Male Therapists in Cambridge, MA

What is a life worth living for you? This is ultimately the question we will journey into. Our work might explore your ways of relating to the given "problem", reframe particular internalized narratives, educate you on neurobiological frameworks, and/or encourage you to draw upon your own unique heritage, hopes, and motivations toward your behavioral change and your preferred life. I hope to remind each person of the maxim of narrative therapy: "the problem is the problem; the person is not the problem" (White, 1998). So, what story would you like to write through your actions, values, and life?

I am a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst with 20 years experience providing consultation and psychotherapy. I work with adults and adolescents on a variety of issues, ranging from an individual's emotional and relationship difficulties to a general sense of "being stuck" or dissatisfied with life. I believe it necessary to provide a reliable, empathic setting to carefully understand these difficulties, and more importantly, facilitate personal growth and transformation. My private practice is in Harvard Square, Cambridge. Please feel free to call me for an appointment as well as any questions about my practice or myself.

For over 35 years I have been providing patients with a safe space that is mutually created together through a trusting connection built to hold whatever you bring into therapy. My focus is on longer term therapy that is aimed at achieving real and lasting change in one's life. It is also my experience that once many of the initial issues are worked through, whether they are older emotional wounds or current relationship issues, that ultimately what will emerge are your own unique qualities that will allow you to flourish in all aspects of your life.

There are many reasons to consider therapy. You may find yourself stuck in old patterns, such as compulsive behaviors, relationship difficulties, or constant worry. You may be struggling with new challenges, like grief, a new diagnosis, or a career change. Therapy provides a space for you to process difficult feelings and situations with the empathic support of a professional. As a therapist, I help patients explore new ways of relating to the world and to themselves. My goal is for patients to use insights and skills to make make desired changes in their lives.

I feel my ideal client is one who is self-motivated in wanting to uncover what hides beneath their unresolved traumas, fears, and old survival modes.

My therapeutic approach is grounded in psychodynamic, relational cultural, and cognitive-behavioral theories. My therapeutic style is collaborative and transparent in nature, as I aim to be aligned with my clients’ treatment goals and clear in the direction of our sessions. Additionally, I aim to meet my clients where they are and utilize the relevant skills to meet my clients’ needs. My therapeutic style is rooted in curiosity and viewing the client holistically. I have had extensive training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approaches and am able to apply practical, short-term skills when clinically appropriate.

My approach to psychotherapy is person-centered, tailoring the therapy to the unique needs and lived experiences of each client. I draw primarily from psychodynamic therapies, with attention to the neurobiology of trauma and attachment. I also integrate narrative practices to help clients reauthor the stories they tell about their lives, and cognitive-behavioral practices to help transform insight into strategies for change. My style is authentic, non-judgmental, and warm, and I work with clients to enrich therapy with diverse sources of meaning-making, including art, music, film, literature, and world philosophies.

Dr. Utley’s primary areas of interest include: General and social anxiety, depression, trauma, binge eating, life transitions, relationship concerns, family difficulties, and bolstering general life satisfaction. He has a special interest in international adoption and minority identity development, Dr. Utley utilizes a client-centered and evidence-based approach that is flexible based on the client’s cultural background and presenting concerns. He incorporates Emotion-Focused Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy frameworks when working with clients.

I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Group Psychotherapist with over 12 years experience providing individual, group, and family therapy. I work with adolescents and adults of all ages who struggle with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationships, decision-making, work/school achievement, and/or making behavioral changes. Drawing from multiple theoretical approaches (psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive behavioral; relational, mindfulness, etc.), I provide the opportunity to identify, explore, and work through challenges and desires in a safe and supportive environment.

I am a psychologist & psychoanalyst with more than 40 years of outpatient and hospital based experience. I provide individual and couples therapy for clients struggling with the full range of interpersonal and emotional issues that bring people into treatment. Active compassionate listening designed to get to the root causes of my clients' pain and suffering is at the heart of my work. I trained and worked at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts for many years and completed psychoanalytic training at the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute where I am now on the faculty. Wit and warmth also come in handy.

I work with children, adolescents, young adults, parents, and families to help overcome a variety of stressors including anxiety, depression, impulse control and executive functioning issues like ADHD/language processing challenges, autism spectrum disorder, blended family struggles, academic challenges (from performance anxiety to IEPs and therapeutic schools), oppositional behaviors, and substance use. My clients describe me as warm, dedicated, and helpful. I tailor my approach to each client or family using an active-listening, strengths-based approach to build a trusting relationship and help clients identify and attain solutions that improve their functioning and relationships.

My commitment to mental health is deeply rooted in my experience growing up as an immigrant and witnessing how adaptive and resilient people can be, especially if we muster our forces to support and lift one another. I genuinely believe that my clients are the experts in their lives. I am here to hear your story in hopes of providing practical tools and insights to navigate life bumps better and celebrate achievements. My style of therapy is a non-hierarchical relationship, collaborative, and provides a space where making errors is acceptable.

At each stage of life we encounter new chances to overcome obstacles and live with peace of mind. We can meet these challenges with the right understanding, insight and support. Perhaps you are a young adult working to make the best choices in your career, in mid-life, navigating the stresses and strains of caring for your family, or in advanced years, searching for direction or meaning. My counseling services offer reasonably priced mental health care for the many obstacles you can encounter on your way to getting all you can from life.

How do we change? What makes change so difficult? These are vital questions when seeking help with overwhelming life difficulties. As a Harvard trained psychologist and psychoanalyst who both treats people seeking change and teaches other clinicians about such treatment, my focus is on helping my patients improve and deepen personal relationships, become more satisfied and productive in work, change lifelong ways of coping that just aren't working. Change occurs through exploration in a safe and private environment where you can feel understood and where you can creatively discover new ways of addressing old problems.

I specialize in working with individuals who have experienced trauma and abuse. I recognize the sensitive nature of these issues and the challenges these individual experience. I aim to provide a supportive environment and use empirically validated techniques to address trauma symptoms. I also work with individuals who need general mental health treatment, including difficulties with depression and anxiety. All services are available in English or Spanish. I also provide forensic services, including assessment and expert witness testimony. I specialize in interpersonal violence and abuse, trauma and PTSD, and sexual abuse.

Dr. Lerner completed his graduate training at the SUNY Albany Center for Stress & Anxiety Disorders, and the Boston University Center for Anxiety & Related Disorders where he was involved in the research and treatment of panic disorder, agoraphobia, and specific phobia using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). After his graduate training, Dr. Lerner completed a post-Doctoral fellowship in Behavioral Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Following his fellowship, Dr. Lerner became a staff psychologist at MGH and an instructor at Harvard Medical School, where he has been for the past 10 years.

In your inquiry email, kindly include your insurance provider (I accept BCBS, Medicaid, Aetna, MVP or self-pay) and week or weekend days that work best for you between 11 AM and 7 PM. I work best with adults who are motivated and choosing therapy of their own volition. Contemplative college students and adult couples are welcome to inquire as well. I reply to all emails - so please note that replies to Psychology Today inquiries sometimes go to spam folders.

Effective psychotherapy resembles friendship in the most generative and robust sense of the term. In the context of an increasingly trustworthy connection, I will accompany you into your inner world, where we might encounter together, with increasing complexity, the givens of your unique existence. Companioning you with presence and offerings of perspective, I will bring persistence, patience, and playfulness to our meetings. As your capacity for curiosity and self-compassion organically expand through this dialogue, you'll come to know-and-love yourself and others with an increasing harmony of calmness, clarity, and courage.

Life in our world today can be a complex journey, often filled with challenges that leave us feeling adrift and overwhelmed. If you or your child is someone who is struggling to navigate the intricate web of work/school, family, and relationships, I am here to help. Many individuals find themselves feeling stuck, dwelling on the past, or consumed by worries about the future, making it difficult to remain present and truly engage with and take control of their lives. I meet clients exactly where they are at, offering empathy and understanding, and working collaboratively to promote integration, well-being, and positive change.