Adoption Therapists in Andover, MA

In the chaos of life, we can all feel stuck. Asking for help to navigate these struggles can be the first step you may need. I have over 20 years of experience working with foster care, adoption, addressing grief, loss and trauma. Your vulnerabilities will be protected and honored. I will guide you, provide support and encouragement, as we work collaboratively to achieve your desired goals.

"Choosing to use therapy as a support is a personal decision. Sometimes people believe they have an idea of what therapy is all about and others are not sure what to expect. The truth is, therapy can be a number of things from a place to decompress, a place to address personal issues/struggles, a place to learn new skills to include in your lifestyle, etc. What your therapeutic experience will be shall be defined by you, your therapist and what you have gained from therapy. Finding the right therapist you feel comfortable with is essential to this process.

I believe everyone's life is a journey in pursuit of happiness. In this pursuit we all have choices to make and obstacles to overcome. If you have made your way here you have undoubtedly reached an obstacle in your journey that you require assistance to overcome. Please allow me to help you. Over the past 20 years I have gained a tremendous amount of satisfaction in working closely with people to help them clearly identify the obstacles in their path and help them overcome these obstacles.

Considering therapy is a big step and finding a therapist who matches your needs is an important part of the process. I specialize in working with new parents through pregnancy and postpartum, also have experience working with adoptive parents. The journey into parenthood can simultaneously be filled with joy and uncertainty. Changes in mood, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts are common as one navigates this enormous life change. It may feel isolating at times, and you do not need to face this alone.

You want to feel better and do better in your life, and now, perhaps more than ever, you need someone – someone REALLY helpful – “in your corner” to help you turn things around. I’m willing and able to do just that. Together, we can do this: I use a range of solution-focused approaches: treatments that work (CBT, DBT, and whatever else works). We’ll figure out exactly how you’ve “gotten here,” plan a way out, and I’ll guide you along the way…as we activate your strengths and your inner resources to live a better life. I work with adults, teens, and families and I’m available immediately to give you the help you need and deserve.

Please reach out via email if interested in scheduling an initial assessment/session. I hold the foundational view that all of our stories occur within the context of the family, cultural, and social systems in which we live. Therefore, the pressure and supports that each of these systems provide are integral parts of both how we experience challenges and how we heal them. In each session, I utilize a strengths-based approach as well as my training in Family Systems Therapy to contour the work in order to find greater balance in client’s lives.

When you improve your relationship with yourself and your relationships with others, you are “on the path” to a happier, healthier life. I’d like to help you along that path. Together, we can explore a range of approaches: whatever works. But – so you know where I’m coming from – in the end, it’s always about relationships. I’d like to meet you.

I strive to create a warm, supportive atmosphere for my clients who are looking for guidance as they navigate through difficult experiences in their lives. My treatment approach is eclectic and flexible depending upon the varied experiences and goals that clients bring to each session. A clinical focus of my work includes support around experiences including depression, anxiety, life transitions and grief, as well as supporting individuals and couples pursuing varied family building pathways, individuals experiencing perinatal mood disorders and pregnancy/neonatal loss and women's health issues.

I specialize in working with children to build their existing social-emotional skills in conjunction with their parents to best support the family's journey. This work includes building skills to improve positive communication, emotional regulation, ability to identify and understand feelings, social relationships, and other challenges they may be experiencing, including anxiety and depression. My experience has made me passionate about the importance of using a collaborative approach to child therapy. I believe that individuals and families are experts in their own lives.

If you’re working on overcoming depression, anxiety, substance abuse, trauma, a difficult life transition, unhealthy coping behaviors, relationship struggles or any other area hindering your ability to live your fullest life I would love to work with you! My goal is for you to flourish through our work together and I strive to create a supportive and nonjudgmental environment. It’s important to uncover the root cause of symptoms and effectively work through them so they don’t create roadblocks or unhealthy patterns in our life. Let me help you defeat self destructive and unhealthy behaviors and become your best self!

My expertise, foundation, and passion for work has been developed in a congregate care setting while treating a variety of diagnoses combined with cognitively limited, developmentally delayed patients stepping down from extensive periods of psychiatric hospitalization in need for stabilization. Clinically, I have significant experience working with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety, depression, intellectual disabilities, PTSD, trauma, and much more.

I believe that how comfortable someone feels with their therapist is the key to a positive treatment outcome. If you can’t speak freely about everything (EVERYthing) with your therapist, the real work of therapy can't occur. I will work alongside you - to guide you, and to extract the parts of you that are capable of change. That’s why I love this work - every person who comes to me absolutely has the capacity to evolve and change for the happier. And I am the one who gets to help guide them there. (AS OF June 2024: Limited virtual & in-person availability; NO after-school availability at this time.)

My passion is supporting individuals and families in finding their voice. Our world is a complex and overwhelming place and events of the day can bring about fear and anxiety which can impact the ability to live fulfilling and peaceful lives with abundance and joy. My goal is to provide a space to promote mindful response rather than unhealthy reaction. I use methods including motivational interviewing, cognitive behavior therapy, expressive therapy, EMDR and play to help clients to feel empowered. I provide therapy to the entire family system in order to best support my clients toward meeting their goals.

Andover Social Development and Counseling Center offers combinations of psychotherapy / varied therapeutic, counseling services with direct instruction of social skills, coping strategies, individual behavior plans, relaxation techniques and functioning skills to provide clients with the necessary resiliency tools to overcome stressors, low frustration tolerance, fears, loss, relationship conflict and social challenges.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with an extensive background treating a variety of different ages, situations, emotional and mental health disorders in individuals and their families. I specialize in treating adolescents and college-age students, but also have significant expertise providing treatment to adults, families, and couples.

Go to WWW.AVIV.LIFE to contact us about booking and availability! Immediate virtual openings! Limited in-person openings. Let's get you started today!

My ideal patient comes with an open mind to participate in talk therapy and narrative therapy. Ready to start a process - not necessarily eager to engage but wanting to make a change. They are sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Note** I am currently not accepting new patients. I have been a therapist for 20+ years and have worked at MGH for the last 12 as well as having a private practice. I consider myself to be a warm, genuine therapist and have experience treating anxiety, depression, bipolar, trauma, substance abuse and relationship issues. I have worked with individuals throughout the life span but particularly enjoy adults and couples. I come from a psychodynamic perspective and also include cognitive-behavioral as well as solution focused therapies in my treatment. Entering therapy is not always an easy step to make, but it can change your life.

AWC does currently have a waitlist, we are working hard to add new clinicians to be able to provide the support that's needed. Life can take us down unexpected paths, and the change that must occur can be difficult, especially to do alone. We believe that every person is unique and experiences the world in their own way and that every person has internal motivation to reach their full potential. We are here to help you navigate your journey in a safe and nurturing environment.