Family Therapy in Newton, MA

I offer home-based life coaching for teens, 20-somethings, athletes, adults, and their families in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and beyond. I work with clients at home in a positive, flexible, proactive way, emphasizing measurable, practical, and sustainable change. My approach is relaxed, non-hierarchical, and results-oriented. Although I also work with adults, I primarily help teens and 20-somethings, from kids who lack confidence and/are overly stressed or anxious to those with athletic/academic performance issues or who are really acting out, having issues with anger, substance abuse, school refusal and the like.

I am a clinical social worker working in the field of relational therapy for over thirty years. I believe that we are all hard wired for connection with others but that often experiences and traumas from the past interfere with one's ability to have healthy, growth enhancing relationships with others and with oneself. Using relational therapy, mindfulness and relaxation techniques, I work with people to enable them to find their way into healthy connection with themselves and with others in their lives.

As a former cult member, I help people and their families who have been "unduly influenced." I am committed to helping people reclaim their personal power. I wrote Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults and Beliefs (2013), a 30th-anniversary edition of Combating Cult Mind Control (2018) and The Cult of Trump (2019). I help people from all over the world who have found that mental health professionals unless they are specialized in treating cult members, are at best a waste of time and resources, and worse, do further harm. A large part of my practice is short term work with former members.

I am passionate about fostering personal growth and development by helping others overcome challenges in different phases of their lives. I believe that every person can improve their mental health. As a result, I have dedicated my career to assisting people in revealing their capabilities, assessing their strengths, and building new skills to overcome their mental health challenges. I am licensed and clinically trained bilingual psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience in Brazil and the United States. I work across various settings, including crisis intervention, pediatric primary care clinics, and structured outpatient.

My practice is comprised of individuals and families grappling with a range of issues from addiction to high conflict divorce and college transition difficulties. Many of my clients are navigating with the strain of divorce and are seeking to learn skills to co-parent young children despite high conflict with their ex-spouse. Others are parents devastated by the ravages of addiction on their child and, ultimately, their family . These clients are motivated, competent and capable, but are experiencing discomfort in their lives that requires empathic support and guidance.

*Currently offering telehealth appointments** My practice has primarily lended itself to the treatment of Eating disorders, and other co-occurring struggles that are commonly associated with this illness. Most recently, I was the Clinical Director of both an Inpatient Eating Disorder Unit and a Psychiatric Unit, and now have transitioned to working in a University setting with college students. These experiences have provided me with the background of treating adolescents, adults, and families from all different backgrounds.

My practice is dedicated to a family and person centered perspective that people are experts in their own lives. I provide a warm place where you can receive quality support recommended by experts in the field. My clinical practice is broad in scope. I work with children, adolescents, adults and families addressing general mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, relationships concerns and adjusting to life changes. While prioritizing trust, I work with you, tapping into the skills, strengths and resources you have reduce stress, achieve healthy relationships and self compassion.

Accepting New Clients VIA telehealth* I am a licensed clinical psychologist with a primary focus and expertise with adolescents and children, families and couples. I am passionate about working with individuals in a collaborative manner to help facilitate positive change. Change is hard. I am committed to fostering, educating and supporting change. My experience in community mental health, hospitals, public schools and private practice has informed how I work with clients.

As a Clinical Social Worker spanning 25 plus year, I have worked within a number of settings and populations, specifically with children, adolescents and families. I now primarily focus on adolescents and young adults who are struggling with a variety of issues. This transitional point in their lives can be fraught with stress, anxiety, decisions and emotional upheaval. I believe that everyone is doing the best they can and strive to live their best possible life. My role is to help achieve their goals and get back on track and learn to manage the obstacles that may interfere with their goals.

Whether it be social or emotional struggles, challenging behaviors, trouble relating to others in positive ways, or working through fears, depression, stress, trauma, or a family crisis, I meet every child and their family where they are at. I use a strength-based approach and interactive, hands-on, and creative interventions, including play and expressive arts, in addition to talk that allow kids to communicate freely, naturally, and in ways that build confidence and a sense of mastery over their struggles.

As a former teacher turned therapist, I have developed a strong counseling tool box. I specialize in supporting adolescents/teens and adults find ways to cope with trauma and loss, manage anxiety and depression, develop problem solving strategies and social skills, overcome substance abuse and low self-esteem, and manage family conflict. I am also able to help the individuals I work with to develop executive functioning and advocacy skills at school, home, and in the community. I utilize humor, unconditional positive regard, and curiosity to create a safe and productive space for you to grow.

In my private practice, I work with adolescents, young adults and parents seeking help with a wide range of issues. I enjoy working at the intersection of adolescent and young adult development, mental health, and school/college life. I use talk therapy as well as parent guidance and family counseling techniques to ensure that people can make the improvements and achieve the results that are most important to them.

My clinical expertise are especially beneficial to those living with ADHD, depression, anxiety disorders, relationships and family conflict, as well as those struggling with life transitions, stress management, and self-esteem. It is our mission to work holistically with individuals and families using a strategic and strengths-based approach to help our clients be an “open book” throughout the therapeutic process. We help to maximize existing coping strategies while developing new pathways for increasing competency, functioning, and self esteem. We believe that everyone can be successful and have a better quality of life.

It can feel overwhelming to be proactive about making positive changes in our lives. Everyone has their own complicated life circumstances related to family , work, relationships, and mental and spiritual well being. Therapy can be an essential tool to work to un-complicate these circumstances and focus on making happiness and wellness a daily priority. When we feel overwhelmed with worry or that it's impossible to accomplish daily tasks we feel powerless. I have been in this field for over 10 years and can provide a supportive and empathic environment in which we can work together on specific goals and changes for your life.

I am a licensed psychologist, a Lecturer in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and a Clinical Associate at McLean Hospital. I primarily treat patients with anger challenges and college transition issues who struggle with learning/executive function challenges. I offer a unique, cutting edge, multimodal treatment approach (Individual, family , & group work) that facilitates positive outcomes for patients who have not received coordinated treatment in the past. I collaborate closely with other treaters, school/college staff, & psychiatrists.