My style is interactive, with an emphasis on caring and supportive feedback. I expect the client to establish the agenda for each session, trusting that the client knows best what needs to be addressed in any given session. I emphasize psychoeducation about the role of, and differences between, thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

Update 4/15/24: I have an every other week virtual opening. I am a clinical psychologist, staff psychologist the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, with a small private practice in Brookline. I provide cognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and psychodynamic therapy. I use skills training where it can be helpful. I work on tailoring my approach to patients' specific needs, and take on a pragmatic, engaged role in the therapy process. Please note- I am not in network with insurance but can provide claim forms.

I specialize in working with adolescents and adults who are struggling with anxiety, depression, eating disorders & trauma. I particularly enjoy supporting young people as they grapple through the transition to adulthood & the related issues that arise including identity, relationship and conflict navigation. I believe that my clients are experts in their own experiences & I feel privileged to be allowed into their lives. I strive to create a warm, safe & non-judgmental space for my clients, in which I bring curiosity & compassion to every session.

Although I was trained psycho-dynamically I have found over time that a variety of treatments have become increasingly useful in my work. I want the client to be a part of the treatment choice and plan. I do not want to just provide a service, but to help educate the client in order to help them become more independent in their future treatment needs. I feel; that no two clients fit the same box, as the client comes in and begins to open up about what has lead them to therapy, the treatment I use changes accordingly.

Our past experiences are carried out in current lives in many ways. Working with clients, I try to understand the root and dynamic of what currently brings us to disturbing symptoms. Because we all have different life backgrounds, treatment options and techniques should be individualized by each client. I am also a proudly sensitive therapist who tries hard to understand racial, cultural diversity.

I specialize in working with adults navigating anxiety, obsessive thinking, family/relationship conflicts, self-confidence concerns, and life transitions. In our work together, I'll take an integrative approach, pulling from a variety of modalities to best fit your needs. I am actively invested in motivating you to challenge negative thinking, change undesired patterns in your life, embrace your true potential, and live a life that aligns with your goals and values. I work best with those who desire the skills to cope with life's challenges and are motivated to see change in their life.

Sometimes we may find ourselves having to deal with issues that might make us to feel lost, saddened, puzzled, unhappy and frustrated; These are the moments when understanding and kind support is so much needed so we could reconnect with inner self for resilience.

I see therapy as a place to practice courage and honesty, with the goal of creating more joy, humor, flexibility, and play in one's life, relationships, and work. I often see individuals dealing with complex issues such as depression, grief/loss, anxiety, recovery from trauma/abuse or neglect, postpartum or parenting issues, child emotional or behavioral concerns, relationship conflicts, or identity/life transitions. My approach is collaborative, empathic, and interactive, creating an environment in which to help you better understand, relate to, and address the challenges you are experiencing.

I’m especially interested in working with people who come from difficult families, people concerned with meaning and spirituality, people who have experienced emotional and spiritual abuse, people grappling with attachment issues, and people with "people-pleasing" tendencies.

I provide psychotherapy for adults with advanced training in anxiety, sex therapy, and women's mental health. I have trained in behavioral therapies (CBT & DBT) and psychodynamic psychotherapy in various settings, including outpatient, partial, and inpatient. I pride myself on using humor and empathy to help clients push through their struggles. I encourage clients to explore their goals for seeking change and support them in finding the motivation, insight and skills to cope.

With the right clinician, therapy can give you the freedom to be who you are and who you want to be. Therefore my primary focus to treatment is establishing and strengthening an authentic and collaborative relationship, one that offers a non-judgmental and safe space for healing to occur. I utilize evidence-based practices based in training in multiple modalities of psychotherapy, catered to each individual. Taking into account the multidimensionality of the human experience, I offer both theory and practice towards living a meaningful life, doing the work of self-discovery, and healing with greater perspective and awareness.