Therapists for college students near Cambridge, MA

At Bending Birch Counseling, we believe therapy should be thoughtful, collaborative, and tailored to the individual. Every person brings a story, strengths, and experiences, which is why we take the time to understand what matters most to you. We slow down enough to understand how your experiences, patterns, and relationships have shaped the way you move through the world today. We focus on what change would realistically look like for you, not in theory, but in practice. Together, we'll work toward change that feels authentic, practical, and sustainable.

Self Love Therapy LLC is a group of licensed mental health therapists and psychiatrists who will assist you on your journey to a better sense of self through psychoeducation on ways to cope with various mental health diagnoses, how to manage personal & professional struggles, & provide overall emotional support. We specialize in college students and have experience in helping students navigate all the different triumphs and challenges that college can bring. Finding love within yourself, for yourself, leads to a strong foundation that can support one’s growth and ability to cope with difficult life experiences. We aim to alleviate fear & apprehension about the therapeutic process through building genuine relationships with clients.

I work at CampusCare Counseling. I am trauma-informed in my approach. This means I work with clients to build trust, taking into consideration personal and socio-cultural factors, with the goal of forming a therapeutic relationship that empowers clients and allows their authentic selves to be in the therapy space. I believe growth, as defined by the client, happens from there. When clinically indicated, I pull from my experience and training with trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and EMDR. Additionally, I use psychodynamic, existential, and feminist perspectives to inform my work.

My collaborative therapeutic approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), focusing on helping clients understand and shift their thought and behavior patterns. I integrate psychodynamic principles to explore how relationships shape sense of self, understanding of others, and present patterns. My work is guided by a multicultural humility lens, recognizing how culture and systems of power, privilege, and oppression influence mental health and meaning. I aim to create a flexible, individualized space where clients can pause, feel, and prioritize what matters most, grounded in respect, empathy, trust, and collaboration. I work with adults navigating mood/anxiety disorders, grief, identity development, relationships, college adjustment, and other life stressors. I also specialize in providing culturally-responsive care to BIPOC clients navigating acculturation- or discrimination-related stress. I work collaboratively to support clients through periods of heightened distress. My research focuses on suicidality, mood/anxiety disorders, and BIPOC resilience. I have trained in inpatient and residential programs, hospital outpatient care, and university counseling settings. I have experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills coaching. I am a Black American woman, first-generation student, and proud New Orleans native.

About Me / Specialties I am a licensed psychologist specializing in treating adolescents and young adults with OCD, anxiety (including social anxiety, panic, phobias, and generalized anxiety), and related conditions such as body dysmorphic disorder, trichotillomania, tics, and excoriation disorder. I provide evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I see clients in-person in Cambridge, MA and virtually throughout Massachusetts and Texas. I also work with parents, offering coaching to help support their teen or young adult while reducing family accommodations. My goal is to create a compassionate, collaborative space where we take mental health seriously—but not ourselves too seriously. A little humor can go a long way in therapy! Treatment Approach I tailor treatment to each individual, often addressing co-occurring concerns like depression, eating issues, or trauma alongside anxiety or OCD. Using ERP, CBT, ACT, and DBT strategies, I help students manage symptoms, regulate emotions, and make meaningful, lasting changes—all in a supportive and approachable way. Training & Experience I earned my PhD from the University of Virginia, completed my clinical internship at Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Health Alliance, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for OCD and Related Disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, where I currently see therapy patients and conduct research on OCD spectrum disorders.

My style is warm, empowering, and deeply collaborative. I work from the understanding that the therapeutic relationship itself is a powerful vehicle for healing, built on fostering genuine compassion and unconditional positive regard. I use an integrative approach tailored to clients’ unique needs, drawing from psychodynamic, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). My work is trauma-informed, integrating mindfulness, Liberation Health, and anti-oppressive frameworks, while emphasizing awareness and somatic experience. I work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, identity concerns, relationship and family dynamics, and college adjustment. I specialize in supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, and individuals navigating chronic illness. I offer an affirming space for diverse identities and relationship dynamics. In addition to a Master of Social Work, I have a Master of Education in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies and a background as a health and wellness/biology teacher, which provides me with a unique understanding of the challenges students encounter in educational environments.

I think of this work as a combination of life coaching and therapy. We will focus on your day to day life challenges, noticing the patterns that lead to success as well as those patterns that get in your way. While doing this we can strengthen and celebrate what is working, become aware of patterns that are not working and create new patterns resulting in a better life. In my practice we can do both in-person and/or Telehealth. If we are to meet in-person I like to meet you where you are at literally and figuratively. I do not see people in an office. In my time as a clinician I have learned that some of the best work is done on a walk or a drive, while at a coffee shop or some other cool place that you know. Give me a call and see if I feel like a good fit.

Life has a way of surprising us — a loss, a betrayal, a diagnosis, or a path that no longer feels right. In these moments, it’s easy to feel unsteady or unsure how to move forward. I specialize in working with college students and young adults who are navigating these turning points and trying to find their footing again. With over 15 years of experience in counseling settings at Harvard and MIT, I offer a warm, supportive space where you can slow down, reflect, and feel understood. My approach is both insight-oriented and practical — helping you make sense of your experiences while building tools for meaningful change. Many of my clients are high-achieving individuals — often children of immigrants, or professionals in higher education and STEM — who appear put-together on the outside while quietly carrying stress, grief, or a sense that something isn’t quite working. If that sounds like you, I can help. Let's get started!

Looking for support during a life change? Feeling stuck? Then let's talk. Clients say I bring calm attention, humor, & creativity to all my engagements and that I help them center, increase awareness, build resiliency practices, and recalibrate communication and routines that have gone off-track. I hold certifications in IFS, mindfulness, nature/outdoor guidance, coaching, EMDR along with somatic and expressive arts practices. I've worked in multicultural, medical and educational settings supporting people of all ages - from children-to-parents-to-elders. A unique part of what I offer is to meet outside for walk-and-talk sessions and to explore ways that Nature can be a resource in your healing and grounding process. Nature reminds us that stability during change is possible and that we are always connected to larger things in this world, seen and unseen. In the spirit of Rumi's quote "what you seek is seeking you," let's work together to move you toward whatever calling you forward.

I actively engage with my clients to help them identify and articulate their distress. We work together to discover the counter-productive behaviors and thought patterns leading to this distress. We then work together again on challenging and changing those thoughts and actions. You can expect a therapy experience that is engaged, solution focused, and interactive.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I believe in the power of relationships. We show ourselves, and become ourselves, through our relationships with others. I seek to provide a safe space for collaborative exploration of your thoughts and feelings, including those that may have been pushed aside. By working together to give voice to your desires and fears, and develop non-judgmental awareness of your inner conflicts, you can learn how to give yourself what you need and build resilience. I am a Licensed Psychologist, primarily trained in psychodynamic and family systems practices. specialized in working with adults struggling with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, traumatic experiences, and acculturation/identity issues. I am bilingual (English-Spanish) and bicultural, and have an interest in multicultural clients' needs. I individualize/tailor my therapeutic approach to meet the needs and goals of each client, because this should be about you. Whether you yearn for peace, love, authenticity, balance, or even if you do not know what is missing in your life, please contact me to learn more about how therapy can help you find it.

College and graduate school can bring both exciting opportunities and overwhelming challenges. Whether you’re starting a new program and adjusting to multiple life transitions, navigating a new or ongoing ADHD diagnosis, managing stress, or working through relationship struggles, I aim to help provide a safe and supportive space to cultivate more clarity and resilience. As a therapist, I believe you are the expert of your own experience. My role is to collaborate with you, honoring your strengths while offering curiosity, compassion, and evidence-based tools. I provide a reflective space where you can explore challenges and gain insight, balanced with practical, solution-focused strategies you can use between sessions. My approach is strengths-based and growth-oriented—I aim to highlight what’s already working for you while supporting the changes you want to make. I know reaching out for therapy can feel like a lot, especially when you’re already juggling so much! I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to help see if we could be a good fit. You don’t have to figure this all out alone. I’d be honored to be a partner in your journey as you move toward a more balanced, intentional, and fulfilling future.

My aim as a therapist is to help clients resolve the problem they are experiencing in their lives. I offer a safe environment for clients to express themselves, gain a sense mastery and autonomy through talking and increasing strategies and skills to better cope and thrive in life. My clinical approach is to tailor care to clients’ individual needs- integrating an array of approaches and training experience such as insight-oriented methods, cognitive behavioral techniques, trauma informed treatment, mindfulness-based care, and addiction and substance use disorders treatment. My education includes a Master’s in social work (MSW) from Rutgers University( with Minor in Alcohol Studies) and a Bachelor of Liberal Arts (BA) from the University of New Hampshire( English Literature/Minor in Psychology.) My professional experience includes university counseling- most recently at Harvard University 's Counseling and Mental Health services where I work for 16 years supporting college and graduate students, and previously in NIAAA/NIDA research studies, community mental health, hospital based social work, clinical director of inpatient /outpatient program, employee assistance. Clients describe me as a good listener, empathetic, compassionate, a good sense of humor and a firm believer in change.

About my practice: I strive to offer clients with a warm and collaborative environment to help them cope with issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, academic/job-related stress, chronic health concerns (including navigating complex medical systems), and life transitions. I understand that people are doing the best they can, while simultaneously wanting to change. While I enjoy working with people from all backgrounds, many people who seek me out identify as people of color and/or have inter-racial or trans-national families. In addition, I frequently see clients with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. I help clients consider ways to draw upon existing strengths as they cope with various forms of marginalization. My approach: My style is collaborative, and I integrate multiple approaches, depending on a client's needs and preferences. I draw from psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and mindfulness-based therapies. I help clients consider their patterns of relating to themselves and others that are leaving them feeling stuck. In addition, I offer clients skills to shift their relationship with distressing thoughts and feelings, so they can better engage in their lives. Fees: About me: After earning a master's degree in Human Development at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, I completed my doctoral studies at University of Massachusetts Boston. My postdoctoral training at McLean Hospital, a Harvard-affiliated psychiatric hospital, focused on exposure therapy for anxiety disorders. Most of my work has been in school settings, including college counseling centers, because I love working with students. If you have questions, please feel free reach out!

Dr. Kazuko Montgomery earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Antioch University New England. She also holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from the Saint Michael’s College. She has extensive experience working with diverse populations, as an individual and family psychotherapist and conducting neuropsychological, cognitive, and psychological assessments. She provides counseling for depression, anxiety, and ADHD and its related executive function challenges. Dr. Montgomery’s training includes University of Vermont counseling center. She integrates many theories and approaches in order to meet the unique needs of her clients, including but not limited, cognitive behavioral therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and executive function coaching among others. Dr. Montgomery was born and raised in Japan and understands the struggles and impacts of immigration/multicultural/social adjustment issues.

At the heart of psychotherapy is accompaniment through one’s inner world. Current difficulties, past struggles, individual and familial traumas, hidden hopes and dreams – all of this will be central to making sense of your present and building toward your future. Starting psychotherapy can feel intimidating, but the benefits can be huge: deeper self-understanding, more meaningful and authentic relationships, reduced depression and anxiety, increased self-confidence. I have worked with a diverse swath of undergrad and graduate students in college counseling centers, and have studied and taught at private and public universities across the country. My specializations include relationship struggles, family conflict and crisis, identity development, career direction, academic concerns, gender and sexuality, trauma, spirituality, creativity, chronic illness, immigration, and LGBTQIA+ issues in teens and adults. I am committed to meeting you where you are at in the therapeutic process, and I welcome exploration of racial, sexual, and gender identities. I am a Harvard Medical School Psychiatry fellow trained in psychodynamic, relational, cognitive behavioral, and mindfulness-based therapies, but I believe a strong sense of connection is the most important element in seeking a therapist. I encourage you to reach out to a number of practitioners to find a good match. I look forward to hearing from you.

My approach to therapy is guided by the belief that healing and change occur in relation with others. I am committed to meeting people where they are, taking time to learn their unique needs and life experiences, and honoring their own self-knowledge. I strive to create a safe and contained space that fosters exploration and self-actualization. I draw from psychodynamic and relational therapies, while also integrating narrative therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). My style is warm, genuine, and collaborative, and I practice with a queer, feminist, and anti-oppressive lens. I work with adults of all ages to navigate a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, identity issues, life transitions, interpersonal struggles, grief, and loss. I specialize in working with complex and developmental trauma, relationships and attachment, and first-generation challenges and experiences. I have experience working in schools, colleges, and community mental health. My personal and professional experiences have informed my passion for working with individuals impacted by the carceral system. I also find joy in expanding and enriching the therapeutic experience through the use of music, theater, and other art forms.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Life Transition Counseling and Therapy: 25+ Years Experience Asian American Psychotherapist, LICSW Adjunct Professor at Boston College In Person in Brookline and Harvard Square and Virtually I work with people who have spent much of their lives managing expectations, carrying responsibility, and doing what they are supposed to do. When a major change occurs, the ways they've always navigated life may no longer fit. Together, we make sense of what you're experiencing, understand what's keeping you stuck, and figure out what comes next. I combine clinical support with practical tools to help you: Understand your emotions: Learn to relate to what you're feeling rather than ignoring, avoiding, or fighting it. Clarify your values: Identify what truly matters to you—not just what is expected of you. Reduce symptoms: Address any stress, anxiety, depression, or burnout you may be experiencing and develop skills to manage it. Build confidence: Gain the inner-strength and resilience to step forward into action.