Family Systems Therapists in Cambridge, MA

I am a Licensed Psychologist in private practice and an Instructor in Psychology at Harvard Medical School. I have over 25 years experience working with couples and individuals, and providing training and consultation to other therapists. I specialize in helping distressed, high-conflict and/or emotionally distant couples. I also specialize in helping people cope with stress and anxiety, as well as depression, other types of emotional distress, and physical problems that often accompany stress.

As Einstein said, "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." That is why I enjoy guiding multimodal ways of thinking and enacting the change people (you!) want in your life. That can mean outdoor walk-and-talk therapy, mindfulness practices, drama/play therapy, CBT approaches, family systems and restorative justice circle experiences. I work with individuals, families and groups across the lifespan and across multiple intersections of identity. I've particularly worked for years alongside identified women, elders and also children & the adults who care for them(c).

Life is a journey of continual self-discovery, filled with challenges, stressors, and moments of adjustment. Sometimes, these demands become overwhelming, and navigating them alone can feel overwhelming. As a therapist, I offer client-centered psychotherapy and consultation services for adults. My expertise lies in assisting individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, stressful life situations, relationship difficulties, and adjustments to life changes. Grounded in developmental, cognitive-behavioral, narrative, and internal family systems (IFS) theories, my approach is focused on the client, practical, and strength-based.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC I). I have a Masters of Education in mental health, addictions, and marriage and family therapy. I have worked with families, adolescents and adults for over the 10 years in a variety of settings. I typically utilize a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Family Systems Therapy.

Each therapy begins with a consultation for "goodness of fit". I listen carefully and actively for symptoms, to history and to the experience of suffering. Desciphering patterns that may contribute to current suffering begins right away as well. I encourage your questions so that together we can develop a collaborative treatment plan. This plan may include short-term intervention or longer-term therapy, depending on the nature of problems, treatment goals, and available resources. I use a range of treatment approaches e.g. dynamically informed psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy, mindfulness-based interventions, EMDR and expressive arts in my therapeutic work.

I believe strongly in the resilience of people, and that a healthy therapeutic relationship can promote trust, healing, and personal growth. I believe that successful therapy is predicated on having a strong therapeutic alliance; the connection and collaborative relationship between the client and therapist. Taking a strength-based perspective, I listen deeply and reflectively to sustain a non-judgmental and safe environment. I am passionate about helping clients fully process past experiences and thrive in relationships with themselves, others, and the world around them.

Active in approach, transparent in nature and collaborative in style, my practice will validate all it has taken for you to arrive at my door. Then begins the process of crafting a clear pathway towards a different experience of self. Supporting individuals and families in acquiring and sustaining the real skills necessary for positive behavioral change is what I do best, be it in my Cambridge office or in the front room of your home.

I believe therapy provides a place where you can get to know yourself on a deeper level and reflect on how to best navigate your life. I work with people to meet them where they are in their path and use the relationship we build as a safe, collaborative base for growth. I am committed to creating a non-judgmental, supportive and empathic environment to explore life's joys and challenges. I work with people on addressing the issues of the here-and-now, as well as past experiences and how they inform relational, occupational and existential difficulties. I work with both individuals and couples.

You might have had a bad break-up, lost a friend or loved one, or are just struggling to cope with the daily motions, seeking greater insight about changing patterns or navigating a confusing time in your life. You might be carrying the weight of so many untold stories and unfulfilled dreams within you, buried beneath years of struggle. You might be moving through life, feeling so fundamentally different, flawed, and alone at times. You might be wondering, "When can I finally breathe easier?" I see you, and I'm here. Through the questions you've been navigating as you journey into the unknowns of your self and your life,

Nikki works with children and adults of all backgrounds, specializing in LGBTQIA+, couples therapy and polyamory, parenting/co-parenting, children with special needs, immigrants and international students, and Asian mental health. She has experience with a wide range of issues including anxiety, communication, self-image, people pleasing, personal growth, embodiment, relational issues, boundary setting, neurodivergent and queer experiences, racial trauma, etc. Her therapeutic approach is creative and relational, and she provides language-specific care in both English and Mandarin Chinese.

Psychological suffering exists on different levels and manifests in different ways, in psyche, body, interpersonally, socially, both consciously and unconsciously. Thankfully, there are many ways to address psychological struggle, ranging from the exploration of non-conscious intra-psychic and interpersonal dynamics underlying "symptoms" to the exploration of ways that we are alienated from community. This work is especially helpful when the source of our suffering is unclear. My work is social justice-informed and incorporates an understanding of how larger systems impact our lives. Facilitating empowerment is key in my work.

I have worked with many individuals and families that struggle with depression, anxiety, interpersonal relationships, substance abuse, and abusive relationships. In addition, I have experience working with children that are struggling with adoption. I specialize in family-systems models, attachment oriented therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. By utilizing an individualized insight-oriented approach, I can help both children and adults process emotions and achieve positive progress to reach their goals. I am a strong believer of the mind/body/spirit connection.

I enjoy helping individuals and couples overcome whatever is preventing them from experiencing greater health, emotional well-being and fulfillment in their lives. For over 28 years, as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, I have provided counseling to clients dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, life transitions, loss, recovery issues, career change, as well as creative blocks. In addition to my clinical expertise, I bring warmth, compassion and humor to each session, along with a deep respect for clients' strengths and experiences.

I enjoy working with adolescents, teenagers and adults who have trauma histories and traumatic loss. I believe that with every trauma comes opportunity for spiritual, emotional and relational growth. As a Social Worker and family systems therapist, I work with clients to address depression, anxiety, and trauma, from a wholistic and systemic perspective.

I have worked as a clinician in mental health for over 25 years. I have dedicated myself to child welfare and have a specialty in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, adoption, attachment, Bipolar and addictions. I take a supportive approach to my client work so they are able to arrive at healthy solutions. I also have experience in family therapy taking a family systems approach to the work. My practice is located in the center of Medford and is easily accessible by public transportation. The staff in the office are all welcoming and there is a play space for children.

I have experience treating adults with grief and loss issues, coparenting and family issues, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, substance use, relationship difficulties, and parenting and life transitions including divorce, loss and employment. My ideal client wishes to improve their overall quality of life personally and/or professionally.

I am dedicated to supporting individuals, couples, and young professionals on their journey towards healing and growth. With expertise in anxiety, trauma, relationships, and depression, I provide a compassionate and empowering space for my clients to explore their emotions, themselves, and their internal workings. I collaborate with clients to identify the underlying causes of their anxiety, challenge thought patterns, and figure out who they are. I provide a warm, safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their emotions, find their voice, and towards creating a more fulfilling life. I believe we are a team.

Sue Perez is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with over 7 years of experience in the mental health field. She believes that her role as a therapist is to help you uncover the unmet needs behind your emotions and actions and to provide tools for helping you acknowledge, attend to, and speak for those needs. She has experience in doing this kind of work with people of all ages who have experienced trauma, anxiety, depression, family/relationship, and behavior issues. She has a passion for providing a space where people can truly be seen, heard, and understood. She works with individuals, couples, and families.

Focusing her practice on couples, sexuality, and family systems, Marissa works with couples and families navigating relational dynamics. Marissa has worked with couples to rebuild trust and create new relational agreements. She has experience working with interracial, interfaith, and multicultural families. Marissa training includes working with desire, intimacy, infidelity, conflict management, and parenting. Marissa works with families (ages 14+), navigating topics including adoption, mental health, queerness, and disability. She also offers Individual therapy for those in the process of separating.