Therapists for college students near Northeastern University
LICSW, MSW Simmons Graduate School of Social Work 2006 Individual Support Collaborating with intention to create a clear sense of purpose and pathway to change My clinical practice is broad in scope and includes adolescents, young adults, adults and families addressing general mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, relationship concerns and adjusting to life changes. While prioritizing trust, I work with you, tapping into the skills, strengths and resources you have reduce stress, achieve healthy and productive relationships and self compassion.
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Often, a significant source of suffering lies in thoughts and feelings that exist outside of our awareness and have not yet been able to find full expression. Psychotherapy offers the unusual opportunity to be listened to deeply and to learn to listen to ourselves in new ways. Exploring and developing insight into your inner life can lead to change—feeling better about yourself, shifting seemingly intractable patterns that have kept you stuck, and developing a greater sense of agency and fulfillment in your life. My practice provides a safe setting in which this exploration can unfold. I'll work collaboratively with you to help you make sense of distressing feelings and thoughts, gain insight into your experiences, and develop a more authentic relationship to yourself and to the world. I have advanced training in psychodynamic psychotherapy, and my work is influenced by psychoanalytic and trauma-informed approaches. I see adults and specialize in a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, complex trauma, and relationship difficulties. You can read more about my practice on Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/795370
Fit is essential to good therapy. When the fit is right, therapy can become a practice space for navigating the complexity of relationships in everyday life. I value an open and collaborative approach so that together we can understand the challenges you face; those that are both in and outside of your conscious awareness. Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety, questions of identity, work difficulties, relationship conflict, going through a life change, or dealing with family-related stress, I believe that together we can understand and address that which holds you back. The following clinicians work in my practice and are also listed with Thriving Campus: Joel Stanley, Mental Health Counselor, and Dr. Shirley Poyau. I specialize in the treatment of complex trauma, a condition resulting from early and repeated exposure to neglect and abuse on the part of caregivers. I strive to create a space with clients where safety, in the context of a therapeutic relationship, can be experienced in order to promote recovery. I bring an awareness of the body and its various forms of communication into treatment, while also listening for layered meanings contained in the spoken word. I integrate psychodynamic principles and body-based approaches into my work. Social justice, equity, and cultural issues also significantly guide my clinical approach.
I believe that therapy is a collaborative journey. My style includes creating a warm space for my clients to work through difficult issues. I think it's okay to laugh and/or cry when you're managing stress and mental health needs. You can expect a responsive experience where you can explore ways to improve your quality of life. When appropriate, I will also provide feedback and challenge clients to try on new ways of approaching their lives.
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I strive to provide a warm, supportive, nonjudgmental atmosphere where clients are free to explore their difficulties as well as reconnect with and harness their strengths. I aim to create a space where growth, healing, and transformation can occur. I do this by using a client-centered approach, listening kindly, and offering constructive feedback to help clients challenge self-defeating beliefs and behaviors. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is my main theoretical orientation. My goal is to help each individual to access their unique strengths and remove any blockages that are preventing them from attaining their highest state of well-being and becoming their whole selves. I have helped clients learn skills to better manage stress, as well as to recover from depression, anxiety and substance use using a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach. Although Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is my main orientation, I understand that each person's needs are unique and I apply other modalities including insight orientated therapy and mindfulness. I provide both short and longer-term therapy depending on your individual needs. I have specialized experience working with LGBTQIA+ individuals, transgender and gender-diverse individuals.
Lumin Health is a psychiatrist-led mental health organizations serving young adults who feel stuck with depression and anxiety despite efforts with traditional methods. We provide two evidence-based options: esketamine (Spravato) — an FDA-approved, insurance-covered treatment — and ketamine therapy delivered in a carefully monitored setting. Each session happens in a private room with vitals tracked, standard two-hour observation, and a ride-home requirement to keep you safe. You set the pace; our team provides steadiness.   Access matters, especially for students and early-career adults. Spravato treatment is insurance-covered at Lumin Health; we accept Medicare and most major plans in Massachusetts (Aetna, Anthem, BCBS, Cigna, Evernorth, Harvard Pilgrim, Optum, Point32Health, Tufts, United Healthcare). Our team handles prior authorizations and coordination so you’re not navigating forms between classes or shifts. Out-of-pocket costs typically range from $10 to $25, which is meaningful when the treatment typically costs $500+. Care is local and predictable: clinics in Woburn, Brookline, Newton, and Cambridge Massachusetts, flexible scheduling, and collaborative communication with your current therapist or prescriber. That structure helps ketamine treatment fit real life — exams, internships, family demands — rather than the other way around.  Many young adults describe ketamine for depression as creating a window where rumination eases and possibilities feel closer. Spravato and ketamine treatment don’t cure depression, but they may offer rapid relief for some and a safer way to do deeper work with psychotherapy or behavioral support. What matters most is what feels possible to you now. If you’re exploring ketamine therapy or Spravato, Lumin Health will meet you with clarity, agency, and insurance-savvy support. 
For more than 20 years, I have provided therapy to individuals, couples and groups, as well as offering training, consultation and clinical supervision to community organizations. My work centers around bridging transitions, fostering personal growth and developing compassionate responses and strategies to address life’s challenges. In addition to providing support and encouragement, I will challenge you to think critically about the choices you are making and to work toward overcoming the obstacles that may be keeping you from achieving your goals. Whether you’re trying to learn something new, working on making a transition, or building your support network, you have a lot of choice about how and with whom you work on achieving your goals. There are therapists and other service providers to appeal to everyone’s personal style. Taking the time to find a professional who is not only credentialed, but who has an approach or philosophy that resonates with you is an important first step. My approach to everything that I do is to be as real as I can be. Whether I’m working with an individual in a therapy session, presenting to a large audience or collaborating on a community project, I’ve never been someone who is good at faking it. What you see is what you get. I hold myself to the same standards to which I hold my clients—authenticity and honesty are essential. I provide my clients with an accurate reflection of what I see and a professional assessment of how they might do things differently. I will challenge you to think critically about the choices you make and the impact those choices are having on your life. I rely heavily on resources that foster creativity and humor. I don’t rely on gimmicks or hidden agendas—if I’ve got information or tools that will help you, I will share them with you and encourage you to make them your own. As a therapist, I work hard to be flexible and responsive to the needs of my clients. There may be times when you feel you need more encouragement and support and less constructive feedback. Other times you may find that confronting an issue head-on feels more productive. I will encourage both of us to be patient with the process and to pay close attention to progress so that we can make adjustments throughout our work together. My areas of expertise include: mindfulness and meditation; strategies for coping with depression and anxiety; issues around sexuality, sexual functioning and relationships; sexual and gender identity; social skills; trauma; grief; substance use; attention training and living with uncertainty and change. To find out more about me, check out my website at www.jennbrandel.com, or call me to set up an initial consultation to see if we may be able to work together effectively.
College comes with a lot of change: career decisions, perfectionism, major life transitions, and the pressure to have it all figured out. If you're dealing with stress, anxiety, self-doubt, or just trying to navigate this chapter of life, I'm here to help. I create a collaborative, judgment-free space where we can work together on the things that matter to you. Whether you're struggling with perfectionism, facing big life changes, exploring career paths, or dealing with that critical voice in your head, my approach focuses on building self-compassion and changing the internal dialogues that fuel anxiety and shame. With experience in college mental health, outpatient therapy, and career counseling in higher education, I understand the unique challenges college students face. I work with students on career development, managing academic and personal stressors, navigating life transitions, and developing healthier ways of relating to themselves. Let's connect and see if we're a good fit!
I work with clients to manage how their mental well-being impacts their work. Mental health challenges can affect focus, confidence, and performance, and many of my clients experience anxiety, depression, trauma, perfectionism, or ADHD. I also work with students and professionals who are seeking direction in their careers or navigating a transition. Together, we use evidence-based therapy (including CBT and EMDR) and practical career guidance to align your career goals with your personal well-being.
Sometimes the hardest step is reaching out for help when we need it. As a therapist, it is very important to me to provide a uniquely comfortable (and at times - fun!) approach to sessions. It can be difficult to talk about some of life's challenges, so my goal is to be there to help you through it - in a way that works and feels right for you. We all have the tools within us to manage our mood, emotions, and relationships. My job is to empower you to identify and cultivate your strengths and interests to improve connections with yourself and others. ​ The majority of my clinical work has been done in crisis, hospital, and outpatient settings, so I am very comfortable in navigating whatever challenges you may be facing, calmly and without judgment. In addition, I am certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and bring these skills to sessions to further support you. ​ I have an extensive background working with specialized communities such as the LGBTQIA+ community and neurodivergent communities. Outside of sessions you can find me spending time with my cat (who may visit during Telehealth sessions), playing the piano, or creating a list of the best food in Boston. I am originally from Miami and I hope to bring some of that warmth to therapy sessions here in Boston. As a mental health therapist, I offer consulting services to help individuals and organizations improve their mental health and wellbeing. I work in partnership with my clients to identify areas of concern and develop customized solutions to meet their unique needs.
I believe one of the bravest things you can do is begin to understand your own story. What often brings us to therapy are life events that we did not sign up for or want to face. Unanticipated endings, dealing with uncertainties and fear can bring us to crossroads. These intersections present an opportunity for our hearts to grow and for our lives to align with our true north. My primary work has been in medical settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and community health. I believe that when working with individuals, the human connection is the core of what makes therapy meaningful and effective. If you are dealing with old patterns, a new health diagnosis, or experiencing significant loss or relationship issues, my practice might be a good fit. I welcome you to give me a call to discuss further whether I can be a good fit for your needs.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
PLEASE NOTE: currently, only Telehealth sessions are available. I am committed to helping individuals to find the best within themselves and to share that with those most important to them. Whether you are struggling with anxiety or depression, relationship difficulties (including "dating stress"), or life stresses, I always try to find what will be the most effective way to help you achieve your goals and live a happier, authentic, life, and to have real and meaningful relationships. My orientation is interpersonal, psychodynamic and emotionally focused.I am very active in the therapy relationship and work hard to help clients uncover the dysfunctional patterns that get in the way of genuine, healthy relationships, career goals and personal happiness. In addition to providing psychotherapy services, I offer Neurofeedback . The combination of psychotherapy and "brain training" can be a powerful and effective one, whether individuals are looking to cope with stress or are looking to attain peak performance in their field of endeavor.
I offer neuropsychological evaluations for college students. The purpose of these evaluations is to clarify the nature of students' struggles with attention, organization, or learning. Testing can be conducted in English and/or French.
I work with teens, college students, and young adults hoping to better manage life's difficulties and troubles with emotion regulation, unhelpful thoughts, and problematic relationships. Ultimately, I believe that people in treatment want to change and feel more fulfilled at school or work, in relationships, and with their sense of personal growth. Psychodynamic psychotherapy emphasizes that we will work on these issues together within a safe and supportive relationship. We can collaborate on your goals as we explore new perspectives, new meanings, and new ways of thinking about and coping with your overwhelming life stress. As a psychiatrist, I also prescribe medication when appropriate. I invite you to reach out and see if we would be a good fit for starting this work.
Compassionate Collaborative Psychotherapy I offer evidence-based psychological treatment with a particular emphasis on third-wave cognitive and behavioral therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Compassion-Focused Therapy. I prioritize a collaborative approach to treatment.
As a clinical psychologist, I assist clients to address issues that are difficult to confront alone. I encourage self-reflection, help clients gain a clearer understanding of their life experiences and bring awareness to patterns of relating that are interfering with living a satisfying life. My orientation is primarily psychodynamic; it promotes self-exploration and gaining insight, along with productive behavior change. I take an active and engaged role with my clients by asking questions and offering ideas. I approach therapy as a collaborative process with the intention of reducing suffering, increasing self-understanding, and cultivating deeper and more compassionate relationships. I specialize in addressing chronic trauma, depression, anxiety, life transitions, loss, and relationship difficulties.