LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapists in Arlington, MA

We're the therapists for "kids who don't like therapy." These days - especially - teens are too often suffering and struggling in their homes and in our schools. And everyone could use some help: kids, parents, and the caring professionals in our schools. Throughout the state, our therapists and life coaches serve as "part of the team," helping teens to feel better, and do better. Together, we'll explore and better understand what's been happening, how to change patterns, and how to get better results!

Do you want to feel confident in a loving and securely attached relationship? I will teach you relational skills and healthy communication to bridge the gap for you and your partner. Together we'll strengthen your emotional & physical intimacy and apply relational skills to unearth long-standing behavior patterns that may be holding you back from experiencing a more meaningful life. As a relationship coach, trained by Terrence Real in RLT, my goal is to help you uncover relational happiness. While we can't change circumstances from our past, we can look to enhance today's reality to create a fulfilling life and relationship.

I see therapy as an opportunity to discover your own resilience and inner ability to heal and grow. It is my goal to give you therapeutic tools and coping skills to empower yourself with your unique strengths in your life journey. I hold space for you to engage with your mental health in an integrative way in line with your values, and I invite exploration of existential or spiritual themes in therapy. I enjoy working with adults, older adults, LGBTQIA+, and individuals with disabilities. I embrace clients of all races, cultures, and ethnicities, and I welcome the opportunity to work clients from different backgrounds.

I am a licensed psychologist in Massachusetts and I provide individual therapy to adults. My areas of particular interest include: depression, anxiety, stress management, relational concerns and conflicts, gay/lesbian/bisexual issues, trauma and healing from traumatic experiences, veterans issues, and relational concerns and conflicts.

I understand from experience that this is an important and maybe difficult step you're taking. People tell me I am easy to talk to. I listen carefully and non-judgmentally, and very little surprises me. With my experience I am quickly able to help you start work that feels effective and hopeful. I can help you feel less ashamed or weird or worried or alone. The things we judge ourselves for doing or thinking are simply strategies we have come up with over time to manage our pain, and perhaps you'd like let some of those go. I like to help people feel comfortable being just who they are, and gain satisfaction, peace and acceptance.

A highly-skilled, compassionate, and engaging professional, I will provide you with exceptional care and work with you to effectively address the issues which bring you to treatment. My personality, combined with my varied work experience, will ensure that you will have a safe and comfortable environment to explore and address the challenges in front of you. With over a decade of experience in a variety of clinical settings, I have developed a broad base of clinical skills and served many different populations. I have expertise treating children and teens, as well as adults.

Are you a senior seeking support in navigating complex life decisions? Or a caregiver for a senior, struggling to manage it all? Or are you grieving the death of a loved one? I am a licensed independent clinical social worker with 25 years of experience with expertise in adjustment to major life changes, the process of making big later-life decisions, grief and loss, coping with disability and/or loss of independence, dementia, elder abuse and neglect, harm reduction, managing anxiety and depression, and the aging process. I take a holistic approach, incorporating mind, body, and spirit.

My therapy practice is focused on working with adolescents, young adults and adults - typically my folks are 40 or under, but don’t let that scare you away! It’s far from a hard and fast rule. My practice primarily focuses on working with LGBTQ+ and transgender folks, as well as those navigating eating disorders and struggles with body image. I am affirming of all sexual, gender, and body identities and presentations. I am sex and kink positive and am very comfortable talking about both. I am also very experienced working with polyamory and ethical non-monogamy.

Stefanie is a licensed mental health counselor who works primarily with adolescents and adults and has experience in outpatient therapy, adult day treatment, and substance use programs including Medication Assisted Treatment. Stefanie is also trained in TF-CBT, ARC, EMDR, and CBT-P. Her areas of interest and training include grief and bereavement, PTSD, complex trauma, depression, and anxiety. Stefanie works from a strength based, trauma informed, relational approach and deeply values collaboration with her clients. She uses humor, flexibility and communication to help clients find their own paths to healing and self-awareness.

At the Boston Center for Couples and Sexuality, we help patients to increase the emotional and physical connections in their lives, whether it is with a partner, children, parents, or themselves. Our patients find that we can facilitate their ability to look at tough issues, communicate with others, accept themselves, and reach mutually agreed upon goals. You can learn how to regulate your body, be less reactive, and have empathy and compassion for yourself and others. The only thing you have control over is how you respond in a situation.

I have over thirty years of experience providing therapy to adults of all ages. My style is warm, non-judgmental, respectful, and active. I use a blend of relational, mindfulness, psychodynamic and skills-based approaches to help you gain clarity and develop strategies to feel better. I am also trained in EMDR and sometimes incorporate those practices into my work with clients when needed. I am interested in seeing you as a whole person; understanding your experiences within your personal, cultural and social contexts; and supporting your strengths and resilience.

Throughout my experience as a therapist, I have helped highly empathic adults and transitional age youth better manage the increasingly complex and challenging world we live in. My experience is deeply rooted in treating trauma, anxiety, and OCD. I am licensed to practice in Massachusetts and California, primarily working with individual clients.

Clients walk in my door because they want something to change. They want to worry less, drink less, be more motivated, have closer connections... They may have attempted various remedies for these issues, but, somehow, nothing has improved. Often clients say they feel stuck, in a rut, or that they just don't feel like themselves. In my initial meeting with a client I am often moved to acknowledge the wisdom it took to seek outside help. My social work background has ingrained in me a strength-based model where I am always scanning for moments of courage: the courage it takes to speak the truth or show vulnerability or take a risk.

Life has a way of challenging core beliefs about ourselves, our relationships, and our environment. Perhaps you find yourself experiencing anxiety, depression, feelings of stagnation, or of aloneness. Maybe your relationships or work life are not satisfying, or perhaps you would like to know yourself better in order to live more fully. I would like to work with you not only to identify and treat problems, but also to build on your strengths. My goal is to provide a safe, genuinely caring, and non-judgmental environment for effective self-exploration.

I am engaged, focused,interactive,compassionate,direct, supportive, & value humor. In working with your awareness, I focus attention on ways to enhance the quality of your life through cognitive & behavioral changes as well as insight to change outmoded behaviors & patterns which may no longer serve you. Creating safety through good rapport & support of your feelings is paramount. I have trained extensively in trauma treatment hypnosis,mindfulness, somatic therapy, systems.With couples, I am passionate about helping you learn effective ways to listen well to each other, express yourselves & live fulfilling & intimate lives together.

In my practice, I often meet with adults, adolescents, families, and couples who struggle with their feelings, partner or family relationships, finding their place in the society, or just feeling too overwhelmed to deal with everyday life. Inability to cope with these kind of issues over a period of time often results in depression, anxiety or another mental disorder that disrupts healthy lives.

At this time I am not taking new clients. I work collaboratively with people on a wide range of issues and symptoms to access self compassion, increase coping skills and tools and to foster clarity and empowerment. Some of the issues and symptoms include: anxiety; range of mood disorders; domestic abuse; PTSD; effects of trauma, neglect and psychological mistreatment; grief; life crises/transitions; affirmation of gender identity and sexual orientation; and addiction including its effects on family members.

Life can be challenging and asking for help takes courage. Engaging in therapy can lead to many benefits such as better communication skills, improved relationships, increased self-esteem, relief from many mental health conditions, and the ability to manage stress. Everyone’s journey is different, and this is why I use a patient-centered approach where we will work together to create an individualized plan that promotes your goals and needs.