Psychodynamic Therapists in Wellesley, MA
See all therapists in Wellesley
Dr. Alanna Downing
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
I am a licensed clinical psychologist and specialize in providing psychotherapy to adolescents and adults. My approach integrates a variety of evidence-based practices including CBT, DBT,
psychodynamic
, humanistic, and mindfulness based therapies. I have been effective at utilizing these treatment modalities to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, grief and loss, and other clinical concerns. Clients also come to my practice to improve relationships and navigate stressful life changes.

Rebecca Johnson
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMHC, ATR
Verified
Verified
I draw from
Psychodynamic
, Solution-Focused, Sensori-motor, Somatic, and Expressive Therapy traditions to collaboratively bring about insight and growth.
I have had the privilege of providing therapy to a diverse population of clients and their families for over ten years, advocating and empowering clients to heal and experience true, lasting change. I work with children, adolescents, and adults with anxiety, depression and ADHD, and often see individuals through life transitions. My clients are learners and thinkers, who appreciate understanding themselves and their role in the world, who strive to have deeper and more meaningful relationships, and who want to make a positive impact and take responsibility for the trajectory of their lives.

Patricia Mathison
Mental Health Counselor, LMHC
Verified
Verified
Other types of modalities used in my practice are Interpersonal,
Psychodynamic
, and Supportive therapy.
Welcome to my practice! I am a bilingual Spanish/English therapist that works with adults, and young adults to help improve their overall quality of life. Whether you have a history of anxiety, depression, or mood disorder, or you are at the moment going through a difficult time in your life, therapy can help you cope with your symptoms, and find ways to make changes in your life. I also work with parents to help them cope with the stress-related symptoms of having children with special needs/disabilities and mental health issues.

Emily Lange
Counselor, LMHC, REAT
Verified
Verified
I use an integrated approach, incorporating elements of internal family systems, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral,
psychodynamic
, and expressive therapies.
Emily Lange's group practice, Wellesley Counseling and Wellness, is accepting new referrals at WellesleyCW.com. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Registered Expressive Arts Therapist practicing in Wellesley, MA. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, life transitions, and behavioral patterns that may be holding you back from experiencing a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Natalia Walczak
Counselor, MA, LMHC
Verified
Verified
Emotional healing, self discovery, personal growth and more fulfilling relationship with self and others are all possible through therapy, whether you are at the brink of adulthood or more advanced in years. In my practice, I provide a variety of evidence-based therapeutic techniques to best meet the unique needs of each individual client and couple with special emphasis on insight-oriented therapeutic approach. I have received additional advanced training in
psychodynamic
modality that drives my insight-oriented approach. I believe that developing insight illuminates the therapeutic journey.
Not accepting new clients

Christine E. Kowalcky
Psychologist, PsyD, MA
Verified
4 Endorsed
Verified
4 Endorsed
I offer therapy tailored to meet my clients' needs and draw from a variety of theoretical orientations, including
psychodynamic
(insight oriented), cognitive-behavioral (skills), and trauma-informed treatments (including EMDR).
Our lives consist of welcome routines and happy memories, turning points and challenges. Sometimes it is painfully difficult. Perhaps you have experienced the loss of a dream or a loved one, or been unable to move past a traumatic event. Maybe life feels like a daily rut, void of meaning or joy. Even in the company of people who care about us we can feel alone, sad or overwhelmed. The good news is we can find connection, experience change and move through pain and struggle to a place of greater freedom and happiness.

Sherry Elizabeth Dickey
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
I use a
psychodynamic
approach that helps one understand how prior relationships and experiences understandably influence present day life. People come to see me to better understand themselves as well as feel and function better. Working together, we often find that the person has certain ways of dealing with life that hinder rather than help them have a fuller life. I help people understand why they feel, think and behave in ways that may have gone unexplored up to the time they see me. It is important to understand how culture, family, gender, and race affect one's life.

Sharon Whitworth
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LICSW, LCSW
Verified
Verified
The decision to begin therapy, with all of it’s exciting possibilities for growth, is often made during a complicated or difficult time. I approach therapy from a solution focused lens. We will work together to help you take control of your life, by understanding the patterns that have been developed to manage uncomfortable feelings that have been firmly rooted from the past. We will work together to recognize your strengths, develop self-esteem, and strengthen relationships. Through a combination of
psychodynamic
and cognitive behavioral therapies we will create change.

Evan Waldheter
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
I've also completed two post-graduate fellowships in
psychodynamic
psychotherapy.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist, offering individual psychotherapy to adults who may find themselves stuck, dissatisfied, or overwhelmed. I view therapy as a collaborative and active process, with the aims of better understanding one's distress and interpersonal difficulties, and improving one's quality of life. I am committed to helping my clients live more meaningful and authentic lives. I am skilled in the use of empirically supported treatments for psychological problems and I employ these strategies flexibly, with the goal of tailoring each client's treatment to his/her/their individual concerns and unique history.
Waitlist for new clients

Beth Sharp
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
If your self-limiting thoughts and anxieties are disrupting your life or getting in the way of you enjoying your relationships or parenting, I can help. Drawing from a range of evidence based treatment modalities, including CBT,
psychodynamic
therapy and mindfulness, I offer a strengths-based perspective to the therapeutic relationship. We will work together to explore the patterns, habits and beliefs that get in the way and practice new ways of pushing past what holds you back. As a SPACE informed clinician, I particularly enjoy working with parents of children/teens managing anxiety related disorders.
Wellesley, MA 02482
& Online
Waitlist for new clients

Magdalena J Fosse
Psychologist, PsyD, MS, MA, AASECT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I'm compassionate and inquiring, combining sex therapy,
psychodynamic
thinking, and attachment-based perspectives with mind-body awareness.
Sexuality, intimacy, monogamy, polyamory, ethical nonmonogamy, LGBTQA, kink, relational difficulties...I integrate the expertise of a clinical psychologist, AASECT certified sex therapist, and couples' counselor. My clients are individuals and couples of all genders, and racial and cultural backgrounds, who struggle with questions regarding sexuality, intimacy, identity, trauma, betrayal, erotic confusion, life transitions, relationships ending, and relationships beginning. In addition to clinical practice, I'm an author, consultant, and teacher on sexuality and couples' therapy.
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Dr. Julia Braunstein
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist with experience working with young children through adulthood. I have worked in a variety of settings and have experience providing outpatient therapy, school-based counseling services, and neuropsychological testing. My experience includes a wide variety of ages and symptom presentation. I use an eclectic approach and believe that each individual deserves specialized treatment based on their presentation and goals. I incorporate elements of
Psychodynamic
, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Exposure and Response Prevision, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.

Stephanie Wensink
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW
Verified
Verified
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and
Psychodynamic
approaches in my sessions, as well as incorporate some of my other favorite modalities such as Solution Focused Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.
Currently accepting new clients for virtual appointments. I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Boston College. Prior to attending Boston College, I worked as a Kindergarten teacher in my home state of Wisconsin. As a past teacher, I have the most experience with children, but I love working with people of all ages and backgrounds. My education provided me with a wide spread of various internships and experiences, which have all helped grow my expertise in the field of mental health.

Michaela Mendelsohn
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I have training and experience in
psychodynamic
and cognitive-behavioral treatment, and draw on other approaches as needed.
Is anxiety or depression preventing you from living a more fulfilling life? Are you feeling overwhelmed by a major transition? Are you unable to move on from an upsetting or traumatic past experience?
I help patients change patterns of behavior that are no longer working, and learn new and more effective ways of coping and engaging with life. I believe that embedded in the painful crises that usually bring individuals and couples to therapy, there are also opportunities for self understanding and mastery that can be discovered and realized in a safe healing relationship.

Christopher Pagano
Psychologist
Verified
Verified
I incorporate
psychodynamic
, relational, cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based approaches.
Children and adults alike confront challenges to healthy functioning and personal fulfillment. I aim to create an empathic connection with my clients, enabling them to better understand their emotions and habitual ways of coping with challenges, and to change the patterns of thought and behavior that interfere with reaching their goals and potential. Whether using play therapy with children or talk therapy with adults, I take an active approach to help clients achieve their goals and resolve their problems. When treating children, I work closely with parents, providing careful guidance about how to help their child develop and thrive.

Steven Garte-Wolf
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LICSW
Verified
Verified
I utilize an integrative approach including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing,
Psychodynamic
, and holistic techniques.
I currently have limited availability - Please note I am prioritizing couples therapy at this time. As a therapist, I will create a safe and nurturing space where we can freely explore your hopes and aspirations, as well as whatever difficulties you are experiencing in life. You will be met without judgment and provided guidance as you make the changes you seek. As I help guide you toward long-lasting change and acceptance, you will further develop strengths and qualities you bring with you. I tailor my therapy to you, and I promise to work as hard as you to get you to a place of happiness and healthfulness.

Joanna Ravina
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I help people who are having a hard time, often because of anxiety, relationships, work, and life transitions. I have extensive experience with a number of approaches that alleviate anxiety and depression and help you feel more in control. I will listen closely to your story, attending to what is most bothersome right now and what your goals are. We'll discuss possible approaches to help you feel better. Then, together we will make a plan. I have extensive experience offering coping strategies and problem-solving skills, as well as CBT, IPT, and other relationship-focused
psychodynamic
therapy.

Lennie Forest Kleinberg
Psychologist, EdD
Verified
Verified
My background is grounded in
psychodynamic
psychotherapy.
I am always curious about how we become who we are and as someone once told me, “A person who enters therapy is an experience that wants to happen not a problem to be solved.” My focus is to encourage people to stay curious and open to possibilities of learning more about themselves, creating a supportive safe environment that supports positive movement and change. I stress the importance seeing oneself fully, psychologically, physically and spiritually. All these are important ways of supporting one’s life. I see myself as warm, present, accessible and being of help to accomplish this.

Rue Diamond
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, RN, LICSW, MSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I believe that connection is vital to a healthy mind and body, and that the alliance I form with clients is central to addressing the issues that brought them to therapy. As both a registered nurse and a psychotherapist, it is my privilege to walk with clients on their journey to wellness. I utilize various approaches including CBT,
psychodynamic
, motivational interviewing and ACT therapy. Using a collaborative approach, we continually assess progress toward your goals. I work with adults challenged by depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and life transitions.

Laurie Sherwood
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW
Verified
Verified
With training in
psychodynamic
psychotherapy, family systems theory, addictions, grief and loss, and mindfulness, I work these orientations to facilitate the development of your internal resources and natural strengths so that your relationship with yourself, with loved ones in your life, and rich and fulfilling engagement with your world is improved.
My approach as a psychotherapist is to work as a consultant to you, facilitating your intention and effort to live the best life you have envisioned for yourself. This will include exploring personal impediments and challenges to this goal and promoting your unique strengths and resources. My attention is directed to the whole person, incorporating an appreciation for the dimensions of "knowing" that reside in the experience of intellect, physical being, emotion, and the spirit. I am warm, empathic, interactive and professional, and fully respect each person's individual life circumstance and process.
See more therapy options for
Psychodynamic Therapists
Is psychodynamic therapy evidence-based?
Studies have found psychodynamic therapy to be effective in treating conditions like social anxiety, eating disorders, chronic pain, some personality disorders, and depression; indeed, some studies have found it to be just as effective as CBT or medication. What’s more, several studies have found that the benefits of psychodynamic therapy tend to endure—even grow—long after treatment has ended.
How long does psychodynamic therapy last?
Unlike CBT and other more structured forms of therapy, psychodynamic therapy tends to be open-ended and may not be limited to a set number of sessions. It is common for clients to be in therapy for a year or longer and to see their therapist one to three times a week, though the exact schedule and timeline may vary depending on a client’s challenges and progress. However, brief psychodynamic therapy is available, which tends to be more goal-oriented and typically unfolds over 16 to 30 sessions.
Does psychodynamic therapy work?
Research finds that psychodynamic therapy can help someone manage or reduce symptoms of diagnosable mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. The modality may also offer a range of benefits that are harder to measure but just as valuable—such as increased self-worth or healthier relationships. While no therapy type will work for everyone, research and anecdotal evidence suggest that psychodynamic therapy can be highly effective.
What are the limitations of psychodynamic therapy?
Some meta-analyses have concluded that there is little evidence to suggest that psychodynamic therapy can effectively treat certain mental health conditions such as PTSD, OCD, or psychosis, though it is sometimes used to do so. More broadly, the open-ended, free-association structure of psychodynamic therapy may be frustrating for clients who prefer a more structured, time-limited, or goal-oriented approach.